Christmas This and That

I wrapped most of these and I couldn't tell you what is in half of them. 

BTW, we don't put our presents under the tree until Christmas Eve. 

A practice that started with small children and curious cats.
The kids have grown up, but the cats are still curious and like to rip paper.

Christmas preparations are going well. Meaning, I'm not worrying about the details too much. For instance, I usually keep a careful list of of the gifts I have gotten and wrapped for people and try to make sure that the gifts are somewhat balanced between my kids. Not this year. I know I've gotten each of them a couple of things they needed, but I can't remember exactly what they were or if one is getting more than the other. It doesn't really matter, and since I wrapped them weeks ago, Christmas morning will be a lot more fun as I try to guess what's in the packages from me.

Also, I've opted for the easy things to cook and take to the different Christmas parties. Some brownies, red and green sprinkles, and some cupcake papers and we're good to go. Christmas dinner will be a little more complicated, but I'm still holding out for maybe going to the store to get some of it pre-made.





Our decorations are usually pretty simple. Here are a few of them.

We got this wreath for our front door last year and plan to use it for many years to come.  It's big enough, that it makes a statement from the street and it lights up.

Are any of you out there old enough to remember the reflectors that you had to put around the Christmas tree lights? We found a few in my mother's things and my sisters and I each took a couple for old times sake. Growing up, we spent a lot of time unscrewing light bulbs, putting on the reflectors, and then screwing the bulbs back in.

This little tree belonged to my grandmother and she used it for her Christmas tree many years.  I've always liked it as have my sisters. This year it lives at my house.

This little tree didn't belong to my parents, grandmother, or any other special person. I got the wooden ornaments on it last year on clearance and got the tree to hang them on this year on sale. The tree lights up and adds a nice touch to the living room. The picture doesn't capture it's charm.

We have some felt mice and a cat that we put on our tree every year that the kids made when they were little. We tell stories with them and they move around. This year we added two dogs that have my parents name on them that came from my mother's Christmas things. 

I hope all of you out there are having a little holiday fun with some This and That however big or small that is.

Until next time...