While my mother emailed me regular updates over the weekend about the big snowstorm that dumped on the northern portions of the East Coast, Sailor Husband and I were busy creating our own version of a winter snowstorm! I have to admit, one of the wintertime things we both miss the most in Florida is snow. I don’t miss shoveling it, or having to deal with bad traffic due to snow, I miss the magic of a snowfall. So we did a “Florida version” by hanging a bunch of white tissue paper pom poms (tutorial on Martha here) and snowflake ornaments (courtesy Target after-Christmas sale, a couple years ago). Capturing the magic it adds to the space in a photo was difficult; but every time I walk into the room I smile and feel a little like wintertime has visited us!
I also wanted to show you some other pictures of things that have been tweaked or gone up around here for Christmas! (More photos here.) The gingerbread house was finished (I based it on this template), and I have to admit, I am so excited about it! I did a little dance after I finished it. hehe! I was going for a “Hansel and Gretel” look; encrusted with candy! Sailor Husband keeps asking when he can eat it. lol! (If you’re interested, here’s the page I found on making the icing “icicles” that hang from the front roof.) It’s right next to my little white feather tree that is bedecked with the cupcake ornaments, so I’ve dubbed this the “Sweets Corner”.
These are the $1 tinsel wreaths that I made. I wanted a trio of wreaths for a long wall in the dining room, but couldn’t find any within my budget, and wreath forms at the craft store were just as pricey. So I picked up three packages of silver tinsel garland ($1 each), and made my own wreath forms from wire coat hangers and rolls of newspaper taped over top. Once the tinsel was wrapped around, you’d never know it’s humble origins! The bows and mini ornaments were added for a bit more embellishment.
Finally, our beautiful tree! Being matchy-matchy is reserved for my small feather tree; this one is decidedly more eclectic. Sailor Husband and I have rather sizable collections of ornaments that we’ve been getting since we were babies, which makes it fun to decorate the tree and tell stories. This year, we were able get our live tree from a group that gives active duty military members fresh cut trees for free. I feel so blessed!
Are you all ready for the holidays? We have a bunch of stuff left to do (clean and tidy up before my in-laws arrive), prepping dinner for Christmas day, and generally making sure things are as ready as they’ll be. I’m just trying to remind my OCD self that things don’t have to be perfect. After all, Christmas isn’t about meticulously decorated gingerbread houses, delicious cookies, or a perfectly wrapped gift, is it? Have a lovely Tuesday, dear friends!
ADORE the “snow storm!” We lived in GA. for 18 years and it never fully seemed like Christmas with the warm weather. Your tree is beautiful…the shape and ornaments…
Lovely! I adore the garland wreaths – what a fabulous budget friendly idea! One I plan on promply stealing of course… :>
The tinsel wreaths are fabulous! Have a merry Christmas!
wow! how pretty! i adore the snow ball/flakes. your tree is wonderful too! we have to have a silly ole fake tree this year, because my ma is allergic and she’s living here right now. love her to pieces, but i wanted a real tree, haha
I LOVE the icicles on the gingerbread house… amazing! It looks so sweet! Enjoy the warm weather, because our alternative has been *just* warm enough (i.e. 33 degrees) to not snow so it’s been COLD and rainy… yuck. I’d rather have warm than cold and rainy! Have fun this week!
Oh my gosh Casey! Is there anything that you can’t do? Everything looks so very pretty. Your gingerbread house is beyond cute. You did a wonderful job. I love that you created your own snowstorm. We only got enough snow to cover the porch.
My sister got over two feet of snow. You have really created a Christmas wonderland. Your talent shines through in everything you do. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love all your decorations
The snowstorm is so pretty! Have a merry Christmas!
I think its so funny to see christmas decor just like mine, but in florida instead! I can’t imagine opening the door and seeing flowers and palm trees…while we have bare trees and at least a foot of snow (I’m in Ottawa, Canada)..
So fabulous! Those icing icicles on your gingerbread house are just perfect. You are incredible lady!
I love a girl who just rolls up her sleeves and makes it herself! I do the same thing; I can’t find or can’t afford what I want, so I just make it. The wreaths are sweet.
I can’t imagine being in the South for Christmas. My hubby was born and raised in Miami, and the few times we’ve been there for the holidays, I was confused! It felt like spring, not Christmas!
I like your snowstorm. Again, a great creative solution. Hope you have a great holiday!
Casey, your house looks like a magical Christmasland!! I love it and am so inspired with ideas for next year – your “snowstorm” would transform even my little dumpy apartment. Hope you have a merry, wonderful Christmas!! You are amazing.
Oh my gosh, I am in love with this! How charming your place looks! What a lot of work, but it was well worth it! I really love the idea for inexpensive sparkly wreaths. How clever!
One autumn I did a similar thing with fishing wire and big sycamore leaves that had fallen from a tree up the street. It was fun, and very suitable to look up at and daydream.
Love the wreaths! I’ve had the urge to make a wreath or two… but no time. What little time I had to look for wreath forms, I also found them more pricey than they were worth. But your idea is great and I’m gonna steal it!
As for the snow… it kind of ruined our awesome trip to Christmas Village in upstate PA for our 4 year old…. on the upside, we have about 2 feet in our yard, and he is soooo excited to build a snowman. Christmas Blessings to you and your family!
a.
Your decorations are so festive and quite lovely…I’m seriously impressed with all of them. I LOVE the idea for the wreaths made out of tinsel garland as it’s so incredibly clever! I’m going to have to try that sometime even if I don’t get a chance to until after Christmas
Also, mmmmmmm, that gingerbread house looks delicious AND well-structured! Fantastic job.
Happy holidays!
Oh, the white pom poms as snow is a fantastic idea! It looks magical indeed.
Everything looks so beautiful and that gingerbread house is too good to eat!!
Oh that’s a lovely idea, to hang those icicles from the ceiling! I love how Christmas-y your home is!
I just wanted to stop by and say merry Christmas, Casey, and thank you for a wonderful year of posts! I hope you have a wonderful day.
A xx
Oh my stars and garters, ma’am, that is ADORABLE. All of it! But especially the gingerbread house, oh my goodness. You have outdone yourself!
Your house/apartment looks amazing, I especially love the homemade wreaths.
And your ginger bread house looks adorable, so neat and tidy! Ours are a total mess, and all five of us were covered in icing by the end of the process.
Oh wow, I love the decor!!!
I also adore your blog and am so glad that I stumbled upon on it last week! Hooray! Merry Christmas to you!
You are so creative and talented! You should have your own show like Martha.
Wow, I love how you’ve decorated for Christmas. Your snowstorm is so pretty. And I love your tree. Your gingerbread house turned out amazing. It seems like everything you make is perfect!
As I have just spent the whole day mopping, dusting, ironing, etc., etc… I like to think that a good Christmas is at least enhanced by a little obsessiveness
Well, at least *I* can enjoy my Christmas more if I know that none of my guests will be surprised by a random dust bunny! Your house looks great – it will be a lovely setting for your celebrations 
that’s my kind of storm. your home is lovely.
Hey my brothers baseball team gives free trees to military… i didnt know they did it all over the place… thats wonderful!
I got squishy looking at the pictures and reading your post! I’m sending you a big (((HUG)))! You have just done wonderfully with all your Christmas decorating…and baking.
You have quite a gift, dear.
XOXO
Mom
PS I got the peppermint bark made, and it is something “you could eat one right after the other!”
Every time I read “Sailor Husband” instead of his name I laugh. That’s adorable that you call him that. Great decorations!!!
Casey, I love your holiday decor! Very beautiful!
i need to buy snowflake ornaments for my bedroom!
Wowww your place looks sooo Christmassy and beautiful! I adore the wreaths! I’m definitely having a go at those next year!
x