When we got back from our trip for Thanksgiving, we unpacked the car and while we were carrying things, I had the guys carry the tree up from the basement for me.  I usually might wait a day or two so we could settle and unpack, but with December a day away, I wanted to get rolling.  Thankfully, I had given myself a gift last year.  Instead of putting all of the lights on when the tree was put together, I put them on one section at a time.  This allowed me to unplug the lights and leave them on the tree when we put it away.  Happily, all of the strands were still in working order and we were able to get the tree up and lit pretty quickly. If you haven’t been here for past Christmases or you need a reminder, this tree is an 8′ Noble Fir

I was a little behind last year and by the time I shared some of my favorite Christmas decor ornaments, swags, and faux greenery, they were sold out!  So, I decided to get ahead and post them just before Thanksgiving (and while most items are on sale.)  Many of these items are ones I’ve used for several years and have returned to retailers once again.  They are all classic and can fit a variety of decorating styles. Realistic LED candles | Norfolk pine garland | Faux cedar picks | Faux juniper | Bird ornaments | 2024 Wallace Bell | Society6 Miss Mustard Seed Paper | Cozy knit stocking | Velvet ribbon  I fell in love with the Norfolk Pine collection a few years ago and, since then, have added a few garlands, wreaths, branches, and even a small bucket-sized tree.  They are an investment up front, but they save a lot of money (and mess) in the