Merry Christmas from Heidi! My 1st Guest Post!

A few weeks ago I introduced my friend Heidi on my blog through her wonderful fall decorations. I got so many comments and emails wanting to see more of sweet Heidi and her house that I asked her to do my very first guest post!  I am so excited to have Heidi sharing her feelings about Christmas and also touring us through a few of her beautiful decorations!




Heidi
Photo by Sarah McClendon Photography

  "I love Christmas time! I love it for the obvious reasons - presents, food, parties and family get togethers. The main reason though is that Christmas is the time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus!!! We celebrate a little baby being born in a barn…not an ordinary baby though. This baby was born to save us from our sins. Though I know why He was born in a stable with mangy, dirty animals, I just cannot help it; I wonder what that barn would have been decorated like if they knew that the Savior of the world was to be born there. Would there have been any great finds from the local TJ Maxx (yes, I’m a Maxxinista!)? Or gum drop garlands hanging from every stall? Maybe the decorator would have hit the half off sales. After all, Jesus was born in a barn to signify that He is accessible to ALL of us. Deals would have to be part of the charm right? Well, we all know that there weren’t any grand decorations or hoopla. None of it existed. But, oh how I love all of the hoopla, don’t you?

Normally, the thought of bringing 10,254 bins (just kidding-it’s only 10,253 bins) filled with stuff up from the basement would send me into a panic, but not THESE boxes. Nope, THESE boxes are the decoration I put up to celebrate what I KNOW is coming! So this year, when you bring out all of that “hoopla”, remember that this is YOUR contribution to the decoration of that ole, dirty barn. After all, we are decorating for a KING!"

"All wreaths and ribbon were bought at Carole's Southern Charm in Dawsonville, GA, several years ago. They really do look real-that's why I still paid about $20 for each wreath (at half off!) but it has been totally worth it. I've used them for about 6-7 years now. I made the bows on the wreaths. Get someone to teach you how to make bows-best crafty thing you will ever learn."

"I purchased this tree several years ago at TJ Maxx (yes, I truly am a Maxxinista!). It takes care of "outside" lights for us. I got the big red bells at Hobby Lobby. The tree also holds cinnamon sticks, grapevine stars (Hobby Lobby), and sprays from everywhere. I add some every year! Juicy tidbit: this tree STAYS decorated. We just carry it around to the garage on the side of the house and put it in the basement. No, I feel no remorse about doing this, EVER.

The sleigh was bought at Wal-mart several years ago-it's so old, it LOOKS old!! My sister gave me the glass jar filled with birdseed and wrapped with berry garland several years ago. Gives me that nice outdoorsy, old fashioned look that I love. The Santa Crossing sign is one of my FAVORITE finds ever. Was doing some after Christmas Shopping (yes, again) at an antique shop and found this treasure. I just attach it to the tree using floral wire. Stocking another great sign from Dondee Hicks."

Come on inside!

"We are not art collectors, but this horse left us "speechless" when we saw him. He was not one of our bargain pieces, but he was worth every penny. He just lights up the room. I have two garlands on the mantle. One is just plain fake greenery. I wrapped LOTS of white lights around that and then added the beautiful gold poinsettia garland on top of that. That beauty was purchased at an after Christmas sale at Duck Duck Goose in Dacula"

"Where do I start?? This tree is a compilation of many after Christmas sales. I honestly don't think I have paid full price for any ornament on my tree! Even the white frosted balls were bought at K-mart the day after Christmas one year. They are Martha Stewart; that's why they are so fabulous!"

"Another half off sale after Christmas. I bought tons of these at a store in Dacula too. My Christmas theme is "outdoorsy with a posh twist" Reindeer also abound. Love those little guys! It's funny because when I bought these feather balls, we didn't have our puppy. Turns out our puppy is a duck hunting dog and these drive him (and me) crazy!"

"I love my kitchen-it has a fabulous area to display some great pieces, as it's the center of the downstairs.  The book, "The Night Before Christmas" is displayed on an wrought iron picture easel.  Just put your favorite (pretty) book on any plate stand and it instantly becomes a pretty piece of art.  The pottery plate was made by me and my son when he was 5 and still agreeable to such things!  It's the most precious thing I have ever made-took a while to get all of those thumbprints but I sure am glad to have them.  You can take everyday items like my ivy plant, add a Christmas bow and you have instant Christmas glamour."

~ Heidi

Linked to Kelly's Korner: Show Us Your Life - Christmas Tour,
The Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes,

My uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday Treasures