if there’s anything we want to do for the holidays, it’s now or wait until next year, right? i already have a list of ideas for next year! i’ll share those early in the season next year and hopefully accomplish them. overall, i’m pleased with the things i’ve done this year, even though once again i didn’t get my december daily album made, nor did i make the sugar cookies that i so wanted to make. even though i’m a little disappointed, i’m choosing to let it go and enjoy the things that i did do.

here’s what i did do in honor of Christmas:

• personalized Christmas cards
• hosted our annual Christmas party
• decorated the house, adding some areas that i had never decorated before
• went to several local Christmas events
• went to the boy’s Christmas program at church
• made fudge (even though that’s the only candy/cookie i got done! i will be baking two waldorf astoria cakes tomorrow-no fail!)
• made mini calendars with my photos for our guests saturday night
• Christmas shopping done
• most wrapping done

it does help to take a look at the positives! if you’re feeling a little disappointed in what you’ve accomplished, i suggest you make a list like this.

i have a few last minute ideas i’d like to share. it’s not too late for these simple suggestions.

*b* list of last minute holiday ideas

• fresh flowers. last week, i shared that i was going to try an idea that i saw on the today show.

as usual, it didn’t work out quite the way that i thought it would. it looks nice, but it ended up being much more expensive than it should have been. however, that is due to the fact that the store i went to, did not have full size carnations. the person who helped me was so nice and saved me a little by charging by the stem rather than the package. they also had thee most beautiful roses ever-

• decorate your doors. that sounds weird! but i love the way it looks. my mom used to hang a Christmas wreath on each of our hallway doors and it added so much to our home’s overall festive feel. i didn’t really want to do wreaths this year, so i hung canvases. 2 of the canvases are Christmas-y, the other 2 are not seasonal. i had to blur the one on the bathroom door, because it will be featured on fiskars site next month

the framed piece on the far right is something i made for the foofala book a few years ago. i still love it! when i go upstairs it has a sort of gallery feel.

• incorporate what you have. i bought this adorable vintage suitcase a few months ago and hadn’t put it out yet. as i was thinking of my holiday cottages i knew i didn’t want to just set all the houses on the same level. in years past, i’ve used stacks of books for different levels, but for some reason, this year, i thought of the little suitcase and i really like how it looks with the cottages.

i shot this as i was gathering the tablecloth to launder the morning after the party….even though the light is low, i like that it shows this corner of the dining room.

• think in layers. i know that decorators think in layers….remember christopher lowell? after i decorate for the holidays, i’m continuously adding a layer or two to what i’ve already done. i love depth.

or clutter. haha! the photo above was an outtake, but i like it.

it’s not too late to add a banner or a wreath to a mirror or window!

• bake one or two things. i think we all put so much pressure on ourselves to do it all. we think we have to make a dozen different kinds of cookies and candies. all i’m going to get done is fudge and Jesus birthday cake (the red waldorf astoria)….and that should be okay. as long as i do both of those well, anything more is just more, not really necessary, right? i haven’t gained a pound so far, so maybe we can make it through the holidays without gaining weight! i know if i made sugar cookies, i would eat a ton of the dough and a ton of the cookies!

and now, i have to go to the grocery store. wish me luck! with the winter storm approaching, as well as the holiday, i’m sure that the stores will be insane! i have my list in hand and hope i can get in and out quickly!

have a great day and God bless!