Sharing Christmas + Link Up




Behr was an integral part of putting up our Christmas tree this year.
It took me about a week to realize our "missing" ornaments were still packed in those decorative snowman boxes - out on display and hidden right before my eyes.




One of our favorite traditions is collecting ornaments from our year's significant events and travels.

This helps us remain thankful for our blessings and reminds us of all we have to celebrate.

Favorites include: 
Behr's first ornament and his handprint ornament (below)
A Maryland blue crab
A hand painted wedding ornament that was given to us by dear friends.
British Royal Guardsman (teddy bear) from Windsor Castle.
Shrimping Boat from Louisiana
 White House Ornaments from each year we have been married.
The Light House from Hilton Head Island, where we honeymooned.
Big Ben, another symbol of our love for London.
"S" for our family name.


And finally the gift that keeps on giving, Christmas Cards.

Until this year, they have found their home on my fridge and around my kitchen. But with a budding chef who likes to make a mess < and is about to celebrate his second birthday! > I needed a new home. Our front/only closet doors, which were retrofitted with twine and a bit of masking tape, now proudly display our loved ones. 

I am still testing ideas for how to put good use to the gallon zip lock bags full of cards of years past. 
They mean so much, how do I throw them away?


Of course, our newest traditions, our advent calendar and nativity set are no where to be found among the hundreds of pictures I have taken since Thanksgiving. But you can read more about our advent celebrations here


What are your traditions? Do they involve decorating, baking, caroling, traveling? Or something completely untraditional? I would love to hear what you hold onto and cannot wait to see a peek into your homes this Christmas season!



Be sure to check out the other fabulous ladies hosting the link up today:

Courtney - Bowdenisms | Nicole - The Style Hatch | Jen - Migonis Home





17 comments:

  1. Love that your tree is right in the kitchen...so happy. And love the bowl of fruit and cranberries!

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    1. The bowl of fruit worked...until Behr started climbing on the table to eat the clementines!

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  2. the felt balls!! on your map! where oh where did you get the felt balls??! i LOVE them. i adore seeing how cozy and full your space is with Christmas. your tree is gorgeous. and that shot of Mark & Behr putting up the tree is a serious framer. love you friend!

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    1. I ordered my felt balls through this etsy shop: HandbehgFELTS Could not have been happier! If you embark on this craft project, be sure to buy (or borrow) a felting needle. It helps tremendously.

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  3. So many thoughtful, gorgeous decorations! I love the idea you had of getting ornaments where you travel. We need to work on that, as I don't think we've purchased a single ornament for ourselves in all our married years (almost 3) and that's just sad!

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    1. We so often forget to get them...and ever worse, forget to add the place, year and memory when we get home. We have learned the hard way that we need to write on them before we toss them in with the Christmas decorations!

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  4. I love your pom pom garland...So cute! And I can relate to the hidden ornaments. Sometimes I store things a little TOO efficiently..... Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. oh my goodness...we totally thought we had accidentally brought them to one of our parents houses or something! All of our favorites were GONE! (because they are our favorites, I packed them with the greatest care...)

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  5. I love that wreath! It's so amazing! And that bowl of fruit - so simple + festive and lovely. You need to come decorate my house for sure :)

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  6. Shannon, I can't believe it's already dec. 19! I linked up-- my first time! Are you proud?

    I love your tree, and of course, the pom poms.

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  7. Hi Shannon! I love your pom pom garland! Did you make it? If so, where did you get the pom poms? Thanks for stopping by my blog, I've been following yours for a while, but this is my first comment!

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  8. love your felt garland! it's so festive!! by the way i received my notecards- LOVE them!!!! thank you so so much!!! i am taking a blogging break but will be sharing them on my blog when i get back in january!

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  9. Hello Shannon,
    I love the big white lights on your tree, they make a great backdrop for all of your intricate ornaments. I like to take my Christmas card with pictures on them and put them in a dollar store photoalbum for my girls. They like to look back at them and see how their friends grow. The regular cards are used for homemade cards the next year. My girls cut outthe pictures and then glue them on construction paper to give to teachers, family and friends. I hope you have a Merry Christmas... and not to be redundant with everyone else, but that pom pom garland is pretty awesome.

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    1. I am so torn not keeping the non-photo cards too...maybe I just need to start cutting them up! I have 6 years worth!

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  10. Love the greens all over the place! The live stuff is always my fave when it comes to decorating.

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