may all your Christmases be white (and silver)

Here in central California we don't get snow, but we always have a white Christmas - in the form of fog. It really isn't Christmas without it. Fog is terrifying to drive in, but I love opening the blinds in the morning and seeing - well nothing. Not even the tree in the front yard. 

Last year after Christmas I snatched up several boxes of colorful Christmas ornaments for 75% off at Target and I've been excited to change up my Christmas color scheme for the past 11 months. That is until I busted open the bins labeled "Christmas" and immediately felt like color wasn't going to work for me this year. A white Christmas was in order. So all of the color stayed in and only white and silver decorations were dusted off and displayed. 

{Luke 2:11 sign available for purchase on my Etsy shop, Amanda G Designs}

Mr. G and I got our presents for each other yesterday, new iPhone 4S's. I decided to try out the camera by taking pictures of the Gardner Christmas decorations to share with you.

I designed this wood sign which is made out of rustic pine. I stained them and wrote Luke 2:11 with a white Sharpie paint pen. I went with a light stain 1. because of the dark chocolate wall and 2. because this stain has a silver, distressed look which goes with the rest of the silver/white decorations. 

Read more about how to make your own wood sign here.

I love how the crystal garland illuminates the sign. 

A simple trick for decorating during the holidays is adding a pick (flower, pine cone, bird, spray) like I did here with the candle. The silver ornament pick brings some volume and fun to the trio of candles. Take it away and the candles are a little boring.

Our artificial Christmas tree has been a bit of a pain this year. Once we got it up and fluffed the branches we noticed that it was leaning. We attempted to correct the tilt a million times but nothing worked. We gave up and decided to be content with a slightly leaning tree this year. 

When I was in my teens I was always annoyed when my mom pulled out a shoe box filled with crusty old ornaments my sister and I made in elementary school. Why on earth would she keep those ugly things? Now I know. Everything Noelle makes is a memory. A precious gem that I never want to lose or forget. The ornaments she has made which are sprinkled around the tree bring me more joy than I could have ever dreamed. 

Everyone who comes over asks how I keep a busy 9 month old from tearing down the decorations. Noah isn't too interested in them. He was at first but "don't touch, Noah" and redirection did the trick and now he doesn't bother with the tree or any of the decorations.



I added a couple of flowers, sprays and pine cones to this simple lighted garland on the TV stand.

Where do you put all of your Christmas cards? I hang ours on a garland strung over the sink in the kitchen. I love looking at the faces of our friends and family every day. What a wonderful reminder of how abundantly we are blessed.

Since we have an artificial tree I buy a 22" fresh wreath every year for the kitchen. 100% for the scent only - added bonus - it creates more room to hang Christmas cards. 

I started keeping one of our Christmas cards since Noelle was born. It's going to be fun (hopefully) watching us change over the years.

 Our 2011 Christmas card.
Pictures from our photo shoot HERE.

Noelle stole my new phone to capture a few of her own pictures of the decorations - this one is my favorite. I think I have a little photographer in the making!

During the after Christmas sale last year we also picked up 3 sets of lighted branches. I stuck one of the sets into a tin container (Michael's for one penny!) with some greenery, picks, and branches. 

My mother-in-law DIYed this little red present for us! 

There's nothing I love more during the year than the days of December. And now with two babies I love it twice as much. It's about the kids, after all. Teaching them about our Savior and his birth, giving, the importance of family, baking goodies for us and others, Christmas movies, anticipation, creating new traditions, joy and laughter. Could it get any better?

*You are welcome to use my designs for personal use only*

Check out our 2012 Christmas Decorations

See the 2014 Christmas Decorations!

Comments for this post will no longer be published due to the high volume of spam. If you have any questions, you can contact me at growingupgardner@yahoo.com. 

-Amanda