Have a Sentimental and Merry Christmas

Christmas Decorating Perfection!

I love a beautiful interior design for Christmas, I just can't seen to quite go for the "designer" look in my own home.  A friend of mine visited my home recently and commented on my Christmas decorating.  She said "Jane Ann with you being in the interior design industry, I would have thought that your Christmas decor would be over the top, instead it's very homey and charming, I love it, but it is not at all what I expected."  Well my friend is right.  I am just too sentimental to do "formal" Christmas decore.  How do I opt for a beautiful tree topper, when I have my son's paper mache sheppard with it's crooked hook and google eyes?  How do I decorate my tree in a wonderful color scheme, when I have so many hand-made ornaments, done by my children, made from the bottom of paper cups, old cd-roms, coke cans, plaster of paris handprints,  macrame, and colored paper? 

These are the items that I use to decorate my family room tree and always will.  Of course, being a lover of the eclectic, I mix in my Waterford and Oreffors crystal ornaments, and other lovely ornaments gathered over the years.  I still put out the Christmas teddy bears along with the Christmas china, and mix fresh greenery with my children's gingerbread houses, made years ago and protected as if they were museum quality sculptures!  The good news for all of us is that Christmas isn't dependant on perfectly turned out decor, but on the treasures in our lives the represent years of family and love.  It is my ferverant wish that each of you have a Christmas that rejoices in beauty, reflects love of family and friends and touches your heart with the true meaning of this lovely holiday.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2011!

PS:  Here is a photo to help you to dream White Christmas dreams...