It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

At least it is in the Throckmorton home :)

Since we are moving for the 2nd year in a row the week of Christmas (I know, crazy) we had previously decided against doing any decorating. We didn't want to go through the hassle of putting it all up just to take it down and redo at the new place.

But, we just couldn't stand it.

We gave in.

We spent this past Sunday afternoon decorating, drinking hot coffee, and just enjoying the holiday spirit together. Even Stanley got in on the magic :)

There's just something about a Christmas tree, or a holiday ornament, or even a simple wintery decoration that gives the cold weather a rush of warmth.

So, instead of skipping the holiday decor this year, we went all out! We now have 4 Christmas trees (don't worry, they are mini) in our 700 sq ft apartment, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

We officially are down to 20 days until Christmas. That's it folks, only 20 days!

I want to share some Christmas tips throughout the next couple of weeks and I figure I will start day 1 with some decorating tips! :)

Tip # 1 - If you are going to do it, do it right.

A little here and there will just stress you out. Plan a whole day, or at least an afternoon where you have no other plans. Get everything out, make a mess, then decorate, decorate, decorate. When you are done, put everything back away. Don't get halfway through a project or you will never finish! Let it be messy and fun, but get it done! :)

Tip # 2 - You don't have to spend a lot of money.

Bryan and I decorated our entire apartment for under 15 dollars. You don't have to have all new stuff or even all "christmas" stuff. Gather up what you have and get creative! We used 2 old vases from our wedding and filled them with white rock and ribbon to look festive. We used a throw blanket as a tree skirt. We used old scrabble tiles to spell out merry christmas on our bookshelf. We used some marble rock on our bookcases/desktops under our mini trees to look like snow. Start looking around and don't be scared to try new things!

Tip # 3 - A little goes a long way!

A friend told me once that she puts a little something "christmasy" in every room. This means that you don't have to change your entire decor to make it look good. You can use a red washcloth in the bath room. You can switch out your candles with cheap white walmart candles in the living room. We changed out our regular placemats and coasters with red and green ones. Adding a little here and there can really make it look like you overhauled your entire house without doing much at all!

Tip # 4 - Use meaningful things.

Just because the ornament grandma gave you is so 1950, doesn't mean you shouldn't put it on your modern tree. Christmas is about so much more than having the perfect tree. Showcase those mismatched ornaments, or use them in a modern way. Bryan and I were given some ornaments from his parents' first Christmas...we didn't want to get them all mixed up with ours and they are getting pretty brittle, so we placed them in a vase on our bookshelf and they look awesome! Don't get so picky on what you can and can't use that you miss out on the memories.

Tip # 5 - Have fun!

Make it a day to remember. Take pictures. Laugh. And do it together. I didn't veto Bryan decorating the tree even though he didn't do it exactly how I would have. I didn't get upset that Stanley thought it was more fun to lay on our decorations than on the couch. We enjoyed it. And did it together. And that's the best part.

I am so glad that we decided to decorate this year :)

Now I just gotta get shopping!