I am just about ready for the big day. I am getting things checked off my list so I can relax and enjoy Christmas. One of the things that seems to take forever to me is wrapping presents. This year I made it super simple again with mostly white boxes, simple ribbons, and gift bags.
I set up a wrapping station again in the hall landing upstairs. Our landing is really large, so there is plenty of room and a wrapping station is so helpful.
I have all kinds of patterned papers, gift bags, and ribbons. Sometimes they are fun to use, but to make things really easy, I bought a bunch of white boxes at the $ Store. They also had a ton of gift bags in Gold and Silver. I also had a few with simple Merry Christmas on the front. So this year, I am using my rust-colored ribbon and my thrifty boxes and bags. Definitely cost-effective too since I can use them all year long for any other gifts.
How simple can that be and it also looks really pretty.
I am way ahead of the game this year – I did the grocery shopping yesterday. All the baked goods are done except for the pies. I will bake those on Christmas Eve Morning.
CHRISTMAS MENU
Orange Glazed Ham
Green Bean Casserole
Red Potatoes & Pearl Onions
Tossed Salad
Flaky Rolls
DESSERT
Chocolate Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Assorted Cookies
Pumpkin Bread
The major chore left is to clean the house. We have sparkles everywhere, and things really need dusting and mopping. The main area is the kitchen, when I baked the other day it left a mess everywhere. It got a good wipe down, but I still need to clean the oven and give the counters and cabinets a good wash down. I think I will start some of that cleaning and then maybe sit down and have a glass of wine. I can clean more tomorrow.
There will only be 6 of us this year due to Covid. That will be really small compared to the normal 18 or more that we usually have at my daughters.
We will all go to Church, then back here for dinner and Santa. After the gifts, we can enjoy some coffee and dessert. I am blessed to have my daughter, both sons, and their mates for Christmas. Most of all, Jim will be here in our hearts. I put a large bouquet of Poinsettias and a Wreath on his Headstone with special love from all of us. We all miss him so much
I hope you are just about ready too. Wish you could join me for a glass of wine and a nice visit.
Your home is beautiful and you have decked the halls in splendor. Blessing to you and I wish you peace and joy this Christmas season.
I enjoyed this post, Marty! I love that you are at least still having a small gathering with family.
Just noticed in the close up of your tree how exquisite your ribbon looks. AND….THOSE ANTIQUE PHOTOS on the wall in the landing! How have I missed them? You should definitely share them on one of my future vintage-themed hops! The frames and pictures look so interesting.
I hope you enjoy some relaxation after you get your cleaning done.
Merry Christmas!
Marty, I see you are as organized as me with that wrapping table! ha Since your loving Jim will not be with you this Christmas, I encourage you to give consideration to placing a chair at the table with his picture at his place. Wishing you and your family a MERRY CHRISTMAS……….hugs, Julie
Merry Christmas Marty Prayers for you and your family
Blessings and love to you and your family this Christmas.
Your blog has brought a lot of joy and great decorating ideas to me. Thank you for all your posts. It has been horrendous year for you and many others and I pray for your healing. Have a blessed and very Merry Christmas with your family.
You have brought such joy to me, I love your blog so much. So from the heart. Wishing you peace and a Merry Christmas from a friend you have never met.
Fondly,
Ramona, Lakefield ON Canada
May you enjoy your special time with your family. Jim will be there in the reflection of your love for your family.
I am so amazed at your progress in this grieving period. You take time to reflect, think of Jim and mourn. I have friends who are lost in their widowhood. I am still married, 56 years, and if I am ever left alone I hope to live on like you are doing. It is necessary to survive and give to your family. Bless you. Love!
Wrapping presents seems to take me forever! I love making pretty packages but it doesn’t seem to be as easy for me as it used to be. But I’m blessed that my family can be together. There are only 10 of us. We will social distance while eating and wear masks the rest of the time.
I am praying for you this season.
Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! You are an inspiration!
Looks as beautiful as ever. We should all be as organized !
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas. You are in our prayers.
Just one foot in front of the other each and every day.
I love the idea of using simple boxes, and embellishing with a pretty ribbon! My wrapping paper seems to last me a while, and I love wrapping multiple gifts for someone in a bundle with a coordinating ribbon, or yarn. I’m thinking about going kraft paper when I run out so I can embellish in some other fun ways. We’ll see.
Wishing you peace. Merry Christmas!
Marty,
My condolences to you and your family in the loss of your husband.
You will be in my prayers . One day at a time.
I wish you a Merry Christmas.