Deck the Halls in Four Easy Steps

Day 25 - I broke one of my own rules this week - no Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving - when I had Jared pull out the boxes of decorations so we could deck the halls at our place. But really, Thanksgiving falls very late in November this year and it would have been December before we could decorate if we waited until we would all be together and get things looking merry and bright. 

Step One: Get those outside lights and decorations taken care of! We were blessed with a beautiful day, almost 70 degrees, so the weather was perfect for breaking out the super tall ladder, the staple gun, and the strands of Christmas lights.  






Maybe Jared forgot that he was using a staple gun and not the other type of gun he's used to working with?

Step Two: Rediscover all of the different nativity sets you've collected over the years as you carefully unwrap each piece. It's always a trip down memory lane when we pull out our collection. We remember where we found the different sets or the sweet loved ones who gifted them to us - it's one of my favorite parts of Christmas each year. 


Natalie unwrapped and arranged this set that the Bill and Sarah Simmons gave to us years ago. I love the way she has placed Christ in the center with every other piece focused on Him.

StepThree: Get the trains out and get a track going around the tree. It's not a requirement, of course, but it's certainly fun and adds a little something extra to the scene. Plus, when the trains have been handed down from your grandfather or great-grandfather, depending on who you are in the house, it makes it those old trains even more special.


Step Four: Place the star on top of the tree! We have the girls vote each year for which girl should have the honor of putting the star up (don't worry, they can't vote for themselves!) This year Samantha was the winner and she was absolutely surprised; she really thought it would be someone else.




 If you're like Samantha you'll think it's pretty awesome that Dad is giving you a ride on his shoulders so you can reach the top of the tree.  Well, once you get over your fear of hitting your head on the ceiling. But it's important to remember that Jared is a silly guy so he might try a trick like this to freak you out!

Okay, bonus step: Once the kids are in bed and the house is quiet for the night, step back and enjoy the peaceful scene. Merry Christmas!


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