Can you believe it’s only 3 more sleeps until Christmas?! I can’t. My kids are counting down- and I figured it was about time I shared our Living Room all dressed up for Christmas. I have to admit I had ambitions of sharing more of our home with you all, but I’ll be content with what I can share- in real time. In this season of my life a room tour is more realistic than an entire home tour. So, here is our Christmas Living Room as I photographed it this morning!
Our little tree is so chubby and cheerful. Gramma came for a visit bearing gifts from her and my sisters- so there are some really excited kids in the house! They had fun arranging the gifts under the tree. It’s always a highlight to pull out our ornaments and put them up with the kids- and this year was no different.
The fresh garland I hung on our banister has to be one of my favorite things about this room. I love our stair case. I remember standing on the landing during construction after we had built the plywood stairs, imagining our boys coming down the stairs Christmas morning… what a gift to have this home to enjoy with our friends and family.
In case you are wondering, yes the greenery dries out quickly… and if you bump it too hard it makes a little mess. But I have been happy with how it has held up. I put it up the last few days of November and it still looks pretty good.
I purchased most of our paper on clearance last year… I like to use a few ruffled ribbons and hemp twine on each package- and this year I made use of these sweet birch bark cutouts. I bought them from one of my favorite shops in Canmore- and can’t get enough of them! I used a few of the trees to make a garland for our mantle- which you can see here. 
This year I am reminded of how special my mom always made me feel at Christmas. She carefully chose and wrapped each gift- and whether we had much or little, I always looked forward to spending time together as a family. I almost liked watching everyone else open their gifts more than opening them my self. I can recall the expressions of my brother and sisters faces through the years… of being woken up to go look at our stockings, and then eventually waking up my younger siblings. Now I have the little faces of my own kids ingrained in my memories, their excitement is precious.
In case I don’t pop back in before Christmas- though I hope to- Merry Christmas to you and your family! Praying for God’s peace, and love over you this Christmas- and the precious reminder of a Saviour who loves you deeply. Who cares for you and has a special plan for you life.
xo- Miss Ash