creative christmas finds

(bookshelf tree - found here) 

 We're a bit sluggish around these parts (jet lag). Charlie is enjoying the never ending attention from family and getting to run around in such a large space. Oh, and I'm pretty sure this kid thinks Santa already came because who needs toys when you have steps!! I'm getting tired just thinking about how much running around I've been doing and we've only been here for 24 hours. I forgot how quiet and dark my old bedroom is (perfect for sleeping or escaping from the madness). I'm still feeling pretty "eh" and it's not because of the Giants pathetic game this past weekend. That darn center of my universe by forevermark commercial has made me cry a few times and that's just pathetic but I guess it's better than crying at one of those Kay Jewelers commercials. Today I came across these "creative" holiday finds on the web today and they brightened my day just a bit and maybe they'll do the same for you! I thought they were pretty rad so I had to share :)

(yarn snow family - found here) 

(paintbrush wreath - found here)

(lego snow globes - found here)

oh, christmas tree

I bought a fake tree last year and it just wasn't the same. This year my goal was to get a real tree that wasn't cut down. There's a wonderful company in LA that delivers living Christmas trees and then they pick them up when you're done with them. As much as I loved that idea, it was a bit too pricey. So while searching high and low, we found this little guy at a lovely plant store. He was a Dwarf tree and was the only one left and he was lopsided. Nobody wanted him. When I looked at him, I knew he was the perfect fit for this little family. Since he's little (like an elf). I automatically had to name him "Hermey". After one of my favorite elves in one of our family's favorite Christmas movie (Rudolph). Remember Hermey wanted to be a dentist and didn't want to make toys? ("Hermey doesn't like to make toys!")  

The only problem with a "dwarf" tree is that your ornaments are WAY too big. Charlie wanted a piece of the action so I caved and let him play with the unbreakable ornaments from last year.

I found the tiny garland at Target. I couldn't find little ornaments that I liked so one of my good friends told me to check out the .99 store. I couldn't find anything either (i'm horribly picky) except these little bells and I wasn't sure if I would even use them but they were .99. I'm sure I could've turned them into some sort of craft if I didn't use them. Come to find out they were the perfect fit Hermey! Oh, and those little bells were also being sold at Target and they were charging $4-$5 for them. So I'm glad I only paid .99 for them. Thanks for the suggestion, Linds!! Instead of a tree skirt, I decided to put the L & M (the letters of our last names) letters at the bottom of it. The tree topper was a no brainer once we brought him home. A few years ago a certain favorite gramma bought me my favorite ornament. It's a NY Giants Santa. I like to think our NY Giants Santa watches over us to make sure we're being good boys and girls (kinda like that elf on the shelf) :) Hermey now resides on our side table that was rearranged so a certain "hands on" one-year-old can't reach it. I'm hoping I can keep Hermey alive so he can grow with us and maybe be Charlie's own personal little tree next year. I figure if I give something a name I have a better chance of keeping it alive :)