The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” – Buddy the Elf

I love the movie Elf and I always enjoy watching it around the start of December to get into the holiday mood. We kicked off this December with a marathon of Christmas decorating and each night this week we’ve been adding a few more decorations. It seems like I keep pulling more and more decorations out of storage!

Here is a peek at what we’ve been up to over the past week.

Friday night, I started by decorating our mantle. I changed our previous flower arrangements to red orchids, mistletoe and willows. We also hung the stocking we bought during an after-Christmas sale at Crate and Barrel a few years ago. And of course, the mantle isn’t complete without Zoey’s “meow” stocking, also from Crate and Barrel.

Here’s a closer look at the orchid, mistletoe, willow arrangements.

Our hallway even got a little Christmas love with the addition of a wreath I made years ago and a cluster of oversized jingle bells.

I love this time of year and it’s so nice to look around and see little touches of Christmas throughout our home. Our kitchen island is even looking festive this year with the placemats and table runner I found on sale (plus coupons) at Target.

Remember our Christmas wrapping paper frames from last year? They’re back!

I also started on the table arrangements for the dining room table. I still have some work to do on the main centerpiece, but here is a peek at the wintry vases I put together with some faux snow, Christmas vase filler and a few pinecones from our Fall vases filler. Pictures of the completed table look to come.

Last but not least, here are our Christmas trees. The tree below is located in our foyer by the staircase.

And here is our big beautiful tree in all its glory. It is so nice to sit on the couch and look over at our glowing tree. When the fireplace is going and the tree is all lit up, it’s so cozy and feels like Christmas.

Now if only the weather would cooperate and send us some snow. Then it will really feel like Christmas!