Happy Monday, friends! I hope your weekend was grand, and full of festivities! We've loved every single day in this new house, but are feeling especially happy and grateful to be sharing it with friends this holiday season.
If you follow me on InstaGram, you saw we hosted friends both Friday and Saturday nights, and I surprised myself by not stressing or over-planning, but simply enjoying the time spent with friends. However, this coming weekend might be a different story...we're throwing a big Holiday Housewarming for our friends and neighbors! I stocked up on wine at Trader Joes, so I should be all set, right?! ;)
Recently, Pottery Barn asked me to share my favorite holiday tradition, and while we have many, there's one I cherish above all the rest...our cozy Christmas Eve night ritual.
After a fun day spent with our extended family and a candlelight church service, the kids are bathed and in new pajamas (a gift they receive that morning), Christmas music is playing, and the fire is blazing. My son will round up some sweets for Santa, while Little Miss writes him a note.
Then we curl up together and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.' And not just any old copy, but the coolest pop-up version my aunt gifted us years ago. It's the perfect evening, just the four of us, and really helps us focus on the real meaning of Christmas, and have a little calm before the next day's storm!
'Twas the Night Before Christmas' pop-up book
I'm pretty smitten with how our new fireplace looks for Christmas, too! The mantel has always been my favorite spot to decorate for all seasons and holidays, and our last home, with a double fireplace, was prime for it! #twomantels We had the inevitable TV mounted over one, and the other was left for me to decorate to my heart's content. (See them all here.)
When we moved, the boys insisted the TV had to go over the single fireplace. Noooooooo, not my mantel! But they won out (and remember what happened?!? #kharma #justkidding #kindof)
But I've made my peace with the world's largest black rectangle staring me in the face (or at least I thought I had until I started writing this post!), and had a ball decorating our new mantel and fireplace this season. (See the fireplace before our makeover here.)
Fireplace Tiles | Garland | Stockings
I didn't have time to get the stockings monogrammed (you know I'll monogram anything not moving!), so I personalized them with glittery letter ornaments.
Chunky Knit Stocking | Glitter Letter Ornament | Elephant Pom Tassel
And it was only a matter of time before I added my most favorite adornment....the elephant charm tassel....to my Christmas decor. It already hangs from half my bags and our bedroom lamps!
And just for you lucky ducks, use code SUGARPLUM for free shipping on as many tassel charms as your heart desires! Oh, and guaranteed by Christmas, so go ahead and grab one for every gal on your list. Trust me, they are cute on everything, and everyone loves them!
Glitter Letter Ornament | Elephant Pom Tassel (free shipping with code SUGARPLUM)
The pre-lit garland looks completely realistic in person, but I always add a few fresh clippings and berries for the smell. And I have to admit, the outlet behind the TV came in handy for plugging this in with no extension cords! #smallconcession
Garland | Reindeer Ornament
Velvet Stocking | Elephant Pom Tassel (free shipping with code SUGARPLUM)
The adorable reindeer migrate from Dining Room to fireplace, depending on where I am. I like to keep them in my sights at all times. #obsessed I know tons of you are looking for them...such a bummer they sold out online, but my local store still had some in stock, so it's worth calling around!
Basket | DIY Faux Birch Logs | Reindeer
We can't seem to stop making Oreo Cookie Bark and Salted Chocolate Pretzel Bark this year, so Santa will likely get a combination of the two. If there's any left! I snatched the 'Merry' mugs up from HomeGoods last month...love how they coordinate with my coffee station!
Buffalo Check Plates | Reindeer Tea Towel | Oreo Cookie Bark
This chair normally lives in our new Living Room, but I like the cozy spot by the fire. Maggie Sugarplum usually has the floor in front of it claimed.
Plaid Pillow | Cozy Throw
The reindeer theme is everywhere this year...I told you I was obsessed! Their little scarves and felt stick legs slay me!
Garland | Reindeer Ornament
This is how Faith, our Elf on the Shelf, made her first appearance. You can find some of our more creative spots in this post.
This is my view from perched on the couch every night...a girl could get used to this! (See our Christmas Tree here and decorated Dining Room here.)
Lots of questions about Little Miss's panda pajamas...they're from H&M, and the girl lives in them at home. She and I are pretty serious about our lounging clothes, and always change into pjs and wraps as soon as we get home everyday. I'm wearing this insanely soft wrap Sheaffer talked me into, and these favorite leggings.
It's hard to believe there are only 10 more sleeps before our special Christmas Even night. Even though the home is different, and the kids older, the cherished tradition will unfold just the same as it has for 14 years. There's so much comfort in tradition, don't you think? What are your most special family traditions this time of year?
{Cozy Wear for Snuggly Nights}
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*This post was written in collaboration with Pottery Barn, but all items, ideas & panda-snuggles are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors. Beautiful photos by Mary Summers.*