Feeling Christmas

This past Christmas felt kinda special because it was really the first Christmas we had spent in our home since we moved. Last year (2011), we were living with Brandon's brother, Damian, while we were renovating our house. The year before that (2010), we went on the almost-cruise and Brandon's mother passed away. So while I am usually not very ambitious when it comes to the holidays, I put a little extra effort in for 2012.

My sister, Elaine, mailed a lovely Christmas package to us that included lots of Christmas tree ornaments and a darling Advent she ordered from Etsy. I will be honest - I just hung up the Advent calendar but I never filled them with anything (apparently, the little ornaments she included in the package were supposed to be placed in the bags but I didn't figure that out on my own). There is always next year though...

Our neighbors are always so thoughtful at Christmas and we get an assortment of goodies delivered to our home (even when we weren't living there!). It is kinda tradition to make these "bomb" cookies as my family has affectionately nicknamed them for Christmas although I haven't made them for the past two years. They are pretty much sugar cookies with a Milky Way inside and M&Ms on top. Quite addicting to eat but a big enough hassle that I only make them once a year. Brandon illustrated the cute drawing of Santa and printed them on some business cards for our neighbors and friends. I think I made a total of four batches which might have been too much because I ate a fair amount myself.

Our lovely Christmas tree. The past two years, we have ordered our Christmas tree from the Prince of Peace Lutheran church which sells Christmas trees as a fundraiser. I am kinda a tree snob and really like Noble Fir trees and they seem to have the best price. And it is kinda more fun than just going to Lowes. I know it would be even lovelier to actually go out and cut down a Christmas tree but that is just too much effort for me. Like I said, I'm not that ambitious when it comes to the holidays.

My mother-in-law got me this kokeshi doll set for Christmas many years ago. I have always wanted a nativity set and this was perfect as my husband likes to remind me that I am the ultimate Japanophile. I think that her friend owns this company that distributes kokeshi dolls - they come us as one of the first search results in Google. Some day, I will get the rest of the set.

Lucy got this cute ornament from her Grandma that Christmas too. I think I will have to order this one for her baby brother:

Or maybe this one if he wants to be a ninja:

Or this samurai one - apparently, his middle name, Yasujiro, is a samurai name:

I'm usually not a fan of such trinkets (or spending so much money) but Christmas is a special occasion. Mom - maybe you can keep an eye out on a better price in Japan!

And although we don't utilize our fireplace very well (our couch sits in front of it), it was nice to have a place to hang our stockings and display our Christmas cards.

The piano doesn't get played very much (at all?) in our home, it sure is a great place to display our Christmas decorations!