Christmas! (part 1)

Yay! its been too long between posts, but nothing is more inspiring to get creative than Christmas!!

Especially with children in the house....I know my girls LOVE getting involved, its so contagious seeing them excited. One thing we love to do is decorate, (I may have created a couple of little monsters too). So nice doing it together...Although I am still finding I have to stand back and not let my urge to control  take over, working on it...things dont have to be perfect to look great and the satisfaction in seeing the girls take so much pride and enjoyment in their own way is so much more rewarding.)

Pinterest always gives me ideas and inspiration, I love seeing what people do in their own homes all over the world and then bring alot of ideas into our little humble home here in Australia.

 It is easy to get caught up in the whole superficial and commercialism of Christmas, but I think finding that balance is possible. Love the festivites of celebrating this wonderful time, the birth of Jesus! Afterall he is the reason for the season.

Anyway, some snippets from our own home at Christmas to share. Our favourite time of the year!

(Still more decorating to do, ie picking this years real Christmas tree (one of our most fave things to do) & our outdoor lights....but will add these when we get to them)

Happy Christmas 2013!!....wherever you are in the world and enjoy this season.

Little Beaus first Christmas (2012)

The girls made some simple paper chains last night....we just use pretty wrapping paper cut into strips and stick together with a little sticky tape.

Can be hung anywhere, on the tree or like we did, looped along our ceiling.

Another DIY we have done was painting some branches we found in our backyard. Then I found some gorgeous little baubles from Myer and placed them on the branches. The Twigs stayed in place in the glass vase/jar using sea salt. (I have heard you can use epsom salt too). The pic below is from last Christmas. But I have put it out again on our dining table.

Christmas in Australia just isn't Christmas without beautiful Agapanthus (so I brought some inside)

Our home has alot of Australian as well as Dutch influences (Both my parents are originally from Holland). But because we are in Summer I try to keep it true to our Aussie Christmas, so there isn't alot of "white" Christmas things in our home....but of course there are still some European touches.


Here are some pics from another favourite thing of the girls in particular...the baking and gingerbread house decorating! (most lollies dont always make it on....hehe, and I am happy to let the girls decorate however they like) afterall the fun is in the deco! (We buy the gingerbread kits from Aldi...I did try making my own gingerbread last year but it was to soft and my walls collapsed...boo, maybe I will give it another go, but in the meantime these kits are great! I just add more lolly faves like freckles, musk sticks, m&m's etc....)

Here is my first effort of my own gingerbread...so sad....(disguised it in LOADS of iceing snow hehe)

And here are this years pics below....first day of school hols (13/12/13)

gingerbread house 2013

Having lots of blackboard space in my kitchen made it easy to add little Christmas touches there too...
(again I found these ideas from Pinterest) If you havent already, it really is worth checking out...heres the link to my pinterest page. dee brigden on pinterest (Can start up your own Pin boards easily)

(The girls love when Chris is under this....)

Well, this is the end of Part 1 of my Christmas posts...will add more as we go...hope you like so far. So easy to add a little Christmas cheer.

Back soon!

Deahne xx