Yesterday afternoon, I finished attaching all the egg cups in the cubby cabinet so that they were firmly in place. Always a good idea, but my impulse was fueled by the fact that I needed to move the entire cabinet so that I could get to the Christmas tree and ornaments that were stashed under the stairs. I had some sliders ready to go, but I was able to move the cabinet without them. I had planned on waiting for Don, but I usually end up plowing ahead on my own because I lack patience.
I opened the under stairs cupboard, dragged out the Christmas stuff and then realized that I had neglected to grab the outdoor cushions that I was going to stow under the stairs and I was trapped between the cabinet and the bathroom door and couldn’t get to them.
Ah well. They’re now crammed into the closet in the den. And that’s probably better because after I put everything back, I don’t want to have to move the cubby cabinet again for another year! It’s more than a bit nervous-making.
Because we live in such a small space, I had to figure out what to do with the potted plants that were on the bistro table. I think I came up with a good solution, but, as usual, every surface in this cottage is covered. That’s why I decorate so sparingly for the holidays. The little tree, a couple of little things here and there and the wreath on the front door. That’s it.
Our wee little tree, which is just fine nowadays.
Now I have to figure out what to get Don for Christmas and, even more difficult, come up with a list for me. Try as I might, I can’t think of anything!
Happy Friday.
Sounds quite impersonal but my family loves gift cards
I do those gifts and checks
Helps them
Have fun all year long and save for things they want
Love your tree !!
No, we like to open presents! Thanks, Brenda!
P S
Love love love your blog!!
Thank you so very much!
Love your little tree and the shiny brites! I only have a few left from my parents.
Gifts…at this stage in life hubby and I don’t need or want more things. We are concentrating on experience gifts. We went to see Elton John’s farewell concert for example. If we buy anything to wrap, it will be a favorite bottle of wine, or something like that.
He knows he can never go wrong with a gift card to my local yarn store. Things like concerts, plays, travel we enjoy so much more than another possession these days.
Enjoy your little tree and have a happy Christmas with Don.
We could certainly get away with no gifts, given our trip to Europe, but we only buy for each other and we like to open a few presents on Christmas morning.
We’ll be putting up a full tree just because we enjoy it so much but it look as as if Gary & I won’t be doing gifts for each other this year. As others have commented, we have enough. We also had a new roof put on and are doing some renovations in our rental property, so are busy.
I wish I’d been able to find stocking stuffers during all my rummage, sales, yard sales, and thrifting this year, but I did not.
Stockings are usually the most fun!
Enjoy, Claudia–the little tree is enchanting.
Oh, we’ll find things for each other! I’ve just been busy doing other things and haven’t had time to think about it!
Your tree is perfect! We still don’t have our tree up…that’ll be for Monday. I’m excited to see our ornaments. I have some from my childhood…but only about 6 are left. Our other vintage ornaments hail from the 70’s…when we first married. But…I always seem too forget exactly which ornaments I do have…so it is a bit of a fun surprise.
Glad you were able to move the cabinet…I bet it was nerve-wracking! ;)
I wish I had some of my parents’ ornaments, but I don’t.
Moving the cabinet made me very nervous!
Look forward every holiday to seeing that pretty little white tree. So many of those ornaments remind me of childhood. I have a few of my parents’ ornaments and love to look at them and remember.
I’m facing the same husband gift problem. Plus, if I order something online, he’ll simply check our account online and know what he’s getting. Sometimes I have to resort to asking one of the kids to order the stuff for me and I reimburse them. Still, what do you get a guy who doesn’t really need anything and buys himself anything he may want.
Hey, I saw on your IG yesterday that THE Mary Engelbreit commented on your cute miniature accessories asking if you made them yourself. Way to go, Claudia!
Luckily, I’m the one who checks the bank amount online. Don doesn’t. But that does mean I sometimes see the name of a company he has ordered from.
Mary has been an IG friend for a while now! I’m a big fan. She’s very down to earth.
I do love your little white tree. Maybe that is what I need to buy and put in the spare room so no little Grands will touch it and put my vintage ornaments on it. Did you say how tall your tree is? Wee translates to how many feet? I’ve been down for a few days with a skin infection but I’m doing much better. Hoping to finish decorating and get everything cleaned up and put away this weekend. I might be baking some cookies also! Hugs!
It’s 3 ft tall, including the base.
I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you Claudia! I will be on a lookout for a small white tree!
xo
the tree is beautiful!
i like to give gifts of experiences unless someone has specific items they want. not that you’ll need it, but my only suggestion would be a framed photo/paper souvenir from one of your many great experiences this year (something from your trip, etm or ‘every day’ life) …
you’ll find something just right for don and your own wish list.
hope you have a nice weekend!
kathy in iowa
He already gave me a map of Paris for my birthday that we’re getting framed. And I framed a photo of Don’s final bow in ETM. See…we’re already done all of that!
Besides, I like to open presents!
those things sound lovely. good luck with the search!
Thank you!
I’m a whole lot better shopping for others than coming up with my own list. Most of the stuff on my list is too “big” for someone to get me. And if there’s anything small out there, I probably already have it. Louise Penny’s new one is definitely on it (no spoilers, please!) and a watercolor set I don’t need. Maybe. Or a weekend in Chicago with tix to Hamilton… maybe that.
I think your tree is lovely! I even recognize an ornament that is like one on mine!
I usually want big things as well – and we can’t afford them!
Love your tree! It’s so beautiful. Like you with Don, I’m having a hard time deciding what to get Brian for Christmas. I’ve found one shirt (boring!) and I’ve ordered a couple of books on Amazon (the new Stephen Hawking book and My Exaggerated Life – about Pat Conroy), but that’s it. I’d like to buy a couple more gifts, but I’m at a loss. Brian is one of the most non-materialistic people I know. And then I can’t think of anything I want for Christmas either. I even told my mom not to get me anything, but if she insisted, to just give me an Amazon gift card. There is absolutely nothing I need or even want right now (except for books, lol). We are very blessed.
We were saying the same thing this morning. We are blessed. We really don’t need anything and the last two years have been rich with blessings.
What a sweet tree, Claudia. What do you use as a tree skirt?
It’s a length of bark cloth, Wendy.
Your tree is lovely. I love the vintage balls. Perhaps Don would like a few audio books to listen to when his eyes are tired. He could also take it to his auditions when he is waiting his turn.
Marilyn
Neither Don or I are into audio books, Marilyn! I know a lot of people are, though.
Thank you!
Your wee tree is always beautiful…I have no suggestions for your gift delemia Claudia!
That’s fine. I wasn’t really asking for any! It’s something I have to figure out on my own.
Caroline will surely appreciate your efforts at Christmas-fying her home. I love the small festive touches in every room. And your white tree truly glistens with those ornaments. So festive! How fortunate you are (and I’m sure you know it) to not be able to think of anything for your list despite a tough year. I love to give gifts even more than getting them, but my husband feels funny receiving gifts, so it’s a challenge. LOL. I just finished the new Louise Penney. A lot to think about. It’s a great winter read. Do you know a musician Jim Frizzel? He did an instrumental album of Beatles music a few years ago. I like it a lot. Maybe you sample some of it and see if Don might like that. If you drink caffeinated tea, Harney and Sons has a lovely blend called Paris which has bergamot and something else and comes in a very pretty tin either loose or in bags. Just a couple of my favorite things. For all I know Don likes boxers with hearts on them–and more power to him!! XO
Yes, I’ve heard of him. Don has so much Beatles stuff – music, books, everything. He’s not one to get into anything but the actual Beatles singing their music. And I don’t drink tea! But I love that you love that album and the tea. I wish I did drink tea just to buy one called Paris! I wish I was there right now, Nora. Thank you!
Your tree is beautiful! I love all the old ornaments. I need a grandchild to come over and move my figures around in the creche. They always know just how to do it. They put them up in ways I never would have thought of. One year my granddaughter put Baby Jesus in the center and everyone else, including the animals, were standing in a circle around Him. Perfect. Enjoy this wonderful season of memories (even the sad ones).
It IS a season of memories, Tana. A beautiful way to express it.