This site is an archive of ChiotsRun.com. For the latest information about Susy and her adventrures, visit the Cultivate Simple site.
Thank you for all your support over the years!

Friday Favorite: A Simple Christmas

December 14th, 2012

Yesterday, a bunch of you were asking to see our little Christmas tree in all it’s glory all decked for the holiday. Here is is:
Christmas Tree 2013 3
Christmas tree 1
I’ve noticed that each year the holiday decor around here is simplified. I used to spend lots of time decorating the tree and making sure everything was just right and fit with a theme. This year, the tree was wrapped with one strand of 25 C7 light bulbs and then added my favorite etched glass balls. A small grapevine star topped it all off and it was finished, in about 15 minutes.
Christmas tree 5
I think I might have to stock up on some incandescent Christmas lights, especially the C7’s I love so much. Those LED lights that are so popular now give me eye strain and headaches with their piercing pulsing light.
Christmas tree 4
I have yet to dig out my favorite nativity set, if you remember I’m a collector of these lovely holiday displays. I don’t know if they’ll all be unboxed this year, I may just dig out my Willow Tree Nativity.
Christmas Tree 2013 1
There are gifts all wrapped and ready under the tree, these are all for Mr Chiots. When it comes to wrapping, I’m a big fan of simple brown kraft paper and newsprint. I have a box of ribbons of all colors and sizes that get reused each year. I’m thinking of making a few burlap bags to add to my box for quick wrapping.
Christmas Tree 2013 2
There’s something wonderful about simplifying the holiday season. It allows for a more laid back and enjoyable time. For us, this year will be particularly relaxing because we’ll be celebrating here in Maine by ourselves (unless my mom and dad make it up). That means we have no family functions and no work parties. It’s just us, just here, enjoying a holiday like we’ve never had before and we’re really looking forward to it.

Do you have a theme when it comes to holiday decor?

16 Comments to “Friday Favorite: A Simple Christmas”
  1. Mich on December 14, 2012 at 5:51 am

    I like to tree decorations simple, some glass baubles, some beautiful ribbon and a set of white lights…non twinkling.
    If i put anything in the entrance hall it will be foliage, cones.
    Oh and i always have to put some baubles on the wall hung deer antlers! lol.

    Reply to Mich's comment

  2. kristin @ going country on December 14, 2012 at 6:53 am

    Yeah, the theme is everything breakable out of reach of the Great Destroyer (that is, the toddler). And putting out whatever I can find and get up in the small snippets of time I find here and there.

    But given the choice, I decorate a lot with spruce (or balsam) branches and candles.

    Reply to kristin @ going country's comment

  3. Kathi Cook on December 14, 2012 at 7:18 am

    I guess our theme would have to be nature or winter if I had to put a name to it. Most of it I can leave up through January since it consists of greenery and flowering plants. I can’t resist flowering plants this time of year-Amaryllis,Narcissus,Christmas cactus,Rosemary topiaries etc. I also enjoy picking up interesting little finds in the woods such as moss, pine cones and rocks.Love your simple tree!

    Reply to Kathi Cook's comment

  4. Songbirdtiff on December 14, 2012 at 8:55 am

    Oh led lights…our entire city square is covered with them and they hurt my eyes. I love incandescents but can’t do flourescent or leds. It ruins something I used to love because it makes my head throb. We have the old style in my house,inside and out.

    Reply to Songbirdtiff's comment

  5. Melissa on December 14, 2012 at 9:09 am

    I have to agree, simple is best! My holiday decor fits in one medium sized box! I’ve also really gotten into adding fresh greenery into my decor in the past few years so I’ll usually cut greens from outside a few times during the season! I’d rather spend my time planning and enjoying holiday experiences instead of decorating my whole house with stuff I have to take down at the end of the month!

    Reply to Melissa's comment

  6. Robin on December 14, 2012 at 10:09 am

    I agree, a simple Christmas is refreshing, not energy zapping & overwhelming. It’s funny your post was called A Simple Christmas, since I’m doing a blog series with that very title right now, celebrating simple and natural things. And I really dislike those LED lights…they’re weird. But I love your etched glass ornaments!

    Reply to Robin's comment

  7. KimH on December 14, 2012 at 11:00 am

    Im with you this year.. simplicity wins.. and Im enjoying it. I have loads & loads of decorations that I didnt put out this year.. It was just too much I felt.. so less is better, for sure.

    Reply to KimH's comment

  8. DebbieB on December 14, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Your simple decorations are so appealing! Alas, my guy loves the LED lights and they go EVERYWHERE. Fortunately it only lasts a few weeks…

    Reply to DebbieB's comment

  9. Brandee L on December 14, 2012 at 11:29 am

    A kindred spirit! I despise LED lights. I want simple white lights on my tree. Around my home, I have a simple Santa/Americana theme. Weird, but it works. I do prefer vintage or homemade, with some American flags thrown in. They’re up all year, so I incorporate them into my decorating.

    Reply to Brandee L's comment

  10. amy on December 14, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    We are really pretty simple here. We practice Advent so our tree does not go up until right before Christmas. I too collect nativities…..have for a long time and have quite a collection…..Many have been made by my children over the years…..one is my husbands from when he was small…There is one porcelain that I made many years ago and is a favorite here. They are like old friends. Love the simplicity of your sweet tree.

    Reply to amy's comment

  11. tj on December 14, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    …And I can’t think of a more deserving couple to have a relaxing Christmas Season than you two! Love the tree too btw! :o)

    …LED Christmas Lites? Loathe. :o\

    …I find as I get older I do less and less on the holidays. I’ve also found that I’m getting an ever increasing aversion to faux Christmas decor such as wreaths, trees and garland. We always have a real tree but I use faux wreaths on our barns and I dunno, I’m just finding that I think I’d rather have real wreaths or no wreaths at all. A lot of changes come with one getting older, just so ya kno’. ;o)

    …Enjoy your day you two!

    …Blessings. :o)

    Reply to tj's comment

  12. Hannah Stoller on December 14, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Hope you have a very Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year !! God bless you all!

    Reply to Hannah Stoller's comment

  13. June Coady on December 14, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    My ‘theme’ is quiet and simple. Wsimewing the nativity set I’ve had for over 30 years ande longer is, friends who support us and the miracle that is Christmas. And we bless all who join us. Merry Christmas, Hannuha, New Years or what ever holiday is near to your heart. To all my Jewish friends, sorry for the misspelling of your holiday. I love it’s celebration of lights! (Maybe this is why we enjoy simply sitting with our lights!) Blessin to all

    Reply to June Coady's comment

  14. Maybelline on December 14, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    My theme is: “Remember, you have to put that away after Christmas.”
    This helps to limit the decoration overkill that can happen.

    Reply to Maybelline's comment

    • Kathi Cook on December 15, 2012 at 12:12 am

      haha very true!

      Reply to Kathi Cook's comment

  15. angie h on December 19, 2012 at 12:39 am

    The amount of decorations I put out is decreasing every year. I am hoping I have finally gotten people to stop buying me decorations-they are coming out of my ears and my style has changed over time, but I feel guilty not putting stuff out that people have given me or that I have put out for many years. I really would rather put up some handmade/old fashioned decorations and just a few-greenery, pine cones, cut out some snowflakes….string some popcorn…

    Our real tree is the focus of my decorating. I love frasiers and canaan firs covered in white lights. I’m sort of ocd about the cords and I love lots of lights, so the tree gets covered and wrapped tight, back into the tree. I like lots of gaps in our tree to showcase our ornaments which I have collected over time.

    Reply to angie h's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

Admin
Read previous post:
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We finally have a nice Christmas tree set up in the living room. I prepared for it on Sunday by...

Close