A little bit of Christmas :) And a filled-up advent garland!

I know...I know.....it's definitely a *little* bit early to be pulling out the Christmas decor....

but we're heading to Malibu, CA this year for Christmas and I figured we could just start everything a little earlier, instead of missing out on the festivities :)

And I love it! I love love love it! 

There's something about holiday decorating that makes me giddy.

I didn't allow myself to buy anything new this year, and just made do with what we already had.

And we did just fine :) 

I'm still on the cozy, rustic, Scandinavian look that I've loved for the past couple of years. 

Kept the mantel fairly simple. My favourite cast iron deer, a little "pine" garland, red IKEA pots with red berries in them...and a plain red straw wreath in the middle.  oh...and my little very random garland from last year with various wooden ornaments and miniature wool sweaters :)  And the Elf on the Shelf....who is a new member of our family this year! The kids LOVE him. He decided to make himself at home in my wreath today....little rascal. ;)

I brought out the advent garland a little early this year.....decided to start it on the 23rd of this month (which so happened to be my birthday!), and it's exactly 24 days until we leave for California :) The boys were so excited!

There's just something about a row of chubby, choc-full stockings and mittens that gets kiddos (and their mommas) excited!

Our kids are on a no-sugar/no-starch diet right now (as I've mentioned before....to help Toby's little tummy), so there were no treats in the advent this year....just fun little toys and gadgets.

Some of the advent stuffers used this year:

Bouncy balls

Mini Christmas crackers

Holiday erasers

Vintage brass bells (thrift shop)

Stickers

Flashing Christmas light necklaces 

Hacky sacks

Mini nutcrackers

Vintage souvenir spoons (with little dangly bears and stuff-- thrift shop)

Christmas Stamps

Mini flashlights

etc etc....

Mostly from the dollar store, or the thrift shop.

Here's "Rusty"....our resident elf. If you've never heard of the Elf on the Shelf....you need to take a look! It's lots of fun, and definitely helps from time-to-time with behaviour issues ;)

Love this little birdie! (thanks, Gramma Karen!) :)

My sister-in-law Dayna surprised me yesterday with some very cozy, "perfect for my room", cushions...but sadly, the light is not good today so I can't show you a picture of them!  :(

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends!! Hope you're all enjoying some cozy family time :)

xoxo