This is our first Christmas in our new home. It feels magical when the fire place is a glow and the tree lights are twinkling. I have made it a priority to spend a few uninterrupted minutes in my favorite red chair each morning after I drop Jackson off at school. I don’t want my heart to be rushed this season. I want to remember what it’s truly about – the birth of a Savior.
Today I thought I’d share a few things that make our home feel extra special this time of the year.
Pictures, Pictures and More Pictures
I have SO many framed Christmas photos from years past that I display during the holidays. I have every photo of Jackson with Santa. There are family photos that made their way onto our Christmas cards and photos of us all wearing matching Christmas pajamas. I love capturing memories with my camera and seeing these photos year after year brings a smile to my face.
A Real Christmas Tree
This is our second year to have a real tree and I love it so much! The smell is heavenly and it’s pretty awesome when you don’t have to fluff it and fix all the branches one by one. (P.S. All those gifts under the tree are for Jackson’s therapists, teachers, aides and other school personnel! We have a lot of people on our team!)
This Nativity Set
I have a really expensive Nativity set that I love, but I found this one at Hobby Lobby a few years ago and had to have it! I had never seen one quite like it. It’s made of wood so Jackson can play with it and it’s not a big deal. A few years ago, every time I looked at the Nativity set I’d find Mary and Joseph kissing (thanks to Jackson!)
Christmas Sheets
Jackson has a special set of Christmas sheets that we put on his bed after Thanksgiving! It’s festive and fun!
A Basket of Christmas Books
Each year Jackson gets a new Christmas book. We have quite the collection and we love reading them by the glow of the tree lights. You can read all about our favorite Christmas books here.
Ornaments That Tell A Story
John and I both have an extensive collection of Hallmark ornaments. I’m talking boxes and boxes full of them. Each one has a story behind it. Each one represents who we are and different seasons of our lives. Jackson also receives an ornament each year and his tree already tells quite the story! He had a blast decorating his tree this year!
Little People Nativity
I bought this sweet nativity set several years before we adopted Jackson. I was at the Christian book store and it was on sale for a price I just couldn’t pass up. So I bought it in faith – believing I would one day have a child who would play with it at Christmas. That nativity set sat in a closet for several years, until December 2011 when God answered my prayers and brought me my Christmas miracle.
