DIY Christmas Card Display

 

For several years, I've been searching for the perfect way to display the beautiful Christmas cards we receive in the mail all through December. Our go-to in the past has always been the refrigerator, but it's just not feasible anymore. There are birthday cards, wedding invitations, and grocery lists that get in the way of our prized Christmas greetings.

Our mantle was looking a little plain; we considered adding some garland but, let's face it, garland's a tad bit boring. Isn't this much more fun and festive? :) 

 

We thought so too! Every afternoon, Bear and I run to the mailbox with crossed fingers, hoping for a new card to clip on the line. It's so much fun; I know he'll love it even more next year!

 

 

 

You'll need:
-jute twine
-mini paper clips (regular work too)
-your family Christmas card
-scissors
-white card stock
-festive scrapbook paper
-hot glue gun
-tape

Cut cardstock about 1/2 inch larger in diameter than your family Christmas card. It's going to hang in the center and needs to be the biggest!

Cut scrapbook paper slightly bigger than cardstock. Glue (or tape) both pieces together and onto Christmas card.

Take clothes pins and cut a small strip of scrapbook paper to fit on one side (you can do both, but I was lazy and just did one. The other side won't show!). Take a dab of hot glue and glue paper onto clothes pin.

Hang jute twine using tape or tacks and start clipping up those pretty cards!

 

We keep our stockings in the sitting room but if you hang yours by the chimney with care, there are plenty of other places for this banner! If we run out of room before Christmas, I'll put another one around our backdoor frame.

 We ordered our cards from Tiny Prints this year and are so pleased with the quality and design. I love showcasing our card in the center of the banner; I smile every time I look up and see Bear's sweet face jammin' out on the piano.

How do you display your Christmas cards? I'd love to hear!

Hope you're having the happiest of holiday seasons! Only 13 more days until Christmas Eve!!!!

 

 

December To-Do List

I am always a wee bit crazy when it comes to holidays; I love to soak up every festivity and celebration each season has to offer. We take the "Christmas curve", especially, in overdrive. Gingerbread houses? Definitely. Rudolph socks? Daily. Zach sporting his Santa suit and scaring innocent neighborhood children? Don't ask. We'll never tell.

 

 

Without further ado, here is our December check list! A few items have already been crossed off, but we still need to get busy busy busy! (Frosty reference, anyone?)

 

1. Drive around looking at lights in our pajamas.
2. Decorate a gingerbread house.

3. Put up the tree and all decorations.
4. Go ice-skating.

5. Shop 'til we drop!

6. Watch a Christmas movie together in bed.
7. Go see a Christmas movie in the theatre.
8.  Adopt a Salvation Army "angel".
9. Read a Christmas story to Bear each night before bedtime.
10. Attend a Christmas Cookie Swap.
11. Try a new dessert recipe.
12. Visit Santa Claus.
13. Send Christmas cards.
14. Kiss Z underneath the mistletoe.
15. Roast marshmallows.



So many things left to do! This is truly the hap-happiest time of the year :). Hope you are having the sweetest Christmas season!

 

Ho Ho Noooo

 

Just a quick, sleepy, Saturday night hello.

Today was pretty laid back around the Fullwood house and consisted of some Christmas movies on LMN, football games, present wrapping, Rudy's BBQ, and a trip around the neighborhood to look at lights. Perfection.

 

 

 

We took Bear to meet Santa for the first time last night and it didn't go so hot (as we expected); this was the best of four photos taken. You would've thought Santa was a rattlesnake given Bear's reaction in the other three pictures.

We also had to block off the tree this year; little paws like to grab ornaments and get into presents.

We hope your days are very merry & bright! Our days are merry, but our nights haven't been so blissful due to teething. Here's hoping Little Man has some relief tonight!

We're going to Yo Gabba Gabba Live tomorrow and could not be more excited; hopefully Bear will love it as much as he loves the TV show! I must admit, I love it a little, too.

Enjoy your Sunday! :)

Easy DIY Christmas Card Centerpiece

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

And you know what that means; skipping to the mailbox each day to find a handful of beautiful Christmas cards. You come in, happily display the cards on the fridge, but something seems to be missing. That special card that you spent hours carefully deciding on and creating is lost in the shuffle, barely peeking out from underneath the Jones' slightly inappropriate Santa boxer-short photo card. That's a problem.

We have this frustrating situation happen every year; we are so proud of our Christmas card (especially this year as a family of three!), but it's never displayed properly in our own home. It is, after all, something to be proud of.
We survived another year! Thank you Jesus. And coffee. Thank you, Jesus, for making coffee.

 

We ordered our cards from Tiny Prints this year and could not have been more pleased. You can't fully appreciate the quality of the paper until you hold it in your hands; the thickness and texture is unmatched. I spent many hours scouring their website, unable to decide on a design because I loved them all. But in the end, we're very happy with our card and found a way to proudly display it in our home.

Behold, the Christmas Card Centerpiece. Perfect for a mantle, coffee table, dining table, or wherever you want to spread a little Christmas cheer. We move ours around because we are indecisive people. And because Bear's a little ninja. But luckily we love the display anywhere, so it's all good.

 

 

The centerpiece is very simple to create and has a subtle yet special effect anywhere you place it.

We took a glass vase (bought at Target last year for under $10) and filled it with pinecones and Christmas ornaments. We had all of this on hand; use what you've got! Candy canes or Christmas lights would be cute, too.

Insert your card in the vase. Depending on the width, it should bend slightly to fit and tape/adhesion isn't necessary. Ours stays perfectly.

 

We found some greenery at Hobby Lobby for $5 and wrapped it around the vase.
Viola! A beautiful way to display your family Christmas card. You'll smile every time you walk by!

Do you have a favorite way of displaying Christmas cards? Do tell!

 

Tiny Prints has a Cyber Week sale going on now...30% off any order! If you love their Christmas cards you'll definitely want one of their photo mugs. A few of our family members may just be getting one in their stocking :). They've all been pretty good this year.

Hope you are having the merriest of holiday seasons! Stay warm!

Bear's First BIG Thanksgiving

Last year at Thanksgiving, Bear was only four days old so we were confined to the house. Luckily my sweet mother in law stayed with us and got a feast from Boston Market so all was well, but we still missed being with our big families back in West Texas. This year, we definitely made up for it! We had three different Turkey Day celebrations and Bear had so much fun toddling around and playing with his cousins.

 

I didn't do the best job of picture-taking; when we were surrounded by family (and stuffing our faces), it was sorta the last thing on my mind. And Zach was A-Okay with that.

 

 

Road trippin' calls for Whataburger!

 

Ready for Thanksgiving lunch at Mamaw's.

Bear's outfit from Janie & Jack

Bear loves Uncle Ryan!

Wednesday afternoon, my parents watched Bear and gave Zach and me our first official "date" in over a year. We missed Bear, but it was much needed. We shopped and saw Delivery Man, which turned out to be pretty good.

This picture absolutely cracks me up. Please keep these chubby cheeks forever, Bear baby.

Please don't meddle in Grandma Candy's kitchen, Bear baby...

Cappuccino and Christmas books were how I liked to spend each  morning. Ashamed to say I hadn't read a book since Bear was born, but finished TWO while we were "home"!

Sweet boys ready for some fried goodness at Skeet's.

Bear's first guitar "lesson" (Z doesn't really play..).

Makeshift Christmas tree blocker...someone's an ornament snatcher.

West Texas snow.

We made Braum's happen on the way home and it was heavenly. You're looking at a double dip of pumpkin/cappuccino chocolate chip. Yumfest.

 

The only downside to our trip was that Bear and I were pretty sick. Like, really sick. We had the worst colds known to man. I had mine for over a month and gave it to poor Bear, who ended up vomiting multiple times during the night for several nights and not feeling like himself at all. Happy to report that we're both almost completely well and are determined to be healthy for Christmas! Nothing's gonna get in the way of some serious Christmas cheer 'round here! :)

Hope your Thanksgiving was full of love, laughter, and lots of pie!

 

 

Family Pictures

all pictures by Cherry Street Photography

 

 

 

Happy December 1st!!! This year has truly flown by but we are so excited that the holidays are in full effect and Christmas season has officially begun (even though we've been listening to our Bing Crosby White Christmas album for 3 months now). We hope your Thanksgiving was full of food, friends, family and, of course, pie!

We took these pictures about a month ago with Bri Sullivan of Cherry Street Photography in a field close to our house and are so pleased with how they turned out. Bear was teething and wasn't in the best of moods, but Bri still captured his little personality so well. Can't wait to show you our Christmas card! :)