Christmas Eve...almost ready! =)

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! It's Christmas...lights! 

On my Tree!

*disclaimer...if you don't already know by now,

I'm NOT the greatest photographer =(

AND

...this is a loooong post.  Might need

a cup of hot cocoa and a comfortable chair =)

Our tree, this year is in front of a window

facing the street.  The lighting in the daytime

is really bright and at night the lights in this

room are a bit dim.  So, it's been hard to

get any good lighting for pictures.  =(

This wonderful star has been on our tree for maybe

13-14 years.  Our youngest DD made it when she was about 10.

Its made with foil and tape. It's one of the best parts of the tree!

This is an ornament I bought for my DH one year.

HE "thinks" this ornament is the best one on the tree.  I dunno...

Here's what it looks like with all of our presents under

the tree.  If you think the packages look a bit unusual...they

are somewhat.  I use Christmas fabric (sewn) bags for our

presents each year. 

It looks a bit confusing when they are stacked together.

But, I don't usually need tags...

because each person has their OWN color of ribbon.

They might get the same fabric cover...but, their ribbon

is is unique to them.

  I.E. all of the ones with the purple ribbon are for DD#2. 

Her favorite color is purple...at least, I think it still is =P

This makes wrapping a lot easier...

You don't have to think about odd shaped boxes.  You don't have to

hold your big toe over the center of the ribbon while you use your

two hands to tie...Oh? you never did that? Yep, crazee mee...I have.

No shopping/spending $$ every year for wrapping paper

 that gets ripped off and onto the floor in a matter of minutes.

And, clean up?

When all is done, we just fold the fabric bags and put them

back into their container for next year.  =)

I can't take any credit for this idea.  There is a wonderful lady, who

is VERY dear to my heart (Her name is Marilyn).  She started doing this

many years ago and I just followed her idea.  She has been a great

example in my life...with WAY more than just fabric Christmas bags.

While getting Christmas packages ready yesterday,

I asked our cat and dog if they would be so kind

as to come and help me.

Purrja our cat...

...and Penny our Bullmastiff

Well....they decided

...it was REALLY tiring them out, just looking at all the

mess I was making!  Way to go, girls! Thanks a lot!

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Below are pictures of the little bit I did for decorations. 

These are replicas of the "candle people" that was displayed

as Christmas decorations when I was little. 

Might...could tell...that I really like Jim Shore?

Whew! I'm glad that Christmas preparations are

"almost" over until....well, a bit later in 2012. 

Are you glad for the prep to be over?

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