o christmas tree...

One of the best traditions of Christmas for me is putting up the tree.  Over the years I have managed to go from handing each child an ornament and telling them exactly where to hang it to watching them do a beautiful job, all by themselves...

The last few years it has just been my son Jake and I putting up the tree together.  I even let him pick the music this year.  I think he did a wonderful job!  This was the first year I did not put every single ornament on the tree that I own.  I kept it simple with a mostly white palette, a hint or two of reds and lots of sparkle.  New this year were a few of the vintage sheet music ornaments I made...

And a few of the lovely ornaments I got from my fellow shop girl Karen of A Shabby Moment in Time...

I also adore the ornament my bff Lisa made for me...

Love the way she added the wispy white boa!  I did something similar last year.  I added some vintage inspired tinsel to some plain white ornaments... 

One of my favorite ornaments on our tree when I was little was this sweet, petite book...

I have some old favorites...

Mixed with some newer ornaments...

With a few birds perched here and there...

I also printed out a few sentiments of the season...

I did this spur of the moment before my friends arrived for my little get together the beginning of December with every intention to pretty them up a bit.  I decided I like them just the way they are...

Weren't they this little just yesterday?  I used to tell them if you want to wish for something...

You must believe...

I would also remind them that Christmas is not just about what might be under the tree...

But who is around the tree and who we are remembering in our hearts.  A day to count our blessings and be thankful.  A time to be with family and reminisce of Christmases long, long ago and remind the kids how cute they were when they thought they heard the reindeer on the roof...

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!  

Before Santa comes tonite take some time and visit Debra for Vintage Inspiration Friday over at Common Ground!

Merry Christmas!!