Christmas Decor

This is just my second Christmas as a married gal and my first Christmas out of college. We're in the stage I like to refer to as "building". We don't exactly have enough room to fit a Christmas tree, and there is no mantle on which to hang stockings (which raises the question as how Santa will get here. Especially with our security system. Would a sleigh and jolly old man set off a home alarm system?)

Despite our building stage, I love our little apartment home. It's exactly where I want to be right now and filling it this season are a few subtle touches of Christmas...

...such as these ornament filled lanterns. 

I have a thing for classy lanterns ala Pottery Barn. I actually snagged these for a fraction of the cost at Home Goods. And the ornaments (to coordinate with the silver, blue, and green touches of our apartment decor) were an after Christmas buy at Target. $20 worth of Christmas balls for $3. I felt like I had won the lottery. 

I have two very wonderful and style smart friends who I practically grew up with. Going over to their home I admired their mom's Christmas tree filled with ornaments in shades of blue. Ever since then I've been sold on the idea of non-traditional colors for Christmas decor, particular cool shades like blues and greens with plenty of sparkly silver touches.  

Ever since I spent a year working for a wedding designer, I've had a thing for the look of mercury glass. Maybe it's all those platinum wedding centerpieces gone to my head, but I just love mercury glass decor. I found these look-almost-identical-to-mercury-glass-without-the-price tag candle sticks at Michael's for $7. The pillar candles also came from Michael's and I got two for $3 with a 50% coupon. I like that I can keep these up throughout winter because they aren't necessarily "Christmas-y).

Though I'm always all over Christmas balls, glitter, and Christmas glitz, I don't want to forget the real Love behind this season. My mom gave us this Willow Tree Nativity set last year, and I love the simplicity of the figures. 

When I found this free printable from AKA Designs on Pinterest the other day I knew I definitely wanted to add this to our Christmas decor.  What I like about this printable is that it's 1) easy, 2) reminds me of the true reason for Christmas and 3) has a modern look with the chevron and white background. Oh, and it goes well with our green inspired living room decor. #score  I printed it out on cardstock and used a silver frame I already had from Pier One. 

Linking up for some blogging Christmas parties...

Tell me about your Christmas decor!