Christmas Eve Eve and Decorations

I like to take photos of our decorations in case I want to refer back to "how I did it" in 2025 (or whatever year).

I hung red and green glitter ornaments from our kitchen lights and ordered cute Santa cork placemats - I think I ordered the placemats from At Home.

I used Mark's mother's (now it belongs to me) silver tray in the center of the island with my kitchen Christmas tree, Santa mugs, and giant jingle bells. I had two bigger Chef Santas on either side of the tray.

I bought another set of Santa hat chairback covers from the Dollar Tree. For some reason, I love those goofy seatback covers!

I hung a small flat Nativity above the kitchen sink.

I bought a Fisher Price Nativity for the little one this year and it was a hit. I also bought a new garland for the mantle. I wove greenery from the farm into it and added the big polka dot bows and battery operated lights.

I used a big gold lantern, two bottle brush trees, and two reindeer on the hearth.

My Fontanini Nativity (with a few Olive Wood animals from Jerusalem) always gets top billing in the entry hall.

I used a tall wooden Christmas tree on top of the desk in the dining room and there is a gnome hiding inside.

On the other piece of furniture in the dining room, I added the three trees that Mark loves plus a tiny wire Nativity that we both love.

I guess this piece of furniture is a tiny cabinet (chest?) because it does have a couple of shelves inside for storage. I wonder if it was a storage case for record albums?? I need to do some research. The inside has a funky smell. I have a bottle of peppermint oil and a bunch of baking soda inside trying to mask the odor. Any other suggestions for getting rid of an odor in old furniture?

Some elves were "riding" the bottles of bourbon on the bar.

And . . .there were Santas sitting atop bottles inside the bar, plus an elf hanging out on the knob.

Here is a different view of the kitchen island.

We celebrated birthdays at work on the 23rd. Sam's sells a double decker cookie cake that was evidently REALLY tasty.

Our Christmas Eve services begin on Christmas Eve Eve and I arranged for someone to work the welcome desk so that I could go to worship with Mark. Our neighbors, Lu and Dave, came to church with us. It was an amazing service - great sermon, beautiful music, communion, and candlelight.

After church the four of us headed to Casual Pint for a bite of dinner. I had a seasonal apple cider which was pretty good!

On to the next day . . .