Natural Christmas

I've been trying to simplify Christmas around my house slowly over the last couple of years.  I think having kids has made the mad dash in the mall less exciting and more stressful.  So my goal has been to cut out a lot of the stressful and more commercialized stuff that I used to love and do more "experience" based things with my kids to make the holidays fun.  Stuff like building a gingerbread house (todays activity), sledding, skating, planning DIY gifts we can make together, and making homemade ornaments and decorations. 

Incidentally, we seem to be on trend!  I have noticed a huge amount of stuff on Pinterest and in "blog land" about going back to homemade and simplified holidays.  I think people are remembering when they were kids and the simple, fun things they did with their families.

So in keeping with what my family has been up to, I've collected some gorgeous homemade decorating ideas that are made from items you can collect in your backyard! 
Wouldn't that be a great afternoon with your kids or grandkids!  Going out to collect everything, then having a decorating party with crockpot hotchocolate and some warm buttery popcorn and homemade cookies,mmmm...sorry, love my food!  I don't know about you but that sounds like more fun than the aisles of Walmart to me.

So feast your eyes on some of this naturally beautiful decor!

Source: flickr.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

 

Source: vickydar.blogspot.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: luluto.blogspot.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: saltwater-kids.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

I hope that inspires you and is maybe a reminder that you can have a gorgeous holiday that doesn't have to come out of a store or cost you anything.  Happy holiday season to everyone!