Let the Traditions Begin!

So I may have gotten a little excited about our first "Married Christmas" :) It all started with my deciding that I was going to make a lot of our decorations (Pinterest is wonderful tutor for those of us who are creatively challenged!) so that we would still be able to decorate, but not have to spend a lot of money. I was able to get everything for less than 35 dollars (thanks to Hobby Lobby and their 50% off on Christmas decor!) When I told Nathan he said that we could decorate as soon as I was finished making everything. I think he thought it would take me longer.... we decorated on Halloween:) While most folks were out trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and partaking in all their Halloween festivities...my sweet hubby and I were drinking hot cocoa, listening to Christmas music, and putting up our Christmas decorations! Crazy, I know. We decided that even though it was a little early...this year began our new traditions as a Douthit family so we had to go all out with the music and cocoa. For those of you who may not know Nate, he doesn't like to do things halfway...which is one of the things I love about him:) So, crazy as it may seem, we are enjoying our red hot cinnamon smelling, Christmas tree lit, festively decorated apartment. And as a little disclaimer: we proudly celebrate Thanksgiving:)

Our decor:

1 wal-mart berry wreath (berries cut off and used for other decorations)

2 yards of burlap (only 2 bucks a yard!)

Lots of Christmas-y ribbon

Twine

Fabric Glue

Cheap Ornaments

Foam Balls

Red Hot Cinnamon Potpourri

Newspaper

Mod Podge

Mesh Garland

Plain Green Garland 

Snowflake Ornaments

Empty Clear Plastic Ornaments

I cut the berries of the wreath and tied cut pieces of burlap, berries,  and a D (newspaper and mod podge)

Twine inside of a clear plastic ornament

Buttons inside of a clear plastic ornament

Potpourri (I was feeling a little experimental!)

Foam ball wrapped in burlap

Cheap Ornament wrapped with twine (using fabric glue)

Mod podge and newspaper

Wrapped a foam ball with burlap and used twine to tie left over berries

Snowflake ornament from Hobby Lobby

Tied a bow for our topper (Nate'e Idea!)

Our Tree Skirt- we cut a slit in the top for the bottom to go through (Nate's Idea!)

Our 2 foot tree in all its brilliance!

Garland- I bought in plain and added the ribbon and snowflakes

Hand-me down Christmas glasses...we put cinnamon potpourri in them and put the on the banister among the garland

We used them as candle holders too!

Our bean bag nativity set my mom got us:)

Our nativity we got as a wedding gift (it's from Turkey!)

Glasses with berries and fake poinsettias with a red runner and red mesh garland

Our first time to display our ornaments!

The foam balls I used for the ornaments

I bought these for about $3 and just glued the twine around them with fabric glue