holiday cheer

Christmas is just days away and I'm pretty excited to be spending our first real Christmas as a family (last year didn't really count as Maxwell was just days old). Even though we don't buy presents (we only do stockings), it'll be nice to have Christmas dinner with Maxwell and spend the day relaxing together. This year though, Joe and I decided that we wouldn't be able to have a real tree. With Maxwell being mobile and getting into literally everything, it just wouldn't be safe. I was seriously bummed. I love the smell and look of a real tree. So, instead we got a small, four-foot tall fake tree and displayed it on top of our desk. I couldn't hang most of our regular ornaments on it as Maxwell would pull those off, so I kept it simple with some lights, candy canes, a popcorn garland and baby-safe ornaments.

I made this ombré garland from pompoms I found at Dollarama. Sadly, it was too short to wrap around the entire length of the tree. Oh well.

Joe's sister even crafted Maxwell a few felt ornaments. My favourite is her rendition of his first (and most cherished) stuffed toy, Boris (originally named Albert).

And it wouldn't be the holidays without some sweets. I haven't been able to do much baking, but did manage to crank out some shortbread and these salted brown butter cookies.

Now, time to cozy-up on the couch and stare at my tree.

o christmas tree

After spending a rainy afternoon scouring the Fiesta Farms garden centre for the perfect tree (who knew there were so many types!), we finally settled on a Fraser Fir (they aren't supposed to shed their needles as much and have a really nice smell). The one we chose ended up being, uh, quite rotund (it's hard knowing how a tree will look once it's unwrapped). Here she is in all her fat glory:

 

And all dressed up:

xmas crafting

This year I am actually going to decorate my apartment for the holidays—tree and all. Problem is that I have absolutely nothing. My mom is kindly giving me a bunch of lights and ornaments, but I also want to add a bit of a personal touch, so Adam and I spent an afternoon crafting.  

I love this pom pom garland! So much so that it'll be hanging in our hallway until we get our Christmas tree.

I rushed through making these pine cone elves (I am not a patient hand-sewer), but I still think they're cute. I'll probably turn these into ornaments and make nicer ones to sit on my shelf.

Adam on the other hand, is a perfectionist. His put mine to shame.

Of course, I made snacks: a retro cheeseball, pigs in a blanket, crispy wontons and onion/herb dip.