Simple Christmas Decor

I have to admit that while admiring all the gorgeous pictures from all the talented bloggers out there, I start to feel the desire to go to Pier One and shop my heart out on all new Christmas decor! 

I have decided to resist the urge and focus on what I do have, and like I do every year, add in a couple extra finds to take care of that little shopping itch. 

This year I am taking the less is more approach to my Christmas decor.

I am finding beauty in the simple things...candles, Christmas lights, cranberries, and making use of some of my household favorites...

My mason jar candles are one of my favorite things that I have added to my decor this year, and they are so easy and inexpensive!

I love the feel that these lighted branches give our home...

 Of course some of my old favorites, the Nutcracker and Snowman are out...

I have added these pine tree and cranberry mason jar candles throughout our home too, to add a little Christmas spirit to places that might otherwise be missed, like our bathroom window.

 Now on to the outside...we have kept it pretty simple here as well.

At first I was really struggling with what to put on my beloved ladder, but I have since decided that I am really enjoying it with just my lights and a couple random ornaments.  It is a nice clean feel from the busy Autumn decor this ladder boasted.

I am trying really hard to get over the fact that the little outside planters are empty because I haven't had the time to get to the fabulous projects I had in mind for them and that my mantle and tree can't even be shown off yet!  I feel like Christmas is going to be here tomorrow and I still won't be done. 

There's always next year, right?! And we won't even talk about how behind I am on my Christmas shopping or that I keep forgetting to put our elf in a new hiding spot everyday!  I am running out of excuses of why he is still in the same spot in the mornings!!! 

I will also be linking up to these fabulous parties...

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/ ; http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ ; http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.lilluna.com/ ; http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/ ; http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ ; http://733blog.blogspot.com/ ; http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/; http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ ; http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ ; http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/ ; http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/
; http://whipperberry.com/ ; http://www.missmustardseed.com/ ; http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/ ; http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ ; http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/ ; http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/ ; http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/; http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ ; http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/ ; http://morrowsunshine.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.bystephanielynn.com/ ; http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ ; http://www.flamingotoes.com/ ; ttp://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/; http://sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.laughloveandcraft.com/ ; http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/ ; http://www.remodelaholic.com/ ; http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/; http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ ; http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com; http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com ; http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.happyhourprojects.com/ ; http://www.homemakerinheels.com/ ; http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/; http://littlebighouseontheprairie1.blogspot.com/; http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/; http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com; http://todayscreativeblog.net/;http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/; http://www.thegunnysack.com; http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com; http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/; http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2011/12/christmas-blog-link-party-christmas.html; http://www.thenester.com/2011/12/2011-christmas-tour-of-homes-2.html; http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com; http://space46.blogspot.com; http://www.itsoverflowing.com/