It’s that time of year! It’s the week after Thanksgiving and not quite December yet, but many of us are already dragging out the Christmas decorations, getting our halls decked with a little Holiday cheer.
I’m ready to get going, are you?
I’ve been so stinkin’ busy with getting moved into the house and have barely put my paintbrush down this week, but I do have a few things out that will get me in the mood to usher in the season. I have been really busy working on the laundry room (which I can’t wait to show you the progress on that soon!) and getting some last minute touch up painting done, cause I just want it finished already before I start having company over. You know how that is!
As a Lowes Creative Ideas blogger and with a little help from our Lowes challenge this month, I picked up a few things that will be perfect for the Christmas party I’m having in just a couple of weeks. This year,I decided to invite all the single girlfriends that I’ve met this past almost 2 years, over to my house for a time of celebration together. It’s going to be fun! After working so hard on the house, I’m ready to start entertaining and I can’t think of a more fun party than to get to together with my single friends and celebrate Christmas.
They will be greeted with this cute doormat and we will indeed, Be Merry!
I love, love growing paperwhites during the holidays, so I also picked up a bag of paperwhite bulbs and got them growing. I had a shallow white bowl that I picked up thrifting this summer and it was perfect for my bulbs this year. I added rocks on the bottom.
Then, I placed the bulbs inside with a few more rocks scattered around. They need room for their roots to grow and then all you do is fill with water til the bulbs little bottoms are touching water.
Place in a sunny window and watch ‘em grow! They are taking off already and I hope they will be blooming by Christmas.
Another pretty that caught my eye was this beautiful preserved boxwood wreath. I have always loved preserved boxwood, so when given the opportunity to grab this one, I did. I like it hanging on the fireplace for now, but it can move around house and be used year round.
Many years ago, I used to add candles in my windows. Did you? It seems to have been popular ages ago, but when I saw these cute pairs of LED candles, I thought I would give them a try. They take 2 AA batteries and according to directions, you turn them on at the time you want them to come on every night and then they will stay on for 5 hours and turn off for 19 and will automatically know when to come on again the next night. I love that idea! So, I’ll be trying these out in my windows.
I’m getting ready for my party and can’t wait to get festive and cheery with my girlfriends. Adding some holiday sparkle and cheer to my house is at the top of my list this year and I’m going to be a busy bee the next few days getting all my house ready for the celebration.
Can’t wait to get it all done and show you more. It’s been quite the whirlwind of activity around here, but we are finally making great progress. Dad has been a trooper and has helped me get my washer and dryer installed this week.
Big thanks to Lowes for giving me a giftcard to help get my house ready for the holiday party I’ll be throwing.Â
Are you having any parties this year? Are you ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year?
I certainly am and I’m going to make the most of the Holidays this year! Being in my own home again is a huge part of that and you can bet I’ll make this place sparkle and shine.
I do love shopping at Lowes and they have lots of great ideas for decorating for the Holidays.
You can find Lowes on social media here:
Lowes on Pinterest
Disclosure:Â I’m a Lowes Creative Blogger and received a giftcard to shop for these Christmas decorations.
If you’re looking for some unique gift ideas, Saturated Colors maps are 20% off for a few more days this week! I just ordered a beautiful Georgia map.
Judy Clark says
Hey Rho:
What about your old married girlfriends. We want a party too! LOL!
Judy
Cheryl says
Rhoda can’t wait to see your Christmas house. I got those candles for my windows as well! They bring back memories of years ago, many years ago, when I was young. Somehow they made my room seem magical. I’m kind of looking for that magic again…..
Heidi @ Decor & More says
Wonderful!! How exciting to get decorating in your new home, Rhoda. I’ve got my paperwhites rocking, too!
xo Heidi
Sherry says
Curious how long it usually takes for the Paperwhites to grow/bloom? How far in advance of Christmas is ideal? thanks!
Mary says
Rhoda, Those candles are still very popular in NE..Love the idea that they are “smart”! I’ll have to try them out.
Have you had your Number one carpenter and wife over for dinner yet??
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Rhoda, I know you are finding great joy in being able to decorate you home for the holidays! I’m in the midst of the chaos of decorating! You know, storage tubs everywhere and a huge, fat mess, but I do see the end in sight! Can’t wait to see what you do with your laundry room.
maureen says
YOu will love those candles that go on and off automatically! I have them in all my windows this year and it’s warm and peaceful to look at! However, the best part is the automatic timer…a great invention! Your home is looking lovely after all your hard work…I have been enjoying your journey…what an inspiration and to have your Dad and Mom to help you. Happy Holidays to you!
Debbie S. says
I am getting ready for the holidays also. I have my tree up and decorated and adding little touches here and there. Happy Holidays.
tina says
I love Christmas and try to make the most of the season. Our church started last Sunday night with a hanging of the greens service. All the beautiful music really got me in the spirit! We decorate Thanksgiving weekend, if possible.
I don’t think candles ever went out of style. I have always seen them and have used them every year I’ve been married – 31 years!! I have ones like you have in all my sunroom windows.
tina
Jane says
Your new house is looking wonderful! I have those candles…love ’em.! I don’t have to worry about turning them off every night. This year, I found timers for the outside lighting. They’re awesome…no more going out in my pj’s to turn off the railing lights. I just need to buy some timers for the trees indoors.
Cynthia says
This must be so exciting for you to get to decorate your new home for Christmas. I can’t wait to see everything done up.
Cynthia
Penny says
I recently found you through Pinterest and am enjoying following your new house as it develops. The welcome mat is really cute…is there tutorial for it?
Thanks
Penny
Richella @ Imparting Grace says
Rhoda, I think the idea of having a party for the single women you’ve met is inspired! What fun y’all will have. I’m looking forward to seeing all the ways you make your new house sparkle and shine!
Mary L says
Rhoda,
Please let us know how well the window candles work, I have had my eye on those as well but was afraid they would not work well.
Can’t wait to see all your Christmas decorations.
Thanks,
Marianne says
Please let me know how well the battery operated candles work, I would love to get some!
susan says
Sounds like a fun party!
Did you know that if you add some gin to those paperwhites, it stunts their growth a bit and you don’t have to tie them up?
I learned that trick from Steve at An Urban Cottage 🙂
Sadly, the smell of paperwhites and I just do NOT get along. They are pretty, though.
Paula J says
Super Cute doormat!! I need a new one – I think I tossed mine last year. I’ll take a spin by my Lowe’s & see what they have on hand!
GinaE says
I know you will have your house looking holiday festive in no time. I use those little candles with timers in my windows all year around. I love coming home and seeing them on any time of the year. Can’t wait to see your decorations.
Selina@CreativeJuicesDecor says
Ohh! I have those exact same LED light candles! I LOVE them! I bought them last year on a 75% off clearance so I bought about 15 🙂 I spray painted the bottom Oil Rubbed Bronze and they fit perfectly in the decor…..it’s nice they go on and off by themselves. You can see a picture of them (in the window) in the post I just put up.
http://www.creativejuicesdecor.com/2012/11/outdoor-christmas-lights-tips-and.html
Grace @ sense and simplicity says
Those candles look so pretty and I love that they have a timer. I just Googled to see if you can get them in Canada and Lowes seems to carry a similar type up here as well. Yay! I can’t wait to see what you do with your lovely new home for Christmas.