Oh What Fun It Is To... Decorate!

Thank you so much to everyone who has been linking up with the fabulous Erin, Nina, Molly, Meredith and me and sharing their Christmas spirit. I've had such a blast reading everyone's posts and gathering new ideas to cook, bake, create and decorate! I'm already looking forward to next year's Christmas!

Today, I'm linking up with Erin, better known as Blue Eyed Bride, to share with you this year's M Family Christmas tree. 

Loyals, I'm slightly embarrassed.

Keep in mind that in previous years, ones in which we didn't have a toddler roaming the house, our tree was the focal point of the living room. Better known as "The JCrew Tree" by The Husband, our tree was often a carefully constructed masterpiece of elegantly matching ornaments, pearls, sparkling white twinkle lights and large classic bows. Sure, I'd manage to sneak in a few of the sentimental ornaments that we had collected over the years, but I made sure to hang them deep within the bowels of our very real, very pine needle-y Douglas Fir. 

If I had to give a name to my "typical" style of decorating, it would be "elegant and classic." I tend to stick with reds and golds and greenery and pearls. I like to carry the theme throughout the house, from the front porch to the entryway staircase to the mantle. Here's a picture of our front door- just to give you an idea of my "usual" sense of Christmas style. 

This year, I had grand plans to forego ornaments on the tree, mostly due in part to the Toddler that has overthrown our house. Sure, some of you might say "put a gate around the tree!" or "after a few days, he won't even notice that they are there!" and while I appreciate both of those sentiments, I will never be gating my tree off (there are enough giant plastic eyesores in our house..) and you clearly don't know The Toddler well enough because for those "few days," all you would hear from my mouth would be, "Stop! No! Don't touch! Don't throw! Breakable! Leave that alone!" And frankly? I just don't have the time or energy for that. Plus, I can't even have a glass of wine to help calm my mom-nerves!

So.. all that being said, I had grand plans to forego ornaments this year and experiment with deco mesh, something I hadn't heard of until this year. And well, experiment I did. 

I shall preface this by saying, I am not proud of this tree. In fact, every time I look at it, I laugh and cringe and kind of want to cry a little. It turned out nothing like the visions I had in my head and needless to say, it will be the last time I use deco mesh! 

Loyals, meet the M Family Dr. Suess Deco Mesh Disaster tree. It truly looks as if Deco Mesh vomited all over our beautiful 8ft. Douglas Fir. Oh well, there's always next year, right? Don't mind the non-matching tree skirt- the new burlap one that bears our family monogram is in the mail as we speak! And the presents? Well, we all know Santa doesn't bring those until Christmas morning! 

In order to redeem myself from sharing such a deciduous disaster, here are a few pictures of our mantle! After all, I couldn't just leave you with that ridiculous excuse for a Christmas tree! 

Well, there you have it, Loyals. My inner-Martha did nothing for me when it came to tackling deco mesh! Be sure to linkup your Christmas decorations posts with Erin over at Blue Eyed Bride! After all, I'm going to need some new ideas for next year! 

Happy Friday!