And I’ve just finally finished decorating and wrapping most of my presents. I still have a few more to buy and then there’s Santa for the girls, and the next few days leading up to Christmas may be insane, but I’m feeling okay about it all at the moment. How are you all doing these days?
If you read my Christmas inspiration post a few weeks ago, you’d know that my theme for my holiday decorating this year was going to be black and white buffalo plaid. I wanted something to tie everything together and that seemed to do the trick while also keeping in line with the rustic/chic mountain vibe the living room already had.
I bought two different sized buffalo check print ribbon and a 4pack of buffalo plaid pillow case covers for the couch (because the price was so right!) and I have so many extra pillow inserts – honestly, the ribbon cost more! I tied little bows and placed them all over the Christmas tree and used a ton of glittery white and silver ornaments (I bought for my Michael’s dream tree challenge back in 2012) and scattered little glittered black balls to give it some contrast and consistency. The kid’s Disney ornaments are in there too and everyone is happy.
I also used the ribbon to hide the nails where the stockings are hung, around the natural mistletoe (that came from an actual tree up here), and to finish the gifts with cute matching bows and I still have a ton left over. I didn’t go crazy with it but I love the way it turned out. It’s completely different than any other Christmas decor I’ve done in the past and I love it.
I opted NOT to put my DIY starburst tree toppers on top because I dunno… it felt too glam for this tree, so instead I placed one on my cow skull and one on the shelves by the window to add a little sparkle to those areas. I love that these are still in amazing shape and I made them back in 2011. They remain my favorite tree toppers to this day!
This is the first time in YEARS I’ve had an actual mantel to hang stockings on and I adore them. I originally was going to split them up, since there are six and it would have symmetrically worked with three on each side of the fireplace. However, since the tree was on the other side, it felt right to hang all the stockings on one side to balance the look out. I added a little faux tree trimming on the same side and filled a vase with water and more mistletoe for the opposite side.
I didn’t do much else to the house but I love the living room glow with the tree lit up every night.
I found these two cute wrapping papers at TJ Max after my dentist appointment a few weeks ago. I thought the colors were perfect and the buffalo plaid ribbons looked so cute against the colors and prints. I also used some rough brown rope ribbons and green ribbons to mix it up a little.
This is the tree I have… 7.5′ Faux flocked Christmas tree with warm white lights… and I’ve mentioned before that I’m so happy with it. It’s worth the splurge considering how much I’d spend on buying and flocking a live tree each year. This is the 5th year I’ve used it and it’s pre-lit and though it’s heavy, it’s easy and always look so pretty. I just love it.
LA native & lifestyle creator Maegan Tintari shares personal style, outfit inspiration, home decor, beauty, DIY projects, and everyday aesthetic living here—at loveMaegan.com—an editorial-style space filled with visual inspiration and creative ideas since 2007.
For deeper personal essays on reinvention, starting over, creativity, and rebuilding life from the inside out, you can also find her writing on Substack and everywhere else as @loveMaegan
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