Apparently Christmas threw up at my house

[LJSDesigns]

My sister took photos of my Christmas decorations and sent it to a few of her co-works in an email entitled, "Christmas threw up at my sister's house." LOL

I readily acknowledge that I tend to go overboard on things, but "threw up" seems a little much. I used her photos to create the image below and she took crappy photos, so I don't think that helped any. But I used them on purpose so that you could see what she sent out and give me your opinions. I would like some "artistic" opinions on it. My sister is an accountant without any artistic or crafty genes in her body, so I am hoping I can "write off" her opinion and get a better one from people who create.



The top two photos are of the living room; it has a Mickey Mouse Tree Farm theme, which is basically red truck, christmas tree farm with some Disney thrown in. I carried that theme into the kitchen and made the cupboard wreaths myself. On top of the cupboards was still being decorated when she took this which is why the Believe in the magic of Christmas sign is leaning against the wall in the dining area. I think the dining room is kind of underwhelming, so I need to ponder what it needs.

The day bed is in Wren's room at my house. I might have gone overboard on the pillows in there. Okay, overboard on the pillows everywhere, but Wren loved them. He even took a big santa pillow that is not in any of the pics home with him. Just grabbed it and started pulling it behind him. LOL It made everything I did feel perfect to me.

The guest bathroom is Disney and pretty much done. I mean it is a little bathroom, so you can only do so much. I did make a mickey mouse evergreen wreath in there, but she didn't photograph it. I even put a few scented pine branches in there so it would smell good because, well, it is the bathroom.

My bedroom has a Christmas flamingo theme, but no photos of that yet. Not sure I will take any this year because it has a long way to go and I am a few quarts low on Christmas decorating right now. LOL

The family room area downstairs is gingerbread, Christmas candy with more Disney thrown in. I think the walls need more decoration, and painted -- these photos make me think the entire house needs painted -- but I find gingerbread wall art a big challenge. Most of it is a bit too "comic" for me. I really need to see what I can come up with before next year. Also wondering if I should do some garland and lights around the room. It's in the basement, so lighting makes a difference. What do you think about that idea?

The hot chocolate bar needs revamped before next year. I need to add more risers and create more layers I think. In the end I felt like it fell flat.

Honestly, I think there are some things that are good and others that I need to rethink. But all in all, my little grandson seemed quite pleased by it all, so I was happy with it. I am not mad that my sister sent photos off to people she knows to poke fun at me and my tendency to go overboard, but I am not crazy about the title of her email.

[wendyp]

I actually really love it!

[CarlaW]

I was about to ask if that was Santa's house and not yours! I love it!

[eve11ne]

I'm probably on the odd side, the email title sounds on the fun side than the bad/negative side but I love decorations and things that seems overboard lol
When I see those kind of things, I think of the efforts that go into it and it makes me go whoa

[JillW]

I love it and if it makes you (and Wren!) happy, that's ALL that counts!!! XO

[AmieN1]

I LOVE it Lorie! I'm a firm believe of "to each their own" and if decorating ALL out that amazingly brings you joy- then go for it! I'm right there with you but live with a scrooge! lol

[LynnZant]

I don't know. . .I think you need some tiered trays. lol
Looks amazing! I am not creative and could never do anything like this.

[HavaDrPepper]

I think it looks fine. A bit much for my taste but it is your house to do what you want with it!

I have a FB friend that decorates every single inch of her 1910 2-story house. Yours looks minimal compared to hers! But, it makes her happy!

[3BluEyedBabi]

I think it looks great and very festive! I'm sure your sister would say the same about my house! I love to decorate and it makes me happy, so I really don't care what anyone else thinks! I start decorating in November and try to be mostly done by Thanksgiving except for the kitchen which I decorate after turkey day. Having a little one this time of year is so fun! My kids are 20, 17, and 14, so Christmas is much different then it used to be in our house. I tell them I can't wait to have grandkids! I would definitely add some lights. I have a lit garland in my livingroom as well as the tree and a wreath. I have garland in the kitchen, too, that has lights, but I really can't light them because we live in an old house with hardly any outlets. I have an old bubble lamp in the kitchen window above the sink, though.

I think your sister sounds kind of grinchy, lol!

[Brendazzle]

If you told me this was a vacation rental near Disney, I'd believe it. The decor is so cute and whimsical. I hope you're going to take a million photos and end up scrapbooking Christmas until almost Easter.

My holiday decor for 2024 is balloon garlands (and giant 3 ft tall balloons for my 7 year old) so your sister would probably die of embarrassment. Our tree is up but we haven't decorated it yet. I haven't seen the menorahs or stockings yet so I think my husband missed a bin in the attic.

PS: I vote lights for the gingerbread room but that's mostly because I love lights.

[vicky23ny]

I love it!!! It's very Christmassy. Your pillows are amazing. I really like the cupboard wreaths with the buffalo check ribbon. A few things I would suggest. 1: Add a tiered tray on your table, it's too empty. 2: Change the patterned covers on your sofas for something monochromatic, because the pillows get lost in the pattern.

[Tree City]

Your home looks inviting, and if you (and Wren) are happy, then that's all that matters.

Perhaps she's a little jealous of your decorating abilities? I know I am! I've put up our 4 trees, but that's basically all I've done yet this year. I got sick last week, so I just didn't have the energy. Your beautiful home has inspired me (ahem, kicked me in the rear lol) to get my decor out!

[Willemijne DSI]

I think you did a great job Lorie, it looks amazing!

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

[LJSDesigns]

Thank you all. I feel much better about it now. I know that my family is going to make fun of me, they have been doing it since I was born and I don't get mad about it, much, I just didn't like the "thrown up" comment because it is so negative and, well, gross. LOL

I do go overboard and if I am honest, she didn't take photos of it all. For instance, she missed the entire reindeer wall. Not to mention the tree downstairs, the fireplace, etc. Next year when I have it where I feel it needs to be, I am going to take a ton of photos.

I told my son that this year was a practice run since Wren is so small and excited, but confused, by it all. But he definitely likes the pillows, which I knew he would. He will toss them on the floor and curls up on them. It is the cutest thing ever. LOL

Christmas is done at my house now. My sister actually hosts Christmas Day and I think it might scare her that I want to start hosting it. Frankly hosting the family Christmas party is enough for me. That is a lot of work because of course, I go totally overboard for it. LOL

[nesser1981]

Love!

HE is Adorable!!

[LauraOD]

I love it! The pillows look so comfy and inviting and the little guy is so cute!

[Tree City]

Originally Posted by LJSDesigns

I told my son that this year was a practice run since Wren is so small and excited, but confused, by it all. But he definitely likes the pillows, which I knew he would. He will toss them on the floor and curls up on them. It is the cutest thing ever. LOL

I think a Christmas pillow fort is in order! (Maybe next year. He's still a little young lol.)

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

I think it looks wonderful. It reminds me of my mother-in-law's house and how she decorated inside and out with lots of everything when her grandchildren were young. Little ones see things so much differently than adults.

I have to say that I would be upset if my sister talked about me in that manner. But if you are truly OK with it and are just choosing to ignore her for the most part, then no worries. Otherwise, I'd suggest it's time for a heart-to-heart talk.

[lizziej]

It looks great!! What's most important is that Wren (he's adorable!!) and you love it! I could never decorate like that because I don't have the time, energy, or creativity to do it AND put it away, and I don't have storage space. I'm not really a Disney fan, but I love what you did with the Disney things, especially Wren's room. I love that Christmas rug! Maybe you could put the Believe sign in the dining room. I think you should add lights.

I would be upset if one of my sisters did that to me, but then again, jealousy was probably a big part of it, IMO. If it's what you want, I would think she should support you. That's not to say they would agree with everything, but my sisters would probably say, "Liz, don't you think you went a bit overboard?" and leave it at that. Then they would probably laugh, with good reason, when I complained about how long it was taking me to put it all away, knowing how I am. LOL

[LJSDesigns]

Thanks for the positive comments. I really appreciate them and the suggestions. I am definitely down for lights around the family room now. I found a neat garland that I want to try to make, just to dress it up a little.

As for my sister, I am not mad, but I did not like the "throw up" part and told her so. I don't think she is jealous as much as worried that having Wren will change our family dynamic and I will want to host more things at my house, when that has always been her role.

She does not have children of her own, but has always been like a second mother to my son. I just think the grandmother role has thrown her a bit. I keep telling her she can be his other grandma, but she keeps saying she doesn't want to step on my toes. To be honest, I think she is being silly, but am just letting her sort herself out because she has a right to her feelings.

It doesn't help that I make time to see Wren at least once a week and that her work schedule prevents her from seeing him as often. He is much more comfortable with me than with her and I think that makes her sad. But then she is the President of one division of her company and then Vice President of Finance for the whole thing, so she travels for business a lot and works long hours. Finding time to see him is not as easy for her.

Finally, I am not mad since all the people she sent the email to told her my house looked amazing and that my grandson was lucky I was willing to go all out for him. When she told me that, I felt vindicated. LOL

[StacyLynn]

I love it!!!!
So fun!!!

I may need to copy n make myself some of those mickey wreaths!

[LJSDesigns]

Originally Posted by StacyLynn

I may need to copy n make myself some of those mickey wreaths!

Best compliment ever!