We woke up to a chilly morning, a crisp 45 degrees, which felt like a real winter surprise here in Florida. The air was sharp enough to send a shiver down my spine, making my hair stand on end as my feet moved from the warmth of our cozy bed to the cold carpet. But even though the chill hit hard, I couldn’t help but smile. It’s been a whirlwind adjusting to life in a new state, but Christmas is here, and it feels like we’re finally settling in. There’s something magical about creating traditions in a new place, especially during the holiday season.
December has always been my favorite month, filled with the promise of joy, family, and festivity. I dream of red ornaments, glittering trees, and the sweet scent of peppermint. One day, I stumbled across a beautiful advent calendar on Pinterest from Pottery Barn, but its steep price tag gave me pause. So, I decided to create my own version, inspired by that design but crafted on a budget.
After ordering tiny metal buckets from Amazon, we got to work. First, we removed the handles and took them outside to spray with chalkboard paint. Honestly, if chalkboard paint could be my soulmate, I’d marry it—it’s versatile and adds such a fun touch to projects. Once painted and dried, we headed outdoors to collect some natural birch branches from a nearby forest. My friend Bri helped us gather five perfect sticks, which we lightly sprayed with white paint to mimic the look of fresh snowfall. We mounted the top branch onto curtain rod brackets that my husband installed, and then it was time to thread the twine through the buckets.
Let me tell you, threading that twine through those tiny holes was no easy feat. The red-and-natural twine I bought from IKEA was thicker than expected, and it required some serious elbow grease. By the end of the process, my fingers were raw, but it was worth it. Once everything was strung together, I wrote the countdown numbers on the buckets using chalk, added small gifts and treats for the kids, and finished them off with some sparkling red baubles.
Seeing those cheerful buckets hanging on the wall fills me with pride—and the kids absolutely adore counting down the days until Christmas. Plus, the best part? I can reuse those buckets for anything I want, and the chalkboard surface gives me endless possibilities. Talk about eco-friendly and creative!
Speaking of Christmas cheer, we also visited Santa last weekend. Chris, my husband, reluctantly agreed to don the suit for a friend’s event at our local community center. He stuffed it with some pillows (not jelly, sorry to disappoint!) and played the role of Saint Nick with gusto. Watching our kids interact with him was priceless—Brayden was shy at first, but Aliyah loved taking photos and posing with Santa’s beard.
Afterward, we came up with another DIY project for Santa: a festive garland made from scrapbook paper letters, strung on red felt ribbon with mini clothespins. We decorated each letter with red baubles, glitter, and even a sprinkle of unicorn dust. It’s a crafty masterpiece that Santa would surely approve of.
But the highlight of our week was discovering the botanical gardens transformed into a dazzling wonderland of Christmas lights. Chris surprised me by finding this hidden gem just a short drive away. As we approached the entrance, I could feel the excitement building. The twinkling lights cast a magical glow, and we spent hours walking through the display. There were live performances, food trucks, and even a dance-off in the park with the kids. By the end of the evening, we retreated to a cozy corner of Starbucks for hot cocoa, savoring every moment of our impromptu adventure.
It’s been a whirlwind of creativity and holiday spirit, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. As Mrs. Claus herself, I’m already planning next year’s projects—and maybe a few more visits to Santa. Until then, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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