There are a few more holiday projects in progress (aka getting crossed off the list), so let’s dive in. Last year I picked up four three-packs of white felt tree ornaments from Target on clearance about a week after Christmas. They were marked down to ten cents per set instead of a dollar, so I ended up with 12 mini felt trees for 40 cents. They seemed perfect for a casual little banner that reads like hand-cut paper but is actually pre-cut felt—no cutting required, which is a win.
Next I rummaged through the leftover ribbon box and found a scrap of navy ribbon. I laid it out on the floor and arranged the little trees under it to judge spacing. Each tree had a tiny gold hanging loop, which I simply clipped off to make them sit flat on the ribbon.
To attach the trees I used a dozen plain silver paperclips from the office supply drawer. I could have sewn them or used mini clothespins or decorative clips, but I wanted this to be effortless and unfussy—just a festive window display made from things we already had. There’s something sweet and relaxed about white felt trees, navy ribbon, and silver paperclips. If you prefer a dressier look, tiny clothespins or small binder clips would work beautifully too.
Back in our living room, the tabletop tree has returned. Last year’s little tree inspired me to bring it back this season, and it’s now filled with ornaments that mean something to us. I draped a soft gray pashmina beneath it for now, though a silver faux-fur skirt would be an amazing touch.
There isn’t a strict theme for the ornaments beyond being meaningful, handmade, and treasured—what Clara calls our “special special favorites.” We layered on a mix of pieces we love: mementos picked up at craft fairs, thoughtful gifts from readers at book tour stops, and tiny souvenirs from travels. Clara’s silhouette ornament, a felt ornament made by a reader, and John’s bike ornament are all part of the assortment, along with a small brass French horn that nods to John’s high school band days.
One of our favorite oddities is a pair of newlywed moose ornaments we bought on our honeymoon in Alaska. It’s a tiny, charming reminder of that trip and always makes us smile. Another beloved piece is a burger ornament that honors our family mascot, and nearby hangs a sweet felt owl made by another reader. The tree is joyfully mismatched—glass bulbs filled with bright paint, spray-painted animals, homemade antlers, preserved gingerbread cookies, and a small Empire State Building ornament that takes us back to New York, where we met in 2005.
We also brought our DIY chalkboard into the festive corner. John braved his chalk-screech fears and drew a Starbucks-inspired design topped with a snowman. He used a trick suggested by readers—dipping colored chalk in water to get richer color and much less screech—so the result was bold and smooth. I added some snowflakes, and then Clara contributed a “pretty rainbow for Santa.” Chalk art together feels delightfully collaborative: the family that chalks together, stays together.
This once bland corner of the room now feels genuinely jolly. Nearby, the little ornaments I glued to magnets are happily holding holiday cards on display. Since we took that photo, a few more cards arrived—always a pleasure to find them in the mailbox.
We also received a beautiful German-style advent calendar from friends overseas. It contains tiny envelopes and boxes with small treats like stickers, candy, little dolls, and even a packet of colorful tissues. Clara has been loving the daily ritual of opening one item a day, which has become a darling part of our holiday routine.
So that’s our holiday update in a nutshell. Here’s where we stand on the seasonal to-do list:
set up the big tree (gradient, baby!)get a live tabletop tree again (like we did last year)decorate the mantel, the built-ins, and the entryway console- hang our outside lights & decorate the front porch
shoot a Christmas picture of Clara & Burger for our annual holiday cardmake an advent calendar for Clara? Ahh I’m behind already!- shop for or make the remaining gifts on our Christmas list (I’m about 90% done and eager to finish)
We haven’t hung the outdoor lights yet or completed every gift and wrapping task, but hopefully that will happen this weekend. What’s left on your holiday to-do list? What have you happily crossed off already? There’s something oddly satisfying about drawing a pen through a completed item—maybe I need a List-Crossers Anonymous. Are you having fun with a tabletop tree, homemade banners, or other hand-crafted decorations this year? Share your holiday projects and wins.
Update: We’ve gathered many of our favorite holiday decor finds, including several budget-friendly pieces under $15—perfect if you’re looking for simple, festive additions to your home this season.