12/4/08

My Husband's Decorating Idea!

Sunday night, as we listened to the new Sara Groves groovy Christmas CD and trimmed our Christmas tree, I couldn’t believe it when my husband said, “Hey, I have a cool decorating idea!”

What?” I said, a little surprised.

My husband quickly ran out to the garage, went up into the attic, and came back with a wooden toboggan.

What about putting this in the corner?” he said, very proud of his spiffy idea.

Now if you are like me, when your husband has an idea, you don’t want to “squelch” his creative side, right?

And a man’s touch might be to "just put the toboggan in the corner!" With no fancy frills or decorations surrounding it. And, by the way, who would bring a toboggan in the house in the first place?

So using what we had (the toboggan), I did indeed add my touch to it – a tree and a wreath! Simple and stylish!

Hey, it worked for me!

As tempting as it can be at Christmas, to get new “faddy” colors, or completely redecorate the theme of my tree, I fought the temptation and used my old, simple Christmas decorations this year.

We even put our tree in a new location - to get a fresher feel!

It’s really fun to use your creative side and to change things up a bit!

Trees - I just like trees!


Snow people - hangin' out on the back patio


Kid’s wintertime art -enjoyable bathroom display


Amaryllis growing - reminder of a very special couple


Holiday geese - in sparkling red


Stockings - knitted by our friend, now smiling down from heaven


Dishes - passed down from our friend, Hoppi


Memories - reminders of my kids as babies


The toboggan in the corner of our dining room may not even be noticed by others, but as it reminds me of winter and a festive season, this particular touch also reminds me of my man!

How about you, do you let your man in on decorating ideas in your home?

39 comments:

Christy said...

We have that same CD... love it!

Everything looks so pretty and I think have the sled as decoration is a great idea! I always wanted a really old one to put out by the front door or perhaps by the fireplace somewhere.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your decorations!

Melanie said...

I certainly do! He sometimes has better ideas than I!! :) Great decorating!! I love this season!

Sarah said...

My husband and I make a great team! It isn't always as I would imagine, but it is often better, and helps me to learn to let go of my idea of perfection (which is an illusion, anyway)

Lora @ my blessed life said...

Your house looks very pretty & festive! And I am SO EXCITED to hear that Sara Groves had a Christmas cd out--how did I miss that?!?

Elizabeth said...

Great ideas. Love your decorations, especially the snowmen!

My husband doesn't help with the decorating, except if I need something hung. He's a good hang-up-er, or however you spell it.

I hope you are having a fun Season.

God bless,
Elizabeth

duchess said...

I'd love to but after 16 yrs of marriage, he doesn't even try.
He knows I love doing it too much.

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

I love the toboggan... and your geese!

My husband IS the decorator in the house. He is much more talented and opinionated about all it than I am. Good for you not squelching the male creative juices; they're valuable too!

maryanne420 said...

i love what you did around your home. it looks so welcoming and cozy.

okay, when i grow up, i would love to be like you. i always ooohhh and aaaahhh when i see what you made for dinner.

can the clark's come over for dinner one night?

Anonymous said...

Before I married, I had dreams of a "Martha" tree and decorations. My particular dream was different shades of white accented with silver. I even bought several rolls of white velvet ribbon and purchased silver ornaments from the china departments of upscale department stores after Christmas. I was ready.
Little did I know that the man God chose for me has a soft spot of teddy bears and other stuffed animals. His taste in ornaments run along the same lines as your average 4 year old. Clearly we clash.
I decided that since my husband and kids have the same decorating ideas, I'm happy to be outnumbered.
Our tree sports many of my beautiful heirloom quality silver pieces right next to a smiling teddy or duck. On our stairs you'll find the numerous teddies that my husband has collected along with my beautiful white ribbon. It's just mixed with red velvet ribbon to make our banister look like a giant candy cane.
My family is happy and that is more important than my dream decor could ever be.

RosyRose said...

cute! i like the snowman and the cute geese decked in red sparklies...My man doesn't engage in anything that resembles decorating. I think he likes it that way so I don't push....:)

Rebekah said...

What gorgeous decorations in your home! I love for my husband to be involved when he's interested. He usually handles outside decorations and I decorate inside the house.

Sarah said...

It's so much fun to decorate for christmas, isn't it? Even though it doesn't look like it in my website all my decorations are vintage from sales, goodwill, and lovely friends. Our tree is decorated with ornaments that each child has recieved each year at christmas, and will take with them when they leave the "nest". Decorating can be fun and affordable if you take the time to purchase responsibly and "recycle" old items each year. Merry christmas! Your decorations are lovely!

bigbucketgirl said...

Ah! To let my husband decorate would be to concede that the surf boards that 'decorate' the garden and kitchen are not enough! He hasn't surfed for..erm..15 years but those boards just can't go out. They do come in useful for hanging peoples coats or drying towels!!
I love your tree collection... x

Nadine said...

Your hubby is adorable to think about how to decorate your home. Mine leaves it up to me.

Robin Beck said...

Hi Sandy,
There must be something in the water because my husband (who by the way is a very outdoorsy, deep voice Manly man.) Came home last night and while we where lying in bed he said," Hey that big victorian craft show is at the fairgrounds tomorrow-I'll get off work if you want to go?" I about fell out of bed. I sometimes feel like the most blessed woman on earth (even after being married 20 years)
BTW: I have a old sled that I painted red and sit by the tree with presents on it...I love it!
Have a great weekend!
Robin~♥
P.S. Your houst looks GREAT!

Anonymous said...

I have read of many churches celebrating Christmas with Pageants that include an actual baby portraying the role of 'baby Jesus'. Our first child Ruth, was born December 12th, 1981 and was chosen to be 'baby Jesus' for our church's (Reba Place Fellowship) Christmas Eve service. Last year, our grandson, Charlie, born on Oct. 19th 2008, was chosen, also at Reba Place Fellowship. But in prison no such ritual exists. I wasn't even thinking about babies being in Christmas plays back in 1972. This was yet another year in prison the difference being this was my first Christmas as a christian. The Christmas service held new meaning for me as we sang the traditional Christmas Carols bringing with it a hope for a new life with a redeemed future. Christian volunteers were a part of our service at the U. S. Medical Center for Prisoners in Springfield, Mo. As our service wound to completion a cry was heard. The faint whimpering of a baby. My first thought was that I wasn't hearing what I thought I had heard. I had been in prison for many years and had never even seen a baby inside of a prison (not counting my infrequent times in the visiting room.) But there it was again, a baby crying. Someone, a volunteer, had brought their baby into the service wrapped in a blanket unnoticed by the guards. I then thought, there was our 'baby Jesus'. The parents of the yet unknown child were the children of an older couple (Lloyd and Nita Colbaugh) who had only a few years previously began their ministry to the prison. Even the great-grandmother (Mom Carter) was a volunteer and had played a significant role in my own conversion, telling me that God had a plan for my life. Life would go on and the incident of 'baby Jesus' coming to prison would fade to a memory, until the baby grew up and now is known throughout many countries far and wide as acclaimed singer/songwriter Sara Groves. I hope this story adds to your appreciation of the life of Sara and her family.John C Thomson

Shell in your Pocket said...

What fun decorations..I love them all!

Ahh...no my husband doesn't help with decorating..he did buy my live garland...yeah!
-sandy toes

Heather said...

how cute does your house look? So comfy and Christmassy!
Even cuter that you let your husband decorate and feel involved. I have such a hard time at letting my hubby do that - probably because I am always scared about what he will come up with! yours did good!

Melanie said...

My One Fine Man puts the outside lights up and our all white Nativity scene on the front lawn.
He takes care of getting the tree up and wrapping the lights around it.

~nanashouse~ said...

Truth be told, my husband has more of an "eye for decorating" than I do. I totally trust him with the seeds of ideas that I have. He takes my vision and makes it a reality! Good stuff :-)

Brenda Pruitt said...

I love the cat looking on too! Lovely memories. Colorful and festive. Your husband had a wonderful idea, by the way!
Brenda

Jules from "The Roost" said...

actually my hubby has had some pretty cool ideas too. I love your collection of trees! Very pretty :)

Williams Arena said...

My husband appreciates my decorating but he doesn't help. I would love to see the look of stark fear on his face if I suggested he take over the Christmas decorations.

Ms. Tee said...

That's cute that your husband did that. :) All your decorations are so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Oh YEAH, I made peace with the men decorating years ago. My son and husband both want the plastic light-up Frosty statue and nodding twinkle-light deer. Yes, we are that family.

Generally, I get to do the house and tables, but I let the kids have at the tree.

It all comes together and we're happy : )

deb meyers

Unknown said...

Oh Yeah! He's the Creative Director at our local paper so I trust his judgment on decorating. In fact he has had a say on our regular decorating too.

Suzann said...

All your decorations are great. Your hubby had a super idea. My husband always has his hand in our decorating - sometimes it's a great thing.

Robin said...

Everything looks so festive!! I love to use things that my children made to decorate with.

Blessings,
Robin

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Your decorations look so pretty :)!!

And yes, I always ask my husband's opinion on decorating. He usually likes whatever I have suggested/done, but the rare times he doesn't I won't do it. It's his home too, and it should be welcoming and comfortable to the whole family!

Monkey Giggles said...

Yes, I do. This year his touch was to cut off the top of the tree. UGH!!! IT'S OKAY. He widdle the top to a perfect point. The tree puts a smile on my face. Gotta to love him.

Live.Love.Eat said...

I think the toboggan is a great idea. I see some people put 'em outside too. I can't tell, is it hanging up? Your decorations look beautiful! My husband is very metrosexual so he is a big part if not the most part of our decorating. But for Xmas, I decide most for the inside and he decides for the outside. I trust him so much that he put an offer down on our house without me seeing it when we first bought (I knew ahead of time and told him to go for it since we didn't have much time).

Jill said...

I love all of your decorations - including the toboggan. I'm like you...if my husband wanted to contribute, I'd find a way to make it work!

Tammy said...

Love hubby's idea....and with your special touches! :D Kind of like how husbands and wives compliment each other in life!

Your other decorations and snowmen are adorable!

We're having a particularly busy month this year (come over and read my post when you can!) but we hope to get our tree on Saturday...and hopefully I can decorate the home on Monday (because this weekend is SO packed!)

Blessings,
~Tammy

Anonymous said...

Love your Christmas decorations and especially your perspective on the season. After the first couple of years, I rarely buy any Christmas decorations. I always try to come up with different ways of using what I already have. It's actually quite fun and gratifying.

I definitely consult my husband on decorations. He has a better eye for things oftentimes - he brings in fresh ideas!

Donnetta said...

Like you, if my husband has/had an idea I go with it. Usually he doesn't care much when it comes to decorating, so when he shows an interest... I listen!

Miss G said...

I have a sled that I always put out with my Christmas decorations and I love it!

I am THRILLED to hear that Sara Groves has a Christmas cd!!!

Yea for encouraging the husbands!

Cool story about Sara Groves from John.

Kelly

Miss G said...

I got out my sled to decorate with this weekend. I just did a post about it here: http://sundrenchedmoments.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-sled.html

Kelly

Betts said...

Other than string lights outside, my husband leaves the holiday decorating to me. He did get an every-day decorating idea once to put his surf board in the bathrooom. It actually looked good and we left it there until we had a baby and we were afraid it would fall over on her.

Free Art Printables said...

I am impressed! My husband would never decorate anything!