I did restrain myself; one little ornament stand with a peacock theme (three different peacock ornaments, plus other ornaments in peacock colors of rich blue, green, purple). A few strands of crystal hung over doorways and strung around a chandelier. A red pillar candle graced with a cranberry garland. Out of three big boxes of Christmas stuff, I only unpacked about half a box, which I think is tremendously restrained of me. And no tree! There just isn't room for one, and so I am living on daydreams about what my trees will look like in the new house next year. (Yes, that's right, Kevin, you read that right. Treesss! Plural! Do not attempt to thwart me in this, or you will regret it!)

In the past, I've done fairly classic trees with lots of red and gold ornaments. But I think the big tree is going to go in our front parlor, which is probably going to be mostly pale blue and silver in its decor. So maybe it's time to do one of those fabulous white and silver trees? Very glittery, and maybe with handmade paper ornaments too? I think the Victorians were into that... It'll look lovely from the street, through our parlor windows.

But we also need a tree that's more homey, that can accommodate the kids' handmade ornaments in years to come, along with the little picture-of-kids ornaments we already have and various other randomness. (I have a Harry Potter ornament, for example, and Kevin has a Sharks one). So you see, two trees are totally justified. Right?

We're also going to institute a new tradition this year, I think -- new pyjamas, to be opened on Christmas Eve. Neither my family nor Kevin's has ever done this, but I think it's a charming tradition, and even though we're still going to his family's for Christmas, it's time to start making our own family traditions. To that end, I'm taking suggestions. Do you have any favorite traditions for Christmas? (Getting sloshed and sleeping with a stranger is a fine tradition, but probably not the kind we'll be adopting with the kids anytime soon. :-)