Christmas Archives - Bigger Than the Three of Us

Decorating Your Front Porch For Christmas

November 30, 2015 by Ashley Mayes 52 Comments

Happy Monday! I’m glad you’re here today. Did you eat a ton over the weekend? I know I did. I lived in sweat pants on Saturday and Sunday and they were much appreciated after Thursday. Ha. Anyways, today, and all through this week, I’m teaming up with a great group of bloggers to bring you Christmas Tours (thanks to Lovely Etc. for organizing them!) and a great Paypal giveaway. So, if you are coming from the blog hop, welcome! I hope you guys aren’t disappointed with my tour! I decided to focus my efforts on one space. I’m here to show you that space; but also to give you some tips for Decorating Your Front Porch For Christmas.

You guys want to know something kinda funny? I’ve always loved, and I mean loved, decorating for Christmas. The more the merrier was my mantra. But, over the last two years I’ve started to feel completely overwhelmed by it all. I’m not sure if it’s because we have a kiddo who is involved in extra things or if it’s just life in general. But, decorating the house for the holidays began to not be fun. A huge part of that was due to the fact that the decor pieces didn’t feel calming. I love the twinkling lights, the feeling when you are sitting by a glowing Christmas tree, but the rest of the decor… just kinda made me look around and feel like everything was cluttered.

So, this year, I decided to let it all go and try to just enjoy the spaces that we have. So, we put up a very simple Christmas tree in our living room (with oversized yard ornaments!) and pretty much called that a day for the inside decor. I walk in to the living room and can totally breathe. It feels magical inside without all the extra Christmas decorations in there. We are majorly enjoying the twinkling lights, the Christmas books that we are reading by our tree and each other. Simplifying… I guess you would say.

But Ashley, you showed a non-simplified picture up above, you say. Yes! The need for simple and un-cluttered apparently doesn’t extend to the front porch. Haha. I had a BLAST decorating the front porch and I can’t wait to show you.

…

Simple Trace and Cut Advent Calendar

December 15, 2014 by Ashley Mayes 2 Comments

I wasn’t even going to share this little DIY because it’s so simple, but I decided, heck… why not?! A few weeks ago, I decided to do an advent calendar again. The little guy really liked it last year, so I thought it would be fun. I was just going to go to Target and buy something out of the $1 bin and write the numbers on it, but I never made it up there. Kinda weird, not to make it to Target, right? My husband would definitely say so! But anyways, on a day that we stayed home the little man wanted to craft so I decided to see what I could do to make an advent calendar.

We have an old crib spring that we hung the calendar on last year and I already had that set up in the entryway circle. The little guy’s decorating took over that area for Christmas. So, I knew the advent needed to be bright and fun to match the decor of where it was going. I gathered some cute wrapping paper and decided to print out a template for a Christmas tree. I did a google search for a printable Christmas tree and lots of options came up. I went with one that had clean lines. From there, I cut out the template and traced it on the back of the wrapping paper. I alternated every other day to have two different patterns of paper and that was it. It took me about an hour and the little guy loves it! So simple, yet pretty rewarding.

I love advent calendars and, next year, I may try this one by Jen Loves Kev. It’s just beautiful!

Printable Gift Tag Round-Up

December 9, 2014 by Ashley Mayes 2 Comments

Hi Guys! So, I had grand plans to have cute wrapped presents this year with coordinated wrapping paper. Well, sometimes, this thing called ‘life’ happens and plans don’t turn in to reality. Know what I mean? So, instead of having cute wrapped presents with adorable gift tags, I’m just going to share the gift tags that I love right now. I’ve been secretly pinning them; everyone knows that you can have private Pinterest boards, right? So I have a few adorable ones to share with you.

Make sure to visit the link and pin from original sources.

Printable Gift Tags

Love the ” No Peeking” tag!

via Shanty 2 Chic

I would love to use these tags paired with kraft paper for a simple, gorgeous look.

Via Kelli Murray

How stinkin’ adorable would these be with some embroidered santa hats on top of the heads? Next year, these will make it under the tree!

via Sweet Paul Mag

Calligraphy gets me every time. There are quite a few options in this download and all of them are elegant and gorgeous!

via Babble

Those are my favorites from Blogland! Next year, I WILL have ink in my printer and I WILL be on top of it. Remind me, k?

Christmas Home Tours

December 1, 2014 by Ashley Mayes 21 Comments

Happy Monday! I’ve been in a frenzy with holiday decorating over here, but mainly outdoors. Luke put up more lights yesterday in our front yard, and it is just looking so homey. It’s such a drastic turnaround for us because usually our outdoors looks sad and neglected and the indoors gets all the love. But, not this season.

I’m participating in a Christmas Home Tour Blog Hop hosted by Carrie at Lovely Etc. I bet I’ll be the only one linking up just a porch, but hey, I just really like it. Plus, our indoor ornaments have a different theme on each level of our house which looks a bit disorganized. So, hope you guys can enjoy just a front porch!

I kept the pinecones from my Fall porch and just changed up the crate that held them.

The sleds are both vintage (one found at a thrift store and the other my Dad got for my little guy).

Another quick change from Fall to Christmas decor was the plaid blanket. I had a harvest colored one during Fall and just changed to the Christmas one last week.

I took out the topiaries that we had in the planters and stuck 4ft Christmas trees in them. I snagged the Christmas trees on clearance last year for $4.99 each!

The himmeli wreaths stayed from the Fall porch, but I did add a garland above them.

The “HO HO HO” sign was just something that I had sitting around in our Christmas decor.

It was all pretty easy, but makes me smile every time I see it. You definitely need to hop around on the other links (and the links that are shared throughout the week!). I love seeing all the Christmas decor, don’t you?

Christmas Home Tours

A House Full of Sunshine

Lovely Etc.

Bigger Than The Three of Us

May Richer Fuller Be

Paper and Fox

Delineate Your Dwelling

Easy Burlap Ornament

November 23, 2014 by Ashley Mayes 20 Comments

This concludes the twelve days of Christmas ornaments. Whew, this has been quite the twelve days! Day Twelve, I never thought I’d see you! Actually, the ladies in my group seem to be split on how we feel about the consecutive days. I told them that my brain is mush and there is not one more Christmas ornament coming out but a few of them had a few more ornaments that they wanted to try. Anyways, Day Twelve is:

I picked up the wooden star from Michaels (.39 each) and then dug out a stamp to stamp it.

With a circle form (an old cd or, in my case, the end of a roll of a ribbon container) and a scrap of burlap, lay the circle form on the burlap.

Tuck each corner underneath the circle form and pull it out in the circle.

After all corners are pulled through, fluff the burlap a bit.

Hot glue the star on the top and add some twine to hang the ornament.

*Some of the products in this post were bought with a gift card provided by Michaels.

Don’t to check out days 1-11 as well.

See them here: Moose Ornament – Feather Ball Ornament – Canvas Tree Ornament – Fabric Ball Ornament – Succulent Reindeer Ornament – Travel Display Ornament – Triangle Ornament – Burlap Reindeer Ornament – Marbled Ornament – Starburst Ornament – Feather Wreath Ornament – Burlap Star Ornament

Also, don’t forget to check out the other DIY tutorials of the ladies in my group!

Simple Red Bead Ornament | May Richer Fuller Be

Christmas Music Wreath Ornament | Lovely Etc.

Nautical Jute and Rope Ornaments | Thrifty and Chic

Star Pine Cone Ornament | Cherished Bliss

Clay State Ornaments | Whats Ur Home Story

Rudolph Ornament | Mom 4 Real

Fabric Heart Ornaments | Remodelando la Casa

Easy Burlap Ornament | Bigger Than The Three of Us

Kid’s Fingerprint Christmas Light Ornament | The Happier Homemaker

Mini Tinsel Wreath from Canning Lid | It All Started With Paint

Snowy Forest Glitter Ball Ornament | Serendipity Refined

Faux Mercury Glass Ornaments | All Things G&D

We are hosting a link-up for Christmas ornaments and would love to have you link up with us!

[inlinkz_linkup id=469634 mode=1]

DIY/CRAFTS/RECIPE PARTIES

Sunday
DIY Sunday Showcase – Pink When
A Bouquet of Talent – Life on Lakeshore Drive
Sunday Features – Denise Designed
Snickerdoodle Sunday – Across the Blvd
Share the Wealth Sunday – Fun Money Finds
Sundays Best – The Pinterest Parent
Sunday FUNday – The Foley Fam
Craft Schooling Sunday – Creative Jewish Mom
Bewitchin’ Projects – The Crafting Nook
Crafty Weekends – Crafty Moms Share

Monday
Inspiration Monday – I Should Be Mopping the Floor
Inspire Me Monday – Create with Joy
Clever Chicks Blog Hop – The Chicken Chick
Monday Funday – That’s What {Che} Said
Craftastic Monday – Sew Can Do
Mix It Up Monday – Flour Me With Love
The Creative Corner – Curly Crafty Mom
Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop – A Blossoming Life
Block Party – Rae Gun Ramblings
Create and Crave – Pink Heels Pink Truck
Melt in Your Mouth Monday – Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
Best of the Blogosphere – It’s Me DebMCb
A Round Tuit – Creating My Way to Success
Get Together Link Up – Sunny Sweet Days
Inspire Me Monday – My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
The Scoop – Worthing Court
Create Link Inspire – Naptime Creations
Dream Create Inspire – Whimsy & Hope
Monday Madness – How to Get Organized At Home
Motivation Monday – A Life in Balance
Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop – ABC Creative Learning
Inspire Me Monday – Simple Life of a Fire Wife

Tuesday
Turn It Up Tuesday – Epic Mommy Adventures
Treasure Box Tuesday – Memories By the Mile
Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party – Lou Lou Girls
Project Inspire{d} – Yesterday on Tuesday
Two Cup Tuesday – Pint Sized Baker
Show and Tell – Sugar Bee Crafts
Tutorials & Tips Link Party – Home Stories A to Z
Totally Terrific Tuesday – Live Randomly Simple
Two Uses Tuesday – Sarah Celebrates
Tuesday at Our Home – Our Home Away From Home
Tip Me Tuesday – Tip Junkie
From Dream to Reality – The DIY Dreamer
Fluster’s Creative Muster – Fluster Buster
Create and Share DIY and Recipe Party – A Simple Pantry
Moonlight and Mason Jars – Cherished Bliss
A Little Bird Told Me – Natural Beach Living
Tutorial Tuesday – Hope Studios
Inspire Me Tuesday – A Stroll Thru Life
Tasty Tuesday – Creative Kids
Share It Link Party – The Winthrop Chronicles
It’s a Party – DIY by Design
The Mommy Club – Crystal & Co.

Wednesday
Whimsy Wednesday – The NY Melrose Family
Wow Us Wednesdays – Savvy Southern Style
Wow Me Wednesday – Ginger Snap Crafts
Your Whims Wednesday – My Girlish Whims
The Wednesday Roundup – Love, Pasta and Toolbelt
Wine’d Down Wednesday – Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Wonderful Wednesday – Ducks N’ A Row
Worthwhile Wednesday – Crafty Allie Blog
Wordless Wednesday – Oh My Heartsie Girl
Ladies Collective Linkup – Mommy Zoid
What’s Cookin’ – Buns in My Oven
Work It Wednesday – The Happy Housie
Wildly Original – I Gotta Create
Inspire or Be Inspired – Live Laugh Rowe
Crafty and Delicious – Grace and Good Eats
Lovely Little Link Party – Bloom Designs
Artsy Fartsy Link Party – Artsy Fartsy Mama
Inspire Me Wednesday – Adventures of Mel
Hearts for Home Blog Hop – Year Round Homeschooling

Thursday
Create It Thursday – Lamberts Lately
Showcase Your Talent Thursday – What’s Cooking Love
Think Tank Thursday – Savings 4 Six
Creative Exchange – Summer Scraps
This Is How We Roll Thursday – Organized 31
The Homemade Hangout – A Glimpse Inside
Throw Back Thursday – Dad What’s 4 Dinner
Inspiration Gallery – Design Dining and Diapers
Home Matters – Life with Loralei
I’m Loving It – Tidy Mom
DIY Like a Boss – Designer Trapped
Create Share Inspire – TidBits
Weekend Retreat – AKA Designs
100 Happy Days – A Kreative Whim
The Shine Bloghop – The Deliberate Mom
Weekend Roundup – The Sunny Patch

Friday
Friendship Friday – Create with Joy
Craft Frenzy Friday – Craftdictator
Freedom Fridays – My Turn For Us
Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday – Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons
Foodie Friends Friday – Walking on Sunshine
Foodie Fridays and DIY – A Dish of Daily Life
Weekend Bites – Homemaid Simple
Friday Feature – Oh My Heartsie Girl
What To Do Weekends – Crafts a la Mode
Friday Favorites – Diary of a Real Housewife
Pretty Pintastic Party – Coffee With Us 3
Pinworthy Projects – Just Us Four
Inspiration Spotlight – Dear Creatives
Weekend Recipe Link Up – Gator Mommy Reviews
Pin Me – Diana Rambles
Link Party Palooza – Tater Tots and Jello
Weekend Wind Down – Snippets of Information
Linky Party DIY Inspired – The Girl Creative
Dare to Share – Pam’s Party and Practical Tips
Simple & Sweet Fridays – Rooted in Thyme
Friday Finds – Craftaholics Anonymous
Friday Home Link Up – Frugal Mommas
Family Fun Friday – Happy & Blessed Home

Saturday
Best DIY Projects – The 36th Avenue
Saturday Sharefest – The SITS Girls
Share It One More Time – One More Time Events
My Favorite Things – Dear Creatives
Saucy Saturdays – Take Two Tapas

COME AND GET IT!

Decorating Your Front Porch For Christmas

Simple Trace and Cut Advent Calendar

Printable Gift Tag Round-Up

Christmas Home Tours

Easy Burlap Ornament

DIY/CRAFTS/RECIPE PARTIES

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