Where on earth do the days go?
My daughters and I had a lovely evening last night, sitting around the cozy living room wrapping gifts together. The tree was lit, the fire blazing, the Christmas music playing. A perfect evening, indeed!
Some of the gifts were wrapped in Christmas craft giftwrap...but many were tucked into these super cute gift bags, courtesy of Oriental Trading. I had no idea they had such a wonderful selection of gift bags and wraps! And let me tell you something, their prices are amazing!
They were kind enough to allow me to select some products for free in exchange for my honest review.
I love it when that happens!! :)
Even better is when those products turn out to be terrific - that's what I call a win/win!
I selected the following gift bags, and they are just adorable: 12 Country Gingham Gift Bags, Christmas Craft Bag Assortment, Small Red Gift Bags, and Winter Mitten Gift Bags. The bags are wonderful quality, and just look at those low prices!! I will definitely keep Oriental Trading in mind when stocking up on gift bags in the future.
They have such an amazing selection of Christmas items, which made it extremely difficult to narrow down my choices to just a few things! I also selected these super cute Candy Cane Dessert Plates. They are just perfect for nibbles at a holiday cocktail party, or for Christmas cookies and sweets after our annual family Christmas dinner.
Another great item I selected was this Lighted Christmas Barn Star, which I hung from a red satin ribbon on the door of my china closet. It adds just the right festive touch, even when not lit. I love the gingham bow, twigs, and berries....this rustic star definitely suits my little country house.
In the opposite corner of the dining room, I replaced a lamp with a skinny Christmas tree, which originally I was not planning on decorating with ornaments.
But then I saw these completely adorable Big Head Gingerbread Christmas Ornaments, and I knew they would be perfect for that little tree!
Seriously, they are just so cute - and they look so realistic it's hard to not want to bite off their heads!
I did not add another thing to that little tree, all it needed were those simple ornaments. The tree makes me smile in the mornings when the sun hits that corner....and in the evenings when the tree is lit and reflects off the bottles.
I love my happy little dining room!
The last item I got from Oriental Trading went into my bedroom. I have a completely different feel in this room than the rest of the house, with the colors kept very soft and tranquil, almost spa like. This room gets minimal decorations for Christmas, just a little pop to send me off to sleep on a holiday note.
My little tree on the dresser got decked out this year with these lovely Iridescent Sparkling Snowflake Christmas Ornaments.
It's hard to capture just how pretty these are - they have a hint of icy blue when the light hits them, which works perfectly in my room.
And they pair wonderfully with my little sparkly snowman! Just the simple, sweet Christmas touch my bedroom needs!
Meanwhile, I love sitting in my little chair by the fire enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree and all the colorful gifts beneath.
Until I get up for a second, to throw a log on the fire....
...and THIS happens.
Yup, every single time.
Spoiled little Monkey.
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So pretty mom! Love the gingerbread men ornaments...and that cute little squish. Can we ship her back to oriental trading, do you think they will take her?
ReplyDeleteThey might ship her right back!!
DeleteYour home looks so pretty and cozy, all decked out for Christmas! Love those gingerbread ornaments - I did think they were real at first! I am envious that you have adult daughters who are willing to "be" with you and do things like wrap presents together...adult sons do not do things like that with their mama! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry, Melanie!! Adult daughters also do things like raid my closet, makeup, perfume, wine stash - you name it!! But I know I am truly blessed!!
DeleteEverything is perfect. The best part is you and your daughter spending time together.
ReplyDeleteLisa
It was a rare time that it's just the three of us at home in the evening - it was lovely, Lisa!
DeleteMerry Christmas Debbie!
ReplyDeleteYour house is perfect,thanks for the Oriental Trading hint.
Sure, Pat, any time!!
DeleteDebbie=I have not ordered from Oriental Trading CO in a long time but they do have fun things. I love how everything looks and it is festive and fun. You made some great choices. LOVING those little candy cane plates, too. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThe candy cane plates are so fun and festive, for sure, Diana!!
DeleteLove your bar tree and your snowman! You know, I forgot to ever order anything from them. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I'm sure you can do something with them for Valentine's or another holiday, Brenda!
DeleteThat puppy knows a warmed up seat...LOL.. I love all your wonderful bags and goodies. Your trees are all perfect. I like to just sit in the morning and admire our tree and all it's ornaments. The beautiful time of Christmas goes way too fast.. we need to relax and enjoy a bit of each day. Blessings to you and yours. xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteSo true, Susie - thank you for that sweet reminder!!
DeleteHi Debbie! Oh, everything looks so pretty and I love the sound of your wrapping night. Your little doggy is adorable. I love seeing your pretty bedroom and the soft colors you've used. Your trees - love them too!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Thank you, Shelia! I do love my bedroom, it makes me feel so peaceful when I spend time in there!! My little refuge!
DeleteVery festive there! The pup has my vote for the best photo lol! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you can just imagine how many thousands of photos I have of the pups, Deb!!
DeleteThe gift wrap get together sounds like so much fun! I wish our daughters were close enough to do things like that with them.
ReplyDeleteDogs do know the coziest spot is the one you just vacated. :o)
My daughters are living at home at least for now, so we get to do all sorts of nice things together! The biggest challenge is finding a night we're all together, with our busy schedules, Vickie!
DeleteYou made some pretty choices, I love the big head gingerbread ornaments! Nice job, I bet you made Oriental Trading proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dewena - I have always had a 'thing' for gingerbread looking ornaments!!
DeleteSo cozy and inviting, as a home should be.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dayle!! I love that!!
DeleteYour home is so lovely decked out for Christmas. I love your little gingerbread ornaments, they are perfect of that sweet tree next to your stocked bar. I can just imagine delicious drinks prepared with good company to enjoy them seated by the fire.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas holidays ~ FlowerLady
One of my favorite winter cocktails is a Sidecar, Lorraine - have you ever tried that? It's an old school cocktail with Hennessy, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, and a sugar rim. Yummmmmm!! I've been staying away from them so far this winter, because I'm trying to lose a few more lbs, but I sense one in my Christmas future!! :)
DeleteI love those gingerbread men! They do look delicious! Thanks for sharing all your great finds from OT too ☺
ReplyDeleteThey have a million products on their site, Karen - it was so hard to limit my choices!!
DeleteI love spending time with my girls too, Debbie, and nothing better than how you spent yours. I used to buy from Oriental Trading when my girls were little - for birthday parties. They're a great source for quantity purchasing especially.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, Rita!! Since I like keeping extra gift bags in the house, I love that you can order them so inexpensively from their site!
DeleteWhat a fun post, Debbie, and how wonderful to have the kids with you - and I have a chair/couch/bed thief at my house, too! I think he/she? is just keeping it warm for you!
ReplyDeleteMollie
I think it's the other way around, Mollie - I think she thinks I'M keeping it warm for HER!! :)
DeleteEverything is so pretty and festive! Love that little tree by your bar. That's what I need...just the right size. Oriental Trading has stepped up their game. Very nice items. Monkey, if your Mommy gets mad at you, you can come and live with Jacob and Riley. They will share their treats and the big rib bones their daddy bought them today. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat tree was one I picked up at Hayneedle - it's from a set of two, the other one is on the mantel. And my little Monkey is staying right where she is, thank you very much - I could never part with her!! :)
DeleteI love everything you chose, Debbie. Don't they have great stuff? I was a little surprised by all the pretty myself. I need some of everything you chose! ;)
ReplyDeleteI was very pleasantly surprised myself, Kim!
DeleteI love those snowflakes and that barn star! Great choices on the trade!! I love your decorations....so beautiful! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Benita!! I kept it pretty simple this year....I know I'll be glad of that when it comes time to pack it all away again!! :)
DeleteI have ordered from Oriental Trading company many times and am always happy with their unique and cheap items and their service. I hadn't thought about them for gift bags. Hmmm....
ReplyDeleteI love your decorating and like you, I choose to keep our bedroom restful. This year I just put a Santa cap on the bed post.
What a cute idea, Kathy!! Last season I had some pops of red in the bedroom but this year I kept it serene - I'm just so happy with the color scheme in there I had no desire to change it, even for the holidays!
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