One of my favorite Christmas traditions is decorating the Christmas tree. For years, I had a cheap $20 tree from Target, and while it did it’s best, that little tree didn’t hold up to our peaked ceilings!

This year, Martin and I got our first live tree! I rarely decorate for Christmas because we used to travel so much during the holiday season, but we decided that we just had to decorate for our last Christmas in this house. I mean, come on. Doesn’t that fireplace just beg for a Christmas tree?

I decorated the tree simply and with meaningful ornaments, much like my mom did when I was a kid. I wrapped it in colored lights and red plaid ribbon, then hung some of the most meaningful ornaments we’ve collected over the years.

I love to collect ornaments. It’s so wonderful to unwrap each ornament every year and remember where it came from (and then I don’t have clutter all over the house all year round). Can you spy the checkered ornament I gave him for our first Christmas?

With a real tree, Martin and I spend so much more time in our family room with the TV off and the fire on. We are really into “no phone” time and playing board games (you can see I’ve stumped him at Mastermind). We both love spending the quality time together, especially in the hectic holiday season. Next to this tree is the perfect setting!