Rudolf the runaway reindeer......

I've finally taken down the Christmas tree with Rocky sitting on the couch over seeing the project.

This year I packed the decorations away properly with the tinsel, bead trim, lights and decorations all individually bagged. 

When the boxes are unpacked next December I won't have to spend four hours untangling everything!!!

I even placed glitter stars on the top of the box so I know what's inside.

Next Christmas will be our first Christmas in Italy and also our first white Christmas.

Christmas day in Australia is HOT! Usually between 34 and 40 degrees.

A freezing cold Christmas day with snow on the ground is hard to imagine.

Every year without fail, a few days after I've packed everything away, I'll find a runaway Christmas decoration. 

This year I was so careful and thorough. 

I searched under the couches and side tables, behind the couch cushions and even searched the dogs beds in case they had hidden a "new toy".

Satisfied that no Christmas decoration was being naughty and everyone was being nice, I sealed the storage box.

And then.........while I was sweeping the floor this morning....the broom nudged something under the ottoman.

I bent down to look underneath thinking "what is that?"

It was Rudolf, lost and alone and covered in dust.

After a quick clean up I unsealed the box and reunited him with Donner before Dancer could make a move on his girl.

Ok, so NOW Christmas is packed away, ready for next year.......... hang on, what's that Tommy's hiding.

 Oh holy hell, it's another bloody Christmas ball decoration.

The fairy window....

A simple yet very effective decorative idea for Christmas.

It's just a simple row of hanging fairy lights behind an organza curtain.

Fairy lights are quite cheap in Australia and it would cost $7 for these fairy lights.

I'm going to buy quite a few packets with some power adapters for Italy and store them to take with me.

I especially like how the lights are behind the curtain. Imagine how they would look from the outside of the house as you approached it.

Beautiful!

White Christmas....

Christmas day in Australia is about 38-40 degrees.
It is HOT!

So as you can imagine the thought of a white Christmas just spins me out!

I love Christmas and I cannot wait to decorate my first ever winter Christmas.
There will be snow outside, open fire places inside. I'll be wearing a thick fair isle wool jumper and a red velvet dress on Christmas day. Large Santa stockings will hang from the mantle piece and I'll being able to eat hot food and enjoy it, sip hot chocolate drinks with marshmallows and receive boxes of chocolates as they won't melt! I'll be able to make my first snow angel, breathe in the crisp smell of fresh fir trees and sing snow themed carols and believe them.

It all sounds so great. It sounds like Christmas.