10 Things To Do in Atlanta at Christmas

Sometimes they’re intentional and sometimes they’re not, but traditions at Christmas are some of the most savored memories that we have in our lives. My parents were always very good about keeping up traditions and I fondly remember driving around looking at Christmas lights every year. There are other traditions that we had, such as putting the stocking at the end of the beds, that were more out of self-preservation than trying to do something neat for the kids. With 4 kids under 6 years old, my mom needed us to have something to occupy our time so that she could get as much sleep as possible.

There is this new tradition going around with the “Elf on the Shelf.” And while some of the Elves’ stunts look hi-lar-i-ous, my poor deprived children are just going to have to go without that memory. Because that Elf on the Shelf looks like he creates a whole lotta work for Momma. Folks, if I can’t manage to get a wreath on the front door, then I am certainly not going to be able to keep up with an Elf moving on me every night and all the crazy shenanigans that go with it. So next time you see my kids, ix-nay on the Elf-ay. ‘Cause their elf didn’t do anything cool last night while they were sleeping. Their elf didn’t show up. Ever.

Elf aside, we do have many Christmas traditions that we carry in our hearts from year to year. My favorite traditions are the things that we can do together. It doesn’t matter how many years in a row we do the same exact thing, without it every changing, my kids love it just the same. Below is a roundup of some of our favorite things to do around Atlanta at Christmastime. We hope that you will see something that you will enjoy making a tradition of.

 

1. The Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
2. Christmas at Callanwolde
3. Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
4. Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain
5. The Pink Pig at Macy’s Lenox Square
6. The Children’s Christmas Parade
7.  Lake Lanier Magical Nights of Lights
8. Ice Skating at Centennial Olympic Park
9. The Lighting of the Tree at Macy’s Lenox Square
10. A Christmas Carol at the Alliance Theatre//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js

 

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment

Enough is Enough (Christmas Decorations)

Every year I tell myself that I’m not going to buy anymore Christmas decorations. But this year is the first year that I’ve actually followed through on my promise to myself. The problem is that I have an obnoxious amount of holiday decorations. Not just Christmas ones, either. I know it comes from the interior designer in me. I absolutely love to create little holiday themed vignettes around the house. But at one point I looked at the number of Rubbermaid bins full of decorations and I said to myself, “Enough is enough.”

So, so far this year, no “new” decorations. But I have still felt the urge to change things up and set up different decorations. What I’ve done instead is to use what I already have on hand and repurpose it. I want to show you a couple of the things I have put together. I’m so happy with they way they turned out.

First I decided to use an antique style toolbox. I loved the style of it when we were browsing in an antique store months ago, and I picked it up. Yes, even though we sell antiques, we still shop at other antique stores. (Shout out to Countryside Antiques in Braselton!)

Along with the toolbox, I got some cuttings left over from the Christmas tree, a string of white lights that we already owned, and some cinnamon scented pine cones. Okay, so technically the pine cones were new, but they are not an item that will be going into the Rubbermaid bins. And since we do not have any pine trees in our neighborhood, purchasing these was a must. And if you’re wondering, they’re from Walmart. One bag is simply scented pine cones. The other bag is scented pine cones with some of them painted in glitter and chunks of scented potpourri thingies.

Next, I simply cut the Christmas tree branches to the size that I wanted so that they could fit into the toolbox.

Then I simply wrapped and wove the lights into the branches.

The branches with lights go into the box and the pine cones are placed on top.

It looks so pretty at night, and it smells divine!

Here is another project that I did using similar materials. Instead of Christmas tree lights and a toolbox, I used candles and an old Coke crate. This one didn’t cost a dime, since I used some of the pine cones from the other project.

With both of the projects use good judgement about safety. Unplug the lights when you’re not at home and attend to the candles when they’re lit.
I love the magic of Christmas and I hope you are inspired to create something special of your own.

XOXO,
Abby

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment

If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It

I’m in the holiday decorating mood today, but Ken is at work and there is no way that I’m attempting to shop for decorations with the kids in tow. Yesterday I hit up Home Depot with them, and by the time we got home, Mama needed something a whole lot stronger than hot chocolate.

So after scrounging around the house for materials that I already had on hand, I decided to get a little creative.

First I got together some different kinds of ribbon. I already had all of these at the house. On the right is a jute ribbon that I purchased from Save-On-Crafts.com several months ago. The other 5 types were all purchased at Michaels. The burlap style ones (all but the plaid) were purchased within the past 6 weeks. They have wired edges.

Next, I rounded up some containers. I use metal-type buckets for all of the kids birthday parties. I just change out a piece of ribbon on the handle to go with whatever the color/theme is. They’re great for utensils, etc. I also got some of the cuttings from our Christmas tree.

Three of the containers came from Goodwill: the wire egg basket, the fruit orchard basket, and the galvanized pail. The metal pail in the middle of the back row is a 2.5 paint bucket from Home Depot. It’s been a while since I bought it, but I think it was around $2. The oval shaped pail came from Target. It was in the “Dollar Spot” for $2.50.

Finally, I scrounged around and found some things to fill the buckets with.

I decided to start with the galvanized bucket. I layered two of the ribbons around it.

Proof in the background of yesterday’s Home Depot experience. Next I added some Epsom salts and a green tea light candle to a Ball jar. The jar, candle, and some Christmas tree cuttings were all nestled into the bucket. (I ended up not using the candles in the picture. I thought they were a little too big.)

Okay, so next I decided to play with the Home Depot paint bucket. He got two different ribbons layered onto the outside. He also got the same jar and candle routine.

Finally, I decided to use the orchard basket by the front door. I didn’t want to use a candle this time, so I opted to just fill it with tree cuttings.

The moral of the story is, try to use what you already have on hand. If you’ve got it, flaunt it! That’s all for now! I have some other ideas that I’m working on. Stay tuned.

By the way, if you hadn’t heard, our Etsy shop is opened! We are gradually getting lots of vintage, antique, and handmade items listed. Check it out! 🙂

Merry Christmas!
XOXO,
//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.jsAbby

Abby SmolarskyLeave a comment