christmas begins in corona del mar, california

Since I began blogging, I read a lot of home blogs. Around this time of year, the "shelter" bloggers break out their Christmas posts. Immediately after Thanksgiving, there is post after post of beautiful Christmas homes. It seems like they snap their fingers and voila! It's Christmas.

I have to ease into it and I can't be the only one. (Yes, we really do have a dolphin door knocker. It came with the house.)

What follows is my sure-fire formula for how I get motivated for Christmas, every single year:

1) Buy a few real wreaths from the grocery store. 

Hang on gates and front door.

2) Get a couple dozen Poinsettias (all sizes) from local nursery. 

I group them by the front gates, the front door and, well, everywhere. I use old pots I have bought, saved, and stored just for this purpose. Those of you who know me well, know I don't store anything. My exception being Christmas.

I like to use my old Bauer pottery near the front door. And yes, I buy pots on eBay just for this purpose.

The wrought iron behind the bench used to be a divider between the garage and the front door, forcing you to walk to a back side door from the garage door rather than walking right into the house. Albert moved the wrought iron, re-painted it black and put it against the garage wall as a decorative element. Cool, huh?

Close up of a big turquoise Bauer pot. I got it super cheap in a Thrift store. It has a huge crack, but perfect for once a year use at Christmas. More of our wrought iron.

3) Purchase peppermint candles from Candlessence on Balboa Island.  

 Annie loves Christmas.

These two candles are sitting on a Target tray. Target. Best place on earth. Next to Costco.

Isn't the light fixture fantastic? It's a real mid-century. Getting it to hang at the proper height has been a chore but zip ties seem to have finally done the trick.

Bauer dish used for Christmas napkins. I have a thing for chartruese Bauer.

4) Go on the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk. 

Every year, our little beach town has a Christmas Walk on the first Sunday of December (12/2/2012 this year). It is a chance for the merchants to get a head start on the season. And a chance for the best and the brightest of Newport Beach to strut their stuff. It has turned into kind of a Christmas pub crawl. Not that I am complaining -- the people watching is unbelievable.

I enjoy seeing the dolphins decorated for Christmas in the center of the Pacific Coast Highway median.

You can see the Beer and Wine Garden tent in the background. **Sigh**

Within 24 hours, I am in the mood for Christmas. All that's left are lights, tree, cards and gifts. Maybe a party or two. Attending and having. 

Related Posts:

• Christmas in October: Roger's Gardens
• Retro Ornament Christmas Wreath by Georgia Peachez
• The Great Christmas Tree Fake Debate