My Christmas Mantel and a Secret Santa Update

I absolutely love the holidays!  The season of giving just feels good - do you agree?  I love it when the delivery trucks pull up and deliver the packages that are thoughtfully chosen for loved ones and are then carefully wrapped and placed under the tree.  This year I was asked to play a little game of Secret Santa by the folks at Kirkland's.  So I was able to spread even more gift giving love around.

Before I share the recipients of the Secret Santa gifts, I want to show you what Kirkland's gave me for participating.  They were generous and let me choose something for my own home.  With Christmas decor in mind, I chose the pre-lit pine branches.  

I was really excited to try something different on the mantel this year.  I love the extra sparkle and lights!

I brought in branches from the cypress trees in our yard and scattered them around the candlesticks.  Then I added the pre-lit branches.  By the way, they are battery operated and flip on with a simple switch - cord free!

I wanted to bring in more color so I filled these vintage Italian pots that I scored at a tag sale with hollies from the yard.

I really like they play they play well with the pillows on our sofa.

Thanks so much to Kirkland's for the fun and festive gift!  I love it!

Now for the fun part...

As mentioned before, I was asked to play Secret Santa and send gifts to three of my blogging friends.  Giving gifts to Emily, Courtney, and Cassie was such a blast!  Those girls are so sweet to me and talk about style mavens.  Sheesh!  Anyway, I've been stalking paying close attention to what my friends are saying and I'm pretty sure they are happy with their surprises.  Here are some pictures, but please click on the links to read more.  There is much, much more in their posts.

Emily A. Clark

A Thoughtful Place

Hi Sugarplum

As the saying goes...'tis better to give than to receive.  What a treat it was being Secret Santa.  Thanks again to Kirkland's and thank you to Emily, Courtney, and Cassie for playing along!