Twas Night Before Christmas Decorating Ideas

I thought it would be fun to share some Christmas decorating tips I've learned over the years! I have always loved decorating my house for Christmas and have learned a lot over the years – how to make it easier, how to celebrate traditions and how to make it special for my whole family. I certainly don't claim to be a perfect hostess or have a perfectly decorated house – but I do love making Christmas special for my family!

We'll be doing a Christmas post on our website each week this month… the first thing I wanted to talk about is our "Twas the Night Before Christmas" tradition.

I have always loved the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas poem…when I was 5 I had to memorize it for a school program and it's been one of my favorites ever since. I've incorporated the poem into many parties over the years – either as part of the program or as part of the games.

One of my favorite things to do was recite 'Twas the Night while presents were being passed around. Whenever I would say "the" my guests would have to pass the presents another direction. When the poem was over, you got to keep whatever present you were holding. And trust me…I added a lot of "the's" to the poem to really make it fun!

Christmas room

This love of this classic poem motivated me to look for different books and decor that reflect this classic story. I have collected around 25 classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas books with completely different illustrations and themes…some of them are even paper fold-out books! I display my collection in our TV room around the fireplace…and my granddaughter and I love to read all the different books snuggled up in front of the fireplace.

This collection works so well in our vintage 1907 arts and crafts style home…which you can read more about here.

Christmas room

I also have the prettiest set of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas dishes that I'll share with my table decor post.

Christmas room

This tradition has not only become part of my decorating…but it's become a huge part of our family Christmas tradition. We all say the poem together each Christmas Eve and I'm hoping that someday one of my kids memorizes it too!

Christmas room

Find a piece of Christmas that you love from your childhood and embrace it….make it special for the rest of your family. Whether it be a 'The Christmas Story' tree, or a fudge making contest, or stringing popcorn and cranberries on the tree…find something that you love and do it every single year. Traditions are such an important part of the holidays…they give our families something special to remember and hold on to as the years go by.