10th Day of Christmas Giveaway with Nicki Koziarz
Published December 10, 2010Christmas Sale: If you’d like info on getting any of my books (tax-free & with no shipping costs!) for you or as a personalized gift for someone, click here.
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Welcome to the 10th Day of Christmas Giveaway!!
Each day, December 1-12th, I am featuring a fellow Proverbs 31 sister and an aspect of Christmas. You’ll get to know her and she, in turn, will offer a fabulous giveaway! Simply leave a comment on her post to be entered in the drawing.
And, one soon-to-be-very-giddy gal who comments on all 12 posts will win the GRAND PRIZE! You may comment on all posts until Monday, December 13th at 5:00 pm EST when the winners will be announced. (to see the grand prize and get caught up on the posts click here)
Now, for our P31 sister of the day, the simple, yet eclectic, Nicki Kozairz!
Nicki serves P31 on the She Seeks team as a writer and devotional coordinator [www.sheseeks.org]. She is a wife of ten years and a momma to three girly girls. Taylor, Hope and Kennedy keep her on her toes all day long. But, in her down time she enjoys a cup of coffee with an authentic friend, a movie that will make her laugh and cry or an intense game of tennis with her husband. Most any day of the week Nicki has a decorating project happening at her home, this keeps her husband on HIS toes [smile].
Nicki is passionate about building up the kingdom of God and serves the Lord through speaking, writing, community building and teaching God’s word. She blogs at: www.nickikoziarz.com and would love to connect with you through the blog, facebook or twitter!
Nicki’s Decorating Know-How
Today I am really excited to share with you a little glimpse of my home at Christmas. I am [unfortunately] one those that does not have tons of extra money to spend during the holidays.
I have always wanted to buy all new decorations ,but that is just not going to happen. So this year, I came up with a theme for my house: Use what you have, have what you love.
I think a lot of people get into a rut during the Christmas season because we just can’t “do” everything we want to do. But I’ve come up with 3 simple and inexpensive ways for you to change things up a bit in your home and create a warm gathering place for all the people in your life.
1. Be creative with your placement of decorations
I think a common rut we can get into with our decorations is placing them in the same place each year, or at least I do. So this year I moved our tree to in front of the window. It’s not the most logical spot in our living room for it to go, but that’s ok –it makes me happy there. [Use what you have.]
I was soooo tired of our tree skirt that had been around since at least 1979. So I took an old tablecloth and gathered it around the tree. I’m convinced it looks like snow [wink]. My plan is after Christmas to look for a tree skirt for next year on clearance…and I will make sure it is something I L-O-V-E. [Have what you love]
Think about the places where you could hang stockings? Place the manger scene? Hang lights? Hang garland? Their are NO rules for decorating for Christmas. Have fun and think inside of your box of where you could place things differently.
2. K.I.S.S [Keep it sweet n simple]
In keeping with my theme, I took these two trees that last year I had on my fireplace and placed them on the bench in my kitchen. I took all of my girls special ornaments that they have made over the years and put them on these trees. [Use what you have] We spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I love looking at their little fingerprints on glass balls, chubby face pictures, tooth-pick ornaments and all those other yummy sweetness of the toddler days. [Have what you love]
3. Lose the tradition
I know. Christmas is filled with traditions! I love tradition but I won’t let it confine me…especially with decorating. So, I did it. I tossed the same stockings we have had for the past five years. [gasp!]
I found these really cute and fun stockings at a local craft store for $1.99 each and have plans on getting everyone’s name monogrammed on them soon. [Have what you love] Normally every year I do a big garland across the fireplace but this year, I wanted to K.I.S.S and tied some ribbon around my topiary trees and called it a day. [Use what you have]
Even decorating for Christmas can become an idol in our lives if we are not careful. By keeping things focused on using what we already have and making them things that we love, we can have more time for celebrating what this season is really about…Jesus. Have fun and don’t be stressed out about what you don’t have.
From my home to yours…Merry Christmas!
Nicki’s Giveaway:
One of you will win a year’s subscription to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, given by Nicki, so you can continue to be inspired to buy things you love and use things you have creatively!
Today, to be entered in Nicki’s giveaway, leave a comment telling how you’ve ever attempted to “keep it sweet & simple” when it comes to decorating, food or any other aspect of Christmas.
One thing I always do is to place out an old glass punch bowl filled with antique glass bulbs from the 1950′s (purchased from a yard sale the year I got married. No, I did not get married in the 1950′s!!!).
Now, what is your idea? Or, just say “I’m in” and you’ll be entered. 
Simple Christmas Blessings,
182 Responses to 10th Day of Christmas Giveaway with Nicki Koziarz
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My Family
Oh I try to keep it simple anf memorable. ihave some decorations that have followd me since childhood i try tofind a theme in rooms and have added to my decorating. The kids look for the same stuff every year and have fun trying to find anything new. If i try to change what i want to do they go crazy they like tradition and that’s ok.
Blessings,
kareng
I’m in.
I have had the loss of my father 4 weeks ago, so I am keeping it very simple as I have no time and little energy after all of this. I decorated my steps and 2 bushes this year instead of the whole front of the house outside. It looks so simple and pretty, I am keeping this as my new tradition. And I am making fudge and that is all this year as gifts, simple, not the 10 kinds of cookies I usually do. Thanks!
I’m in.
I started the Keep it Simple idea a couple of years ago….I want to enjoy the holiday as well and the stress of decorating was making me a mean person. Now I keep it simple and enjoy the time with my Jesus and my family.
I found some really nifty red and green plaid ribbon at Michael’s this year and used it as my “theme”. Everything is very simple and is tied (literally and figuratively) together by that ribbon!
I have an 11 month old along with 3 other childreso in keeping it simple this year, I didn’t get all my stuff down. We just put up a christmas tree and that is the focus this year. I don’t have stuff in all the rooms like I usually do!
I have not begun to decorate my home. I have helped decorate the church though. Im in
I am keeping things more and more simple. A small tree, the nativity scene my husband gave me, and a few lights. I want my grandbabies to know that you can celebrate Christmas with simple decorations and lots of love.
My husband challenged me to KISS Christmas a few years ago, so one thing we did was to eval our decorations as we pulled them out. If they don’t pertain to the reason for the season, we don’t bother with them. We still have our lights, our candles, our Nativity sets, but we’ve eliminated all the snowmen and Santas and now do simple Advent activities instead.
I’m in
Last year I decided to purge my decorations. I got rid of the gazillion teacher gift items I had that I kept for sentimental reasons but didn’t love. Now, I display only what I love or what reflects the reason for the season. It was very freeing!
I’m in.
When my kids were young, I made 6 or 7 different kinds of cookies for my neighbors and friends as Christmas gifts. I finally hit the wall of exhaustion and now make loaves of pumpkin bread to give to others. Still delicous, yet less labor intensive.
I decided to eliminate the decorations I didn’t LOVE and donate them to Goodwil or give them to other who could use them….that helped me feel not so guiilty as I didn’t just throw them away.
Our budget is REALLY tight this year … mostly because for the 1st time EVER in our adults lives we’re working hard to live on what we earn, not on credit. So my K-I-S-S this month is less grocery shopping and simple meals. Our freezer is pretty full from past months’ splurges from Schwans and Market Day, along with a few double batches of soup, so here we go! It’s less food stress, though perhaps not as tasty as we like to enjoy, but for the sake of staying off the credit cards and being able to give gifts to our loved ones, it’s working so far! God’s blessings on your ministry!
Oh … one other thought … a few years ago I moved ALL my snowman decorations and ornaments to a “Winter” decorations container and out of the “Christmas” container. So almost all of our Christmas decorations are now Christ-centered, and we keep up a small tree in Jan / Feb (until it’s time to decorate for Lent/Easter) with all the snowman ornaments on it!
I’m in!
I’m in
this year I did things different too. I just put clear and red lights on the tree and red bulbs and red beads. I also have a very smaller tree that is clear lights and white blubs and silver beads and icicles. I did not put up all the decorations.The manager scene is lite up with bue lights.
I let the kids help. They both have two small trees they decorate. I put the trees in the kitchen. They are always so proud of their trees. Since I make the a part they are always willing to help put away all the boxes and and happy to help put everything away after Christmas.
I’m in! Thanks for the good decorating advice! I agree – Keep it simple!
I’m trying to keep it simple by focusing each day on what NEEDS to get done. I love to bake, so my ideal would be baking TONS for neighbors, friends, family, etc. But there are many other things that I need to do. So simply quieting my heart and mind before the Lord and praying, “Lord, please show me what I need to do today (or these next couple hours)”.
I appreciate what Nicki said – great reminders. The pictures are great – you have a lovely home and obviously a knack for decorating.
I make Christmas breakfast every year and keep the same simple menu…it’s a hit and a no-brainer for me!
One of my favorite gifts I have ever given my husband and children is a glass jar full of 52 different colored strips of paper for each week of the coming year. On the strips of paper I put something I love about them. Each week they can pull out a little note from me that tells them one of the many reasons I love them. It’s my favorite gift to give!
I thought I would keep it simple this year, but my 4 BOYS would not allow it. TRADITION is what they said. Mommy, this is tradition….every tree, every bow, every pine cone in the same place as the last 7 years. At first I was a little disappointed, but then became ecstatic that my BOYS were so nostalgic and sentimental. My simple came this year in not having to have it all done in one night. I took my time. It took a week, but everything even down to the bathrooms got decorated as normal. Merry Christmas Boys!!!
Oh ,I so need help in this area. So, I’ll just say, I’m in.
Great post! I can’t to be able to decorate my own house…until then I will come home to a cozy little house with a purple couch and green tree all light up at night, and under the tree? A guy lifting his leg up!
Can’t wait to be home for Christmas! Love you!
Decorating the family room tree is a very traditional process, and each of the children love to hang their special ornaments made and saved over the years. In order for the littles to have their own special ‘touch’, with an abundance of crafty projects that happen in our home this time of year, they each have a miniature (3 foot) tree for their bedrooms. One is even flocked pink! They can decorate it in any way that they see fit, add to it, change it, and it is their own!
this year has been one of those years that I decided to K.I.S.S in that I haven’t put out nearly the amount of decorations i normally do. I’ve even switched up a bit as to where I put things out at and even found uses for all those rings of ribbon i’ve been holding onto for years.
I have such a hard time with the “simple” word. I tend to always go a bit over the top, but since we moved just days ago into our new home…simple is being thrust upon me by default!
For Christmas baking (and year round), I’ve learned to make things simpler by flash freezing cookie dough in small balls. I make a double or triple recipe of cookie dough whenever I need to make cookies. Then I bake what I need and freeze the rest. Spray a cutting board with nonstick spray, roll dough (or use Pampered Chef scoop) and place balls on the board. Stick it in the freezer for 20 minutes. When you take it out, put the balls in good freezer zip bags and label it with kind of cookie, temp and time to bake. Then when you need cookies (a little or a lot) take them out and bake them. There is no need to thaw.
This year my simple was doing things over 6 days instead of trying to complete it all in one day. We did not pull everything out this year – instead the kids got to pick their favorites.
I need a lot of help in this area! Thanks for the suggestions. I’m in!
I’m in!!!
I love the Christmas decorations. This year, I am waiting for my daughter to come home from overseas on the 18th. Then we will do the tree and the mantle and that is it this year. My son did put up my wreaths on the windows though and that was great!
May you be blessed this Christmas season!
I have a large glass vase that I put red, green and silver ball ornaments in and put it on one of my counters and it looks so nice, but oh so simple.
We always hang stockings… a lack of fireplace has never stopped the tradition. If stockings are filled, they are opened on Christmas Eve after the reading of the Christmas story.
We have done a couple of things to try and simplify Christmas. The first is slowly reducing our Christmas decor down to things we love and use. Each year we sort a few more things out to donate to Goodwill. This year we have almost a tub full! The other thing I have been doing is cutting back on my baking. The one thing I always do with the kids is my Mom’s Sugar Cookies – we cut them out and decorate. If we get anything else done that is just a bonus. No marathon baking sessions with 6 different kinds of cookies. It is just too much! Thank you for the great decorating tips today. Maybe we’ll get rid of a few more things when we put the Christmas tubs away.
I put 3′ trees in each of my kid’s rooms. I give them the lights and decorations and let them have at it!
I do less & less each year when it comes to decorating. My theme is gingerbread people. A warm, welcome feeling is the most important theme to carry out.
Blessings.
Love the ideas of how to keep it simple. My home is already decorated for this year so I will have to keep them in mind for next year.
im in
Last year after having the same decorations for 20 years (yes, you read that right), my decorating friend (Yes, I’m not) and I ventured out to this very expensive decorators warehouse for ideas. We then went to a fun store (can I plug Hobby Lobby) and redid many things on my tree (I mean my son is 20 now) at 50% off and saved so much money rather than buying at the decorator place. My friend is nifty with the bows and long streamer things (forget what you call those and I’m in a hurry here) and I can place ornaments (fortunately). Wow, what a makeover. This year, my tree went up so easily and I’m finding that less is so much more stressless on me and I am easier to live with and can focus on my family and Jesus and giving out His love which is what the season and every day living is really suppose to be about.
I love all your ideas! Especially LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE!
I do that!
I like to have a theme going. For me, I love snowmen. So over the years….I’ve collected a few awesome favorites. I place them around (not too fussy or gawdy) in a few key spots.
My kids love seeing the cute snowmen (even in their cool teenage years)!
I was looking for an easy, simple and inexpensive way to decorate my kitchen table for the holidays one year. With family coming I wanted it to look nice without spending a fortune. One way I kept it simple was by using a flat sheet instead of buying an expensive tablecloth. It worked beautifully. And after buying a few items at the local Dollar Tree & Walmart my table was “simply beautiful”. There are ways to cut corners, yet still have a beautiful Christmas display. Thanks for sharing all your tips!
I’m in.
I’m in!
We decided to just put up our tree and a decorate with a few other things around the house. Didn’t drag out all the decorations.
Because my husband has been so ill this year I had intended to go all out with decor yet here we are 2 weeks before Christmas and I don’t even have a tree up yet…I guess I am keeping it simple this year. BTW…Love you Nicki!!!
I don’t buy new stuff each year. Just 1 thing on clearance for 75% off after Christmas. Sometimes it’s hard, but it keeps my decorating boxes from overflowing and it’s fun to only have 1 bin of things so I’m not overwhelmed.
I’m in !:)
“I’m in”! Thanks.
I’m In
I’ve kept it simple this year by just putting up a tree. The KISS plan will kick in this spring when I move and have to change my hoarder ways!
We limit the decorating inside, choosing to focus on the tree and the manger scene we set up!
I’m in
Fortunately, I have a husband and daughter who love to climb on the roof to put up the lights! So I do not have to. But I can and did drag out all the rest of the yard stuff…the manger scene, my moose, a Christmas tree and then used a nice huge wreath that was headed for the dumpster by a friend….Use what you have! Now I did my decorating part with my feet on the ground. Merry Christmas!
Love the idea of keeping it simple. Sometimes I also get into a rut and this year was actually dreading getting out all the decorations, but I feel now my perspective has changed. I’m just going to move some things around and make it feel fresh again! Thank you!
Buy things on Sale at Hobby Lobby..Im IN!
Use Christmasy tablecloths (unstained of course) as couch drapes. During the year, shop Goodwill for Christmas pillows!
I’m in.
I’m in
One year my husband was in the hospital. I was pregnant and could not get out to shop. We had our tree but the tree topper broke, I needed one, so I cut construction paper stars and gave my children crayons and stickers. Each decorated their star which I taped around a toilet paper tube and used as the tree topper. It was wonderful and I still have and use it although my kids are now in college.
I’m in!
For us.. having a child who possibly has Aspergers and gets overwhelmed easily we keep Christmas very low key…esp since the littlest things can send him over the edge.
But thats how we like it anyways… low key is more enjoyable and more focused.
I love the idea of loving what you have, I should probably purge my house with that question in mind, “Do I love this?” I get to sentimental and don’t necessarily love it … Thanks
I’m in! Thanks!
We are in a new home this year so it was fun finding a “home” for all the decorations. I did get new stockings for our mantel (we have never had a mantel) I used ornaments in bowls and hung ornaments from our dining room light fixture. Look for friends who would like to swap decorations.
Thank you–I am in!!!
I’m in.
Last year I purged and got rid of an entire rubbermaid container of Christmas decorations, sweaters and lights. Just kept what I really loved or had a lot of meaning to our family.
My husband started the tradition our first Christmas that we purchase an ornament for each other each year. We simplified it to one ornament that we pick out together. No matter how much we have or don’t have each year, I always look forward to that one “special” ornament. This year will be our 16th Christmas together, and as I gaze at the tree, those annual ornaments are my favorite memories : )
My children are grown but I still use all of the “homemade” things they brought home over the years. Some are very “cute” and some are just there. I don’t feel I have to do the “themed” tree to keep up with others; that is simple.
I’m in!
My first Christmas married, new tree, new house to decorate, and my first time hosting the family Christmas gathering! I have been stressed, but I am trying to remind myself to not do too much (cause I will!) We are keeping the meal for hte gathering simple—I’m making a couple of crockpots of chili and some cornbread, others are bringing snacks and desserts…
I’m in!
I go to the dolloar store for to pick out place mats, table cloths, and some things to make a centerpiece for my kitchen table. Just real simple and quite cheap. thank you for the chance to win the giveaway.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
This year I am putting up only the icicle lights on my balcony and a few Nativity sets. I haven’t got a tree yet and am seriously considering not getting one, which means the tub full of nostalgic ornament s will stay on the closet shelf. I love the way my room sparkles and focuses on the Nativity.
I try to live by KISS as much as I can! Less stress, and I am all for that! So to follow the KISS method…I’ll leave this post Simple and Sweet and just say this year we have chosen to decorate a small tree and have stockings hanging. KISS!!
Decorating is very hard for me. Plus, my husband thinks we should 1) never ever get rid of anything, 2) put everything we own out no matter what 3) do it all in one day. WAY too much pressure for me. He helps, but I really find it overwhelming in our small home. So I will just say, “I’m in.” He is very sentimental, so if anyone gives us anything no matter how hideous or even if they aren’t close to us, we have to keep it! I want to show him this article. Thanks.
Since I can’t change out my ornaments every year, and I really do like the well-coordinated ones I have, I mix things up with ribbon. I have several large spools that I bought 90% off 5 years ago, and I rotate which one I use and how I use it. This year, burgundy with gold trim circles the tree from top to bottom, last year, shimmery ribbons cascaded from the top. These variations keep the tree interesting from year to year with no additional investment!
Each year when the Christmas items go on sale, I give myself a small allowance, usually only $20 or so, to buy a few new things that I absolutely love. (I usually scout the stores early and know what I want to look for at the end of the season!)
I’m in – loved this post!
This year we just took the candles out of the hurricanes on our dining room table and dumped red and gold ornament balls into them!! It looks great and was so easy!
I’m embarrassed to say this, but I have way more Christmas stuff than I can use. It comes from being married for 31 years, AND having an anniversary on December 29th
I get lots of ornaments, etc. for gifts. This year, I only put out my tree, stockings, and a few candles as we are going out of town for Christmas. I am so relieved not to have to take it all down when I get home!
Purchasing Christmas dishes at after Christmas sales and then using them all of December. Adds a touch of Christmas even in areas that are not decorated in our home, like our dinette. Plus, there is something quite eclectic and homey feeling about having unmatched dishes, yet themed dishes.
I’m in. Merry Christmas!
I’m in today! Thanks for the ideas…I shop for Christmas decorations after Christmas. Next year, when I unpack, I have Christmas surprises waiting in the boxes! My decorations are never the same!
Our first Christmas, we bought each other the tree. My friend, Shannon, was a florist and taught me the basics of those beautifully decorated trees. For five years, we kept the same tree decorations, in red and gold. (These were the colors that reminded me of our long distance relationship while I was in Hong Kong serving as a mission teacher) The sixth year, I kept the gold, and added pink and ivory for our princess, Alyssa. The 11th year, gold stayed and we added green and purple, for our king, Branson. The 16th year, the tree changed to silver and white. And I have several years to wait for another color change, but the silver will stay,…. that way, it saves money. The older items are used elsewhere in the house. My kids have their own trees in their bedrooms, which they decorate themselves.
I guess you would say that I love Christmas decorations. But we don’t always put it all out! BUT, I do pass on extras to friends and donate the others to Cub Scout garage sales!
I’m in.
I have been working on simplifying my life the last few years when it comes to “things”. That includes holiday decorations. I keep it sweet and simple….Christmas tree, stockings, poinsetta on the dining room table, snow man cookie jar, “santa’s marching band”(we’ve had for over 20 years and plays about 30 Christmas songs) that we always set up in a different place each year and, last but not least, a basket of Christmas cards and letters that we like to look at again and again. Sounds like more than it is….our house looks like Christmas without overkill or spending a lot of money.
im in
I keep my holiday decor the same colors as by interior decor (white, silver, greys) that way it all flows visually and I can put anything anywhere and it works. No thinking!
Well…we are the brightest house in the neighborhood people. My hubby’s b-day is Christmas day and coworkers and family think I’m nuts for all the work we do. Simplifying things this year meant that our dept 56 village got out before Thanksgiving…but I want so much to say now that what I do, I do as a devotional love and and symbol of how much he means to me. I never say it to people when they ask “why” because so many talk about their hubbys differently than me. Thanks for letting me have my voice today. Love ya God Bless!
I’m in
I love to have lots of lights on the outside of my home glowing brightly and warmly. This year I added lights to every room in the house, put simple timers so they all go on at dark and out by bedtime. What a delight! My kids will all be home for christmas and each will have a merry glow to their rooms!
I’m in.
I’m in.
We keep it simple by NOT decorating. All I do is hang a gorgeous wreath on the door and put candles everywhere, maybe some garland on the mantle. I don’t send out cards. and then I enjoy making a large batch of gourmet treats to give to all our family and friends.
I’m in!
I’m in