I’ve got a string of light up bells hanging on my curtain rod in the kitchen. It plays chime music and the lights twinkle. I thought it would be a fun thing for Eli to watch. I was right. I opened the box and put them up. The box just happened to be up here because we began decorating outside our home on Sunday.

I’ve decided to decorate the outside of our home simply, which was good news for Brian because he’s our official light hanger-upper.

We haven’t decorated on the inside of our home, yet. I have some Holidays candles out. Right now, my pine candle is burning. It’s a nice smell. Last year, I was pregnant and couldn’t light it because the aroma made me ill. Now, I find it enjoyable. Isn’t it funny the way things change?

I bought some fake snowballs the other day from my favorite local shop. They may sound so silly but I can tell they’re going to be my favorite addition this year. I’ve sort of, haphazardly, placed them on my mantle. I like it.

It’s simple.

At the front of the house, in our office, is a big box of Christmas lights. I think my husband doesn’t believe I don’t want them hung, so he’s leaving the box there, just in case.

Christmas music fills the air. I listen to Bing Crosby White Christmas radio on Pandora. It’s really charming and most importantly, doesn’t play Mariah Carey.

On the chalkboard in my kitchen, the words “26 days…” are written out. No drawings, just the words.

The kids asked about the Christmas tree yesterday. Soon, we said. Maybe Wednesday. Maybe Saturday.

It’s November 30th. Not much as been done around here to signify the Holidays are here except the change of the calendar. But with children in your home, there’s magic.

No matter how simple your surroundings.