
The snow just keeps falling out there, and the piles are growing. I did spend quite a bit of time outside today, and it wasn’t too cold– in the low 30’s. Although we don’t have our tree yet, I’ve been doing my best to make our home a nice place to be, now that we’ll be spending more time indoors.
First, it’s all about candles. I have been very happy to find 100% beeswax candles at our local drugstore here. The amazing thing is that they are pretty inexpensive, easily 1/4 of what they would cost in the US. My naturopathic doctor told me last year that beeswax candles are great to burn in the home, since they actually help to purify the air– a big benefit in the winter, when we’re short on ventilation! So we have some throughout the house.
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In the kitchen… |
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At the table. |
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Just look at the view! |
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In the bedroom. |
Next on the list is greenery! It is so easy to get boughs and branches here to decorate with– they are sold everywhere. In fact, most decorations are made from natural materials– wood, dried cinnamon and star anise, dried citrus slices, bark, etc. That is the stuff I usually look for anyway!
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I bought this bundle of cedar at the market this week. |
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Here’s a kind of loose garland I made with it. |
A couple weeks ago I got some pine branches and made this one:

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An extra piece went into an antique little tree stand. |
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This star garland is from a local florist. |
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And amaryllis or other bulbs on almost every window sill… |
We didn’t bring any of our Christmas decorations with us, and it’s been fun to only put up local wares. I love the style of holiday decor here– so natural and homey. It’s also fun to know that we can take many of these little things with us whenever we go, and remember our very white Christmas here.
You guys! This place is looking more and more beautiful!
Happy Nikolaus!
David, we didn’t tell Amelia about Santa in the US, but now she is super obsessed with Nikolaus! She got sent home with a big foil wrapped Sankt Nikolaus, wearing a pope’s hat and giving an apple to a child. Somehow, it seems better.
Ariana, I am in love with your posts, your pictures, and your family adventure! It’s all beautiful!
Happy Holidays to you!
Larissa Doty (from Harmony, Portland)
It is so beautiful!!
Lovely! I can’t believe the view out your window(s)!!
Shannon– thanks! I wish you could come on over!
Larissa– it’s really nice to know that you’re following along with us! And knowing that you’re enjoying these posts does make me enjoy capturing these moments all the more!
Hallo Ariana, it’s all so fancy! Really inspiring.
I’m kind of a newbie in Christmas decoration (come from a tropical country with no natural tree). Would you care to say where can I buy these branches? I mean, is it at Blumenmarkt?
Hi Mimi,
Thank you for the compliment! I live in Amberg, near Nurnberg, and I have seen them at the open markets in both places. Usually there are some vendors selling plants and greenery, and they will carry them, but my regular vegetable stands always have mistletoe and some pine boughs as well. Definitely try the open markets in your town!
I’ll take a look on Saturday, it’s when we have open markets hier.
Thanks for your attention.
Have a nice day!
Your garlands and candles are so lovely, you hardly need a tree. And the view is so nice too! Love you.
Gorgeous! And how nice that the beeswax candles are cheap! Mmmmm, I love the candle light. Merry Christmas to you all.
Love…
Lovely! I can’t believe the view out your window(s)!!
Happy Nikolaus!