The garland is the same as 2004, but this picture hints at the new living room furniture.

I decorated the mantle a little differently, thanks to finding new things at the previous post-Christmas sales and digging up some old treasures. In front of the traditional garland, I hung burgundy velvet stockings with each of our names on them in silver. The new stockings are secured by heavy silver angles. Three miniature Christmas trees accented with gold star wire are on the mantle between our usual framed photos. Gold-painted pinecones are at the base of the little trees. Behind it all is a string of red lights to give a warm, subtle glow.

On the tree, I strung red and white lights for a change. But the ornaments are the same beloved favorites. Around the living room, I tucked velvet poinsettias, gold pinecones, and burgundy and silver faux grape clusters so the holiday feel surrounds us.