I love Christmas.

I love the smell of gingerbread baking, the glow of twinkle lights reflecting off the snow, and I love the excited anticipation that literally wiggles through my children’s bodies.

But how do I create traditional Christmas memories when we’re on the road? I don’t have mistletoe, fresh pine trees or little golden jingle bells.  I mean who travels with Christmas decorations?!

But with a little imagination and some treasures we found on the beach, we up-cycled Christmas this year. I think we did a pretty fine job of making  things festive, and bonus, it was a fraction of what we typically spend on Christmas in the states.

Travel sized Christmas!

Check it out.

Christmas Driftwood Tree = Free

Up-cycled Christmas Driftwood = Imagination + 5 euros with of decorations.

A mess of cheap candy to decorate bakery boxes into faux gingerbread houses = 20 euros worth of supplies.

Pride in his seriously awesome craftsmanship.

Serafina did a lot of sampling the goods!

Street side vendors peddling children’s candy dreams.

Mamí and Abu savoring mulled wine and time together.

How could one not feel like the richest person in the world with this sweet little streets all filled with Holiday Cheer and twinkle lights.

Holidays spent with loved ones = Priceless.

Happy Holiday’s friends near and far.

Presence truly is the best present.
We’re grateful for you.

And have an eggnog for me,will ya?