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I love the rituals involved with Christmas, even if perhaps, every year the reality of all that goes on, does at times make one rather weary of the whole affair.
This year I started a new ritual – beachcombing for decs – a ritual that for one I certainly wish I had started before and secondly one that meant I spent much loved time with the littlest member of the Beach Cottage.
The last few weeks, as I've said before we've found ourselves, on a weekday evening about 5 o' clock, at a beach we don't usually go to, for training for one of the other kiddos. Leaving the little one and I a full hour to stroll along and see what the sea's washed up.
We found lots of shells of course, bits of old driftwood washed to a light grey, seaweed and ocean things, just right for Christmas Au Natrel.
I piled it up outside and left it in the sun
And although I love the sparkle of white lights and twinkly things that go hand-in-hand with Christmas, there's a part of me that hankers after that pine clad, alpine cabin, so I suppose these rustic beauties from nature round here are the seaside, Beach Cottage version of that cabin-dusted-with-white postcard.
And I suppose more, things brought in, from where we live, goes with me now, and our new life here. Not so much needing the brightness and warmth from the cold as our Christmas decorating did before but more embracing celebrating in a different way.
So yesterday, the first day for a while that I've had any time to sit around wasting time, I sat with these tumbled things from the sea adding ribbon and although I would have at one time eschewed the idea of beach things at Christmas as a complete novelty, what I ended up with and subsequently tied on the tree, felt right.
Like a new tradition.
OK, I'm going for a walk, it's Christmas Carols tonight so should be fun, oh and that's a green tree you can see in the pics…yep, there's a story!
blogged for Diane's Event
Sarah, you might be longing pine, but you are definitely blooming where you are planted. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Goodness – lots of treasure there, lovely colours! Hope there is some left at the beach for the little creatures to use in their houses!
What a fun new tradition! It’s been a year full of brand new ideas, discoveries and you make them all beautiful!
Mixing the natural treasures from the shore along with traditional ornaments will be perfect for your beach cottage at Christmas Sarah. Love the rick-rack braid to tie the shells on the tree.
Happy decorating this week dear.
What a great new tradition!
Lovely finds, Sarah! 
Smiles,
Rachel
What a fun time to spend with the littlest kiddo. Some one on one time is perfect – making such wonderful lifelong memories.
Alison
Sarah,
I love the blog today! Of course, I love it EVERYDAY! I went back to last December 1 and was reading about the Christmas thongs…I,too, grew up calling them ‘thongs’…my daughters have called them flip-flops and really think it is funny to call them ‘thongs’! The first time my girls said they were buying ‘thongs’ I wondered why they didn’t come home with shoes! Oh well, just shows my age! Have a great time decorating your cottage for Christmas…and I liked your white tree, but a green one can fit just as well in the ‘beach theme’!
Hugs across the pond,
Deb P
I think you should enlarge and frame that stunning picture of the waves.
Decorating with found objects is so eco-chic. I love it. And I think your finds are gorgeous. You’re living my dream with a cottage on the ocean. Maybe someday. In the meantime, I’ll just keep living vicariously through you! Thanks for a great site.
XO Piper
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for linking to 2nd Time Around!
I love your blog…haven’t visited in awhile…everything looks so professional!
Your beach finds are wonderful, and look so ‘wintery’!
I’ve been using seaside treasures from our many walks on the beaches to decorate Sea Cottage for Christmas for three years now. I think the whites of shells and driftwood give a sense of calm wintry comfort to our home…and yours too.
So a green tree? I loved your white one from last year. Do you still have it?
I sooooooo love the picture under the sea photo THe lanterns ar great (I have some white ones on my Christmas table) and I must confess that I am a bit jealous on your grayish driftwood
Hi Sarah!
Well it was just meant to be that I popped over today! I’ve been struggling with how to decorate our new home…with all of this WHITE!
In Alabama we lived in a little cottage…everything vintage…red cozy sofa…lots of black toile.
Our Christmas decorations were just lovely…so magical in that little cottage.
This past weekend I pulled them all out.
Most of the decorations are vintage…but with red and green and lots of silver and glitter.
My big decision:
Do I want to bring all of that color into my white and grey?
Or…do I want to just pack it all back up and save it.
I would really adore for the tree to just be the major sparkle…and then tie white bows onto fir branches and place vintage balls in shells and such.
I love what you are doing with your decor…collecting those little gems off the beach is just my style! I love driftwood!
Can’t wait to see it all placed!
And would love to see your tree.
I subscribed as a reader today so now I can follow you daily!
I have long loved this beautiful blog!
XXOOXX
woops…sorry so long!
Merry Christmas Sarah!
Love your tree, it’s beaut mate!
All your decorations look lovely! It seems quite bizarre to be decorating in such wonderful heat and sunlight – I am sure that it all looks quite different! Just grey, damp, and short days here – as you well remember, I am sure.
Pomona x