Happy holidays everyone! I wanted to pause today before I close my laptop and shift my focus to Christmas activities in my new home. Every year at this time, I choose a word to focus on for the upcoming year. My word this year came quickly and directly. It is simply “gratitude.” I can add so many things to my gratitude list, and at the top is you. I am so grateful for this beautiful, heartfelt, creative community that has gathered here.

As a little gift for you, and for anyone who pops by to take a look, we have created a printable 2021 calendar that you can download below and print as many times as you like. I love the fun quotes on each month’s banner, which my sister curated, and wanted to share them with you. They seem quite timely, don’t you think?

printable 2021 calendar

Now, back to my Christmas tree reveal! I wanted to embrace a Pacific Northwest theme for my handmade Christmas tree as I feel I am settling into this city and creating a home for myself with my little fixer upper that we will share more of in 2021.

I started with fresh silver dollar eucalyptus stems and tucked them into the conifer branches to add color and texture to my tree. Next I hung a variety of sage green and teal blue ball ornaments on the branches. If you couldn’t tell from the site (and my logo), teal is one of my favorite colors!

This year I also got more creative with my tree topper. On top of my tree is our frosted paper fern wreath, and it continues to swirl around the tree as a golden garland. Ferns are one of my favorite plants here in Oregon as they are lush and abundant.

I then added crepe paper magnolias with their gold leaves and berry sprigs. Though magnolias are traditionally thought of as a southern U.S. flower, in Portland’s famous Forest Park, there is a magnolia garden with trails weaving around the wide variety of seasonally blooming trees. This garden is one of my favorite local destinations.

As a final touch, I tucked some paper birds inside the wreath and around the tree. The finished look is so elegant and brings me so much joy!

Have a wonderful Christmas weekend, happy holidays to all, and don’t forget to download our 2021 calendar below!

~ Lia and team

frosted paper fern wreath tree topper
crepe paper magnolia and paper bird ornament
crepe paper magnolia flower
Lia Griffith's Christmas tree with DIY decorations