A Memphis Thanksgiving Tradition

This tradition started when Doug and I started going to see his family for Thanksgiving many years ago. If you know me, you know I can’t sit still for too long. I love a good project. On my first visit to Memphis I asked DJ what I could do to help her the Friday/Saturday after Thanksgiving. She (probably jokingly) said, you can pull all the Christmas decor down and we can decorate the house. I was sold. This is a perfect “Lizzie project”. I enlisted the manly help (Doug, Steve and Tom) to get down the decor and I went to down.

Years later this is still Doug and I’s job. Poor Doug got dragged into it, but he seems to enjoy hiding things in crazy places for DJ and Steve to find months later.

This year Doug, Tom and I brought all the decor downstairs. Tom worked on the lights outside (which gets better and better each year) while I worked inside. Doug helped us both because he is just that good.

Steve and Tom are from the UK so I always make a “British Christmas Section” for them. This time it ended up the mantle. (I never do the same display twice. I like to keep it fresh.)

Here is the mantle.
Notice the “Bailey Grace” section on the far left with her photo and stocking. The “British Section” is on the far right.

I always do a little section for Steve’s mom, Angela, and DJ’s mom Joyce. They both passed away in the past few years. This year I hung some angels with their stockings. Notice all the Bailey Grace framed around the bookshelf! :)

 

Here is the foyer and dining room decor: (Doug had some fun…had to turn the “M” upside down”

 

Finally, here is the tree! DJ wanted to do a gold and red tree this year. We used regular, white lights and one set of red lights.  The pop of colored lights really added to the look.

 

We really had a great time in Memphis and I love my Thanksgiving Tradition. I wish someone would come into my house and put up the decor (right, Ashley? – will tell you that story later).

We did hide some Christmas decorations in places it will take months to find. I always enjoy going back a year later to see what is still on display.  DJ and Steve say they enjoy continually finding decorations all year long! haha!

Thank you for having us. Thanksgiving dinner was awesome and the company was even better.

Love and Hugs, Lizzie