The little girl in me is jumping for joy!
The little girl that is about, oh eight years old……
The little girl that is so jealous of her girlfriend across the street.
Because her Christmas tree is bigger, and they have a tree with lights outside, and a giant wreath on the door, and….
I can not remember being more jealous as a kid as when it was Christmas time. Across the street from us lived a wonderful family. A rather intimidating family for a little girl since there were a lot of them (12 children and lots of walk-ins). Just like me, my friend was the youngest of the bunch, which meant that there was always a grownup around to tease the little girl from across the street (which would be me).
That whole bunch lived in a house that might as well have been designed for Christmas. On our slooped street their house perched on a little hill, with big lawns in front of it, with giant juniper trees. It hardly could have looked more like an Austrian chalet if it had been standing in Vienna. And of course they totally rocked the Christmas thing.
The father of the house really was into Christmas so inevitably they would have the largest tree in the street. I even remember some of the lights strands he used to decorate that tree. There were light strings with multi colored little carriages and with little ornate houses. I bet they were rare and vintage even then.
Oh and of course their nativity scene was set in a cave that was big enough for me to sit in.
Now I am really not saying our house wasn’t pretty at Christmas, as I have previously stated my mom was great at making decorations and she sure built an atmosphere in our home too. But we did not have a tree with lights outside, and the tree inside usually was rather modest in size.
But most of all…..
We didn’t have a staircase with a winding garland full of lights and decorations. And they did…
We had stairs, but not a staircase and I loved staircases. Every movie I saw seemed to have a house with a staircase and the heroine would walk down that staircase with people gazing up at her. And those staircases looked so good, especially decorated for Christmas.
I dreamed of a staircase. And walking down from it (preferably looking like the pretty swan).
A staircase with a garland.
This year I finally gave our staircase a white makeover, which sealed the deal: it had to be done. I would finally – after almost 40 years of yearning – have my Christmas staircase.
The Christmas staircase garland itself is simple. I couldn’t fathom dealing with the fallout from real evergreens, so I went with a faux garland and a simple string of lights.
And then I lifted her up to the next level with little strings of stars and I threaded them on thin sewing thread.
If you want to learn how to fold these stars you can watch the video I made: How to Fold Paper Stars
And that is it.
A long forgotten childhood dream has come true.
Now I only have to find some people to stand at the bottom of the stairs and gaze lovingly up while I come striding down in an amazing gown 😉
What dreams have come true for you lately?
Don’t forget there is a new giveaway published today among the 12 Day-ers (and most of the previous ones are still running so go hunt them down and enter). And while you are there, check out the amazing new projects.
Inspired by Charm 
See all of my 12 Days of Christmas Decorations posts here:
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Patricia says
That looks so pretty!
I bet you smile when you walk in and see it.
The stars are a nice addition too.
Thanks for the links!
Have a great week!
Debra White says
Very pretty. Love the sheet music stars on the stairs and mirror. Something I am definitely going to have to do also. 🙂
Carla says
Amazing stair case. I have been wanting to revamp ours. Thanks for inspiring : )
Gwen says
I love the stars especially out of sheet music. Oh I can see you in a ball gown, long gloves, tiara, curls very soft ones, that are in style now, and eyes glimmering because you have false eyelashes on. All your childhood playmates await. Grown up but still kids at heart. They understand. And ooooh and aaaaah and snap photos on their phone. And you sip champagne from Crystal and white roses accent your home. Twinkle lights and candles light your home. Everyone says in whispers
Cassie T - Lovely Weeds says
Your garland looks beautiful! Did you make the paper stars? I would love to see how, if you did!
Donna - Funky Junk Interiors says
Now THAT is gorgeous! I loved the story you shared! And glad you finally landed the amazingly decorated stairway of your childhood dreams. It’s perfect!
Off to go read that star tutorial… it must be easy for you to make that many… promise?! 🙂
Leticia says
Oh Holy Night…. How beautiful! I love the garland and your little stars just make it magical! You worked hard and it looks great! Merry Christmas to you! Leticia
Etta says
Amazing! love your story also. Thank you for the link, I think I might be able to do the stars now.
Karen says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything you said…..wish you the BIGGEST BLESSING THIS YEAR!!!!
Emilou says
Hi Marianne I love your sharing of a real childhood experience. I too had a most dear childhood friend who had such a staircase and I too remember how it was beautifully decorated for Christmas. I had not thought of that in so very many years so thank you for nudging my own memories. You now have a most beautiful new memory of a very beautiful staircase, and your stars made from music sheets. Amazing….. Thanks for sharing and providing the link so we can all make the stars. Blessings and smiles, Emilou 🙂
Emilou says
Hi Marianne, I just finished watching the video on making the five pointed star you made. You are amazing, how many did you make?? Wow!!! Emilou 🙂
Sandy Ross says
Your staircase looks lovely! Thanks for the link to the tute, I have been wanting to make something like these. I will have to hang mine up high though. If they were on the stairs like yours they would be a cat toy.
Kathryn Knox says
Hi! I love your Christmas decorations….so beautiful. And the lanterns with the fairy lights are so joyful! Love the stars and I am definitely going to make some today. Thanks for your posts!!!
Carolyn V says
adorable and would be nice for a church fundraiser decoration, using the christmas music. One of my goals was always to have winter and summer wall pictures, scenic preferable and now, I have that; to carry through with a winter scene since we are from a snowy state
Kat says
I love your staircase decoration…but have a question. Where did you plug in the lights? Do you have a magical outlet in JUST the right place?? (if so, then I will be the little girl jealous of your house:)). Or do you use battery operated lights? If it is the battery option, which ones have you found that work well and look good? Thanks! I love your stars— elegantly festive!
Fonda Rush says
Comparison is the thief of joy. Someone will always have more…or less.