As y’all know, my boys just traded in their shared room for their own rooms a few months ago. *sniff sniff* I repeat a lot of the same Christmas decor year after year, but was left with almost a blank slate in both of their rooms this year!!
I proposed hanging a limited edition Old Try Yeti print (from Honey’s 40th birthday … usually hangs in the basement) over Whit’s bed and got his signature “grunt” of disapproval and then a “that’s too scary”. (You might remember that he also recently had to get rid of his adorable crab painting for the same reason.)
So, I had a genius idea that turned into a much sweeter thing than I ever intended. Here’s how it went down.
“Whit, I have a great idea. Why don’t you pick one of the reindeer off of your new sheets and I will paint it to hang over your bed.”
“That sounds good. BUT…. I am going to paint it, not you.” (said in his always matter-of-fact and completely grown up manner that leaves no room for debate)
HAHAHAHA! This is just one example of how different my kids are. When I told Honey that I was going to hang Whit’s discarded crab over John’s bed in his “tween” room, Honey said no way he will want that. I bet him $1 and then asked John, who with absolute zero interest said, “whatever you think will look good”. LOL. I try to paint a reindeer for Whit and he’s like, NO you will not do that.
And so, when Whit was out of school for two days with a sprained ankle, I borrowed the neighbor’s wheelchair (no joke) and off we went to Michael’s. I purchased a giant canvas in the Veteran’s Day sale for $14. We already have a whole basket of paint at home so that was all we needed.
Whit deigned to let me paint the canvas a solid blue of his choice. Then he let me outline the reindeer on the canvas in pencil. And from there, he took charge of the entire process.
He was SO proud of his work and, I have to say, I will treasure this forever! He used one of the reindeer on his sheet set that was wearing a scarf as his go-by (when this was my project I was going to use one wearing a red collar but his is so much cuter). He loved going through all of my paint brushes and colors and sponges to pick what he wanted to use on his art piece.
There’s no doubt that he drifts off to sweet Christmas dreams these days..
And, while he may not have a red nose, he is the most famous reindeer of all in my book. I can say with certainty, that this will always have a place in my Christmas home!
Have a very merry one, y’all!!
Dixie Delights Deck the Halls 2017
overview
Holiday DIY Video Series
How to Make Christmas Bows | How to Spruce Up a Basic Wreath
How to Make a Greenery Bouquet | Easy Flower Arranging Tips + Tricks
2 Ways to Tie the Perfect Bow
Other Holiday DIYs
2 Easy Ways to Hang Christmas Wreaths | Paper Bow DIY | Painted Lamp Shades | Remote Tree Switch | Reindeer Kid Art
All Holiday & Seasonal Decor | All things Christmas
DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED
Two things – He just created a family heirloom. I have art my husband painted as a little boy and use it in our seasonal decor. And I predict Whit will be an architect.
He sure did! Oh, I know you must treasure your husband’s art. That is so special!! We would be too pleased if he ended up an architect. Especially from Georgia Tech :-)
This is just precious! He did a great job. What a treasure!
http://www.suburbansoiree.com
Thank you Amy!
Oh my goodness Amanda. This is absolutely adorable! I love how Whit looks so proud holding his painting. What a lovely, lovely project to do???
Thank you Sherrie. It was so much fun doing it and then hanging it on his wall was really, really special. I will always love this piece!
This is one of the cutest things I’ve seen on the internet in a long time! I read tons of blogs, but your content is my very favorite!
Couldn’t agree more! :)
Thank you so much for saying that. I really appreciate it <3
Amanda I did chuckle when Whit proclaimed he would paint it. I think we could have ten children and all would be different. I know that is true with my grands. Whit did a great job!! Love his Christmas decor.
Right?! I never know what is going to come out of his mouth. Big brother is pretty predicable. :-)
What a lovely idea and a great Christmas memory! Thanks for sharing.
It really will make for a great Christmas memory every year!
This is adorable!!! What fun reindeer games! :-)
Thank you Jane!
Absolutely AWESOME!!! This original reindeer will always be a treasure and means much, much more to Whit in decorating his room. So glad that he signed and dated this merry reindeer. Looks waaaaay better than anything one could purchase. Kudos to Whit!!!!!!!!
Yes, it really does. He was SO excited to sign it too – “like a real artist”. I told him he IS a real artist!
That is so sweet and adorable. He looks so proud of himself. That is a piece to treasure for sure.
Oh, he was very very proud. I will always have this!
This is a adorable!! How special!
Merry Christmas!
Lindsey
It is so special! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!!!
It’s adorable – what a fun project! Great job, Whit!! xo
Thank you!
Adorable!!!!!! Love!! Love!! love!!!
Thank you!
Oh my goodness, this is just the cutest thing ever! What a great idea to use the bedding as inspiration!
Definitely an heirloom, to be cherished always.
Yes, it is! I am so happy that it went down this way <3
I love this so much. Whit did a great job painting his reindeer. How cool that he wanted to paint it. I know it will be treasured forever.
It definitely will!
LOVE it! Great job, Whit! I would definitely purchase your art work for my house!
So sweet. I told him that and he was wide eyed… thank you!
This is great. He did such a good job. Have you ever been to Painting With a Twist (or something similar)? You bring wine and everyone paints the same picture, with simple instructions provided by an instructor. They have family classes without all the wine. My daughter loved it when we went last year as a Christmas gift. She chose to do it again as her birthday party. Whit would probably really enjoy it.
We haven’t done a painting class. I should have thought of that for his birthday party!! Great idea.
I saw the canvas on your other blog entry and assumed that it was something that you bad purchased at HomeGoods! Then when I started to read this I thought you had taken Whit to a “wine and design” type class in the neighbor’s wheelchair …but WOW….this is amazing and you can tell how much time and effort he put into this this project. I would be a very proud mama too!!
Awwww, that’s such a compliment. Thank you!
Brilliant idea by you and brilliant execution by Whit! He will always treasure that reindeer.
I think so too. Thank you!
That is just precious! What a treasure!
It really is <3
Amazing kid art! My kid also loves art so I have pined it. I think my lovely baby make it perfectly.
Thank you!! I would love to see yours :-)