"Your traditions are what make you who you are."

-Nate Berkus

Long before it even crossed my mind, my friend Anika, was planning a remarkable Christmas theme for her home.  As a single professional, she has been carefully selecting festive ornaments and pulling together garland to evoke a special mood this holiday season.  I had the opportunity to visit Anika over the Thanksgiving break and help her "deck the halls" so to speak. After spending time there, I soon learned that the Christmas decorating tradition also runs deep in her family.  As a child, she and her grandmother would collect holiday decorations throughout the year in her hometown of Chicago, including during the hot summer months.  It turns out that not only is she obsessed with the act of decorating, she's also obsessed with doing it all on a budget. I was amazed at what she found for only two and three dollars. We made the bow at the top of the tree from ribbon that she found 1/2 off after last year's Christmas.  This year she envisioned a sexy Christmas and I must say that I'm happy with how the space turned out. Her only wish for next year?  A larger tree.  And I believe that she's already on the lookout.