Decorating Our School Bus Tiny House For Christmas

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[@ameliamildenberger9113]

I'm with Louis on this one! I used to think I'd want the "grown up" look of the warm white lights, but now that I'm grown up and my Mom isn't around anymore I absolutely need the multicoloured lights. All my family members feel the same way. Multicoloured is so happy and inclusive, which is what the holidays meant growing up in my family.

[@flyingthenest]

Awww the bus looks SO magical!!

[@RayaandLouis]

Thanks guys! ❤️

[@mariannejohannessen9751]

@@RayaandLouis Love IT 🥰💓

[@barbarahoughton4838]

Part of growing up and starting your own family is making your own traditions. Spend one year with one family and the next with the other for now, because when you have children, it's important to make your own traditions that they will remember, and as they get older, it is harder to travel every year. Merry Christmas!

[@RillaG]

I'm with Louis, coloured lights are the best! We have a tiny reuseable tree that has multi coloured lights and a collection of decorations from when my son was born to now (he's an adult now). It makes me feel so warm and fuzzy every year when I put it up. :)

[@melissaregan2709]

I agree with Raya, white lights for sure and it’s so peaceful

[@Adie_mae]

The "family" question becomes much clearer when you have kids. Also, we live far away from both of our families. We alternate. It's going to be impossible without constant travel to be with everyone every Christmas. However, as long as I'm with my kids, that's what matters. I love my parents and siblings and want to see them of course, but when you have kids your priorities change.

[@candacescott8012]

Do a half year Christmas (July) with one family and December Christmas with the other. With todays technology you can be anywhere and together. Love the energy of you two!

[@JohannaEngelbertsson]

can we just take a moment to talk about how EXTREMELY beautiful Raya is?

[@RayaandLouis]

Wow thank you so so much Johanna ❤️ As I was editing this video I had old patterns of insecurity creeping in so this really made my day 🥲 thank you!! Taking the time to write something kind often makes a bigger difference than we think ❤️

[@julialumina1615]

I know right!!

[@justryan1676]

That's whole reason why I'm here.... just kidding but it is a major part

[@sarahbethsstitching9937]

I was thinking the same thing

[@itslobyslife]

Multi colour lights all the way, Louis~!

[@soniagalat2740]

such a nice vlog. with my husband, we go one year to Poland and one year to France! With time, we've managed to combine our both traditions. When I go to Poland, I will cook a French dinner to remind me of Poland and Vice Versa. It is never the same when it is not my turn but there are still ways to enjoy it! We live in the Uk, so we mixed everything: Polish Christmas songs, English crackers, French and polish food, a big Christmas brunch on the 25th.

[@AshleyLynn918]

You guys could do every other Christmas with one another’s family. One Christmas with Louie’s family. The next with Rayas. And so on. 🥰

[@RAHowes]

This is what we do. It works well.

[@laurawestenra]

I love doing several "Christmases" before Christmas. Then you don't have to choose between groups. The Christmas season is more enjoyable to me than actual Christmas...I don't know why. Maybe too much pressure and expectation?

[@meganfarley420]

Our favorite family tradition that we do with our kids is on Christmas Eve we go look at Christmas lights and before we leave the house we each pick a Christmas icon, like a snowman or Christmas tree or candy canes, and then we play a game where we see the decorations and we count how many of each of those things we see and then at the end the person who has the most points wins and it’s just kind of a fun little thing we do with our kids that they really love even though they’re 13 and 14 now.

[@briarmunro]

When you have children that are old enough to understand Christmas (3/4 yrs old) , that's when it's important to have your celebration at your own home.

[@RayaandLouis]

I’m just soo unsure about tropical Christmas in Costa Rica 🙈 but maybe I’ll get used to it?

[@wildatart9766]

You will be able to travel to your respective parents for Christmas, and you will too when you're married. You will also find they will come to you.

[@heatherbrooks7189]

Christmas became about my kiddos and the home that was created. Just enjoying the day with them and the wonder of magic it brings. Our families both sides pick different times to do Christmas weather a week a head or a week behind for everyone to join instead of the day of . They live in different towns. One of my favorite Christmas traditions I don't my kids is that we don't do a regular Christmas tree. Each year we find something new to make the tree out of. One year it was green hand prints, this year is Sticks that we gathered together and made a tree from a large amount of sticks. We just have fun each year coming up with different things. It's a fun family things we get to do together

[@cyndicunanan400]

We always did one year with my family, the next with my spouses’. That seemed “fair”. I think people put too much emphasis on Christmas. It’s one day out of the year and it puts so much stress on people. The older I get the more I learn to chill about it.

[@cindywernert1605]

Beautiful decor. I like both white and multi colored lights. I think it depends on the look you are going for…whimsy or more formal. I love that he went with Raya’s choice…..such a good man! Merry Christmas! Once you marry you won’t want to spend holidays apart. We alternated families for holidays til kids came. Then family traveled to us when kids were real little for Christmas. I’m sure you will find your own traditions that work.

[@naivashneeaboo5393]

I feel the white is romantic and the colored ones are more festive. Splitting the holidays with family is tough one. I would alternate years. Especially when you have kids. Safe travels and have a happy holiday!!

[@idyllicme2010]

Multi colored lights on the tree. White lights to decorate the room.

[@lorapritchard9978]

for your cookie cutter... *uk measurements* 3oz caster sugar, 6oz butter, 9oz plain flour. cream sugar and butter together add flour, roll out on floured surface, cut, sprinkle the tops with caster sugar, bake @ 150 celcious for 15-20 minutes or until golden. ulternativly you can bake them plain and dip 1/2 in chocolate once cooled or decorate with icing etc.

[@bettinamcdonald5394]

I agree with Louis defiantly multi colored light! Wishing you Both a Very Merry Christmas & a Blessed and Wonderful New Year!

[@laurawestenra]

My family made up a character called "the crone" that is a wise grandma witch who lives in the forest in a cottage and can speak to animals. A crow brings her messages about the children, whether they're good etc. On December 21st she would being us things like sacks of potatoes, onions and heads of garlic. Also practical things like scrub brushes, brooms, seeds for the garden, socks, sweaters etc. She would also leave a giant pot of vegetable soup or borscht.👵🏚️🧄 We knew it was pretend but we really enjoyed it. I guess it's based kind of on baba yaga or befana.

[@hannahseeger4548]

I’m all about the white Christmas lights on the tree. I grew up with real candles on the tree, and the all white are the closest you can get without creating a scary fire hazard lol. It feels more peaceful and serene, while the colours are more fun and cheerful. Both have their place! I have been married for 6 years, and we have two children. Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas if it isn’t my family’s Christmas. Our traditions just mean so much to me. I don’t think it will ever change....? But it does make Christmas a little hectic as my husband wants his kind of Christmas with his family too. But we live near to both, so that’s lucky. I know that a lot of people in your situation do alternating Christmas’s...?

[@MartaCYoungblood]

Love this video! Honestly we had to establish a new tradition of alternating holidays and hosting. My brother and his family are in Europe, his in-laws are in California (USA), my parents are in Georgia (USA), we live in Arkansas (USA), my in-laws are in Mississippi (USA). We would literally go crazy trying to be with everyone for the holidays PLUS it wouldn’t allow much room for us to enjoy our friends are are also all over the world. We also don’t wait until the holidays to prioritize spending time with one another. You’ll figure out what you need to do that’s best for you two, just stay open to the possibilities. 😊

[@RayaandLouis]

Ohh I get you Marta! I’m sure we’ll end up figuring something out ☺️

[@deloresthomas5624]

Raya and Louis thank you so much for showing how wonderful Christmas can be without spending enormous amounts of money and still giving back with what you do spend. Have great a great a holiday with your families and friends.

[@RayaandLouis]

Thank you so much Dolores! Happy Holidays! ☺️

[@ashleyferguson5868]

My favorite holiday tradition is doing gingerbread houses together the week before Xmas. Then the best part is, on Xmas night after we get home from hanging out with the fam and it is just me, my hubby and my son, we SMASH the houses all up (and eat some, of course). It's just kind of like smashing away all the stress the holiday season can bring. We also get new Xmas pajamas every year and wear them allll day on Xmas. No real clothes allowed!!!

[@ochoreba7949]

COLORFUL ALL THE WAY 😉 OLD STYLE ALL THE COLORS LIGHTS SO COMFORTING 🥰🎄. That said you made your bus look so cozy and beautiful 💕

[@laurawestenra]

I do both multicolor and white lights! I do the white lights first, weaving them in and out from the center of the tree, then I add a larger vintagey multicolored lights. So we get the warm pretty glow but also the nostalgia. Philips lights are lead free btw, that's what I use. If you find multicolor lights that have pink bulbs that looks much more vintage and gives a prettier glow. I don't know why they stopped doing that.

[@heyimfreckles]

My husband and I have been married for 10 years and together for 13. For me the shift into us as a family came quite early on, but I think it’s unique to each partnership. I didn’t have a solid base with my own family, so that may have played a role in why it happened so quickly for us. Now we do a quiet Christmas Day just us 2 and our fur baby, and then travel to each family (his side and mine) for a solid few days around Christmas. I find that it means that I can be really present for each of the three “Christmases”. We do all the fun things around presents and food and music as if it was Christmas Day and it’s really no different. Im team white lights, but I totally get what Louis is saying! Hope you both have safe travels & wishing you peace in the new year ♥️

[@skyandpatty]

Genius!! Go to goodwill for ornaments and resonate. It’s even sortof a fun tradition, like a scavenger hunt! I think our favorite tradition is doing a Christmas decoration drive by tour on Christmas Eve . You guys have a fantastic Christmas, sky and I are driving to spend Christmas with my dad who is 96 and now I know how well decorate his little house for Christmas low footprint!

[@skyandpatty]

Re donate that is

[@bettyjoy6361]

I think you are a family when you make that commitment to spend your life together!

[@sandid1826]

I agree with Louis...colored lights

[@vickinestinghearts9367]

Our family has table gifts. Each person at our dinner table for Christmas Eve dinner opens a gift that is set at their place at the table. My adult children still look forward to table gifts. It is sometimes a themed gift for everyone or a small gift from under the tree. It’s always so much fun. Merry Christmas

[@BethC817]

My husband and I don't have kids and we felt more "family" than with our parents/siblings after a few years together. Also we didn't have family nearby so we'd spend holidays just the two of us or fly/drive to see one part of our extended family. Now that our families live close it's strangely less special. I think because it's a lot of driving from place to place spanning multiple days. I much prefer just celebrating once and giving everyone else a call instead. But we're super introverted so that might also be why 🙂 Thanks for sharing your beautiful decorations and lives with all of us!

[@julieswift7924]

Coloured lights all the way love them x

[@Fluffypanda651]

For the Christmas lights, rainbow lights on the tree and white lights hung up everywhere else!! Best of both worlds(:

[@TwiggyAshley]

My family always goes driving around the local neighborhoods looking at light decorations on people houses. And for the family issue I'd say once you have a children it's considered to be a family, cause it's not just you and another person. I have few friends that don't see there family cause they live in power states or they are in another country, they said it's just something you grow use to overtime cause you have your own family now.

[@pattytracey3131]

The bus looks fantastic!!!! Merry Christmas!!!! You will have to do alternating years with your folks. Your family IS each other NOW!

[@tamandjp]

When you have a child it all changes. It’s a wonderful feeling

[@brittanylorin5397]

Traditions I kept from my family as I got older were. 1. The ornament thing (also when we have kids they each get one and my mom would write our name and the date) each year my brother and I would run around the tree trying to find each others in order. 2. Mrs. Clause would make us pajamas and leave them at the end of our bed. (Didn’t have to be matching) this one is my favorite! 3. Get to open one present on Xmas eve. Always a book to read that night or a movie we’d all watch together. :)

[@RayaandLouis]

Ahh I love the pjs from Mrs Clause!

[@gerrenswims9087]

Yes multiple colored lights are very beautiful😍✨❤ I as well grew up with them and makes me think about my grandma a lot team Louie on this one

[@AndyandRachel]

We absolutely love that you are decorating without creating more waste! Goodwill is always a first resort for us to! Guys 😍😍😍 it looks so pretty! 🎄

[@TravelsofSarahFay]

Love the bus decor.Inspiring me to finish my van!

[@Lyssa72]

Looks good and I agree with Louie - colored lights 100%😬😂

[@AshleyLynn918]

I’m a fan of both colored and white lights. 🙂

[@emmat5871]

My husband and I lived away from where we grew up and we spent christmases apart until we got married. I think it changed for me when we became husband and wife. Just do what feels right for you! X

[@wendyblackwood4290]

You could spend thanksgiving with one family and christmas with the other and alernate yrs. Because my kids all have inlaws, we celebrate christmas the weekend after so everyone can come and christmas doesnt become a point of conflict for them. What matters most is family and joy

[@veeemit9719]

Every color is lovely in it’s own right

Merry Christmas! ❤🎄

[@wardarcade7452]

Nice, cozy Christmas decor for the bus! If at all possible, you two could alternate holidays between families and maybe host both sides (in Costa Rica?) every third year. Also, not only would it be cool to have tree decorations symbolizing important milestones and loved ones but the most special ones in my family are the ones that each individual family member has made themselves!

[@katejackson6502]

For me it's all about the Christmas baking! I made trail mix cookies tonight and they are such an easy one to make vegan and gluten free!

[@AshleeAdventure]

It feels like y’all are in my area and now I feel like I have to keep an eye out for the bus while I’m driving around. I love the decorations!

[@marplani]

That tea advent calendar made my jaw drop in delight. As someone who isn't wild about chocolate (unpopular opinion, I know), that was an amazing new take for me!

[@natashaoneluv3776]

Merry Christmas Everyone.🎄☃️🎉💖

[@themostrandombird]

I am with Louis when it comes to lights rainbow lights brings whole tree together

[@sierramaurer1291]

You guys! They have color changing lights so you can have white when you want and colored the rest of the time

[@campingourway9705]

Our tradition is making gingerbread houses while listening to Christmas music. Also, watching a different Christmas movie as a family every night until Christmas (Emmett Otter, A Christmas Story, Elf, Charlie Brown, The Polar Express, so on). We took a portable DVD player in our tent last week so we could keep our tradition! Someone else mentioned alternating the years you celebrate with extended family. When you have kids, that will be your closest family ❤️

[@mallorycorona]

Aww you guys did such a great job at decorating. Looks so comfy and cozy ✨✨ I felt so at home watching this video. 🎄🎅🏽

[@RayaandLouis]

Ahh that makes me so happy! Thank you! ❤️

[@geriann8]

Every year we, and the kids paint Christmas ceramic ornaments, and put them on the tree. That way we have one from every year that we made. And as well decorate cookies too SMILE

[@lisasanders7146]

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@wendyjacobs8856]

White lights defenitely! Totally agree with you Raya

[@RayaandLouis]

Haha yes! 😜🤍

[@Mel.H_]

🙋‍♀️Multi colored lights for the win!

[@vanderjays]

We tried making everyone happy by doing Christmas with everyone but we never enjoyed Christmas day because we were always driving everywhere so we started our own tradition of every other Christmas going away just my husband and the kids to Colorado and then the opposing year we do Christmas eve with my family and anyone who wants to see the kids comes to our house Christmas day. You find what works for you though and you make your own traditions which is most important.

[@JennieLT3]

That's what I've done growing up...Christmas Eve one side of the family, Christmas Day the other and alternate days every year. Worked out well, but both sides lived in the same city.

[@joycady8325]

I love you guys, everything you do is just spot on, The background music, the little tree, the lights & cookies brought back such wonderful, cozy, traditional good Christmas vibes. Merriest of Christmases to you and your families xoxoxo

[@starshine3248]

The Christmas decor looks perfect....Merry Christmas to you and your families and Happy & Healthy 2022! I love both the soft white fairy lights and also colored lights, this year did green and red on exterior of house and it looks so festive and chrismasy...love it!

[@msbeekitty]

Love stationary + organizing all the things 😂. So excited to see the japan Disney cruise. The series has been great already.

[@gingerbread18]

I feel like you can keep the twinkle lights to brighten your space up even after Christmas 🥰

[@cohenb18]

Sorry Raya, I'm with Louis on the whole Christmas lights thing. I love seeing multicolored Christmas lights with decorations

[@mariannejohannessen9751]

Me too 🥰💓👌

[@helyna28]

Multi colored lights!!

[@katjaheikkila2158]

Definitely white lights!

[@melanieshirkey5276]

Beautiful tree! I love you shop at Goodwill! Spread the joy!

[@sherrismith4754]

Merry Christmas! As far as traditions go it will come organically. Sure Christmas ornaments are a good way to start but my family traditions evolved. The families may have to alternate every other Christmas. Or you can celebrate Christmas early with one side and Christmas with the other. Your home looks amazing

[@rachelscott5110]

Merry Christmas! I'm happy to have found you and very much enjoy your vibe to life. Cheers to your adventures in 2022.

[@megaboringman]

Can you imagine your first Christmas in Costa Rico and both of your families fly out and you host everyone 🥺🥺🥺

[@phyl1042]

I love the little tree. I always loved all blue lights on the tree, so serene. Of course I grew up with that aluminum tree with a color wheel shining on it. To help control falling needles from the tree, put a trash bag (like a tree skirt) around the base to catch them as they fall. Less mess. Merry Christmas!

[@charles7003]

Advent calendars are a very big American thing too. I’ve had one every single year since I was a toddler!

[@mbirch1593]

We started alternating years on who we spent Christmas with. Then once the kids were older, we started spending Christmas with just our little core family. Distance from the parents and siblings also played a part.

[@UrbanHomesteadMomma]

Our family it 110% pro coloured lights!! Only white lights is pretty but too formal for our tastes. We love the joy and fun of coloured lights! And outside lights need to twinkle… our backyard is seriously a psychedelic wonderland of lights 😂😂😂

[@alexandracarter1408]

For me, it's been a slow process. I realized I'd transitioned to my husband being my family more than my mom and sister when something crappy happened and the first person I wanted to call to talk about it was him and not my mom. Originally, we were swapping between thanksgivings and christmases, but we've also do early celebrations of each with family as well. It has turned into less about the calendar date than spending time together sometime during the season. But most certainly when you have kids, you want them to wake up in their own beds on Xmas morning.

[@susandibble3525]

Hey don’t sweat it with the Christmas family visiting, alternate the visiting between you all. Zero pressure. But for sure do it together whatever the plans 🤗🙏

[@vickimcmillan3705]

So so gorgeous ..🎄.. merry Christmas guys .. I think you are already off to a brilliant start for Christmas traditions .. bus and tree look just beautiful .. 😍🙏❤️❤️❤️🎄

[@carolbrannock3759]

You can spend Christmas Eve with one or another families and then Christmas Day with the other family or just switch years with each family. Start your own Christmas traditions.

[@yogerke]

We have used our holiday decorations over and over and over again for years

[@RayaandLouis]

Yes, once we’re in Costa Rica we can invest in quality pieces to use for many years ☺️

[@michellealcala4929]

We had the same Argent so we got lights that flash between multu color and warm white and it makes everyone happy

[@waywardwhippets2555]

The Thrift Store Christmas 🎄 it's beautiful XOXO Happy Christmas y'all!!!!!!

[@BSNHef]

Those cookies are great lactation cookies! I made them all the time when I was breastfeeding!

[@sheilaalvarez83]

This channel brings so much joy to my life 😇

[@phynx2006]

Merry Christmas guys 👍🎄👍 The Bus looks great 👍❄👍

[@I_am_Lauren]

The baby Christmas tree filled me with so much joy! It made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside! And I'm on team Raya when it comes to the classic, white, Christmas lights.

[@RayaandLouis]

Aw thank you Lauren! ☺️❤️ and yess haha

[@moandjen]

Merry Christmas 🎄 Our tradition is everyone brings a movie snack Christmas Eve and we wear Christmas jammies, we bake cookies, watch a movie and when Santa’s reindeer’s ring their bells as the fly away it’s time to dive into the gifts. It made for a magical Christmas as long as I can remember.

[@RayaandLouis]

So cute!! I love that ☺️

[@elisabethvanhouten2914]

I'm with Louis! Colored Christmas tree lights all the way!

[@mastandstars5869]

I love the warm white lights at Christmas too BUT, I think Louis should have this one. He seems to fondly remember that from childhood and let’s be honest Raya will be in charge of decorating the house for the most most. I say go Griswald! Alternatively you could trade color themes every other year.

[@RayaandLouis]

I think the best option is to have two trees! 😂

[@melissapritchett6929]

WARM WHITE!!

[@EvalyneNyambura]

Raya is a chef. Loving the meals

[@Rustyjamesman]

We have a tree with lights that change from color to white lights, so best of both worlds!

[@kiancuddihy7580]

Multicolored lights all the way , ours are red blue yellow and green , they have many settings

[@ccos9412]

Awesome! Merry Christmas and happy new year to you both 😊

[@victoriamahon3765]

Once you guys are settled in Costa Rica you should invest in one good fake tree that you plan on using every year. A lot of the new ones can shift between colored and white lights at the price of a button so you both can get the tree you want at the flip of a switch. There are even some that will fade back and forth from white to colors.

[@brendaspamperedkitchen9878]

Merry Christmas🎄💗🎄

[@melanieshirkey5276]

Merry Christmas to you you both and your family!