If you read my previous Holiday Tabletop Decor post then you already know how gorgeous Kmart decorations are. I was fortunate enough to be selected to "Decorate it Forward" which means I got to surprise a deserving friend with tons of beautiful Kmart Christmas goodies to make her house sparkle.

How awesome is that?

Everyone here at our housing facility is away from their extended family for the holidays. For some families that means distances of thousands of miles. My friend Happiness is from Tanzania. She is here with her husband who is studying for his Masters and her fourteen month old son.

I know first hand how difficult and lonely this place is at times. My family is six hours away and its hard on me, I can't imagine how Happiness feels. While we were at play group I asked her to watch my kids while I picked up my packages at the front desk. The Kmart trim kit had arrived. It was th e Jaclyn Smith Midnight Clear collection I requested. So gorgeous. Happiness remarked on how beautiful it all was and I said well...its for you!

We got to work and here are the results:

I enjoyed decorating it forward because our tiny dorm apartments are a little suffocating at times. The cinderblock walls are a reminder that we are far from the places we used to call home. While we miss our families it is important to remember that we have our own new little families and little traditions regardless of where we now live.

Our surroundings may be plain but this is the perfect time of the year to add beauty and sparkle to our homes. We took full advantage.

Decorate it Forward brought some much needed cheer to both me and Happiness. I am thankful and won't forget the experience. Thanks so much Kmart.