A Christmas Tour

Only two days until Christmas!

I’ve been excited but also a little frazzled this season because I finished gift shopping and wrapping much later than I usually do! I’m not so sure wrapping far in advance would’ve done me much good this year anyway, though – we’ve had to block off the tree with a baby gate because baby girl is determined to pull off every ornament and strand of ribbon that she can. She also likes to tear up paper and eat it, so one can imagine what she would do to wrapped gifts…

Side note – one time during a trip to Target, I was trying to keep her happy, so I let her see a stuffed animal as we walked around the store. By the time we got to the checkout I realized she had eaten a piece of the cardboard tag!! Mom fail. I felt it was only right to purchase the toy at that point [insert face palm here]. Thankfully it was one of those dollar spot items!

Seeing as Christmas is upon us, I’d thought I’d share a few glimpses of Christmas decor around our house. I don’t decorate every single room – I simply don’t have the time and resources for that. I pretty much keep it to our main living spaces.

A little greenery over the window, some wreaths on the cabinets, and a few Christmasy touches on the counters…Found that fresh greenery at Trader Joe’s for only $7.99! (You can find the curtain tutorial here.)

Wreaths – World Market
Greenery – Trader Joe’s
Sign – Michael’s
Rug – HomeGoods

My little tiered-tray winter village… Back when I was pregnant with my first child, I would come home from work every day around Christmastime and work on making these little pine cone people. (That was back when my evenings were so carefree! Ha!) I made about 20 total, and gave them as gifts in groups of 3 to family members.

I found inspiration for these on Pinterest, but didn’t follow any kind of pattern – I just made my own little pattern on paper and went from there! I love making homemade gifts – anything from crafts to fresh bread from the bread maker! I’d love to hear about any homemade gifts you make! Leave me a comment below!

Tiered tray – Marshall’s
Houses – Hobby Lobby

I love how red pops against this white pew. It’s going to be hard to beat that vibrant, cheery contrast once Christmas is over! And doesn’t that green vintage ladder lend itself to star ornaments? I found that 20-ft fresh greenery also at Trader Joe’s for only $9.99(!) and topped it with some dried oranges and homemade salt dough hearts. Instant cozy.

Big wreath – World Market
Baskets & little houses – Joann Fabric
Pew Paint – Rustoleum “Chalked” in Linen White
Striped Blanket – Michael’s
Pillows – HomeGoods
Wall Color – “Urban Raincoat” by Behr
Curtain fabric – by Lush Fabric (curtain tutorial here)

Our dining area sideboard… This decor is extra special, as those wood slices under the houses came from our beloved tree we had to have taken down back in August. We were so sorry to see the tree go – it was big, beautiful, and original to the house, but we were at least able to preserve its memory in this way.

Flocked Trees – At Home Stores
Sign, Runner, Large House, & Beaded Garland – Hobby Lobby
Small Houses – World Market
Bottle Brush Trees – Pier1

Have you ever watched “Christmas in Connecticut?” It’s a great classic Christmas movie and I highly recommend watching it if you haven’t! Well, the main character, Elizabeth Reed, is a writer who has a home-making column in the newspaper. She is extremely popular for her stories about her farm, all her fancy recipes, and so on. The only problem? She doesn’t have a farm and she can’t cook. I won’t spoil it for you, but sometimes I feel just a bit like Elizabeth Reed – not because what I post is false, but because what you see is not necessarily how we live every day. That’s probably pretty typical of most bloggers – most don’t show you the bottle drying rack on the kitchen counter…though some will.

Well, that was totally the case with this table setting. I set this all up with absolutely no plans to actually use it, knowing that I would have to take it down immediately after its photo shoot. Why? Because it’s our only table – we eat 3 meals a day here – and fancy linen runners and toddlers don’t exactly mix well!

So why did I even bother? Because I enjoy creating pretty things and sharing ideas and inspiration with you. 🙂 It makes me happy. Big thanks to my husband who watched the kids while I took photos and didn’t roll his eyes too much when I made him eat lunch standing at the kitchen counter!

Bottle Brush Trees & Window Wreath – Pier1
Table Runner – HomeGoods
Chargers & Napkins – Hobby Lobby
Plate wreaths – Joann Fabric
Candlesticks – Vintage
Table Paint – Fusion Mineral Paint in “Lamp White”
Table Stain – Minwax Gel Stain in “Coffee” (table makeover here)
Curtains – Ikea “Vivan”
Wall Color – “Urban Raincoat” by Behr

Winter printables and rustic touches create a cozy vibe that can last beyond Christmas! I like to make the “base layer” of my Christmas decor just plain wintery so that I can strip away the overtly “Christmasy” stuff and still be set through January!

It helps ease that awkward period between Christmas and springtime!

Printables – click here
Frames – HomeGoods
Bench – Facebook Marketplace (see makeover here)
Throw – At Home Stores
Milk Can – GoodWill
Flocked Pine – Home Depot
Star – Local shop
Wall Color – “Urban Raincoat” by Behr

It’s amazing how one photo can have so many memories in it: the Christmas tree we had so much fun finding at a tree farm (in spite of it being bitterly cold!)…our family’s ornaments, both old and new…the vintage tree skirt and star sewn by my husband’s grandma…my beloved piano that I’ve had since I started playing at age 7, which my grandmother helped purchase in spite of having very little money, because she wanted me to have a quality instrument…

Christmas brings forth so many memories – both joyful and difficult ones. The same grandmother who helped buy my piano passed away the very next year shortly after Christmas. I was 8 years old. I miss her dearly and think of her often, but I take comfort in the fact that I will see her again one day.

I pray that whatever memories and feelings you are having this season that you may find peace, comfort, and joy in the true reason for Christmas – our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A very Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!

~ Soli Deo Gloria ~