Christmas home tour #1.

It absolutely AMAZES me how quickly Christmas seems to come to an end.  And every year I have a hard time letting go of it.  I like having Christmas decorations up and how it makes the house seem just a little bit more cozy.  I like getting Christmas cards in the mail ... even the ones that come after Christmas because people were late mailing them (like me), and I have a really hard time letting go of Christmas carols.  I haven't even posted pictures of my house yet, even when I actually had a request to. (How sweet is that?)

So because I am the sole executive of this blog, I made an executive decision to continue Christmas posts until the first of the year.  And also, just because I can.

So here is the first of my Christmas home tours for the next couple of days.  This is my house, and I am posting it first because even though I have had friends stop by who think my house looks pretty "decked out" for the holidays - it doesn't even compare to two of my sisters' houses.  They will be house #2 and house #3. (And their's are really a treat to see.)

The entryway:  I have had my Santa collection in my entry way for YEARS.  Sometimes my stair garland has had santa ornaments on it, sometimes bows and stockings ... but this year I changed it up a bit and decided to go a little more simple and serene.  (Totally inspired by Pottery Barn.  I visited that store more this season than ever before.  I just loved everything they had.)









The Living Room:  Last year I had my big family tree in this room with the hundreds of ornaments I've collected over the years.  I do LOVE that tree, but this year I just didn't have the "fight" in me to put it up.  It isn't pre-lit and just the thought of battling those lights made me tired.  So I carried the serene feeling into my living room and just put up a small white tree with white and silver ornaments on it.  It made me happy every time I saw it ... partly because it was SO much easier to put up.

I just love these enormous ornaments too.  I found them at two different stores several years ago at the after Chrismas sale.  I asked the sales girl if they were just for display (they were the only ones in the store like it) and she said, "Oh I can sell them to you."   One of my favorite finds.

And this is still one of my favorite nativity sets.

The kitchen:  I usually decorate my kitchen a little bit whimsical.  I had an idea of something new I wanted to try over my island.  I felt like I needed just a little more umph in there!  It turned out pretty much how I wanted it ... but I'll add some more green garland and maybe a few more ornaments next year!

Which brings us to the family room ...  The room that would usually hold a big tree, but (again), I decided to go easy on myself and I just put up another small tree.  It seems like I have had this little tree forever too, but it's theme changes from year to year.  My sister Leslie told me that she loves when I decorate it with my 12 days of Christmas ornaments, so this year, that is what I did.  And my santa collection found a new home up on the shelves in here too!

And there you have it.  Hopefully you are still in a bit of a festive mood too ... if not, sorry.  You can check back with me after the first of the year.    ;)