Have you all come out of your turkey-comas yet? Believe me, I had no choice but to snap out of mine over the weekend and kick things into high gear with preparing for the holidays, which are now officially in full swing! I’ve got out-of-town family coming in this week to visit and celebrate an “early Christmas” so I needed to get busy decking the halls in my home!
I actually took advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures a few weeks ago (before any snow arrived) to get our outdoor decorations up. Each year, we keep it simple outside. Lots of natural evergreens, dried hydrangeas and burlap. We take it easy on the lights. Just the two pillars on our front door get some pretty lighted garland, along with the back line of our fence. And of course, my vintage Christmas sled and green shutter make a pretty addition.
Inside is a different story. I may have a slight obsession with Christmas decorations. After all it is my favorite holiday and I love the joy that this season brings to my family. I do believe my love for Christmas has been passed onto each of my 3 children. They were actually starting to pull the Christmas bins up from the basement themselves even before Thanksgiving arrived! I think it’s just one of those holidays they can’t seem to get enough of. We even celebrate Christmas in July for a few days over the summer because we love it so much. #showlove #dontjudge
It’s very enjoyable for me to decorate my home each season. I like finding new ways to incorporate my same traditional decor, but adding in a few different items that I might find each year. Of course, I have my favorites that must be out every year, otherwise it just doesn’t feel like Christmas.
This “sock” reindeer that my Great-Grandma Rowe made is one of them! My husband teases me every year about how strange this reindeer looks…but to me, he’s so wonderful & I remember him at the bottom of our staircase every year as a child.
This homemade Nativity set my grandma also hand-stitched and was recently passed down to me. I love that she made the stable out of burlap…right up my alley!
The top of my piano is always the place for my lighted snow village. As well as some vintage sheet music & Bing Crosby records of a bygone era. My oldest who plays piano is learning “Jingle Bells” right now…guessing I will undoubtedly hear this song at least 100 times this season played on those keys. #itsawonderfullife
We have a wide variety of little ceramic pieces for our Christmas village. My kids LOVE helping me put this decoration together every year. It’s fun to see what scenes they create. This scene was done by my 8-year-old who said she re-created her school, which is by a church, which is next to a lake, where they ice skate in the winter! Made my heart happy!
And the fireplace mantle changes every year. The only thing that’s safe here as a must for Santa of course, are the stockings. Those don’t get added until just before Christmas…I learned this the hard way when my kids were very little and they thought it would be fun to pull the stockings off, along with the heavy stocking holders too! Ouch!
This year I went with a “Very Vintage Christmas” theme. Lots of my vintage favs are featured here…my doilies, rustic window frame, old-fashioned mason jar filled with fresh-cut pine branches and a glass cloche that I was lucky enough to find at Goodwill. The red mitten garland was a purchase from last season at one of my favorite local antique shops, Country Echoes. The red gingham bags were a steal in the Dollar Section at Target.
This little landing at the top of our basement staircase is a perfect place to celebrate the real reason for the season…a baby born in a manger. My Willow Tree nativity is one of my all time favorites. The punched tin letters spell out my motto for the season, “J-O-Y!”
And the kids’ play room is also decked out with Santas, stuffed animals that sing carols and even a little tree just their size for them to decorate. The best part is this fun felt “J-O-Y” banner that we made last year that can hold Christmas artwork the kids create at school or church with some colorful mini clothespins.
And one last “decoration” that I had to snap a photo of…our dog, Annie, all curled up in her spot on the couch by our Christmas pillows. She blends right in!
Speaking of pillows, I will be posting an easy DIY custom Christmas pillow tutorial soon, along with some other fun seasonal projects! Be sure to stay tuned and check back this week and all the weeks leading up to Christmas for some great ideas on how to make your holiday a little more jolly!
And…if you’re looking for an inexpensive but thoughtful, handmade gift for a teacher, co-worker or friend this holiday season, be sure to check out some of the great options my Have a Little Faith Shop has to offer!
These fun, candy-cane rustic mason jars or these inspirational photo frame holders are both only $10/each and would make great gifts!
Ohhhh, brings back such great memories, when you, Josh and Abbie had that same sparkle when the decorating was done. Now, when the grandkids come over and ask me, “Grandma, where is your dancing Santa bear on the skating rink?” , I know the traditions live on………which makes me smile. Thanks for the beautiful post