Christmas Home Tour 2020

Well, it’s certainly hard to believe Christmas is already 1 week away. With as fast as the holidays have been approaching, I truly didn’t even know if I’d have time to get around to doing a Christmas Home Tour post.

But, as the fates would have it, my oldest daughter and I were unexpectedly thrown into quarantine this week after a potential Covid exposure happened at our school. Suddenly my week is wide open and I’m actually finding the time to blog again.

I broke all my typical decorating rules this season and started decking the halls even before we hit Thanksgiving. My kids staged a Christmas coup and started dragging bins upstairs from the basement, practically giving me no choice but to surrender and start the decorating early. Truthfully, I’m not mad about it – I think we all needed the extra bit of cheer this year.

Welcome to my Christmas Home Tour of 2020, come on in!

I embraced the concept of being home for the holidays, and much of my decor seems to be focused on family, warmth and memories. The heart of the home at Christmas is the tree.

This shelf above our television was the perfect spot for my take on a simple snow village.

I purchased some battery operated tea lights that are on a timer, so they automatically go on at dusk and off at bedtime. They add a really pretty glow. I may even leave it up through the winter to add some ambiance to our family room.

The red mitten garland I found at a local antique shop a few years back. I recently found out that after 40 years, that shop is closing their doors and will no longer be open. The news stung a bit, as it’s been a hidden gem favorite of mine for so long and I always seemed to find something truly unique each time I’d go there. Like so many other small businesses that have had similar fates this year, it will be missed.

Speaking of mittens, a few years ago, my kids, with the help of my mom, made me this adorable red mitten pillow.

They traced their hands onto old sweaters, and spelled out “Merry & Bright” using yarn above. It’s a very sweet, sentimental reminder of their childhood. Another reminder that our time together with our kids is so short and to be savored each year.

Our dining room really is turning out to be one of my favorite rooms to decorate at Christmas.

The hot chocolate bar returned to the sideboard this year, along with all the fixings: peppermint sticks, chocolate chips and so many marshmallows!

I found a small flocked tree at Walmart for $20 and it was the perfect size for the corner of this room. It’s decorated very simply, but I think that’s what makes it so pretty. The kids and I made some tiny silver jingle bell ornaments for it.

The dining room hutch got a north-woodsy, plaid and buffalo check vibe this year, along with our favorite Christmas cookie jar, an exact replica of our black schnauzer, Annie.

She also showed up here as a Christmas book weight. Have you ever read the novel, A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid?

It’s a wonderful story and was even made into a Hallmark movie not that long ago starring Noel Fisher and Linda Emond.

Lastly, our kitchen is brimming with Christmas cheer as well. I found myself drawn to these lyrics of the hymn, Silent Night….”All is calm, all is bright.”

If there’s anything our world needs right now, it’s a stillness amid the chaos. The peace that only Christ can bring. I pray you are all finding that gift this Christmas season.

So, how about you? Are you feeling ready for Christmas next week?

I know this year will look so different, for so many people, our family included. We are still trying to embrace the season, despite the circumstances. There are many blessings hidden among the mess. After all, this year has proven that life doesn’t need to be perfect to be wonderful. Merry Christmas, Friends!