Our main family tree lights up the living room, and it's filled with a mix of our childhood ornaments, homemade things the girls put together at school, souvenirs from vacations, family "heirloom" pieces, and fun Hallmark-type baubles. It's not "designer," but it's homey to us, and we love it! I try to tie it all in with red and gold ball ornaments to coordinate with our ribbon tree topper and tree skirt. Someday, I hope to have room for several large trees that I can decorate in themes and coordinating colors schemes, but for now, I'm content with this one. It tells our story!
I've been collecting Nutcrackers since I first danced in the ballet in elementary school. The large ones live on top of our family room TV armoire, along with Frank (short for Frankincense) who keeps them all in line. I keep the small ones on top of a dining room bookcase.
Our stairs are the first thing you see when you open our front door, so I line the railing with "greenery," ribbon, beads, and our stockings. This year, I decided to add the pretty berries that I found in my holiday stash.
Our dining table isn't finished yet. In fact, it currently displays the clothes I need to iron...but I did throw some stuff up on the sideboard. The dishes and platters are from Blessings Unlimited, an older pattern.
The girls love their pretty girlie tree in jewel tones and their play nativity set in the play room. I had bunches and bunches of glitter snowflakes left over from my Snowflake Wreath, so I added them to their little shabby tree as filler.
Not much in the kitchen this year. I'm just not feeling like pulling out tons of *stuff,* so I left it to our Advent Calendar, a couple of tchotchkes, and a shabby tree with antique chocolate molds and cookie cutters.
That's our home for the holidays! I need to get some presents wrapped and some cards sent out!
What's your favorite Christmas decoration in your home?
*Don't forget about my ongoing Christmas series, A Season of Serenity at Home. Click that link for a line-up of all the current posts...lots of holiday posts, projects, and inspiration!
*Don't forget about my ongoing Christmas series, A Season of Serenity at Home. Click that link for a line-up of all the current posts...lots of holiday posts, projects, and inspiration!
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Your home looks beautiful! I am like you, our Christmas tree is all about the family. I can tell you a story about each ornament. I love your nutcracker collection. I started mine a few years ago, hoping to keep growing it! Happy to see you enjoying the Christmas season with your sweet girls. :) Samantha
ReplyDeleteyour tree is beautiful!!! ours is a mix as well, ornaments we collect every year, things the boys make, family keepsakes, love having that mix, it makes it so personal!
ReplyDeleteNo chic trendy tree here either, I love the look of a homey tree with all the ornaments we've collected over the years. It brings such warmth to our house. Yours looks wonderful and I loved all the up close shots of your "story telling" ornaments! I too hung our stockings on our staircase in the EXACT spot as we don't have a mantel. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteYour nutcracker display is wonderful! Love it all! Merry Christmas!
aww we adore nutcrackers over here as well!! I seen that huge one at hobby lobby and was thinking about getting it!!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is a darling - I bet the kids are super excited! I also love their little tree too! So happy you could display your collection, wow, they are true treasures for years to come. Thanks for sharing Amanda!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you get a live tree. I had too many light experiences like yours and went faux, pre-lit. I know you and your family are enjoying all of your decorations. I know we love the soft glow of the tree.
ReplyDeleteI love the real tree and all the family heirloom ornaments. That's what makes decorating the tree so special.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, it's all soo pretty! Great night shots of your tree all lite up. And those blue dishes with the snowflakes are very cute. I don't go crazy with the holiday decor, just a few things here and there. Guess I should take some pix and write up a post. =)
ReplyDelete~ Catie
It all looks exactly the way I think Christmas decorations should look--it all tells YOUR story and the story of Jesus rather than the story of a designer. Honestly, our hearts are works of God's art, and you've let your heart shine through in your Christmas decorations! Bless you!!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I love traditional Christmas decoration. I went red too this year :)
ReplyDeleteAnd look at the CUUUUTE Pom posing for the picture. (We just adopted a pom too... a rescue, "Sofie".)
Stephanie
http://sharelovealways.blogspot.ca/
Your trees and house are beautiful. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
ReplyDeleteLove your holiday decorations! I did the exact same type of post today of our house!! Your tree is gorgeous and I LOVE how you used garland on the windows behind the trees..it really sets it off and is something I never thought about doing!
ReplyDeleteLove it, Amanda! I love how you hung the garland across your curtain rods. Oh...and the kitchen tree...adorbs! <3 Heidi Rew from PartiesforPennies.com
ReplyDeleteI love your tree and all your decor. It's so warm and cozy. I also love that big nutcracker. So fun. You have a knack for holiday decorations.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful Amanda! We have yet to decorate, but hopefully this weekend ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love your tree and all your other Christmas decor! Your house looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your decor! It's all so pretty and festive! :)
ReplyDeleteAll of your decorations are so pretty! I love your stairs! We hang our stockings on our stairs too:)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty, Amanda! I love the stockings on the stairs.
ReplyDeleteI love your collection of nutcrackers! That photo of your little girl kissing the nutcracker is precious, it would look great as a Christmas card photo!
ReplyDeleteI love your Christmas decor, Amanda! It is so inviting.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great, Amanda! My 4 year-old son would be so jealous of your nutcracker collection. He loves them!
ReplyDelete-Erin @ DIY On the Cheap
Wow, gorgeous! I love the tree, it's always so special when the ornaments are meaningful.
ReplyDeleteDebbie :)
Amanda, how warm and cozy! You home looks like the perfect place to spend the holidays with your beautiful family!!
ReplyDeleteyou are inspiring me to finish my decorating! Everything looks really great & very festive!!
ReplyDeleteEverything is gorgeous Amanda!! I love it all! I think the garland on the staircase is my favorite - it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe tree that tells your story is the best kind! Thanks for linking up Amanda! Have a great Christmas! :)
ReplyDelete