My Christmas house and wishing you a gently paced holiday season
December 08, 2023
Good morning! Last week, when I began to decorate our house for Christmas, I decided to check out what I did last year. I looked at this blog post and decided I loved it and did my best to recreate it. Have you ever done that? It sure makes decisions easy, especially when you decorate every room in the house. This year I bought a few new decor items, and anything that I left behind in the boxes I decided to donate. My motto for Christmas this year and moving forward is: If I don't use it, pass it on. On that note, I'm dropping off a big bag of Christmas crafts to Carter's classroom today. His teacher loves me!
The glittery cardboard village I made last year (or was it the year before that?) looks so pretty on the living room mantle. Here's a gorgeous similar village here, and this less expensive village here. Villages are fun to make and would be a great family project.
The Christmas tree is always in the same spot laden with our ornaments collected over the years, many of them handmade. A new addition are these beautiful cordless clip-on candle lights. They have a remote control and timer function, two different flicker modes and a light brightness feature. I imagine I will be using them this summer for an outdoor party. I bought them on Amazon, 30 for $36.95 and love them.
In the dining room: the nativity I painted last year and a new addition of Target pottery votives. They have a little light inside on a timer, all 3 for $10! I couldn't find them on their website but my Target had several sets. I put them up in November and will leave them out through February.
Can't let the guest bath go without a little cheer!
The entry way.
The hallway.
 |
| The nativity I grew up with is in our bedroom this year. Mother always let my brother and me play with it (and there are plenty of chips to prove it) and since I remember loving this as a little girl, I always have this at children's height so Carter (and before that his daddy) can play with it and continue the tradition. In years past Carter has added dinosaurs, Sonic and PJ characters, and I can't wait to see what will appear this year. |
New this year from Walmart, this handsome stag candleholder near my kitchen sink. Also new, these battery operated pillar candles found on Amazon. They are a set of nine for $28 and are on auto timer with several settings. I have these set to light at 4:30 which is about the time I go into the kitchen, turn on Christmas music and start to think about fixing dinner. It's such a warm welcome and I love them! I have the other three on my front porch and three more in my bedroom. They have the nicest adjustable glow and flicker without that wiggly "flame" that disturbs me somehow. These are very nice, but are plastic and not waxed coated, fyi.
The kitchen dining area buffet. I painted my zinc houses bronze last year.
Carter's advent tree with the little stockings I made last year. He is now six and has realized the value of money so in the stockings this year I scattered 10 one dollar bills and filled the other socks with candy. On December 25 he will find a FIVER! He is spending the night tonight and lost a tooth (his third, so he is an old pro) this morning at home. He is bringing it with him so it will be our job to remember tooth fairy duties. I think he's saving his loot for something but I can't imagine what that is, his Christmas list covered quite a big range, but mostly art supplies I was happy to see. There was a nice selection of colored pencils and markers and this light-up tracing kit that looks like fun, so we got those. I also bought him a Spirograph Jr. I remember loving mine long ago and hope he likes it too!
The family room mantle with the knitted snowman and houses.
As I was thinking about writing this decorating post, I felt like I wanted to insert another message--about how I'm hoping to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holidays but avoid becoming rundown. With all the things that are vying for our attention in December--shopping, baking, parties, volunteering, and so much more, how do we get the balance just right? I will try to remember that I can't fit it all in and shouldn't try. I will remember that I can say no. I can ask for help. I can create downtime. And I can do these things without feeling guilt, because practicing self-care is a good thing. I wish for you and me, a gently paced holiday season.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I only link products I know and love. Thank you so much for supporting the blog. If you'd like to make a comment, please scroll down. I reply to each comment and that response will appear directly below your comment. If you would like a personal reply, please know that I use the Blogger platform and they do not give me your contact information when you comment. If you would like a personal reply you can contact me using the contact form on the right side at the very end of my website. If you would like to receive Knitionary posts by email, please subscribe here.
13 Comments
Such beautifully placed decorations. You certainly don’t need it but I wonder ifvyou have ever read the Penny Whistle Christmas, etc. Party books So fun. Chloe
ReplyDeleteThank you Chloe! I have never heard of Penny Whistle and when I looked it up I couldn't believe how prolific the series is! They sound adorable and are not in my library as far as I can see, but after Christmas when things slow down I'm going to investigate further. I love that sort of thing as you know!
DeleteYour house and decorations look beautiful! The homemade ornaments are amazing. You are so talented, its unbelievable. The purchased items I like the most are the cordless candles for the tree. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friend! Love you!
DeleteI just love your flair for design, decoration. Im feeling so lacksadaisical. Your energy makes me feel tired. haha. Thankyou. I just love your blog.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you. My energy wanes and waxes and when I feel energized, I take advantage!
DeleteAlthough we celebrate Hanukkah, I am enjoying your postings of Christmas decor so I can enjoy the beauty you have created
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Hanukkah to you! We celebrate Hanukkah by one night making latkes and serving applesauce. We'll have them again on Christmas Day with lingonberry jam and my Swedish grandmother's recipe for "boneless birds", which is pounded thinly sliced beef with a pickle! We don't have potato pancakes too often, but during the holiday. season, how can you say no?
DeleteYour blog is always gorgeous and inspiring. Chloe
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteEverything everywhere in your house looks so beautiful. It is much like our house in Dubai where we raised our four girls. Decorations were collected over the span of 33 years. Now they have been distributed among them. Thank you showing us and writing all about what Christmas means to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment. It's always been on my wish list to visit Dubai. Do you and your family still live there? I'm tickled to think I have a reader in Dubai. Holiday blessings to you.
DeleteLooking to purchase a pair of binoculars? Explore our wide range of binoculars available for sale! Whether you're an avid birdwatcher, a nature enthusiast, or simply enjoy outdoor activities, we have the perfect binoculars to suit your needs. From compact and lightweight options for easy portability to high-powered binoculars for long-distance viewing, we have something for everyone.
ReplyDeleteEnhance your outdoor experiences and get a closer look at the world around you with our top-quality binoculars. Don't miss out on this opportunity to Buy Binoculars that will elevate your adventures!
You make my day when you make a comment!