Home for Christmas -Tips for Seasonal Decorating

Hi friends, welcome to the “Home for Christmas” tour in partnership with MacKenzie-Childs.  I’m very excited to be doing this holiday tour with a great group of ladies that represent all different styles in home decor.   There should be something for everyone visiting this week (you will be able to click over to any one of them via the thumbnails at the bottom of this post). On this Home for Christmas tour, I’ll be sharing tips for seasonal decorating, but first a few thoughts on what Christmas means to my family.

Tips for Seasonal Decorating

Since Halloween, its been a mad dash to get everything up and ready for Christmas. Last year, I realized how hectic holiday blogging can be, so this year I started early enough to be able to enjoy my family for the full holiday season.  When I reflect on what this time of year truly means to me and our family, I always turn to our Savior. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas in our home.  He has blessed us with abundance throughout this year and throughout my life.  Christmas is a time of reflecting on His birth and of giving to others as a symbolic gesture of the gift that he has given to us.  Each year when I decorate my home, I am reminded of the symbolism behind many traditional holiday pieces.  Today I’ll share a few of these Christmas symbols with you as we tour my home.  Now, let’s throw all that in with decadent meals (and raspberry white chocolate drop cookies), 24/7 Christmas classics (both movies and music), and lot’s of  quality family time and that’s my version of the perfect Christmas!

To start, I’m excited to share my favorite long needle flocked tree with you. Of all holiday decorations, the tree is perhaps the most iconic.  The evergreen fir tree is the second color of Christmas and symbolizes His everlasting light and life.  My tree is covered in shimmering white snow, but it doesn’t take away from the meaning.  Tip: Always start your holiday decorating with the tree.  It is the focal point , and often inspires the rest of the Christmas theme. 

My tree always tells the color story.  You guessed it, black, white, and deep reds are weaved in throughout my home.  Tip:The tree topper is always secured in place first so you don’t knock down any other ornaments while climbing the ladder.  The star of course symbolizes the star of Bethlehem guiding the 3 kings to the infant Jesus.

I’ve threaded this bold patterned black and white ribbon thoughout my tree.  Sprigs of dyed red eucalyptus and beaded strands of garland are draped about.  My favorite new additions are the Capiz Shell Black & White Jester Ornaments, the frosted red peonies, and the Black and White Heart Ornaments.  I knew my girls would love those, and of course, I find their little fingers touching them almost daily. You can click here to find the tutorial on my book page “Believe” banner I made a couple years ago.

I love to coordinate my gift packaging with my color theme.  You’ll find this Courtly Check ribbon finishes off many of the gifts.  I ordered it in 2 different widths. Even though my color story is black, white, and deep red, every piece doesn’t have to fall in line.  Tip:  Mix in other colors, esp, neutrals such as browns, creams, and metallics of any sort to add variety. I love the whimsical pattern of this holiday bow gift wrap.  Even with its green bows, it still works with the overall look.  My MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Everything bowl houses a strand of mercury glass garland balls.  I haven’t decided what to do with those quite yet!

Next stop is the fireplace!  A holiday mantel is one of my favorite areas to decorate. Tip: You can go traditional like me (with ornamental garland),  showcase a favorite Holiday collection (Bottle brush trees, Nutcrackers, or candlesticks), or go whimsical with suspended ornaments hung at different lengths from the cieling.  The possibilities are endless.  With my tree standing in the corner, I decided to hang my garland in an A symmetrical fashion.  This creates more balance in the space and opens up an opportunity for stockings off to the left. The deep red is repeated with a frosted flower (same as on my tree) and velvety ribbon.  The black and white Capiz Garland is draped below the mantel and Black and White Patterned Beeswax Candles stand tall flanking my mirror.  Down below on my hearth lies a Serious Nutcracker standing guard and a black, lush Velvety beaded pillow offering seasonal Greetings.  My son has taken a liking to the funny nut cracker guy…so much so that he has asked for his very own for Christmas.  I had to let him know that this one wasn’t actually for cracking the nuts displayed on our ottoman.

My father used to always buy shelled nuts to crack at Christmas, perhaps my son will carry on the tradition.  I keep them out for an “anytime snack” prepared in this small Courtly Check Compote bowl.  Its virtually indestructible and my 19 month old likes to take all the nuts out of the bowl and put them back in.  I’m calling it holiday entertainment lol!

I’ve removed my glass coffee table from my living room to make room for the tree.  In its place, are these 2 black and white ottomans.  I have already moved them around in so many ways. I’m loving the new arrangement. If you’d like to see how my living room in normally set up, click here.

My tufted sofa is decked out with deep red velvety pillows (carried over from fall), black and white ticking stripe pillows, and a punch of leopard print in the middle.  The softest faux fur throw you’ve ever touched is the perfect addition to my winter home.  My blue console table got moved behind my sofa.  A sparkly garland that houses 3 Courtly Check Candle sticks of varying heights, brings a little Christmas to the other side of my living room.

You may have spotted a repeated pattern of ticking stripe fabric draped on my staircase.  I used this same fabric for my Thanksgiving table runner.  Tip:  You can repurpose fabric you already own and use it as garland or a tree filler (like ribbon). The fabric is tied off and finished with a big velvety red bow and a curl of the Courtly Check ribbon.  A spray of flocked long needle pine and some frosted holly berries top off the whole stair case look.

“Stockings are not hung by the chimney with care”.. but instead on my wall.  Stockings have always been a big deal in my family growing up.  That is why my kids stockings are so big.  Not only do they house traditional candies, oranges, and toiletries, but little gifts as well.  I bet you can guess which ones belong to my girls?!  The Capiz Heart Ornaments just add the perfect touch of feminine pattern. BTW there is a story to go along with the symbolism of stockings.  It involves a family that had fallen into misfortune and a generous St. Nicholas.  Look it up.

My DIY bookshelves are filled with holiday cheer as well.  Center and foremost is this handmade Merry Christmas wood cut out sign.  Click  HERE to get yours. This sale only last till Monday at midnight, so hurry up on that one! Click HERE to order yours. This Jumbo Capiz Ornament makes a big impact displayed right in front.

 

A couple Bottle Brush Trees are transformed into bookends and a wire ornament garland is whipped up on top of a small Courtly Check Pedestal Platter.  Tip: Kitchen Items such as cake stands, colanders, and compote bowls can double as decor pieces throughout your home.  Fill them with pinecones, flowers, chestnuts, and ornaments.

I kept my kitchen table simple.  I shared a whole post on How to Decorate and Set a Buffet Table for Holiday Entertaining here. For now, the Courtly Check vase holds a long lasting seasonal flower.  It’s perched on top of my Large Courtly Check Pedestal Platter and surrounded by may favorite seasonal red fruit.  I shared my favorite low-cal Pear recipe Here.

A frosted berry wreath surrounds the word JOY on my pantry door.  Bright red holly berries symbolize Jesus’ blood that was shed for us.  His great sacrifice brings so much Joy, and so accurately describes the feeling of this season.

Two long-needle pine sprays, flank my oven hood.  I hung them with the same velvety red ribbon and finished them with curls of Courtly Check.  Tip:  Ribbon is an inexpensive way to change up your decor every year while providing a lot of impact!

There is A TON of holiday cooking and baking that happens in my house.  I am so happy to show off my Courtly Check pots.  Aside from their stunning looks, they cook so well.   I use them almost every day.  To finish off my Home for Christmas Tour, I linked my family Wassail recipe that my mother passed on to me, and that I make every year.  Have you ever had Wassail? Click Here to find out what it is and make it for your family. I promise you will love it…and it could totally be spiked if thats your jam!

So Cheers to this Christmas Season! I hope you will enjoy celebrating this wonderful time of year with the ones you love and have found my tips for seasonal decorating helpful.  I am always so thankful for your time and personal comments.

A special thank you to MacKenzie-Childs for sponsoring this “Home for Christmas” Tour. All opinions are my own.  I encourage you to stop in all my friends homes below and wish them a Merry Christmas Season too.  I know that you will find inspiration and encouragement from each of their tours.   Until next time, Happy Holidays!

 

SOURCES & FEATURED PRODUCT DETAILS

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MacKenzie-Childs Featured Products

Tree & Trim Products

Stockings, Garland, and Assorted decor

Furniture, lights, & Accessories

Merry Christmas Sign

Throw Pillows

 

Remington Avenue | Kindred Vintage Co. | Craftberry Bush | Zevy Joy | House of Five

 

 

 

 

 

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