5 things I love during the Christmas season, family, classic plaid decor, hot cocoa (preferably on tap), Santas (lots and lots of Santas), and dogs in sweaters. I’m happy to tell you that in this house we have all those covered.
Today I’m sharing some of our classic family Christmas decorations and the memories behind them that are near and dear to my heart as part of a “Christmas Home Tour” with 26 great bloggers. (links below)
Red & White Classic Christmas Tree
Normally my family gives me free reign in the house to decorate and change things up however I like but when it comes to Christmas they prefer some things not change. One of those things is our family Christmas tree.
It wasn’t all that long ago that I was a single mom and starting over with a bare tree.
I really wanted to bring a smile to the faces of my little family and even thought I didn’t have two nickels to rub together, I set out to make or find decorations that would make Christmas feel special to us.
That first year as a single mom I sewed the classic red velvet tree skirt under our tree and glued peppermints together to make a Christmas tree garland. I’ll never forget that project because I think I ate just as many candies as I glued together. It was a delicious project; I highly recommend it.
Another easy project was my solution for a cheap tree topper. I found some whimsical picks from the craft store and simply stuffed them at the top of the tree. It’s wacky but it makes us grin.
last year I changed the candy canes to match the tree ribbon and added lights. The best part is the lights are super bright and on a remote. I now can send a SOS signal through my Christmas tree to my back yard neighbor when we run out of hot cocoa. I probably should just text her like I normally do but now I have options!
To inexpensively fill the tree with ornaments, I bought lots of plain balls on sale and a few Santas that I found on clearance.
After that first year I made a point to scoop up all the end of season clearance (80% and 90% off) classic glass ornaments I could find.
The second year the tree was full and by the third year we’d collected more ornaments then the tree could hold.
It’s been fun to seek out these old fashioned ornaments and even through the tree is full we can’t help but add one or two new ones each year.
The tree has become special to us and even though I may be ready for a new theme my family is not.
Red and White Plaid Christmas Mantle
For our fireplace mantle I add easy Christmas décor items like the plaid ribbon to tie in with the tree.
You can find instruction’s for the pom pom winter garland (here).
During the holiday season we’re often sitting on the floor watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate with a dog or two curled up next to us. The fire place creates a cozy spot but make sure you grab a fresh cup, our little dog is a licker extraordinaire.
Another thing I like about the mantle décor is it easily transitions into a winter mantle when the Christmas is over.
Special Christmas Family Memories
One more sentimental spot that holds special Christmas memories is our piano but not because we play it.
3 years ago in December, my husband and I married right here in our family room standing in front of this piano. The deer were next to our wedding cake so I enjoy pulling them out at Christmas and finding a spot for them.
As far as the rest of the house, we’re still in the midst decorating. I have a few more spaces to share with you like this new snowy dining room I’m working on. I’ll be posting this at the end of the week so come back because I am pretty excited with how it’s turning out.
Till then, you can check out what some of the homes of these other great bloggers by clicking on the links below.
Happy Creating,
Monday
Deeply Southern Home | Poofing The Pillows | Noting Grace
The Red Painted Cottage | Love Create Celebrate
Tuesday
Simple Nature Decor | Houseologie | At Home With Jemma | Paint Yourself A Smile
County Road 407 | Art and Sand
Wednesday
Celebrate Creativity| Celebrate and Decorate | All Things Renee |
Thursday
Savvy Apron | Hey Fitzy | Camelot Art Creations
Weekend Crafts |A Home To Grow Old In
Friday
The Summery Umbrella | Love Your Abode | Twelve on Main | Bluesky at Home
Sweet Parrish Place| The Aspiring Home
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I’m in love with the mad, crazy, whimsical topper on your tree Jenny. That just awesome, totally my style and I love your home too
Jennifer, Your tree and mantel are both really pretty with that beautiful plaid ribbon. I love the collection of glass ornaments you were able to accumulate. It’s funny how little things can become a family tradition. Some years I wanted to change things with the tree and/or food for Christmas Eve and I was informed by the kids that they like things as they’ve been. Merry Christmas, my friend!
Jenny, thank you for not only sharing your creative way to inexpensively decorate your beautiful tree, but for sharing your happy ending. It’s a Hallmark moment. Happy to be sharing the Christmas blog hop with you
Beautiful home, my friend. I love all the memories you shared, especially the one about your marriage. I can’t wait to see your snowy dining room!
You really should have your decor in magazines it is spectacular!!!
So much fun! I love your tree topper and your mantle. I also do the after Christmas sales, that is how I bought most of mine. What sweet memories!
Oh Jenny, your home is so fun, whimsical and welcoming! I love everything about your tree and your tree topper. And of course, the pup in the sweater…a Christmas must have.
So wish I pop over for that cup of cocoa my friend.
Hugs, Lynn
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. Your dog always brings a smile to my face. Gotta love his apparent laid back style. Bet you had fun decorating your new dinning room after its beautiful transformation in the ORC.
Jenny, I love the Santas too! I also have a collection of clearance shiny ornaments and yours are beautiful. Your fireplace mantel is stunning and the wreaths on the windows are perfect. You have so much talent!!
Such a beautiful home tour! So many lovely personal details in there 🙂 Have a wonderful holiday!
That is the same plaid ribbon I used on my tree for the past two Christmases. I still kept the ribbon, but I didn’t use it this year. I will probably use it somewhere again in the future though because I still love it! Can’t wait to see what you have in store later this week!
Jenny! This tree is a classic beauty! A Stunner! I love the traditional colors and your tree brought back so much nostalgia. Love it! Merry Christmas!
So excited to see you in this home tour! miss you! I love plaid too and you have outdone yourself with that gorgeous tree. The toppler is to swoon over seriously. Thats so sweet you got married in the family room. Lots of memories. Maria
Your home is beautiful!
You do have all your favorite things covered and mine too! Love that tree topper and all of that beautiful color. Everything looks so festive and elegant at the same time. Merry Christmas!
Jenny, your tree is classic and gorgeous! Isn’t it neat how bringing out the decorations for Christmas evoke so many memories? I love your ornament collection and that ribbon too. 🙂