It's Like I Went Shopping, But I Didn't Spend ANY Money!



Welcome! It's sunny down here in Florida, but inside it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Last year, we had just moved into our new house and the only decor was cardboard boxes. Opening all the storage boxes full of holiday decor has thrilled me beyond belief because it has been two years since I've been able to use any of it!

I picked up pre-lit garland at the after Christmas sales two years ago, so we had plenty to swag across the front of the house.


Had to slip in this picture of our new garage door:

I MAY or MAY NOT have had an accident with our previous garage door!

This year, I got rid of SO MUCH STUFF because our new house is smaller and I'm liking the living lighter feeling. We got to see Santa already this year:

In the dining room, I kept everything neutral using silver, gold, clear glass and burlap:

HJ brought home this handmade decoration from preschool and it fit in just perfectly!

I poured the ornaments into jars and stacked a couple of cake plates with nuts and metallic ornaments:

This is the closest we have to a nativity right now, if you don't count our Little People one:

I love the way this turned out and how easy it was!

I got the burlap table runner from Kimba two years ago, too.

Our elf named "Pinnochio" landed on the dining room wreath last night.

I tried to keep the mantel simple:

But I just couldn't help myself and kept adding this and that until it looked like this:


Little birdies landed:

A nest came back out:

Along with some feathers, silver trays, sticks and other greenery:

Five minutes after we hung this curtain rod last Spring, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it for Christmas:


I just stuck those berry sprigs in the grapevine wreath and propped good ol' St. Nick up!

And there is the tree!


Love the reflection of the tree in the coffee table!


I buy a glass church every year.









For The Daddy, who is asking for a National Championship for Christmas:

And a daytime shot(with simpler mantel):

I like the lights at night. So romantic and magical!

In the girls' room:

In the kitchen:



Also, a new tradition:
I'm going to put a picture of the whole family together from the previous Christmas in these frames so we can see who has changed the most in the last year.

I buy HJ a nutcracker every year, and AE a snow globe.

Another creation by HJ

Jesus and Joseph are missing because the letter of the week was "J" and AE took them to school!






Our best present this year:

23 comments:

Tara G. said...

So pretty!!! The mantle looks stunning!

Phillips Family said...

THe living room is beautiful! Love the idea of hanging garland on the curtain rod1

Love your little girls' smocked dresses as well!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

What a beautiful Christmas home - thank you for sharing all your pretty inspirations (and those little munchkins of yours - all gorgeous!) I love your burlap & silver table - so, so pretty!

Karen from Sew Many Ways... said...

Thanks so much for sharing your home with us...just beautiful. We seem to be a the same wave length with the burlap. I used that in my family room for the tables too! Congratulations on your new addition...you have a beautiful family.
Merry Christmas,
~Karen~

said...

Hi there! Visiting from The Nester! I just love the warmth that your home exudes! I especially love the decor you have displayed on your dining room table, your daughters christmas tree {I have one up for my daughter too!}, your garland around your garage - and your Christmas tree is just beautiful : ) I'm linked up to the tour too if you'd like to have a look: http://jessicaralph.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-home-decor.html

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Beautiful! I just adore all the neutrals on your burlap, that shot really caught my eye.

Visiting from Nesting Place.

Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Crafty Texas Girl said...

Gorgeous- just my style! Love the walnuts and burlap. OH and the Disney ornaments- those are popular in my home as well. Your girls are adorable too. Merry Christmas!

http://craftytexasgirls.blogspot.com/

Abbie said...

Your tree & decorations are so beautiful! And I like your new garage door too. :)

Miss G said...

I'm so glad I looked at your post. You reminded me that I want to frame our picture with Santa! I like your idea of the framed family photo too. I really like your garage door and now I'm off to try to find our Little People nativity! I know it's in a Christmas box somewhere!! Kelly

Gina said...

Beautiful! I love your mantel, I always want to keep things simple too, but it seems like I always keeping adding things in...just can't help it! :)

Audra said...

Very pretty! Christmas time is SO FuN!!!!

Rebekah said...

It's all beautiful!!! So glad you got to use it all this year!

Adam, April & Aidan said...

I love your home!!! Your family and home is beautiful!!! I am stealing ideas for next year!

Joyce said...

Visiting from The Nesters today...your dining room is gorgeous! Very elegant....you need to host a dinner party : )

Merry Christmas!

beth said...

It's all very beautiful!! I love the reflection of the tree in the coffee table, too. Very nice. Don't you just love this time of year?
You have a beautiful family, too. :)
Hope you are having a wonderful time of year.
Beth.

Lisa and family said...

Everything looks beautiful! The garland on the curtain rod is ingenious and looks great with the grapevine wreath and Santa.

CarolinaGirl said...

Everything looks beautiful,and those children are adorable! Beautiful baby boy! Congrats!

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Very nice - congrads on your newest addition - he very precious. :)

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Beautiful tour! I must say I like the mantel, after you added more 'stuff'! :) I love the dining room wreath too. You have a beautiful family, Merry Christmas!

Local Girl said...

Your home is just beautiful and the mantle is stunning. I love the Tinkerbell ornament - my daughter would love that too :) Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Blessed Beyond said...

Your home is beautiful! I love all the touches! Your big tree is beyond beautiful! I love the Belle and Tinker Bell ornaments. They are darling! Most of all I love the Happy Birthday Jesus ornament! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Blessings,

Hello Jessica Lynn said...

Hello, I am blog hopping today and just decided to stop by your blog.

Your decorations are BEAUTIFUL!!

Please feel free to stop by either or both of my blogs and a follow would be much appreciated.

Jessicas Lil Corner is my family blog at http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com

So Stylilized is where I am currently offering FREE custom blog designs at http://sostylilized.blogspot.com

Have a very blessed Wednesday!! :0)

Shelly {makingthemomentmatter} said...

Love your decorations and your ornaments are too cute! You did a wonderful job.