As the festive season sweeps in, bringing with it the joyful melodies and the warmth of cherished traditions, we’re thrilled to invite you on a virtual tour of our home, adorned with this year’s Christmas magic. Prepare for a heartwarming glimpse into our holiday decorating journey, infused with personal touches, sentimental favorites, and a dash of playful whimsy. Each ornament, every twinkle of light, and every carefully placed decoration contributes to the unique charm that makes our home truly shine during this special time of year.
Our journey with holiday decorating has evolved significantly since we first moved into this home. You might recall that during our inaugural Christmas here, we decided to set up our magnificent Christmas tree in the office. It was an interesting experiment, offering a unique reflection of lights in the bay window, a grand display that greeted us as we worked. However, like any good home design project, we’ve learned through experimentation and decided to embrace a new, even more ideal location for our beloved centerpiece.
While we certainly appreciated the visual spectacle of the lights dancing in the bay window, creating a magical ambiance for our workspace, we’ve found that some traditions are best enjoyed in the heart of the home. Last year, after relocating my desk to that very bay window spot, it became clear that the living room offered a far superior experience for our Christmas tree. This new placement has truly transformed our holiday mornings, making them feel more intimate and comfortable. It’s amazing how a simple shift in location can completely redefine the festive atmosphere of a space, moving from a visually pleasing display to a central hub of holiday joy.
Indeed, as we discovered last year, there’s an undeniable warmth and coziness that envelops you when presents are opened amidst the comforting embrace of a living room, rather than the functional setting of a home office. The soft glow of the tree lights, the crackle of a (soon-to-be-finished!) fireplace, and the plush comfort of a sofa create an unparalleled setting for creating those priceless Christmas morning memories. It’s a space designed for relaxation and connection, and nothing embodies that more than seeing our furry family member, Burger, completely at peace, soaking in the festive tranquility. His blissful slumber under the twinkling branches is perhaps the best endorsement of our living room’s newfound holiday charm.
Our Christmas tree, a true reflection of our family’s journey and passions, remains a delightful smorgasbord of meaningful and sweet ornaments. We’ve long moved past the pursuit of a rigidly color-coordinated or strictly themed tree. Instead, our guiding principle is simple: “lots of shiny and glittery things that make us smile.” This philosophy allows us to embrace every unique piece, each telling its own story, creating a truly personal and eclectic display. From a charming Rudolph crafted from popsicle sticks, a testament to childhood creativity, to a whimsical chihuahua donning a tiny sweater, representing our love for animals, our tree is a vibrant tapestry of cherished memories. And, of course, no collection would be complete without an actual burger ornament—because every Christmas tree needs at least one element of unexpected culinary delight!
Among the dazzling array of ornaments, some of my absolute favorites are the handmade creations, each imbued with a priceless sense of personal history and love. These include delicate silhouettes of our children, C’s profile gracing the left and T’s on the right, perfectly capturing their sweet childhood features. Beyond these, I also carefully preserve their tiny handprints, traced when their hands were small enough to fit onto a small round ornament—a heartwarming reminder of their early years. These aren’t just decorations; they are tangible pieces of our family’s story, evolving with each passing year. For those interested in creating similar treasured keepsakes, you can find more details on crafting both here. Such DIY projects not only add unique charm to your tree but also provide wonderful opportunities for family bonding.
This year, we’ve opted for an elegantly simple approach to our mantel decor, allowing its clean lines and festive elements to shine without overwhelming the space. The result is a look that feels refreshingly unfussy yet undeniably happy and inviting. Our charming ceramic houses, a beloved fixture from a few Christmases ago (you might spot them if you scroll through some of our older photos), anchor the display. They are beautifully complemented by a trio of miniature trees from Target, featuring vibrant red, cheerful pink, and sophisticated navy hues, adding playful pops of color. Our timeless snowflake stockings, which have graced our mantel since 2007, received a delightful refresh this year with the addition of these charming elephant chains from World Market, proving that even long-standing traditions can be updated with a touch of new flair.
The elephant chains turned out to be a brilliant, cost-effective way to add a personalized touch. Each chain comes with multiple elephants, offering plenty of material to get creative. You can easily cut one chain to embellish two stockings, or even transform the extra elephants into adorable mini-ornaments, as I did. This simple addition has brought an unexpected level of joy to our children, Clara and Teddy, who are now at least 95% more enthusiastic about their stockings, all thanks to these delightful four-legged friends. It’s a wonderful reminder that small details can have a big impact, especially when they spark imagination and fun for the little ones.
Stepping into our foyer, guests are greeted by a charming console table display, setting a welcoming tone for the rest of our festive home. The centerpiece here is “Old Faithful,” our beloved feather tree, which radiates a delicate, vintage charm. To add an extra touch of gleaming holiday flair, I quickly gathered a handful of shiny ornaments and artfully arranged them under a glass cloche. This simple trick instantly creates a polished and elegant vignette, proving that stunning decor doesn’t always require hours of effort—sometimes, it just takes ten seconds and a little creativity to achieve a sophisticated look that captures the magic of the season.
Our festive foyer wouldn’t be complete without the much-anticipated return of Christmas Moose, a familiar and beloved face that welcomes everyone with his cheerful presence. This year, we’ve found a wonderful way to display the influx of holiday cards: neatly taped to the nearby coat closet door using elegant thin navy ribbon. Here’s a smart tip for those who also love to display their cards: ensure you leave extra ribbon trailing down the back of the door where you secure it with tape. This ingenious method allows you to easily release and lower your ribbons on the front side, freeing up more space at the top to add new cards as they continue to arrive. We’re still receiving them, even with mere days left until Christmas!
While our indoor spaces are bursting with festive cheer, we haven’t forgotten about adding a touch of holiday magic to our outdoor decor. Our existing outdoor arrangements largely remain the same, maintaining a sense of familiar warmth and welcome. However, this year, we’ve introduced one particularly charming and whimsical addition that we’re absolutely delighted to share. Get ready for a delightful surprise that truly captures the playful spirit of the season! Wait for it… Wait for it…
BOOTS WITH THE FIR!
Yes, I’m unashamedly proud of that pun! The joy on my face right now is palpable; I’m absolutely beaming. These delightful boots, adding a quirky touch to our outdoor evergreens, were a fantastic secondhand find at just $5 – a true bargain for such unique decor. Made entirely of rubber, they are perfectly suited for outdoor life, handling rain and moisture without a hitch. We strategically placed them under the awning next to our front door, which not only protects them from accumulating water but also keeps them free from unwelcome bugs. This small, unexpected detail adds a dash of personality and charm to our front porch, welcoming guests with a smile and a clever play on words.
And speaking of outdoor charm, allow me to reintroduce my beautiful magnolia wreath, which I was so excited to share with you all a few weeks back on Instagram. I had the pleasure of creating this piece during a wonderful outing with friends to Rassawek, a picturesque vineyard about an hour west of Richmond. They host an annual “Wine & Wreath” event, a truly delightful experience (we even house crashed their charming cabins a couple of years ago!). The process was both creative and enjoyable: it took about an hour to meticulously craft 20 small leaf bunches, secured with wire, all while enjoying snacks and drinks. These bunches were then carefully inserted into a large wire wreath form, and a clever machine clamped the form closed, securing the leaves perfectly. It’s a bit hard to explain, but the result is nothing short of spectacular and deeply satisfying to have created myself.
While the initial door photo might have been a bit shadowy, obscuring some of its beauty, here she is in all her glossy, daytime glory – truly a sight to behold. And honestly, can you deny that our dog’s perfectly timed photobomb adds an extra layer of charm and humor to this already delightful scene? It’s these unexpected moments that make decorating so much fun and truly capture the spirit of our home.
The success and beauty of this magnolia wreath have sparked a new idea for next year’s holiday decor: I might even try my hand at crafting a matching magnolia garland for the mantel. The thought of bringing more natural, handmade elements into our home truly excites me. Of course, the longevity and condition of this wreath will be the ultimate test, but I’m optimistic about its potential and the prospect of expanding our natural holiday decor collection.
Oh, and one last incredibly thoughtful idea, especially if you’re searching for a unique last-minute grandparent gift! We stumbled upon these fantastic black & white mug kits at Starbucks, which conveniently came with their own porcelain pens. We immediately knew these would be perfect for Clara. We bought a couple, allowing her to unleash her artistic flair and doodle charming designs for her coffee-loving grandmas. Now, every sip of coffee will be accompanied by a heartwarming memory of her adorable, one-antlered reindeer and those sweet, tall, skinny triangle trees. It’s a personalized gift that truly captures the innocent joy of childhood and creates lasting, cherished memories for all.
As we wrap up our festive tour, we sincerely hope you’re all eagerly gearing up for some truly wonderful times, filled with the warmth of family, delicious food, and plenty of fun (and perhaps even your own “boots with the fir”?). We are particularly excited to celebrate our very first Christmas in our newly finished living room, a space that has undergone a remarkable transformation. This shot from last year starkly illustrates just how “halfway done” it was, with an unfinished fireplace, an old rug, and our sweet little “tiny Tedster” still so small. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come.
Fast-forward just one year, and suddenly, my kids have grown into veritable giants, a realization that brings a mix of nostalgic tears and immense pride. Deep breaths, deep breaths. Just focus on the delightful image of “boots with the fir,” and all the lightness and humor that brings. Ha! With such joy and whimsy in our lives and home, I MIGHT NEVER FROWN AGAIN!
This year, our holiday festivities are intentionally a little more low-key, as we currently have some pretty major home updates underway – truly a testament to our ongoing holiday tradition of tackling big projects! We’re bursting with excitement to share these transformations with you all as they come together. Until then, we extend our warmest wishes for a safe and happy conclusion to 2015 and an absolutely awesome New Year. Holy cow, 2016, here we come, ready for new adventures and more home improvements!
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Psst – Curious about where we found specific items in our home or the exact paint colors we used? Simply click the button below to explore our detailed source list:
Update: For even more holiday inspiration, you can explore all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are conveniently priced under $15!