I am so deeply saddened by the events of last Friday. The friends & families of all the victims in the Sandy Hook School shooting have been in my thoughts & prayers since I heard the news. The Christmas joy for many of us has been overshadowed by grief, pain, & fear. Fortunately, though, through all the pain, we still have the Hope that was sent to us in the form of a tiny baby. A baby that came to save us from this suffering and give us the chance to live with Him in a perfect place where there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). I pray that those affected by this tragedy will be able to find that hope this Christmas.
We’re finally finished decking the halls! I’m not sure what happened this year, but my plan to have my house decorated, presents bought, & cards mailed by the first week of December did not happen! I feel like things kept coming up this year & the obligations have piled up so much that I still haven’t even taken a picture for a Christmas card, much less sent them out! Without further adieu, welcome to our house at Christmas…
This year, we bought fresh greenery for the front door. It came bunched together, but I added the faux berries, ribbon, & gold ornaments to dress it up.
![Fresh Wreath IMG_6192](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rgbbT6jU8iM/UNHtjbh7AGI/AAAAAAAAB9k/1s5BhTwcW-I/IMG_6192_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I hung faux greenery along the stair rail & added some simple white bows & lights to it.
![Garland on Stairs IMG_6243](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7s4eN74QMY8/UNHtlBBl9OI/AAAAAAAAB90/Zn5f5duNCH0/IMG_6243_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Our rustic nativity set sits on the entry table. Maybe next year I’ll get a prettier ceramic set for this table.
![Nativity IMG_6244](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dsn53hsimsk/UNHtmchKPbI/AAAAAAAAB-E/MVTCHL8rIA4/IMG_6244_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A large “Joy” ornament hangs from the coat hook in the entry.
![Ornament on Hook IMG_6245](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KngFBAktrG0/UNHtnz9E60I/AAAAAAAAB-U/Mfo2QikcfC8/IMG_6245_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The decorations are minimal in the living room this year. I decided I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on decorations that would only be sitting out for a month & save my money instead for decorating projects that will be out all year! I did purchase this paper mache deer on sale at Michaels’ though.
![Paper Mache Deer IMG_6248](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u_SGqiiApQs/UNHtpmx3xnI/AAAAAAAAB-k/OXRQ2IYotps/IMG_6248_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I placed a few random ornaments on bookshelves & tables, like these in the living room.
![Random Ornaments IMG_6249](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ndK1r_dOOX0/UNHtrYcfwMI/AAAAAAAAB-0/b1IiBUMRmXU/IMG_6249_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The dining room also has a few Christmas touches this year.
![Dining Room at Christmas IMG_6250](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CUtbChGq9eY/UNHtss6AeVI/AAAAAAAAB_E/kWH1iEe-Ow4/IMG_6250_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
For a simple centerpiece, I put a candle & glass hurricane on a nice dinner plate & then added silver & gold ornaments of various sizes around the outside.
![Easy Christmas Center Piece IMG_6253](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dm582n-htRQ/UNHttzlAc0I/AAAAAAAAB_U/aHAKgA2r8nQ/IMG_6253_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I also hung a swag of ornaments from the chandelier.
![Ornaments Hung from Chandelier IMG_6254](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XRh3dKXQH7Q/UNHtvOr1kAI/AAAAAAAAB_k/39m5NcL4D5o/IMG_6254_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I kept the wreaths on the morning room windows this year, but switched out the maroon ribbon with white.
![Wreaths on Interior Windows IMG_6257](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PmpiHqcGi4U/UNHtwx3L_wI/AAAAAAAAB_0/YFExO6TveQ8/IMG_6257_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
For another simple centerpiece, I put a candle on a silver Dollar Tree tray & filled it in with colorful ornaments of various sizes.
![Ornament Center Piece IMG_6260](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yLXB0qmaQlw/UNHtytyRFsI/AAAAAAAACAE/6rHOerxFLaE/IMG_6260_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The new gallery wall got a few ornaments to dress it up for the holidays.
![Gallery Wall at Christmas IMG_6264](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EdaSh4OFl7Q/UNHtzw1YGBI/AAAAAAAACAU/yLOY8KO6zKY/IMG_6264_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
We are using the other wall in the nook for our Advent calendar. I simply drew a Christmas tree with ornaments on it. Then I numbered the ornaments 1-25.
![Chalkboard Advent Calendar IMG_6265](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZSa5XqLPuCc/UNHt1NUBkDI/AAAAAAAACAk/1sgU2U6K3HA/IMG_6265_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Each morning when the kids wake up, I just stick a post-it note with the day’s activity on the next ornament. We chose to count down, so the kids can easily tell how many more days until Christmas. Once they read the activity, one of them colors in the ornament.
![Chalkboard Advent Calendar IMG_6267](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xBbnGTcYVWg/UNHt2lCBuCI/AAAAAAAACA0/NMnArv6tlTk/IMG_6267_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I made a few items for the mantel this year too.
![Christmas Mantel IMG_6271](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_aPz9OLrmA8/UNHt33cv09I/AAAAAAAACBE/BNsPf11QnCo/IMG_6271_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I was inspired by Cassie at Hi, Sugarplum to make this sequined Christmas tree.
![Sequined Christmas Tree](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SaFkVF1jPPQ/UNHt5Qk2WWI/AAAAAAAACBU/iKIk92l7WF4/IMG_6273_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I stuck some ornaments & a pine cone on candle holders and added more faux greenery & lights.
![Christmas Mantel IMG_6274](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qP9Nnp9lpIc/UNHt61BX77I/AAAAAAAACBk/0qLlE327yIs/IMG_6274_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I also made an ornament wreath, using the tips from Virginia at Live, Love, DIY. I am really happy with how it turned out!
![DIY Ornament Wreath IMG_6275](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZlvdWHnJgBU/UNHt8F-mxiI/AAAAAAAACB0/G4dKVZJPZu4/IMG_6275_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![Christmas Mantel IMG_6279](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UrQhEfTa33A/UNHt9sFfY7I/AAAAAAAACCE/Si9g9bOHulU/IMG_6279_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I added a little mistletoe to the master bedroom doorway.
![Mistletoe over Door IMG_6238](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J_Na7AAswto/UNHt-_XaX5I/AAAAAAAACCU/wN-E-jIFgRo/IMG_6238_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
If you’d like to see more of my home this Christmas, you can check out my kid’s rooms by clicking the links below!
![PicMonkey Collage PicMonkey Collage](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sQy0J3N5pcA/UNHuANQ1jdI/AAAAAAAACCk/UepAi1Kq3FQ/PicMonkey%252520Collage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
To see my son’s room, click here.
![winter wonderland winter wonderland](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L46BEuS9ME0/UNHuBeTHEJI/AAAAAAAACC0/XdqYe9eXN0c/winter%252520wonderland_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
To see my daughter’s room, click here.
Now I’m off to prep teachers gifts, Christmas party supplies, & get ready for company! Wish me luck!
Sharing here:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, A Thoughtful Place, The Inspired Room, Nesting Place