![Exterior Christmas Decor Exterior Christmas Decor](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zmkZ4cgD3vo/VJBpAjRLzaI/AAAAAAAAFe0/7p1EqmZmhb4/DSC_0071_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Sadly, I do not possess this quality. I think it all stems from my frugality when it comes to purchasing Christmas décor. I would rather spend my money on decorations I can use all through the year, rather than just one month. Every year, I think I will stock up after Christmas, but I never do.
![Christmas Mailbox Decor Christmas Mailbox Decor](http://lh3.ggpht.com/--5KJH4hirq0/VJBpDZKBAkI/AAAAAAAAFfE/c18M5nBSYJU/DSC_0075_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
It’s because of this, I have developed a “less is more” approach to Christmas decorating.
![Exterior Christmas Lights Exterior Christmas Lights](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KPA4Pw5H7TQ/VJBpHFHCKtI/AAAAAAAAFfU/BvFsXbxArF4/DSC_0069_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I adorn the mailbox with a small piece of greenery, throw some clear lights in the bushes, & place a DIY wreath on the door, giving the exterior some understated elegance.
![DIY Modern Christmas Wreath DIY Modern Christmas Wreath](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3l5H8kcSni4/VJBpIl1c-uI/AAAAAAAAFfk/VBaYFAOP_sg/DSC_0070_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Or at least that’s what I tell myself!
![Christmas Banisters Christmas Banisters](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vm5VzW1JuTg/VJBpKAnpFII/AAAAAAAAFf0/J9y1fxQj-L8/DSC_0251_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Inside, garland adorns the stair railings, along with clear lights & simple white bows.
![Christmas Stairway Christmas Stairway](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yqiRTGjJd_s/VJBpLVx6giI/AAAAAAAAFgE/uGneH_XsPy8/DSC_0252_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I moved our nativity from the entry table this year, & replaced it with a bowl of small ornaments.
![Entry Table Decorated for Christmas Entry Table Decorated for Christmas](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rBYT1HnuMMw/VJBpMvZ2IXI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/3rqjnBdFvm4/DSC_0254_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![bowl of ornaments Bowl of ornaments](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eruKqvZcvUw/VJBpOLJfuqI/AAAAAAAAFgk/-YhI2hLxbYc/DSC_0256_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Around the house, ornaments are hung from coat hooks, drawer handles, & even light fixtures.
![DSC_0250 DSC_0250](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-owsLD_XZyS4/VJBpPWCenBI/AAAAAAAAFg0/F7w4r1A127c/DSC_0250_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0262 DSC_0262](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lyJ7SCzZ3vU/VJBpQZcFmJI/AAAAAAAAFhA/YH-dUmCgYx0/DSC_0262_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0260 DSC_0260](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NGYAGKHy5XQ/VJBpR-hM-7I/AAAAAAAAFhU/Tc9Xj4uIN8g/DSC_0260_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0261 DSC_0261](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K5iNQp2Srek/VJBpSyq-GcI/AAAAAAAAFhk/j3misqRVs4Q/DSC_0261_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
More ornaments used as tabletop décor in the living room…
![DSC_0264 DSC_0264](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iaZR6Sc_kAI/VJBpUovl5yI/AAAAAAAAFh0/t-ziDzBl-_g/DSC_0264_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0265 DSC_0265](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lL8LbaBdUqw/VJBpV2XkGDI/AAAAAAAAFiE/IkFKBUF9hVU/DSC_0265_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
and morning room.
![simple Christmas centerpiece simple Christmas centerpiece](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_TY4VPUT-5c/VJBpXgyRwgI/AAAAAAAAFiU/SEJ0DVsSUtw/DSC_0267_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0268 DSC_0268](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e3Qm7-O90As/VJBpZOiqgUI/AAAAAAAAFik/rSwDrCfzx38/DSC_0268_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0273 DSC_0273](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-frkwutCxBp4/VJBpbLTCJYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/ro6nxmPAPNQ/DSC_0273_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0276 DSC_0276](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bPC_jfxAfDs/VJBpcqEE-SI/AAAAAAAAFjE/W9l5GedTVxQ/DSC_0276_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I placed the nativity set on our new mirrored console, where we can see it more often.
![DSC_0279 DSC_0279](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-60Ko7_zrWfc/VJBpePan1ZI/AAAAAAAAFjU/hD6rq1XVs48/DSC_0279_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0283 DSC_0283](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0tk3WHclS8U/VJBpfwjvLoI/AAAAAAAAFjk/QRtTiXnhm1Y/DSC_0283_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A bowl of ornaments adds a little sparkle to the top of the console.
![DSC_0284 DSC_0284](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hMH_lYzwES4/VJBphWbTOFI/AAAAAAAAFj0/zif6leN2gNk/DSC_0284_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The mantel is pretty much the same as last year.
![DSC_0285 DSC_0285](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qpcwTIe4ufI/VJBpieKDAeI/AAAAAAAAFkE/lU1HwLq9r7w/DSC_0285_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0286 DSC_0286](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v8BmaamY0sc/VJBpjo3xo9I/AAAAAAAAFkU/AVEM1ky4EUo/DSC_0286_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0288 DSC_0288](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X9lemD8Q3_8/VJBplMNtH7I/AAAAAAAAFkk/PL95_i7kcAk/DSC_0288_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Here is a picture of our tree. The kids fill it up with their homemade ornaments & I added what few ball ornaments were left after spreading them throughout the house.
![DSC_0291 DSC_0291](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iJCrMCTS-Cs/VJBpmb3cMjI/AAAAAAAAFkw/xobPK4bAXC8/DSC_0291_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I’m not going to pretend that I try to make it look good! It doesn't even have a tree skirt! How do you skirt a live tree that needs water every day? I’m stumped! (I wasn't even trying to be punny!)
![DSC_0295 DSC_0295](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fer-tnevIYw/VJBpnh34miI/AAAAAAAAFlE/JXFxs_GeTiw/DSC_0295_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
You won’t find any beautifully wrapped packages under my tree either. I tend to have a “less is more” approach with those too! Simply wrapped with the recipients name penned in Sharpie right on the paper! I don’t see the point in taking the time to adorn a package that is just going to get ripped to shreds in a matter of ten seconds. Well, I guess it would be worth it if I could use them as décor leading up to Christmas, but I’m pretty sure a certain two-year-old would not let that happen!
So, that’s a wrap! Do you go all out for Christmas decorating or do you also choose a simpler approach? Where do you stash all the presents? Do you keep them beautifully displayed under your tree or hide them in your closet under a bunch of blankets like me? (Shhh…don’t tell my kids!)
Linking to the 12 Days of Christmas Home Tours