I love decorating for Christmas but have to be realistic about the scope of things with a couple birthday parties to plan and host for my daughters thrown in the December mix. I keep things much the same from year to year, making small changes here and there, but it helps me to know where everything “goes” when I pull the boxes up from the basement!
For our front porch this year I sourced everything from our yard. I don’t always feel lucky to live in New England in the winter (the word “nor’easter” – as in the storm – gives me serious anxiety) but having such an abundance of seasonal greens ready to be clipped from our tress and shrubs for free is a nice consolation prize.
I used clippings from the bottom of our Christmas tree and red-berried branches from a winterberry bush to fill the black urn by our front door. For the swag on the door I simply layered another clipping from our tree, some yew branches, and some holly. I wrapped them tightly with floral wire at the top to make the swag.
On the sill of the large bay window in our living room I added I few giant pinecones my mother-in-law brought back from northern California years ago.
I was also super excited to bring out my newest Byers’ Carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, which my parents gave me for Christmas last year. I showed you my other four carolers last week on my mantle.
In the dining room I added a pair of metal reindeer to the sideboard. I got them from Pottery Barn a few years ago.
On the dining room table I used a red hemstitched linen runner down the center and placed a wreath of twigs and faux berries underneath the glass bowl that always lives there. I filled the bowl with tiny gold glass ornaments.
I can get most of these Christmas accents out and in place in a day or two (meaning one or two naptimes!)which at this stage in my life is what works best for me.
I do love having the house feel festive!
Linking to A Thoughtful Place
i love all the simple touches and i love love love the santa and mrs claus carolers! so cute!
so pretty! I love the tablescape.
I tried to comment on your arancini post but I couldn’t get on your blog from reader that day. Love those! We just had a cooking lesson (some cousins and me) with our grandmother who taught us how to make them. It was such a fun experience learning some of her italian recipes.
did I know you were in New England? Trying to remember . . .
Yes, beautiful, and I do like the simplicity. I shared on my blog – I feel like we keep it simple, but it STILL takes hours to get it all together – gotta keep it simple!
I especially love your first picture with the swag and black urn with clippings. I have an urn like this as well. I keep thinking I would like to paint it black, but I don’t think I would have thought of the clippings – I think I might have to do this next year. Thanks for the inspiration!