Holidays at Home: Christmas in the House!

It's time to deck the halls. Many of you blog friends have done that long ago. I'm behind the game but can happily say I've "hauled out the holly" and "decked the halls." It's a bit more low key than usual but it's been a very rough month and I'm just glad to get the cheer back into the house. (Where it will probably stay until Valentine's Day!)

I suppose I should start with my narrow entry hall. The greeting angel stays there year round, but I have a tall, skinny tree with mostly silver, red and white ornaments to light the way.

And here's a new one this year -- I'll tell you a little more about the creator of this charmer in a minute, but isn't this a cute one?

If you've seen holiday posts in years past, you might recognize much of the same, but this year I moved some thing to different spots, just to shake it up a bit. The biggest move was the Christmas tree, which went over by the window instead of against the back wall. 

Let me say that moving the couch was a major event -- and then all that cleaning around the heaviest piece of furniture in my house that hadn't been moved for years! Let's just assume the tree will be in the same spot next year, filled with family memories. 

 

Most all of the ornaments and lights have a special meaning -- a gift from a friend, an old family piece, something bought on my travels, things made by me or others (including one of our grands and, of course, my mom), and little photos of special people in my life. The tree tells a story, a scrapbook of sorts, and I treasure it.

But there are several new ornaments this year that are special because they are not only new but made by the talented blogger Linda Sue, who created the pretty little girl on the hall tree. She went a little wild this summer with holiday creations, beautifully vintage in style and here are just a couple of them, 

I have two other trees in the living room -- the Woodland tree moved to a different spot this year, by the side window. (Backlighting makes for a terrible photo!). This one stays up most all of the winter.

The Happy Tree is largely felted pieces, some by me, some by others, some purchased. The colors on this make me smile (but next year it needs a few more lights!)

This little fellow is the new addition to the Happy Tree, a felted English robin that I found at a National Trust shop at Disraeli's home, Hughenden. I'll "take you there" sometime in 2025! It reminded me of the first English robin I ever saw when we were at Morgan's Forge (although that one wasn't wearing a scarf and hat!)

There area few vignettes in the living room. I didn't get out everything this year -- just couldn't. And the only one missing anything is me! I have yet to find Big White Father Christmas after the mold incident. I know he hasn't been pitched, but not quite sure where he landed! So Big Red Father Christmas has to do.

And just a bit of greenery over my desk!

My Vintage by Crystal people have their own little spot, too.

The family room in my house is a bit of an all-things room -- entry from the garage, dining area, cozy spot. This Christmas it truly reflects family, especially my mom and dad.

A quick look at the family room finds the "Mom" tree, back in its usual spot. The ornaments here are almost all ones my mom collected or that I saw after she died that reminded me of her. 

 

These children's story characters are my favorites. I especially like the Peter Pan ones.

The angel over the mantel came from one of their trips to Mexico and the gingerman on the top of the tree was made by my Dad one year to conceal some earrings for my mom, tucked into a seam. I think that year he won the "most creatively wrapped gift" contest.

For once, I didn't go all-out on the mantel. It's very simple this year, just a creche and some lights. 

The creche is another piece that mom picked up on that trip to Mexico. (My holiday decorating genes run deep!)

 

Usually I put the "Dad" tree, with its bits of fishing and up-north-type ornaments in my room, but this year it landed in the family room too. It seems the right place for it, being "family" and all!

A better overview!

And, in this corner, more of the same -- the "Merry Christmas Jeanie" painting was actually a Christmas card painted by my dad and those two photos you see in the corner on the bookcase are two favorite holiday photos -- one of Rick, the other of me with the little guys!

I did put some things out on the kitchen shelves -- just some little bits here . . . 

. . . and here. It makes doing the dishes more fun.

A few holiday mugs are always at the ready for tea or cocoa!

My bedroom is relatively low-key this year. This year I opted for one of my vintage quilts for the bed instead of the Mary Engelbreit "Believe" comforter I usually put on at this time of year. I needlepointed the pillow years ago.

I'm still putting things together after the Bugman, so just a tiny tree (that keeps falling over when I plug it in -- the cord is a trifle short!). . . 

 

I call my jade plant "Little Keith." When my former grad school advisor, Keith Adler, passed, his wife gave those of us attending his memorial one of the very wee jade plants he had started. "Little Keith" has grown quite a bit over the past two years, amazing for me who tends to kill everything green that I touch! So of course, he's part of the decoration too!

And here's part of another nativity, this one on the windowsill.

. . . and my favorite "ornament," Lizzie, in full relaxation mode!

I really do feel much happier once the trees are up and the house is decorated. 

And it will probably stay that way, way too long!