Hello friends!

I hope you have finished all your preparations for the holiday season! This is my first Christmas as a home and garden blogger, and I must admit that I was grossly unprepared for what’s “expected” as far as decorating for the holidays.

I figured it would be a few holiday projects mixed in with some recipes. Maybe some decorating tips.

That’s it. 

Not turning my home into a Holiday Winter Wonderland and getting on one of many home tours I’ve seen over the last few weeks.

Not that I think it’s a bad idea. I think it’s a wonderful idea. I wouldn’t be much of a home and garden blogger if I didn’t… I mean, we’re supposed to love doing this kind of stuff, right? (Though I do question our sanity from time to time.)

 I was just woefully unprepared this year. But, my dear readers, I know better now, and it is my solemn promise to bring you a Christmas Home Tour next year that will knock your Christmas stockings right off your chimney.

But for this year, please enjoy my Christmas Home Tour 2013!

Entryway

As always, I love using natural materials in my seasonal decorating. This is a simple but pretty entryway that I was able to put together in a couple of hours using vintage stuff and natural materials that for the most part I gathered from my yard.

I made this wreath using only redwood branches, holly berries and a burlap bow. I was going to add more stuff, but it just overwhelmed it. Sometimes the simple stuff is best!

I love milk cans. They’re cute on their own, and you can always incorporate them into seasonal decorating. I filled this one with cuttings from the Christmas trees, redwood branches, holly berries, mistletoe and finished it off with a burlap bow. Please note some of these plants such as mistletoe are toxic to pets, so make sure to check if any of the plants you plan to use are toxic. If they are, make sure to keep them where your pets can’t get to them.I used this grape box and rusty scoop for my fall entry décor, and to be honest, I never got around to breaking it down, so I figured I’d just use it for my winter décor too. I think it turned out quite nice despite my laziness.Can’t forget the doorbell! (Yes, this is our doorbell. We don’t have an electric one. We survive somehow.)

Living Room

Once across the threshold, our living room is too your left. I am working on a romantic country theme in here, so I wanted the Christmas decorations to coordinate.To the left is a lantern post that I gussied up a bit with some pearl garlands and a bow. I put the bow in front of the lantern opening instead of below it to somewhat hide the fact that I didn’t have anything Christmasy to put inside it. Going to have to work on that for next year.

 Next to the lantern is an end table which I put some more pearl garlands and a few ornaments I stole off the tree. Really need to work on getting/making some more decorations. I filled the ceramic hat with tree trimmings and some ivy to give it a more romantic feel. Is it working?

Turn to the right and I have the tree in the corner. I used to put it in front of the window, but then I had to move the love seat practically in front of the entry and that didn’t work out too well. I used a lacy-edged tablecloth as a tree skirt. I hope it doesn’t ruin it so I can use it for a tablecloth again. 

 Turn to the right again and we have another end table. My ex-mother-in-law made this tree for me. Probably the only good thing I got out of that marriage. I used some leftover material from a lace curtain I made for the tree skirt. I added a decorative dish with birdies on it, more pearl garlands and more stolen ornaments.Turn to the right one last time and there’s one more end table to look at. I used a vintage candy dish, more pearl garland, and more stolen ornaments. Before we leave this room, I want to show you what I put on top of the table lamps to make them a little more festive. They’re those “flower pick” thingies you can add to artificial flower arrangements or wreaths. I was never crazy about them, but they really saved my bacon as far as making a nice topper for the lamps.

 Family Room Bench

Walk past the staircase and to the left is a bench that I set up on a wall across from the family room. I know these are usually set up closer to the entryway, but it works here because when people come to visit, they can put their coats and purses right where all the action is. Just seems to work out better for everyone that way, and I fill up a bare wall that otherwise I didn’t know what to do with.I used another grape box with a bunch of vintage stuff and more natural materials.A vintage Santa is right at home among the pinecones, tree cuttings and holly berries. I even managed to work in some vintage embroidered holiday napkins.Don’t you just love mason jars? They are invaluable when it comes to country decorating. Just throw a mix of whatever corresponds to the season/theme/room you’re working on and you’re done. I wonder if old Mr. Mason ever envisioned his invention would be used for decorating as much as preserving food in the future. They are right up there with milk cans in the country decorating using vintage items hiarchy, that’s for sure.

Speaking of which, whataya know, another milk can! I pretty much decorated it the same way as the entryway one minus the mistletoe so our indoor cats wouldn’t get into it.

 Last but not least, my Yule log! You can find the tutorial to make it here.I hoped you enjoyed the mini tour and got some ideas for your own home. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave it below!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Michelle