I'm late but I want to link with Holiday Decor Linky Party at http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
I decided to cut back on my Christmas decor. I felt so overwhelmed looking at the boxes when Mitch took down the big bins containing Christmas decorations from the attic. I opened 3 and I think I won't even open the rest, about 6- 8 more, or I will be tempted to put them up too. I am already tired.
Anyway, here's what I came up so far. This is our living room. See the mantel. It's dressed very simply.
We travel a lot so I buy ornaments from every place that we visit. Below is a queen from London.
a shell from the Virgin Islands.
A doll from Russia
A doll from Russia
Dutch shoes from the Dutch colony of St. Maarten.
A reindeer bell from Finland and I think the Turkish slippers are so cute!
My youngest daughter gave me the "favorite daugher" ornament just so I don't forget that she is supposed to be my favorite, lol.
And of course, I shouldn't forget a University of Michigan ornament.
Next, we come to the family room. I added more stuff on the mantel since the Deck party last Monday.
and our Christmas Village is filling up too.
I just love looking at it at night with the lights on.
I love how this flower shop has a sun roof.
Linking with http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
and http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/2010/11/1st-christmas-linky-party-at-dobermans.html
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
and last but not least, Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by. I am sure everybody is busy. And in spite of that, our lovely hosstesses continue hosting these fun parties. Thanks a lot, you gals!
I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by. I am sure everybody is busy. And in spite of that, our lovely hosstesses continue hosting these fun parties. Thanks a lot, you gals!
Your living room looks so beautiful and festive with all the holiday touches you have added. Your tree is gorgeous....your ornaments are so pretty! Love the ribbon intertwined on your mantle too! Everything is just gorgeous :o)
ReplyDelete~Des
I don't blame you a bit for scaling back. Sometime it's just too overwhelming. I really like your fat tree! The little dutch shoes are adorable. I just started a vacation tree & blogged about it today.
ReplyDeleteEverything is gorgeous, Christine. I think a lot of people are scaling down...who has the time to put it up and take it down? I think the mantel in your living room is very simple and elegant and your tree is the star of the show!! Just beautiful! The mantel in your family room is very fun! I love the big Snowman.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas Village is SO cute. I have a big collection and I hardly set it up unless Emily helps...maybe this year because my little nieces and nephews love it. It does look pretty at night like yours.
Wonderful job. I like everything! :-)
XO,
Jane
Christine,
ReplyDeleteYour decorations look very nice. I really like your tree and mantel. I understand about scaling back. I wanted to join as many parties as I could and I am wayyy behind on commenting. I think I over did it. LOL
Everything looks stunning! Love all the different ornaments from around the world. That's what makes each tree unique.
ReplyDeleteFound you thru Thrifty Decor Chick's Linky Party
Merry Christmas :)
Your tree is so pretty - so many pretty ornaments with travel memories.
ReplyDeleteI cut back last year and again this year - just may stay that way.
Enjoy your evening.
It is all so beautiful Christine! I love your tree.
ReplyDeleteYour tree in the living room is so beautiful!!!! I too.... love travel memory ornaments....
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need to open anymore boxes... your home looks gorgeous!
Your mantel and Christmas tree are both so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteLOve your tree, and how cool to get ornaments from those places??? The villages are so pretty, how nice you have that large window to showcase them! And I love that giant bow and it how it streams down your mantle!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks just beautiful. I am glad you decided to cut back because when we are tired, it's time to stop.
ReplyDeleteI did the exact same thing. Just overwhelming when I saw all those boxes of decorations. I put up our tree, all the stockings and not much more. I LOVE IT...I intend to do this every year.
hugs, bj
That is so lovely. Especially your village. I love to look at those at night too and take my imagination into them. I can't imagine what was in the other boxes because everything is so beautiful. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI love your home. It's so warm and inviting and with all your beautiful Christmas decor on top, it's just fabulous this season.
ReplyDeleteOh, Christine! How gorgeous!! Your tree is so beautiful and your entire living room is so pretty. I love your den area too - you mantles are perfect.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful home and I love peeping into it every chance I get.
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hi Christine!
ReplyDeleteWell, everything looks so pretty! Your tree is gorgeous and the mantels look wonderful. Love your Christmas village. I know what you mean about scaling back this year. I am doing the same thing. I just think some years you don't go hog wild and then other years you just can't wait to get everything you own out and display it.
Your decorations look wonderful and your tree is beautiful. Me too, I am not putting out everything this year, I just can't do it. I will most likely put out about 40% of what I have. I just not feeling it and I want everything to look simply this year. I am actually working on a tablescape with my new dishes. We don't use the dinning room anyway for Christmas so I thought why not set the table for four with all kinds of goodies on it. I just may have to link up!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree! I love all your decorations. Sometimes its nice to bring out a few things and then something else the next year -- It's fun to linger over the memories attached to each.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Christine! Your tree looks great, as does everything else! Love your special ornaments from trips:@)
ReplyDeleteChristine your home looks lovely!! I love the look and am so glad to hear another is scaling back in the decor this year. I just don't have time to get a tree up in every room like I usually do. One tree is all this year and I am loving the simple elegant look of it all!
ReplyDeletebee blessed
mary
Christine everything looks just beautiful! I love your mantel! They are particularly hard to get right IMHO. I think this is the perfect amount of decor. And as usual girlfriend you are putting me to shame *bows head* I still haven't even started. I was going to do it tonight...I really was....but I went bargein shopping instead! So much more fun! *winks* And I bet you have more Christmas ornaments from all over the world than anyone! That's such a great idea! Maybe you'll even find something here in Seattle? *winks*
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog C! It was so nice to receive a bloggy comment from you. Love Vasnna
Christine it all looks just amazing, you have collected some wonderful ornaments on your travels.
ReplyDeleteMaggie.
Beautiful angel topped tree~ your ornaments from your travels are wonderful momentos!
ReplyDeleteChristine, it all looks festive and very beautiful. You have done a lovely job decorating the mantels, and your tree is gorgeous. I finally got our trees up and the mantel completed last night. I don't seem to be as organized as everyone else who has had decorations up for a couple of weeks. LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the holidays. ~ Sarah
Oh Christine, your living room is gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen it before. I love your tree and how you gather ornaments from all of your travels. And I LOVE those chairs in from your fireplace. Thanks so much for sharing it with Seasonal Sundays.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
Your decorations are perfection. I wouldn't add another thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to feel overwhelmed this time of year. Love your little Christmas village! How interesting that you gather ornaments on your travels. A story behind each and every one!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
You have a lovely home and I love the idea of different ornaments from around theworld. The Bavarian Christmas, raffles, and linky party are still going on-won’t you come and join us. http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteYour tree and your living room look beautiful! I love your fireplace all decorated! I always feel that I don't have to use every single Christmas decoration that I own. Sometimes I like to mix things up and I'll use something one year, but not the next.
ReplyDeleteEverything is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!!!!
Christine, Christmas decorating is exhausting. And even though you think you only did a little bit I can see how much work you put into it! Your rooms are lovely and elegant and inviting! I would love to sit by that mantle and sip a cup of tea or eggnog with you! Im going back to look again. Beautiful! Linda
ReplyDeleteChristine, I loved seeing some of your ornaments up close. I also buy an ornament when we travel (which means I have about 5 ornaments on my tree from our travels! LOL!) Your mantels look so pretty, and your village, with your pool in the background, looks gorgeous! Thank you for linking to Favorite Things. laurie
ReplyDeleteThat village is so festive and your tree sparkles with elegance!!! Happy holidays to you.
ReplyDelete-Rene
Your tree is a treasure trove of all things good. I love seeing the different ornaments from so many different places. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteChristine, You have some amazingly beautiful tree ornaments! I'm not too sure about the Michigan one, though... LOL The mantels look lovely and festive and that village is gorgeous! I started collecting little houses last year- I find them at the GW and yard sales. I need to find a place to display them, but have no room for more tables! I pared down the decorating, as well. It is just so time consuming and I think we are realizing that our time is precious. Hope you are enjoying the holiday season! How is your booth space doing?
ReplyDelete~ Sue
Such a beautiful tree Christine...I love all the sentimental ornaments you have collected...especially the favorite daughter one!!! Smart girl!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!!!
Beautiful Christmas decorations. Your Christmas village is spectacular. So many wonderful and collected ornaments. It was a pleasure visiting.
ReplyDeleteChristine, Your living room is beautiful. Your tree is so elegant. Love your close up photos and love your photo with tea and poinsettias in front of the fireplace. Love your village too. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Beth