Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas Decorations at My House 2011

There are so many holiday home tours going on right now, I felt like I should take a day to do a post with a few pictures of our Christmas tree and some of the decorations I put up this year. I hope you like lots of pictures!

This is our main family tree.

It's real, and it's fabulous. T actually picked it out at our local Lowe's, and I love how full it is. What I do not like is the fact that getting lights on it caused me to have a psychotic break with reality that will forever go down in family lore. I ended up having to decorate the tree twice because of lighting issues. Words were shrieked out that small children should never hear, and I may or may not have contemplated tossing the entire tree through the front window.

At any rate, I love the tree now. It doesn't have a special theme. Just lots of ornaments that tell our family story.

Some are beautiful beaded pieces that my dad made for my Granny:


Some are preschool creations from my kids that I treasure:

Some are ornaments from my childhood and T's, including the hideous Big Bird Head Ornament, which is the bane of my holiday existence:


And a few are just fun ornaments from travels, Hallmark or they're simply pretty:
























I did my usual "Charlie Brown" tree in the kitchen, complete with cookie cutter, dough, and antique chocolate mold ornaments. I also added my Framed Glitter Christmas Tree, some antique ornaments in an old jar, and a candle with more ornaments in an apothecary jar.























Our Family room sports its usual Nutcracker collection. My mom started it for me when I got my first role in the ballet years ago. I keep the large ones on top of my armoire, and the eleventy-billion small ones are on top of a bookcase in the dining room. I change up the levels with books and a little antique trunk.























The dining room is a bit of a mess, but I attempted to throw something together on the $15 sideboard I have yet to paint. I had an idea for a neat large framed piece to go on the wall, but haven't had a chance to work on it.























I love the girlie tree in the addition...lots of pretty jewel tones and snowflakes. And colored lights on the tree. I'm usually a clear lights kinda girl, so the colored ones are really fun. The tree skirt is made up of tutus from The Dollar Tree.

So there you have it. I kept things pretty simple...I didn't put up all of the extra fake trees, some of the garland didn't make it down from the attic, and I didn't feel like messing with many of the tchotchkes and making more clutter on top of the 846 Barbies that occupy our home. My Christmas decor is completely blah compared to so many of those beautiful homes you'll find on other blogs or websites, but this is how we roll this year. I actually feel better with less stuff floating around!

There's not much different from last year's tour, but if you're new, I hope you enjoyed seeing how we celebrate Christmas around here. Grab a mocha and some cookies, and let's visit!

Linking to Thrifty Decor ChickNesting PlaceMichaela Noelle Designs

33 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! I almost forgot about that big bird ornament! Lol! Where did you get those smaller skinny trees? I've been looking for one like that to put in the office/studio. Your home is lovely! Love all those nutcrackers, I have my own collection too :-)

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  2. Your girlie tree is so cute! I love the tutus! I love that you put your stockings on your stairs too...that's where we put ours because we don't have a fireplace:)

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  3. your home looks so festive and beautiful. I love the kiddie ornaments :)

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  4. Amanda! Everything looks wonderful and so festive. I know the girls must be walking on air waiting for Santa.

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  5. Everything looks great! I love the real tree and I'm sorry you had to go through a bit of the crazies to get it looking so perfect. I had to take my tree apart because of lighting issues, too. And let's just say I'm glad there weren't children in the room. ;)

    Love the girly tree, too. And the nutcracker collection is too cool! When I started my village collection, I was debating between the village, the carolers and nutcrackers. Ryan vetoed the carolers because he thought they were creepy. Ended up going with village because my mom had one and I had many fond memories. Now, I kind of want to start a collection of nutcrackers, too. Too fun!

    And those plates in the dining room are TOO CUTE. Love the snowflake.

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  6. LOL @ the Big Bird! I love stuff like that, that isn't "pretty" or "designer" but WAY more fun. :)

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  7. Your home looks wonderful, Amanda! Are those pale blue things from Blessings Unlimited? They're lovely!

    I love your nutcracker collection. Wonder if you have a budding Clara in your family there?

    Thank you for sharing a look at your holiday home. I'm amazed at how many people are simplifying a bit this year--perhaps we're all a little tired!

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  8. Lovely! I was thrilled to see that you put a garland along your curtain rod...I`ve never seen anyone do that except me!

    Your trees are really lovely!

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  9. Amanda! Your home is so pretty!! I loved seeing your beautiful tree and ornaments. And your nutcracker collection is amazing!!!

    xoxoxo
    Jen

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  10. Your home is beautiful Amanda, and looks so lovely at Christmas. I'm inspired by your sideboard.

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  11. Love seeing all of your ornies and your home is so beautiful all decked out for Christmas! You have a wonderful collection of nutcrackers! :) and a very cute little fuzzy face!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. I love the way those blue plates look with your red wall! And you know how much I love that sweet little photo bomber in your nutcracker picture. ;)

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  13. Your tree is lovely...and I love all your beautiful decorations! The nutcracker collection is great too!

    Blessings, Grace

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  14. Your main tree is amazing; I love all of your special and meaningful ornaments. Your nutcracker collection is so neat, and the tutu tree is adorable!

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  15. Awww, I LOVE your big full REAL tree! It's so beautiful. And I've been there with the fits. Belieeeeeve me.

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  16. I love the nutcrackers and I've "pinned" the plastic spoon ornament because it is so simple and I've just started work as a kindergarten teacher so I'm always on the lookout for good ideas and it is a nice simple one.

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  17. Everything is so beautiful! I am familiar with those tree light melt downs. That's why DH got the job a few years ago. Love all the family ornaments and the nutcrackers, too.

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  18. Your home looks so pretty! I especially loved seeing your many special ornaments. The beaded one reminds me of ones that my grandmother made in the 70's.

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  19. Your real tree in that front window looks beautiful! Love those "Silent Wonder" plates as well...very unique! Merry Christmas!

    www.carriesbusynothings.com

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  20. Love all your decorations!! Your main tree is gorgeous! Love those blue plates!
    Thanks for sharing your holiday decorations with me.
    I will take you up on sharing time with you and a cup a!!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  21. Your home looks so festive and beautiful.
    The nutcracker collection is great .
    Blessings

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  22. It wouldn't be the holidays without a psychotic break with reality, amiright??

    Your home looks beautiful. I loved the tutu tree skirt and I'm a total sucker for kid made ornaments.

    Glad I found your blog. Looking forward to checking out your other stuff too!

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  23. Your home is just beautiful love it all. So happy to meet you I have enjoyed looking around. I have just found your lovely blog through the blog on Christmas cheer link wonderful to join in. I'm now following you hope you visit me sometime, follow back if you like so nice to find new friends to catch up with. Have a great day.
    Always Wendy

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  24. Can I just say... That shoe ornament ROCKS! Everything looks lovely Amanda!!

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  25. Everything looks so pretty, amanda! I love how you used the tutus as tree skirts, and your Nutcracker collection is awesome!

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  26. Love the sentimental ornaments! They always are the best when you open them the following year!

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  27. Adorable & memorable ornaments. Love them!

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  28. Amanda, your tree is stunning! I, too, put up many assorted ornies which tells a story of our family--even the flawed ornaments get a place on the tree. I love all the details---such a charming home. TFS!

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  29. Fun tree and ornaments! Love the nutcrackers too.

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  30. Thanks for giving us a peek at your Chritmas decor!! I love your tree! It's amazing!!! Sorry about your light drama!! Why do they have to be so equally frustrating and beautiful??? :)

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  31. I'm in love with your Christmas tree! It's gorgeous! And the nutcracker collection is adorable. :) Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your home!

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  32. LOVE the nutcrackers!! beautiful decorations!!

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