Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Our Christmas Tree and Decorations, 2012

Hello, hello! Are you working on your Christmas decorations this week? I added ours in, bit by bit, over the last week or so. T picked up our live Christmas tree on Saturday night, and after some tense hours with lights and trips to 3 (!) Targets for extra lights on Sunday, the scene was complete. I'm loving the glow this year. I haven't really added anything new this year (using what I have!), but I couldn't resist showing you our Christmas Tree and a few of our holiday decorations!
Real Christmas Tree and 2012 Christmas Decorations, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Decorating 2012, Serenity Now blog

Our main family tree lights up the living room, and it's filled with a mix of our childhood ornaments, homemade things the girls put together at school, souvenirs from vacations, family "heirloom" pieces, and fun Hallmark-type baubles. It's not "designer," but it's homey to us, and we love it! I try to tie it all in with red and gold ball ornaments to coordinate with our ribbon tree topper and tree skirt. Someday, I hope to have room for several large trees that I can decorate in themes and coordinating colors schemes, but for now, I'm content with this one. It tells our story!
Christmas Ornaments 2012, Serenity Now blog
Our Real Christmas Tree 2012, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Tree Photo with Our Dog, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Tree Photo 2012, Serenity Now blog


I've been collecting Nutcrackers since I first danced in the ballet in elementary school. The large ones live on top of our family room TV armoire, along with Frank (short for Frankincense) who keeps them all in line. I keep the small ones on top of a dining room bookcase.
Christmas Nutcrackers 2012, Serenity Now blog
Large Nutcracker, Serenity Now blog
Decorating with Nutcrackers, Serenity Now blog


Our stairs are the first thing you see when you open our front door, so I line the railing with "greenery," ribbon, beads, and our stockings. This year, I decided to add the pretty berries that I found in my holiday stash.
Stockings on Staircase, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Decorations on Staircase, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Decorations on Staircase, Serenity Now blog


Our dining table isn't finished yet. In fact, it currently displays the clothes I need to iron...but I did throw some stuff up on the sideboard. The dishes and platters are from Blessings Unlimited, an older pattern.
Christmas Decorations in Dining Room, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Decorations in Dining Room, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Snowflake Plates, Serenity Now blog


The girls love their pretty girlie tree in jewel tones and their play nativity set in the play room. I had bunches and bunches of glitter snowflakes left over from my Snowflake Wreath, so I added them to their little shabby tree as filler.
Christmas Tree Jewel Tones, Serenity Now blog
Girls' Christmas Tree, Serenity Now blog


Not much in the kitchen this year. I'm just not feeling like pulling out tons of *stuff,* so I left it to our Advent Calendar, a couple of tchotchkes, and a shabby tree with antique chocolate molds and cookie cutters.
Christmas Kitchen Decorations, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Kitchen Decorations, Serenity Now blog
Christmas Kitchen Decorations, Serenity Now blog

That's our home for the holidays! I need to get some presents wrapped and some cards sent out!

What's your favorite Christmas decoration in your home?

*Don't forget about my ongoing Christmas series, A Season of Serenity at Home. Click that link for a line-up of all the current posts...lots of holiday posts, projects, and inspiration!


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27 comments:

  1. Your home looks beautiful! I am like you, our Christmas tree is all about the family. I can tell you a story about each ornament. I love your nutcracker collection. I started mine a few years ago, hoping to keep growing it! Happy to see you enjoying the Christmas season with your sweet girls. :) Samantha

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  2. your tree is beautiful!!! ours is a mix as well, ornaments we collect every year, things the boys make, family keepsakes, love having that mix, it makes it so personal!

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  3. Christina @ Floridays MomDecember 5, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    No chic trendy tree here either, I love the look of a homey tree with all the ornaments we've collected over the years. It brings such warmth to our house. Yours looks wonderful and I loved all the up close shots of your "story telling" ornaments! I too hung our stockings on our staircase in the EXACT spot as we don't have a mantel. Too funny!
    Your nutcracker display is wonderful! Love it all! Merry Christmas!

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  4. aww we adore nutcrackers over here as well!! I seen that huge one at hobby lobby and was thinking about getting it!!

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  5. Your tree is a darling - I bet the kids are super excited! I also love their little tree too! So happy you could display your collection, wow, they are true treasures for years to come. Thanks for sharing Amanda!

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  6. I love the fact that you get a live tree. I had too many light experiences like yours and went faux, pre-lit. I know you and your family are enjoying all of your decorations. I know we love the soft glow of the tree.

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  7. I love the real tree and all the family heirloom ornaments. That's what makes decorating the tree so special.

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  8. Amanda, it's all soo pretty! Great night shots of your tree all lite up. And those blue dishes with the snowflakes are very cute. I don't go crazy with the holiday decor, just a few things here and there. Guess I should take some pix and write up a post. =)

    ~ Catie

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  9. It all looks exactly the way I think Christmas decorations should look--it all tells YOUR story and the story of Jesus rather than the story of a designer. Honestly, our hearts are works of God's art, and you've let your heart shine through in your Christmas decorations! Bless you!!

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  10. Very pretty! I love traditional Christmas decoration. I went red too this year :)

    And look at the CUUUUTE Pom posing for the picture. (We just adopted a pom too... a rescue, "Sofie".)

    Stephanie
    http://sharelovealways.blogspot.ca/

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  11. Your trees and house are beautiful. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

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  12. Love your holiday decorations! I did the exact same type of post today of our house!! Your tree is gorgeous and I LOVE how you used garland on the windows behind the trees..it really sets it off and is something I never thought about doing!

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  13. Love it, Amanda! I love how you hung the garland across your curtain rods. Oh...and the kitchen tree...adorbs! <3 Heidi Rew from PartiesforPennies.com

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  14. I love your tree and all your decor. It's so warm and cozy. I also love that big nutcracker. So fun. You have a knack for holiday decorations.

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  15. Your house looks beautiful Amanda! We have yet to decorate, but hopefully this weekend ;-)

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  16. I love your tree and all your other Christmas decor! Your house looks so pretty!

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  17. I love all of your decor! It's all so pretty and festive! :)

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  18. All of your decorations are so pretty! I love your stairs! We hang our stockings on our stairs too:)

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  19. So pretty, Amanda! I love the stockings on the stairs.

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  20. I love your collection of nutcrackers! That photo of your little girl kissing the nutcracker is precious, it would look great as a Christmas card photo!

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  21. I love your Christmas decor, Amanda! It is so inviting.

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  22. Everything looks great, Amanda! My 4 year-old son would be so jealous of your nutcracker collection. He loves them!

    -Erin @ DIY On the Cheap

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  23. Wow, gorgeous! I love the tree, it's always so special when the ornaments are meaningful.
    Debbie :)

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  24. Amanda, how warm and cozy! You home looks like the perfect place to spend the holidays with your beautiful family!!

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  25. you are inspiring me to finish my decorating! Everything looks really great & very festive!!

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  26. Everything is gorgeous Amanda!! I love it all! I think the garland on the staircase is my favorite - it's gorgeous!

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  27. The tree that tells your story is the best kind! Thanks for linking up Amanda! Have a great Christmas! :)

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