Home DecorChristmas at Our House December 19, 2017 Merry Christmas, friends! It has been the strangest, most packed season. Last year I said that I think the Christmas season is indicative of how your year has been. So often, we crave simple and slow at Christmas, treasuring each day of the magical season, but if we don’t already have those slow and simple rhythms in our days, it’s like trying to jam a square peg into a round hole. We try and try to make it fit and no matter our efforts, it just doesn’t. I’ve become very aware of that this year. As y’all know, it’s been a year of change for us. It’s all been wonderful, but it’s come with quite a bit of adjustment and self-reflection. I feel God continually revealing His plan for us specifically, shaping our direction, revealing our family culture and adventure and as each new piece falls into place, it feels life-giving! But it’s all adjustment and we’ve become aware this season of how fast-paced our life feels. The funny part is that over the last several years, we’ve simplified in many ways, many times. And just as we do that, God reveals another area to be tweaked. Don’t you love that? How He knows what we can handle and gives us pieces of it, one at a time? I planned to post our Christmas home tour weeks ago and as you see, it’s been rather quiet around here. I used the phrase “family culture” above and that’s something that’s been on our minds a lot lately. We feel God’s given us more and more direction there and I’ll share more about what we’re moving toward in the New Year. Oh it feels exciting and ripe with possibility! But having that defined has shown us clearly how far we are from it currently and Christmas has just made that reality hit us between the eyes! We’re moving too fast, saying yes to too many things that aren’t the top priorities, so the must-haves are getting squeezed out. This Christmas, I’ve been determined to savor what I can with the kids and all of this processing and savoring has just taken it all up, I’m afraid! But I can’t let Christmas pass without a little home tour for y’all! So here she is. These main areas feel “just finished,” but oh, they’re feeling special, small and just right. My goal for decorating this year was to savor. I went slow…in fact it wasn’t finished until this past weekend. We decorated the tree in phases, added things along. I always feel stressed until decorating gets done and it steals my joy until it’s finished! But I read somewhere this year that the act of decorating should be part of the celebration, part of the Advent, not just enjoying them finished afterwards! So we really embraced that this year and it was beautiful. I used to do themes, as some of you may remember. I look back on those years and am inspired by each one. They’re beautiful and I still love it. In some ways, it lacked personal touches to me, but I think you can absolutely do a “theme” without compromising on that. I just wanted simple this year. Handmade, simple, use what you have. And it feels just, just right. Welcome to our Christmas home, friends! Our cozy mantel makes me so happy. I started collecting small houses and trees years ago and I love pulling them out each year and finding a spot for them. The stockings have been added throughout the years and while I see beautiful, fun stockings I love each year that I’m tempted to buy, I just can’t not use these, each with their special meaning and stories. I said I wasn’t doing a theme, but if I had to name it, it’d be natural. I went with a lot of natural materials this year, which feels reflective of where we’re moving as a family. Less stuff, more bring nature in. I used this cotton garland with greenery on the mantel years ago and still love it so much. In previous homes, I’ve always had a family tree with all of our special ornaments and a theme tree where I play and create. And I’ve loved that! This house is just not big enough for two trees. I really thought I would miss that, but this felt perfect. I made and strung a yarn tassel garland and then we filled it with all of our specials. Some from our childhoods, some handmade, some gifted to us….but all have a story. Decorating the tree has become such a fun tradition for us where we go slow, reminisce with each one. This year having Rosie as a part of that was wonderful. I tried not to fix things she did and that made for some heavier areas and some holes where decorating was concerned, but that’s okay. It makes me smile each time I notice a placement I wouldn’t have done because I know my Rosie girl did it and I remember the awe and wonder filling her face while she decorated it. The dining area is so simple, yet magical to me. Greenery and bulb lights are a special Christmas combination. And the little center tree is sweet. We dried oranges this year for garlands and ornaments and LOVED it. I think it’s my favorite thing we’ve done and will for sure be a tradition from here on out. Here’s a little view in the dining room I haven’t shared yet, but will more in the coming year. This coffee station and buffet area makes me SO HAPPY. Like I said, I’ll share a lot more about this space in the new year, but I love the few Christmas touches it has. Chris drew that Santa picture as a boy. I’m so grateful his mom was willing to share it with us to put out! And the kitchen. Christmas in the kitchen just makes my heart sing. I’m loving that ledge on the hood where I can rest different things. The texture of the cotton wreath against the tile is one of my favorite moments. The sun coming in through the orange slices is just magic, y’all. Loving this view and I’m already sad thinking about taking it down! Maybe it’ll all just stay awhile. Collected at its’ best. Rosie loved making the gingerbread house. It’s so perfectly, imperfect with all kinds of interesting toddler choices (like the gingerbread woman taking a nap out front) and I couldn’t love it more! And last, but not least…what would a Christmas kitchen be without sharing a little baking station action? These few vintage touches are some of my very favorites. The art was from a thrift store years ago and the nesting santas were a gift from my grandparents when I was a child. They’re my oldest decoration I pull out each year and bring so much nostalgia. Thank y’all so much for taking a peek inside our Christmas home. It’s later than I know most share their Christmas tours, but maybe it’ll get you in the spirit!
Sandra says December 19, 2017 at 4:13 pm Love it all Lindsay, its so natural and cozy, your kitchen this time around though is probably my all time favorite! That tile! Merry Christmas!! Reply
Gina says December 19, 2017 at 4:37 pm Wow! Simply beautiful and you’re right about the dining room being magical. Reply
Austin says December 19, 2017 at 4:48 pm So cozy and Christmas-y! My favorite parts are the orange garland (how did you dry/string them?), the thrifted art in the kitchen that you shared on your Instastories, and those PRECIOUS nesting Santas! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:47 pm Thank you so much Austin!! I love it so much, it’s staying through winter! I followed Homesong Blog’ simple tutorial! Dry in the oven sliced thin at 400 degrees for 8 or 10 hours (she recommends less, but mine took that long to dry), dry out overnight, then use a needle and yarn to string the next day! Reply
Gayle says December 19, 2017 at 4:49 pm I love it, especially the gingerbread house. Last Sunday, I had three of my grandchildren (5, 5 & 3) over and they each made one to take home. My house is awash in sprinkles but it was so much fun. I hope you and your family have a peaceful, wonderful Christmas. Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:47 pm Aww thank you! Ours definitely looked like a toddler did it…and I LOVED that! So much more special than perfect 🙂 Reply
AmandaKB says December 19, 2017 at 6:41 pm I love your honest thoughts as well as the house tour. Everything looks lovely and sweet. I agree with Austin… I’d love more info about how you did the orange garland. I love it hanging across your kitchen window. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season full of special moments with one another 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:47 pm Thank you so much Amanda! I love it so much, it’s staying through winter! I followed Homesong Blog’ simple tutorial! Dry in the oven sliced thin at 400 degrees for 8 or 10 hours (she recommends less, but mine took that long to dry), dry out overnight, then use a needle and yarn to string the next day! Reply
Sandie says December 19, 2017 at 7:59 pm Love it! Simple and meaningful is my favorite combo. Enjoy your little ones. One day you will look around and they will be all grown up. Savor. Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:45 pm Thank you so much, Sandie! I think about that often….this time is so fleeting! It makes me sad, but I want to just savor as you said and then invite each new season with grace. It’s a battle! Reply
Amanda says December 19, 2017 at 9:11 pm I would love to read how you’re managing room for your kids in the smaller home. Right now that’s a huge struggle for me. My babies need space to crawl and kick their legs out and my toddler needs her own space to play. I try to keep in mind that it’s their home too and I want them to feel comfortable but at the same time space is limited and constantly rearranging things to make room is making me crazy! The world’s solution is a bigger house, and while I’m praying and seeking one, my dad reminds me that he grew up with 6 kids and 2 bedrooms. ? Reconciling our limited space and current needs is so hard in light of what God calls good provision and the world calls cramped. Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:44 pm 6 kids in 2 bedrooms! Oh my that is so hard to imagine! I’m so excited to share a lot more about our downsizing and simple living journey! Tons of posts on that coming this month! I feel so refreshed in this new year and purpose renewed – really excited to share this piece of our journey and I hope it’s helpful to you! I’m definitely still figuring it out and tweaking things….I told Chris the other day that I feel like we got the first round of settling done to just survive and now i’m so excited to tackle the next round of creating function, tweaking what is and isn’t working, etc. and I’ll be sharing it all! Send any specific questions you have and I’ll make sure to address them too! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:45 pm Oh and my goodness, what a BEAUTIFUL quote! I’m writing that down “Reconciling our limited space and current needs is so hard in light of what God calls good provision and the world calls cramped.” Oh my gosh, amazing! Doing this has taught me that I think you can live large in ANY size space. I truly do. That doesn’t mean there won’t be sacrifices smaller, but I think you can! Will share more soon! Reply
Oona says December 20, 2017 at 4:10 am So much is so right here, I can just smell the oranges and gingerbread! Simple and sweet and homey… You’ll never regret giving these memories to your little ones. The time you’re spending on each detail is so rich for them, and even when you don’t make literal verbal connections from these activities to your faith, they will absolutely get it. Joyous Christmas to you all! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:40 pm Oh thank you so much, Oona! That means the world! So often, it’s easy to question if any of this matters. I know it does, but it’s easy to doubt and you provided such encouragement to me! Thank you 🙂 Reply
Felicia says December 20, 2017 at 9:47 am Your home looks amazing! I love your tree and your kitchen how very pretty! Reply
Silvia Loya says December 20, 2017 at 10:09 am I love the simplicity. Your house is beautifully decorated. Enjoy your holidays, and we will see you next year!!!!! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:39 pm Thank you so much, Silvia! So glad that the simplicity resonated with you 🙂 Reply
Stephanie says December 20, 2017 at 11:00 am I love the nesting santas, and the garland! Does the garland smell like orange at all, or does the scent go away when you dry them out? Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:39 pm Thank you Stephanie! It smells amazing while you’re drying them, then you only notice the smell up close after, but every now and then I’d catch a little whiff! Reply
Rachel Winchester says December 20, 2017 at 3:21 pm Beautiful! The glowing orange slices are my favorite too. We did that for the first time too & im absolutely in love with it! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:39 pm Isn’t it so fun??? I love it! Mine are staying through winter! Reply
Mrs Patty says December 22, 2017 at 10:56 am I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years, and all your homes have been beautiful. This home though is by far my favorite! Merry Christmas! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:38 pm Oh thank you so much, Patty! That makes me so happy! We’ve loved every single one too during each season for our family, but man, something does feel awfully special about this one! Reply
Lindsay says December 22, 2017 at 12:06 pm Yarn tassel garland on the tree & orange garland tutorial please! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:37 pm Thank you so much, Lindsay! I’m so glad you love them! It could not be more simple! I make tassel garlands all the time and has like two steps! I’ll do a tutorial! I used Homesung Blog’s orange garland tutorial! Again so simple! Dry in the oven at 400 for like 8 hours ( I did it much longer than she recommended to get it dry enough), let sit out overnight to dry more, then used a needle and thin yarn to string! Reply
Sharon Wiseman says December 28, 2017 at 11:36 pm I too love the just about everything! I had never thought of drying oranges but they are so pretty and I am sure they smell amazing too. Thank you for sharing! Reply
Lindsay says January 3, 2018 at 3:36 pm Thank you Sharon! Drying oranges is my favorite! A new tradition for sure and I still have mine up! I think they’ll stay through winter…they make me so happy 🙂 Reply
Denise says January 4, 2018 at 7:52 pm I just watched all of yours videos at one time. I loved them. I read Ann Voskamp and learned the art of gratitude. I read seven and started being more thoughtful about what I have. I read Marie Kondo and started jettisoning possessions and then my husband retired from the ministry and we bought and fixed our own 1,100 sq ft house that we paid off after two years when my mom died and left us money. There is such freedom in being debt free and only having enough and very little more. The journey when you know God is in control is never finished. Reply
Lindsay says January 5, 2018 at 10:31 am Denise thank you so much for sharing those pieces of your story! So beautiful and inspiring! I absolutely need to read marie kondo! I’m feeling the need now, actually, to do another round of purging, simplifying, keeping only what we need! We did that when we moved and I still can’t figure out how we have so much! Reply
Daniela - Sukhi says January 5, 2018 at 5:55 am wooow the house looked really cool! I hope you had a lovely Christmas:) Happy New Year! Reply