It's Christmas Time in the City...

First comes my Nana Tree. I call it that because my grandmother, Nana, made every ornament on it plus the tree skirt. I can't even imagine how many hours she put into this tree and I love getting it out every year.

O Holy Night!

Those of you who know me know that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I go a little crazy decorating the house. Last year' post, 'Tis the Season, shows you what I mean. Everyone was coming to house house that year, so I really went all out. Every room, bedroom and even the bathrooms had a touch of Christmas. As it happened, my grandson came 6 weeks early, so we spent the holidays out of state. I decorated the house, left a few days later, then came home after a month and undecorated everything. Not exactly what I had planned, but a wonderful Christmas none the less.

This year is different. I had the urge to change things up, to really simplify. I wanted to take the focus off the glitz and glitter and focus on the true meaning of Christmas, my Savior's birth. This year is all about natural beauty. No Santas or reindeer in every room. It's all about God-made not man-made. It's understated and beautiful. It's exactly what I needed this year.

White velvet stockings with a simple initials, green garland with pine cones and white lights.

More white lights on trees and domes filled with pinecones.

Pillows are changed out for a subtle changes in each room.

A simple centerpiece of white candles.

The Jesse Tree in the entry.

And a Nativity in every room to remind me of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

O Holy Night!

I'll keep you posted...

Lynn

'Tis The Season!!!

It's my favorite time of the year and I'm excited to say that all the decorating is done. I know that I usually say less is better, but that is not my approach at Christmas. I fill every nook and cranny with decorations collected over my lifetime. Here's a little sample of what my home looks like this year:

Let's start with the tree. This year it's all white and gold with a "found in nature" theme. Simple and beautiful. There is a white burlap tree skirt, cotton boles, pine cones, icy branches, and snowflakes of different sizes and textures.

Santa is everywhere. My favorite old ones are in a vignette on the bar.

My "Nana" tree has a place of honor on a table in the playroom. Every ornament and the tree skirt were hand made by my grandmother, Nana.

Garland adorns bannisters, light fixtures, and the mantle and Christmas pillows are scattered in every room.

I have dozens of beautiful glass ornaments that I decided not to put on the tree this year. I wanted to still have them out, so I put them in 3 bell jars on a table and it's my new favorite thing. Even though you can't see each ornament, the overall look is wonderful.