What's In the Jars Now?

I have been in love with my set of three apothecary jars since the day I bought them at Sam's Club about four years ago. They are so versatile. You can fill them with just about anything and they look good--for any holiday or just for everyday. I have a friend who always asks me, "What's in your jars now?" The above photo is of my jars this fall. I left them in the same spot for Christmas (living room coffee table), and here they are, ready for the Christmas season . . .


Ornaments, starlight mints, and my new addition this year, brown jingle bells, purchased 90% off at Michaels after Christmas last year. They were one of those surprise items you find as you're pulling out the Christmas stuff. The items that you forgot that you even bought, but are so glad that you did! I love the addition of the brown--with my brown Christmas pillow covers and brown curtains, I love how it all coordinates! Um, yeah, I meant to do that!

Nativity Banner

Our secretary is the first thing that people see when they enter our home. I want everyone who enters our home to know what our family's focus is at Christmas, so I placed our new large nativity on top of the secretary this year. I love it with the angels that we've had since the first year we were married--a gift from my husband's Pappaw, who is no longer with us. Even with the angels and nativity set, I thought it needed something more--but not too much. So I adapted my usual banner style and simply strung letters (cut from my Cricut on gold cardstock) on thread. I love its simplicity.

Our Entryway, Ready for Christmas

I am joining Kelly's Korner for her Show Us Your Entryway/Foyer day.


The view from the kitchen.


The view as you enter the front door.


My homemade Christmas Card Holder, ready to display our favorite cards. You can purchase these in different styles from my etsy shop. There is a link in the sidebar. Here is a picture with some cards.



Thanks for stopping by!

Our Christmas Mantel

Better late than never! I am finally getting around to joining the mantel link-up over at The Lettered Cottage. I'm also joining the link-up party at Blue Cricket Design! I love the garland on our mantel. I doubled the thickness because I wanted it extra chunky! I wired in all the ornaments and embellishments, other than the pine cones, which were included with the greenery. We got the green and off-white stockings about ten years ago after Christmas at Restoration Hardware. The boys' stockings (J & G) came from my favorite, Target, a few years ago. I love sitting in this room in the evenings, with the room all aglow from the garland and the tree!

Christmas Card Holder

I am linking up with Centsational Girl's Holiday Craft Party! Go check out all the great crafts!

Every year, there are certain Christmas cards that we receive, that I just adore. I have looked for a way to display them so that I can enjoy them all season. Most of the ideas that I see are for something that hangs on the wall. One thing that I do not have ANY time of year is spare wall space. So, unfortunately, my cards just end up in a stack every year--until this year! I realized that although I do not have any wall space, I do have door space--the back of our front door, to be specific! I simply used my idea for birthday door banners, and added ribbon below the banner as well. And that ribbon below the banner is what the cards attach to, with paper clips or clothespins. I'm using those cutesy itty bitty clothespins that you can find in craft stores. Here is my card holder . . .




I have added this Christmas card holder to my etsy store, along with the two holders below.

My Holiday Home Tour

I am joining Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes and Annie's Home Tour at Santiago Twin Girls. Merry Christmas!



Welcome to my home!




Come on in!


Living room:

The tree in the living room is where we hang all the ornaments that don't fit any theme. All the ornaments our kids make for us and that we buy for them. This tree is not pre-lit and has a ba-zillion individual branches, but I love it!


My Dad got this angel when he was 10. It is 61 years old! Last year was the first year it was on my tree. I cherish it!


These angels were purchased for us by my husband's grandfather, the first year we were married. He is no longer with us, so these are even more special now.







I love my Christmas pillow covers. They are made from dish towels from Crate & Barrel. Yes, I said dish towels!



Dining room:


Our "Travel Tree." You can read about it here.



Kitchen:



Our "Chicken Tree." My husband is a USC grad!


Family Room:


Our "Disney Tree." You can read about it here.




My sons' bathroom with a safari tree:


And last, but never least, the John Deere tree in our playroom. I made the tree skirt!

Thanks for looking! Have a great Christmas season!