Christmas Home Tour 2013

I haven't been blogging here since the summer, because I usually blog over here.  This blog space is reserved for more family life type of blogging.  And today I am linking up with The Nester for her Christmas Tour of Homes.

I wasn't sure I should even do this, since my photos and decorations are pretty lame compared to the other homes on tour.

But, then I remembered this and this, and decided to present my humble offering.  And then there's one of my favorite Christmas songs, In the Bleak Midwinter and that verse I love:

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

So here is our home, and heart, for you to see, along with a few easy tips; Merry Christmas!

It can be a temptation to spend money each year on decorating.  But, the last two years I

have purposed to use what we have.  Sometimes I will visit the $1 store or $1 bins to add a

few new treasures to the mix.  But mostly, I just put things together that we have.  This year

I incorporated shades of turquoise blues to match our home.  

 

An old berry container makes for a fun winter decoration.  Add a simple ribbon or twine to a

candle for a finishing look.

Choose some key phrases or scriptures to display to remind you of the reason for all your

holiday celebrating.  I choose to use "Give thanks", "Be Still", "Let it Snow", and "Merry

Christmas".  Let little hands help and keep the fragile items up high.  Don't be afraid to

display that imperfect artwork by yourself or others.  Dare to offer your handiwork as a 

blessing to others.

Bring the outside in.  I used old birds' nests for my bird figurines.  The white container was 

from a thrift store.  Birds are special to us (since we want to use a particular birds' name for 

our #5).  Choose an easy theme or fun color pattern for your decorating...this will help you

know what to include, or not include, as you deck the halls.

Keep the main thing the main thing...Jesus' birth.  Immanuel, God with us.  With ornaments,
a Nativity, or artwork; lovingly point your family and guests to the Christ of Christmas.

Most of all have fun decorating and keep it simple.  Focus on what Christmas really means- 

Jesus, salvation, family togetherness, being generous and making memories.

Summer Mantel

 

When I looked up the word mantle, instead of mantel, one of the definitions was "a part of a bird's anatomy".  I found this interesting since I kind of went with a bird theme for our summer "mantel" (which is really not a mantle, but the top of our piano). 

The reason I went with the bird theme was because I have been intrigued with them lately.  My parents got the kids two bird feeders and a bird identifying book and it has been fun to see our new little friends in the backyard.

But, more than that birds have been a trigger of hope  The girl name we have picked out (for Baby #4) is a bird name, Larkin (Lark for short).  We liked the name, and then Hubby looked up the definition and it said larks are known for their melodious songs.  We were sold on the name then for sure; this time of waiting for Baby #4 (to adopt) has been marked by song.

I also love to get fresh bouquets from our yard; to bring the outside in.  For the two bouquets on the "mantel" I added some surprises; a flowering chive, a sprig of rosemary from the garden, and a few cuts of black raspberries.

I also redid the entertainment center "mantel" too.  I focused more on colors here; the bright yellow and turquoise.  "Give Thanks" is our family theme for this year, so I kept those pieces highlighted as well.  The piece of fabric wrapped around the plant also has birds on it.  As I mentioned in a previous post, one of my sis-in-laws gave me this cut of fabric to remind us to keep hoping and waiting for baby.

The best thing about the "mantels" is that I didn't spend any money, I used what I had or had been given to me (at one time I spent a few dollars between the two white containers and one of the birds).  It felt good to freshen things up without going shopping; just rearranging.

I have been drawn to these colors lately too, salmon, turquoise, red, chocolate brown, and bright yellow.  Reminds me of the bright colors of summer.

Hope you have a great one!

I am linking up with the The Lettered Cottage (see button below), for some reason I am having some trouble displaying the link, so just scroll below and click on their link.