Welcome to our home my friends…I hope you enjoy Christmas home tours as much as I do! I absolutely love seeing how other people create a warm and welcoming atmosphere during the holiday season.
I’m inspired by the love that goes into dressing a home for Christmas…
But do you ever stop to ask yourself why we do it? Why all the lights and the trees and the decorations?
I’m fairly certain that the answer depends on the person you’re asking….I’m also pretty sure that most people would have more than one answer…
I mean it doesn’t take a Christmas tree or lights or mantel decorations to celebrate the birth of Jesus…which, for our family, is the meaning behind our celebration.
These things are just things right?
True. But sometimes these ‘things’ can be used to create memories that will stay with you throughout your entire life…
Memories that will completely envelope you with hope and joy twenty, thirty, forty or seventy-five years later...
In the weeks and months leading up to Christmas, I’m always amazed at the emotions my childhood memories evoke…decorating the tree can make me miss Mama with a pain so sharp it threatens to undo me at the exact moment that same memory comforts me and leaves me smiling.
A quote from A Christmas Carol comes to mind : “it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well” .
That’s true about my parents when we were growing up..they kept Christmas well.
Such a gift, to keep Christmas well. So on some level, that’s what I’ve always been compelled to do…when our kids were younger and we didn’t have a lot of money, we improvised. Literally, our decorations were homemade gingerbread men cookies and strings of popcorn and cranberries…
We didn’t light up the outside of the house, just an evergreen wreath with a red bow on the door…
The holiday events were baking days and hot chocolate with marshmallows before bed (Keep in mind that I didn’t know about the evils of white sugar back then 🙂 )
We’d sit around the dinner table after long days of work and school and talk about which desserts we should make for the family Christmas party or what Christmas movie we’d watch that weekend…
Small things. But really, life long memories are made from the very small and simple things…
So if you’re in a place where money is a little tight or extra time for big decorating projects is nonexistent …that’s okay.
I’ve been right where you are. Truth be told, most people either have been-will be-or ARE right where you are. Make your amazing memories with whatever you have…
Use budget friendly things like mason jars..there’s nothing that says Merry & Bright like mason jars with tiny lights tucked inside…
Maybe decorate a gingerbread house from the grocery…
Or keep a bowl of oranges on the counter…
Or my favorite thing…tiny holly wreaths hanging on a long strand of ribbon…
And if by chance your childhood Christmas memories were not warm and cozy…if you’re ready, maybe you could do things different this year and fill the season with all the things you love…
…like hot chocolate with marshmallows right before bedtime …
…or maybe a strand of tiny lights in an unexpected place…
Or maybe a little something to remind you what the season is really all about…
…or something you loved from childhood- like Shiny Brite ornaments-
…better yet, carve out an afternoon and do something you love to do, like snuggle up with a good book or watch a happy movie…
If you have time I’d love to hear about your favorite childhood Christmas memory or how you’re creating memories for your family these days… xo
And in case you like videos!
Sending love my friends xo
Oh Robin! I just read your whole post with the biggest lump in my throat! What a beautiful and thoughtful post, how you really spoke to each person that may be lucky enough to read this! You spoke directly to my heart, you see I lost both of my beautiful parents this year and as you know so well that pain is very sharp and certain things at certain times make it so you have to close your eyes and just breathe. Thank-you for this lovely post and the great comfort it provided, your home is beyond lovely and made even more so by the heart that lives there! xo
Laurie…oh honey…hugs hugs hugs…I’m so sorry for your profound loss my friend- I pray that God would be so close to you that you’re absolutely aware of Him during the coming weeks…He is near to the broken hearted and that’s the only comfort. sending you so much love xo
What a lovely home, and you have it decorated so beautiful for Christmas. The Angel wings on the stone of the fireplace are stunning. I really like the fairy lights in the jars hung on the sled on the porch, too. I am enjoying all of the Holiday Home Tours so much this year, I plan to feature some on my blog. I hope it is okay that I will share the picture of your Shiny Bright ornaments on your little white tree. I will certainly link back to you! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Chloe, you’re so sweet my friend and you’re welcome to use a photo! sending love xo
What a sweet post. Agreed… Christmas is not stuff… or money, but a sweet warm comfy feeling with Jesus as the focus.
Hugs, Gee
thank you Gee…hugs to you too my friend ox
STUNNING!!! LOVE LOVE your gorgeous kitchen!! Stop on by when you have a chance!
Martina, oh thank you friend…I’ll stop by soon! ox
Robin,
Your home is so beautiful that I could just look at the photos all day! Love your new kitchen cupboard, but just seeing all you do gives me inspiration to get busy myself. Thanks for sharing all this beauty with us.
Nancy, thank you friend…you’re so encouraging xo
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you Stacey xo
Love seeing your home. I don’t have a blog so have been sharing my rooms on my FB page and on Instagram. Very few new projects and decor this year, but after 48 years of Christmas decorations I even gave some to Goodwill this year.
Judy, you know how much I LOVE your amazing home-you have a way of making your home feel warm and welcoming and oh so beautiful xo
Everything about your home is so beautiful Robin! I love the angel wings, the sleigh, the tree, the table centerpiece, etc, etc, etc,
Gorgeous!
Happy Holiday my sweet friend,
Leslie
Leslie, oh thank you sweet friend …xo
You’ve created a lovely, beautiful and real warm home.
Thank you for sharing and thank you for all your awesome tutorials!
Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.
Colleen
Colleen thank you so much my friend xo
Absolutely fantastic! I would so love to cozy up by that fire! I shared on FB.
Becky, come on over! I’ll make some hot chocolate and something sweet to eat 🙂 xo
Robin, everything is sooo beautiful and I love the gingerbread goodies on your table and your little girl in front of the tree. That is the meaning of Christmas for sure. Your home is gorgeous. xo Lisa
Lisa, thank you so much my friend xo
Robin, your home is beautifully decorated but I love what you have written even better. 🙂 Yes, I have been there. I remember those days but we still had wonderful Christmases and had fun doing simple things. I actually prefer the simple things. One thing I’ve done with my great nieces and nephews is let them make gingerbread houses (I put them together with graham crackers ahead of time) and they love it. I’m not sure we’ll do it this year but I hope they can come up one day and maybe decorate cookies or make something fun!! 🙂 I love your new microwave/coffee area in your kitchen too!! The counter does add so much warmth. 🙂 Merry Christmas!!
Gina , I bet your great nieces and nephews adore you! I’ve never tried the gingerbread houses with graham crackers! That sounds like a great idea!!! xo (Thank you friend for being such a sweet encourager)
Oh, my goodness! Your house is amazing! So beautiful, and I LOVE how you decorate both for Christmas and otherwise. It made me sad when you mentioned your Mama. I lost mine in 2012, and oh, my, the pain is still so fresh. I lost my Daddy in 2000, while I was 11 1/2 weeks along in my pregnancy with the miracle son God sent to us after 12 1/2 years of marriage and infertility struggles. I am so grateful to have him and my sweet husband to make new Christmas memories with! God is so good. I trust He will bless you and your family this Christmas and comfort you when sad emotions come along as you miss your dear Mama. 🙂
Cheryl…huggggs!!! I’m so sorry about your precious mom. The holidays heighten every emotion…but also heightens every memory – so there’s bliss and pain in the remembering…I pray you will have a blessed and peaceful Christmas my friend – sending love xo
Robin your house looks beautiful as always! So warm and cozy and I love seeing your little pups! I am in love with your sled lit up with the mason jars!
Shanna, don’t the pups just insist on being in all the photos! (Do yours do that 🙂 ) thank you for you kind words friend xo
The photos convey so much love, charm and comfort- but so do your words. Beautiful, like always! Much love to you friend- thank you for sharing~
Love right back to ya my friend xo
Stunning!
I love everything about this post, Robin! Your home looks so warm and inviting, with so many beautiful and creative Christmas touches. I have to say that the fairy lights in mason jars make me smile. I just love them. I also completely get the joy and pain of remembering those we miss so much at Christmas. My father died just after Christmas when I was 16, and so I think of him often at this time of year. This was his favorite holiday, and he made it especially wonderful for us kids. I feel lucky to have experienced truly enchanted Christmases as a kid. It wasn’t about loads and loads of presents; it was about sharing time with family and friends, singing carols, and baking gifts to give to neighbors, which I still love to do now. I just have to add that our 15-year-old nephew is sleeping over tonight, and he asked if he could sleep on the sofa next to the tree instead of in the guest room. It made my heart melt! He’s growing up so fast, but for a moment he was a little kid again. This is why I love this season so.
xoxo Gigi
Oh Gigi…I didn’t know you lost your dad when you were 16…what a terribly difficult age for everything. I’m so sorry. I wonder if you get some of your extraordinary creativity from your dad…and how amazing that your nephew wanted to sleep next to the tree. Made my heart melt to my friend xo
Your home looks beautiful decorated for Christmas, Robin. I truly enjoyed examining each detail in all of your pictures. Your woodland scene on your table is so cute! I really wish it were on my table! 🙂
Such a stunning home you have! And it’s even more beautiful all decked out for Christmas. I loved the message of your post.
Beautiful Angel wings! Your tree is absolutely gorgeous! Love your mason jars all lite up on your sled!
Robin,
I always look forward to touring your home. It’s always just so beautiful!! This season is stunning! Your family room is just so welcoming, cozy and festive. I know your family must enjoy gathering there. XXOO Christy
Christy – I feel the same way about your lovely home…sending love my friend ox
Beautiful! And thoughtful with economical suggestions and celebrating the spirit of the holiday with what you have. I am not a big home decorator so I often can feel stressed by the fact that I don’t make a home that looks like yours, but your post was very welcoming and inviting, made me feel better if anything about my minimalist Christmas. Thanks!
Mary, I think the simple things tend to make the the best Christmas memories…thank you so much for your encouraging words my friend- Merriest Christmas xo
Your home is beautiful Robin!!! Every single inch! Thank you for sharing it with us! xoxo
Nancy
Thank you so much friend xo
Dear Robin….what a remarkably beautiful home and post! You have such a dear heart and it shows with each of your posts. I hope your holiday season is merry and bright and wonderful blessings continue to come your way in the new year!
Angela
Your home is so beautiful and your Christmas touches are perfect! Love the wintry scenes in the terrarium and the glass jar, such a great idea! Hope you have a blessed Christmas! XO
Your home looks exactly like a house should look like at Christmas….decorated with meaning and memories rather than just decorations. Love it all….inside and out!
thank you so much Jamie…you couldn’t have given me any greater encouragement my friend ox
Such a beautiful post and a beautiful home! I love all the simple memories you share. It really is the little things and the memories that make Christmas special. Thanks for sharing it all with us. ~ Angie
Such a lovely and beautiful home. I looked carefully at the decorations and furnishings and I have a question about that big beautiful bed. Did it come in that color or did you paint it? I have one very similar that I am wanting to paint. Problem is getting my husband to agree…lol.
Mary…it’s oak and I painted it! I had a bit of trouble because of the finish- I eventually had to use an oil based primer then used Behr paint with primer in a creamy white color…then used tinted wax to give it a bit of an antiqued look ! Good luck w/ your hubby- it took me years to convince mine! oxox
Your house is beautiful as always. I can tell you put heart into all you do from the little things in your house to the words you use on your blog. Love the little pops of pink from the shiny-brite ornaments. I love this time of year but this year has been a little harder for me, My daughter has her own apartment and her first full time job after college. I know -they are all good things. We are starting new Christmas traditions but a little sad to let go of the old. My Mother died in 2007 and I miss how she could bring everyone together . We will be fine- just a little hard for me. Take care and have a beautiful day my sweet friend.
Jen…sending you hugs and lots of love my friend – and praying that you’ll find joy this Christmas …xo
Thanks Robin You are right I am going to choose joy ! I know sometimes I feel sad but I also have a lot of happy memories and plan to make more. Merry Christmas and may your house be full of joy as well.
Robin your home is so warm and inviting – and everything is gorgeous! I’m sure your family loves getting together there to celebrate and make memories. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!
What a beautiful post Robin! Your house sure does look like Christmas, so beautiful! Although I don’t always comment I do enjoy your blog and love all that you share with all of us.
Take care
thank you so much Jeannette…sending love my friend ox
This post has brought me to tears. Sometimes we get so caught up in the material aspects that we lose focus of what’s really important – keeping Christmas well. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home and words of wisdom with us. God bless.
Natalie—I’m so happy that you liked it my friend~ sending love~xo