Christmas Open House

Hi everybody, welcome to my Christmas open house.  I've been working really hard to put everything up just right.  Each year I do something different with the things I already have, so I never know where things are going or how they're going to turn out.

Check out this post for my table vignette and this post for my fireplace mantle Christmas decorations.

This wreath was new last year, this year I added the wooden white Christmas tree, the rusted bells and I used one of my favorite ribbons to make the bow.

AS you enter my home I put a small sampling of my Santa collection on display and added some of my favorite stuffed animals, sorry no picture of them.  I wanted to convey a warm and friendly welcome.

Just across from the front door is the dinning room.  I kept this room simple, and featured my woodland Santa and some beautiful candles.

You know, I have fought with this room all year.  It is a beautiful room, I know that, but there is something missing.  It reading a little cold to me here.  Maybe I should put the dining room chairs back around the table, or maybe I should go ahead and paint the wall some dark, rich color.  Hmmm???

I love this table but I can not tell you how many times I walk by this thing and think, "I wonder what this would look like painted"?  I'm getting dangerous.

A little something on the stair landing.  The turquoise Christmas balls were a new find.  I was visiting my daughter this weekend and while we were at her Wal-Mart I spied three boxes left on the shelf.  I grabbed them up PDQ.  Maybe they will begin to set the tone for next year.

In the living room, I wanted to feature the color blue, so I used as much as I could in here.  This year I decided to use what I had and not buy anything new however, I would love to shop the after Christmas sale and pick up a smaller tree and some new colors for my Christmas decor, and maybe add more blue for next year.

The decoration in the kitchen kept evolving and you know how I said I wasn't going to buy anything new this year, well the chandleir features some new decorations and I added the black and white check table runner.

This is the half bathroom just off the kitchen.  Sorry, the lighting in here seems very yellow.  I used a door swag that fits on the outer corner on the chair.  It looks kind of unique on there.

Here is the only crafting I have gotten around to.  I made two of these and one of them went to the white elephant Christmas party we went to the other night, tons of fun.  We had to take a present each, the other present was a re-gift.  I bought this woodland Santa face ornament thing, ugly I tell you.  And the funny thing was the man who picked it said the same thing.  I said, "Yep, that sure is" and no one traded him for it. lol.

So, there it is for the most part.   I tried not to do too much but I'm sure that when it comes time to take it all down I will be thinking I put up a lot.

Oh yea, this is the second year that I have not put up a Christmas tree.  Not because I am anti Christmas tree, but because mine is huge and I don't want to lug that big thing around.  It takes two days to put it together and get the decorations on.  Or maybe I'm just slow, and I am slow I've proven that many times, but anyway, this year I came really close to buying a new smaller tree and some new decorations in turquoise but decided I didn't want to spend the money so maybe a little after Christmas shopping is in order, when everything is half off.  I do miss my Christmas tree, though, my daughter, KP, is not happy with me.  Also, Sarah and Caleb will be here next week and they might have something to say about it too. We'll see if Nanoo goes shopping for a tree and lets the kiddos put it up.   Hmm, that would be fun.

Linking with The Nester

and Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life - Christmas Tour of Homes, and Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for her Holly Bloggy Christmas Home Tour,

joining Julia on her Hooked on Holiday House Tours. 

and the ever so talented Kara at Elements Interiors

Seriously if you haven't made to Kara's place you really need to go, she is beyond talented and her Christmas decorations are amazing.  And she's fffuuunnnnyyyyy with some of that sweet Texas spirit, so ya'll go see her.

Merry Christmas everyone.  :))

See ya.