Holidays, It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Come on in and I’ll show you what we’ve been up to!
The Palace Guard is on duty by the front door
holding gifts and a letter to Santa
Poinsettias, potted amaryllis and a forest of trees
are swathed in mini lights on the foyer table
In the family room,
a box of beaded fruit decorated with “Courtly Check” ribbon,
flanked with trees and a tiered stand,
decorates the mantel under a wreath of sparkling silver balls
MacKenzie-Childs ornaments {gifts from a special friend} dot the arrangements
and the Sweet Home Alabama cotton tree is decorated this year
with more beaded fruit and black and white check ribbon
This past week was filled with tree trimming,
gingerbread houses, and trains!
We kicked off December with old fashioned paper advent calendars for the boys,
with tabs to open each day until Christmas,
plus a large felt Santa with pockets* for small daily treats or notes
Saturday morning we trimmed the tree~
There was much excitement and everything came out
The ornaments on this tree are not pricey baubles,
many are handmade paper ornaments from school days past…
The boys are old enough now to recognize and remember certain ones,
giggling about things they made,
and hearing stories about when their Dad and Aunt DD were little,
and I just watch…
I let them do it their way
it might not be designer perfect, but it’s perfect to me…
Saturday afternoon the cousins came over
for our annual gingerbread house decorating party
This has been a holiday tradition for the past 6 years
and over time we’ve learned some secrets…
I buy the kits {Target and Trader Joe’s are great sources for house kits]
and Amazon has a huge assortment here
The kits come with some candy,
and I add additional candies and candy canes so they have plenty
To make things easy for the kids
I assemble the houses with hot glue
and give them canned colored icing for decorating
{The icing in the kits can be tricky to work with, and often requires set up time, especially for building the houses, so these tips help things go smoothly…}
Sunday, the trains came out
Another long standing family tradition,
going back to when HH was a small boy,
and now the construction is carried on by HHjr and his children
This year, the rug was rolled up and the tracks were laid on the floor of the “toy room,”
convenient for play, yet out of the way of the main traffic flow
So things are definitely getting merrier by the day…
Angels are singing around a glistening fruit and flower tree in the hallway
A mini Christmas village decorates the shelves behind the bar
The family room shelves are filled with “elves”
And the patio is full of Ho Ho Holiday Pumpkins
Thanks for stopping by today,
I am so happy to have virtual visitors!
*As an Amazon Associate anything purchased from the links provided may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday Creatively Crafty
Thursday Favorite Things Creative Cumpulsions Meal Plan Monday
RSS - Posts
Are you adopting? I would love to be a grandchild at your house. Everything is so festive and fun!
Aww, thanks Ann!!
It’s Merry, Merry at your house! I love it! And using hot glue for the gingerbread houses… awesome! What a great idea!
Happy Day to You!
Thank you Nancy!
Jenna, you are a fabulous grandmother to these beautiful grandchildren! Your home is perfectly ready for the Christmas Season, and it is truly the most wonderful time of the year. I love that you allow the grands to decorate your foyer tree with all of the handmade ornaments and memories that they evoke. In my opinion, a tree filled with memories is more beautiful than a themed designer tree. Good tips on the gingerbread houses…Merry, Merry Wednesday!
Thanks so much Pam, they are an enthusiastic bunch! I can’t believe we’re almost half way through December, wow! Can’t wait to see your EM and EK dressed up for Christmas!
Is it OK if I just move in and live at your house at Christmas and unofficially adopt your family? What fun! The kids are darling and I love how they are so excited to help. The hand made and memory tree is the best — far better than any “theme” piece or flittering color themed baubles! I adore those Gingerbread houses and wish we could get to a Trader Joe. I like the A-frame and it seems like it might be easier for kids to work with too — and it looks so cute. I tried to pick out a favorite room or vignette or “thing” but I loved them all so much, I couldn’t! This gives me extra oomph to get through another decorating day!
haha, you are too sweet Jeanie, it is fun to see how excited they get about everything, and since they are old enough to help, it makes things even more fun! I will say all the decorations really do make things jolly and happy, definitely worth the effort! I’m glad you are starting to feel a little better and up to doing some decorating!
Everything is perfect! I love every single thing Jenna and I know the kids are all having a blast!
Thank you Martha, it’s been busy around here!
Oh, Jenna, this couldn’t make me happier! you definitely have your Christmas mojo going, and I can see how infectious it is! The kids are really into it. I love them working on the gingerbread houses!
Thank you Rita, the children are so enthusiastic about every little thing, it makes all the chaos worthwhile! They kept finding decorations and pulling them out…so sweet!
Oh, Jenna, your energy and excitement jumps off the page while reading this post! Your home is spectacular and you can feel the excitement filling up your home as all the preparations come together. You’re so lucky to have the grandkids nearby. We’re back in lockdown in CA for 3 weeks, and I’m not sure if visits by grandchildren will be remotely possible in the near future. I figure we’ll deliver gifts to each home and stay outside to do so. I’ll so miss the whole family not being here for our normal crazy Christmas Day that includes a Talent Show. But, 20 people in the house is absolutely OUT at this point. Will be so glad to see 2021! Happy Holidays! Can’t wait to see more pictures!
Rosie, you always lift my heart so much! I am thankful everyday to be able to live so close to my children and grands…I know your holiday will be hard without your Christmas Day craziness, {I bet the Talent Shows are something!!} At least we have technology, with Zoom, Facetime etc so that helps a little…Hopefully 2021 will be back to more normal times and activities! Thanks so much!! Try to stay Merry and Jolly!
How wonderful! I would absolutely love to see your house at night with all the lights on. I bet it looks just like magic!
Thank you Dorothy, lights make everything magical don’t they…
The sure do!
I love the whimsy in your life. We are also decorating with what we love…and enjoying the more layed back holiday we will have. Downside, we have to be separate from those we love, but stay in touch with devices and mails. Hugs…love all your goodies, and those kids are adorable! Sandi
Thanks so much Sandi, our house is multi-generational, with my son and his boys living here, and my daughter and her family only lives a few miles away, so there’s always lots of action…
You have some of the cutest Christmas decor, Jenna. Your grands did an excellent job with their gingerbread houses! So cute! And I always enjoy your foyer table: You make it adorable for every season! And I am definitely coveting your tree skirt in the Courtly Check! 😀
xo,
RJ
Thanks RJ, I wasn’t really going to do much this year, but my helpers kept pulling stuff out of the closet, they were so excited! I made the tree skirt several years ago, not hard at all 🙂 I know your Christmas will be special this year with your new family member!
Jenna, thanks so much for the tour. It was such a treat as your house looks so beautiful and brimming with happiness for this Christmas season. That darling soldier standing at the door is the perfect thing to greet your guests. The grands did a wonderful job decorating the tree. The tree that my kids decorate with ornaments that they made long ago is my favorite. Thanks for the tips on gingerbread house decorating. In years past, ours always turn out to be a disaster-lol. They seem to fall apart. I like your tip of using hot glue. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your week! Take care!
Thanks so much Shannon, I love our “palace guard” I got him last year from Grandin Road, just couldn’t resist!! It is fun to see the grands looking at the paper ornaments their parents made and hear their comments 😂 Hot glue is going to be your best friend when it comes to gingerbread house making!
Oh my goodness! I love seeing all the decorating and gingerbread making and train fun at your house. Each picture is better than the next. So fun. God bless you for keeping those traditions alive….especially the really old ones!
Thank you Diane, the old traditions really are priceless, and I always get a kick out of seeing what is remembered…special times! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Oh, I love your home at Christmas Jenna. It’s so special and filled with love of family. Beautiful traditions with the tree (it is beautiful) and all the special decorations. I love the boys have their trains, we have them here too but they don’t come out very often. I’m so happy all the grands can come and enjoy the special fun. Memories they’ll cherish……..
Thank you Emily! I was certainly thinking of you as I got out the special MKC ornaments you gave me! I love watching the guys play with the trains, the Dads love them as much as the boys 😂
Such fun, festive decorations! You have so many wonderful traditions that are so child friendly. I especially love your tree; memories make the best trees!
Thank you Linda, it melts my heart to see them remembering things as they decorate, making new memories while they enjoy the old…
Jenna, your home is very merry! I would love to come and play 🙂
Thank you Deb!
So festive and cheery Jenna! I love that your grands decorate your tree with all your wonderful ornaments and all the memories that they represent. So much fun with the train room too! You are so fortunate to be able to spend time with your family during these times of isolating.♥
I know, I am soooo thankful I can be with my children and grands…
I love seeing how each family decorates differently. And glad you are spending time with family.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you! I agree, it is fun to peek into other homes!
Jenna, your home looks so festive and fun, I know the grands love coming to visit. Such a great idea for each grand to decorate their very own gingerbread house. The tree with handmade ornaments is priceless and so special. I love your tall nutcracker. Such a special gift you bought yourself. Everything looks beautiful. It is definitely Christmas at your home.
What a lovely home! I just love how your tree turned out and those homemade ornaments are adorable. We have lots of those too and I just love all the memories associated with them.
Thanks so much Joanne, I really am enjoying all the holiday cheer around me this year!
I love all your colors and what fun to have the boys. We are missing our Grandgirl so much. I love the train station print, is that yours??? Hugs, had to pin a bunch of stuff! Sandi
Thanks so much Sandi! The train station is actually one of the boy’s advent calendar, I love the old fashioned look of it!
Everything is absolutely beautiful, Jenna!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
thank you Michelle!
Congratulations! Your post was my Most Clicked at #OverTheMoon this week. Visit me on Sunday evening and see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please be sure to leave your link number or post title so we can be sure to visit!