The Last of Christmas

I almost didn't take photos of our Christmas decor before putting it all away but I knew I'd regret it later. It's almost entirely different from last year's decor in our last house, although I did use some of the same elements. I wanted to continue to use things I love but organized some in a different way to suit a different space. I filled in the gaps with handmade or thrifted pieces and ended up really happy with it in the end. 

I made our stockings last year out of some beautiful Melody Miller fabric paired with some pretty flannels and solids but they just didn't fit with the dark fireplace and pink and gold color scheme so I used some leftover felt from the banner and garlands and made some new ones. I just used the old one as a template for the largest size and made gradually smaller sizes. Then I stitched them together at the sides and hand-cut the designs before gluing them to the front with tacky glue. I'm keeping the old ones but only because I think they're so pretty, not because I'm sentimental. My grandmother gave my mom ours from when we were kids and they put up the same stockings for our kids at their house every year. I love that idea but I think I get too hung up on how we're in a new house almost every other Christmas and everything changes. Do you use the same ones every year? 

I thrifted all of the deer one at one time but these white ones got a makeover with some glittered antlers. The faux antlers in the center of the mantel had their tips done as well. I had a handful of white bottle brush trees and then bought some of the green ones they sell at Michael's and bleached them. I had some trouble with the larger ones so I only used the smaller ones this year.

The angels were all thrifted a few weeks before Christmas. They just kept showing up at thrift stores and I realized I loved them. The choir boys are a similar style and I picked those up after Christmas but had to put them out for a bit when we got back home. The faux snow globe has a vintage tart tin turned upside down with an old angel ornament similar to ones I had as a kid. Her wings were broken so I hot glued some tinsel to her back to make wings and then glued her to the tart tin and added some faux snow. 

I'd searched and searched online for a cement lawn deer like the one above for months and always kept my eye out when driving around town for those kitchsy lawn ornament stores but to no avail when I finally saw one at one of my favorite old flea markets outside of Joplin, MO on break. Our car was already full so I had to scoot my seat back as much as Sebastian could stand it and placed it in the floorboard of my seat. Then I climbed in with my legs stuck through it and had to drive with my purse, laptop, camera, and quilt on my lap. It was a site but I would've tied it to the roof to get it home. We were ablel to offload some presents and ship some back home in order to repack a bit and free up my seat again. Ha! Ruby always loved the one at the Red Velvet shop so now she has her own deer pony to ride. I imagine he'll be a part of our decor year round instead of just at Christmas as I first intended.

We had twinkle lights strung in almost every room and our front porch was kind of incredible at night. It housed the kids' tree that we cut down in the woods and had some more vintage ornaments in red, white, and gold but it bit the dust while we were away and the floor in there is covered in needles so no porch tour this year. I also had two vintage deer cut outs that I planned on hanging in the kids' room but just never figured out where. Next year, they'll be up for sure.

Christmas at our house looks a little different every year but I love that we have enough elements of what we love, things we've collected over the years, and handmade bits that feel extra special to keep things feeling both sentimental and fresh. Sometimes figuring it out all over again each year can feel like more work than it's worth but I'm always so glad I put in the effort in the end.

Okay, that was the last of the Christmas posts. Promise.

-Rachel

 

Comments

[Jess]

Hi! Your decor is so sweet and cute! We use the same decor every year, because we collect fabrics, ornaments etc that we love, and when we open the boxes each year it is so nostalgic. Sure we add a bit of new each year, but overall its the same colors --woods, cranberry, gold, jewel tones, and lots of green boughs and candles--arranged a bit differently each year. Our stockings are the same each year too, my aunt made them for our family. Even though we move, we don't change all our decor each time. The tradition of those same colors and decor items makes each place familiar, and feel connected to traditions and memories from past Christmases. The whole month of December is full of memories, traditions, and rituals--even things like like drinking tea near the sparkling real tree every morning feels special in December--and the sentimental enjoyment of reusing our decor each year is part of that. It also keeps Christmas decor storage manageable haha! Otherwise storage in out little place would get crazy to add too much each year. Love your blog!

[Rachel]

I would love one of those lawn deer's. And I would be like you and give him as permanent home inside.

Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

[Sandi]

You really do have the best eye for decorating, just lovely.

[amanda]

Wowza, so festive! Our decorations definitely paled in comparison, will keep an eye for next year!

amanda
http://thingstoholdandstir.blogspot.com/

[Danzel]

I adore your Christmas stuff. I love how bright and cheery everything was. You make me want a white tree.

[Megan Lane]

on my gosh, i love all of your decorations!! i like all the different ways you used mason jars, will have to keep that in mind for next year.

[BeckyBedbug]

Wow, wow, wow! Your house is so beautiful!

Becky
xx

[Elizabeth]

I love how much thought you put into it - thanks for taking the time to show us.

[susie]

so pretty and cozy... your kids will have great memories of those special touches you're so good at.

[sarah]

adorable!

Sar

www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage

[amanda]

you're so good at making things look "complete" :)

[Jenna @ Grapefruit and Gold]

i just discovered you via pinterest! your home is absolutely adorable! the perfect mix of chic and fun!

[Tricia]

i have also been collecting vintage angels, choir boys and girls, and the like. my collection was looking so fantastic, until my two-year old decided that he loved them so hard, he had to break a few. but i still have quite a few. i don't know what it is about them, but they're so sweet to have in your christmas decor repertoire.