After writing yesterday’s post, I started thinking about why I let the holiday preparations make me so crazy! After all, I don’t HAVE to decorate as much as I do or cook everyone’s favorite foods, or make sure I buy the special gifts. I do it all because I want to…it’s my choice!
I watch my daughters each year as they create traditions in their families and I know they do this because it’s important to them that their children have these special memories as they grow up, just as it has always been important to me that they had special memories. I also want to create those magical memories in our home for our grandsons…the anticipation of opening their presents, hot chocolate, cookies and new Christmas pj’s on Christmas Eve, croissants and grits casserole for Christmas breakfast! As they are growing up, they will see that I put time into things because they are special to me!
So…I will most likely always continue to let my crazy take over, trying to make everything just right, but I will remember that I’m doing it for all the right reasons! The greatest pictures of the whole season are the ones where the living room is covered in wrapping paper and everything is a mess! The adults are relaxing and watching the kids play with their toys and we all feel so happy to be together! The cleanup can wait…it’s Christmas morning!
Amos gets just as excited about Christmas as we do! He knows there will be new bones and treats under the table! He’s part of the family!
It’s a rare moment when I get to put my feet up, but I’m doing it in style with these cute red shoes!
The holiday goodies will come out on Christmas Eve after we’ve had dinner. The girls and their husbands are all pitching in this year and helping with the cooking so I won’t have to do quite as much! I always make artichoke dip and chocolate pie!
The table never looks the same from year to year! This year, I kept it simple because I really love my milk glass urns and new candlesticks and didn’t want to take them off the table! The large bowl in the middle is filled with two huge mercury glass acorns that I’ve had forever! I do like the simplicity of it! The Christmas poppers have become a tradition and the ones I found at Anthropologie this year fit my decor so well!
A cozy spot in front of the fire with one of my favorite decor books…Wonderland by Summer Thornton! I’ll look forward to enjoying this spot in January! Btw…if you order this book today on Amazon, you’ll get it by Christmas and it makes a great gift for anyone who loves interior design!
This chair is a new addition to the living room! It finally came in October after being ordered in April! The round pillow is made of faux fur and looks fabulous in the chair!
I think the green velvet sofa looks like Christmas all year long!
I found one roll of this gorgeous hot pink velvet ribbon this year and went crazy for it! I’ve already ordered several more rolls for next year because I want it all over the house! We are doing some much needed renovations in 2023 and I’m planning some over-the-top holiday decorations!
We call this room “the parlor” because we have no idea what else to call it! I completely redid the room this year with different paint and the fabulous fabric on the chairs! Pink and orange are among my favorite color combinations and I’m finding that I am more drawn to pink than ever before!
The Santa’s and Christmas trees here have been collected over the years! Some were purchased on a trip to Germany long ago, and the two small wooden ones were carved by my father!
The stockings were hung! Next year when our daughter Sarah, who lives in Germany is home with her family next year, we may have to get a bigger mantle so that we can hang all the stockings! The more the merrier on Christmas!
I love to collect beautiful decor and fashion books and add to my collection every year!
As luck would have it, I’m a little under the weather and trying to rest! I still have a few things left on my list, but Baldy is stepping up to help me! I hope you’ve enjoyed my Christmas Home Tour! We made a video but it’s not quite ready but will be on YouTube soon and I’ll post here on Crazy Blonde Life! Enjoy these last few days until Christmas…even if they’re busy!
What are your favorite holiday traditions? Leave a comment and let me know!
And…here are a few things I’m thinking about for New Year’s Eve!
I adored your 2022 table settings ,transitional but elegant!
Where did you get your new candle sticks or where could I
similar ones?
Thank You,
Jan Hebbard
Hi Jan
Thank you so much! I got my candlesticks from a friend who has a small but beautifully edited shop in her home in Greensboro, NC.. She is a decorator with exquisite taste. Her name is Lisa Johnson and her Instagram is @lisajohnsonco. I’m sure if you message her and tell her that you saw the candlesticks on my dining room table, she could get you the same ones! Let me know if you would like me to give her a heads up!
I can relate with your desire to make everything special for your family as I do the same. I bake a large batch of cinnamon rolls to give away and it wouldn’t be the holidays without cookie baking and decorating with my girls and grandchildren with Johnny Mathis playing in the background.
Many of my friends are choosing to do less each year but I hope that I never lose the joy that I get making my home festive, warm and welcoming.
Merry Christmas and may the new year bring you joy and happiness all the year through!
Hi Harriet!
Your Christmas traditions sound so lovely! I’m sure your grandchildren love to bake with you! It’s such a special thing and very messy…but worth it!
I think there is comfort in walking around a beautifully decorated home and knowing that you’ll host your family at Christmas! It’s a gift for you and them!
Thank you so much for reading Crazy Blonde Life and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Beautiful pictures!! I do miss your video like you have done previously. Merry Christmas!
Hi Liz!
Thank you so much! The video is on the way! Merry Christmas to you!
As I read your post, I was thinking, this sounds like me with the Holiday Traditions! I host Christmas Eve and Christmas as well and love every minute of it! Your home looks beautiful, Merry Christmas!
Hi Jeana
Hosting Christmas Even and Christmas Day is a lot of work, but so worth it! I love having the memories right here in our home! I have absolutely loved getting to know you this year and I hope you and your family have the best holiday ever! Thank you so much for your sweet comment! Merry Christmas!
Your love for your family shines! Your traditions and home you created are just so beautiful!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!🎄
Thank you so very much! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas as well and I can’t wait to see where 2023 takes you! It’s all very exciting!
Hi there, it’s great you are a super Christmas elf that spreads sparkly magic!
We have a few traditions that we do.
Charity – We buy as many children’s winter coats throughout the year that we can and donate them to the school and a few local churches who pass them out to those in need. We also make sure that a few Christmas wish lists happen for kids on Christmas morning.
Music – Schools, churches and theater s have many concerts, plays and displays this time of year and we love to attend to support them.
Lights – Throughout the holiday season we randomly pick a neighborhood and walk around (hot drinks in hand) admiring all the displays and meeting and talking with others who are doing the same.
Daughter and I love to binge watch Christmas movies throughout December while eating a embarrassing amount of buttery salty popcorn studded with peanut butter m & m’s…I’m good throughout the year eating healthy but hey, so worth it for the PJs, laughter and couch dwelling during the holidays…not sorry!
We keep our holidays casual and simple…freinds always have an open door policy for a meal with us…I’m all about having a home everyone is comfortable in, something good to eat and and drink, happy background noise…(be it Christmas music, snarky teens playing video games razzing eachother, feral tots rampaging through the place and lots of random laughter)
That’s Christmas to me.
Happy holidays to you and yours.
Hi April
I love this all so much! The idea for buying coats throughout the year is amazing and one I’m going to adopt! I worried last night about people being cold because it is so unseasonably cold here and I don’t think people were prepared!
All of your traditions sound perfect…and that popcorn sounds absolutely delicious and so sinful but totally worth it!
Our house also gets loud on Christmas with the grandchildren…they run down the hall and Amos chases them! I wouldn’t have it any other way! My grandsons are such a light in my lie!
Thank you for inspiring with your beautiful comment! Happy Holidays to you and your family!