Christmas in Mountain Brook, AL is a beautiful thing. I’ve shared this old area of Birmingham with you before with the older homes, estates, magnificent views, and just what a pretty area it is and I usually go to the IPC (Independent Presbyterian Church) Christmas home tour that is held every year at this time. I don’t think I’ve missed one since we moved here 5 years ago and last weekend was it.
The 5 homes are identified with this sign in the yards. Pictures were not allowed inside the homes, so I snapped a few outside to show you how pretty this area looks decked out for Christmas.
In Mountain Brook, fresh greens rule. I say every year that I’m going to go more in this direction, but then I just end up pulling my bins out and using what I have without spending the $$ on fresh greens. One day, I may just do it! I adore this look.
I normally put a pretty fresh greenery swag on my mailbox, but I even skipped that this year. Mountain Brook had plenty of beautifully adorned mailboxes that I’ll show you.
As well as beautiful exteriors on the homes. There are so many styles of architecture displayed and nothing cookie cutter about Mountain Brook.
So, enjoy the tour from the outside, with pretty fresh greens. 
Pinecone trees.
Winter cabbage on an outside table.
A beautiful fresh magnolia wreath.
Another fresh wreath
Gorgeous gardens.
Beautiful terraces.
Yet another stunning real greens wreath.
An arbor.
Another wreath on a back gate complete with white picket fence.
One of the homes coming in the front door. So welcoming, don’t you think?
An outdoor table with mossy reindeer.
A house next door to one on the tour.
This home was one of the tour homes and very contemporary inside. Beautiful views too from the back.
Last stop of the day.
With another gorgeous door flanked with fresh greens.
We spotted such pretty mailbox swags with real greens and all unique, so I snapped a few to share with you. They were all wired securely on the mailboxes and just looked great.
Pine, cedar, magnolia, holly, the mix is endless. Pinecones and bows complete the look.
Beautiful!
I love the one on the right with the huge pinecones.
Are you inspired for fresh greens? I sure am and maybe one day, I’ll do ALL that myself. At least a fresh garland and wreath.
You know they smell awesome too, which is a huge plus for me.
Those are Beautiful! I love fresh greens…but the pine doesn’t last long here…which is why I use tropicals! LOVE the mailbox swags! Next year fo sho!
Hmmmm….I love them all!! So pretty!
I love the scent of fresh greens during this time of the season:)
PS…i’m doing a give-away on my blog.
Stop over if you get a chance:):)
Thank you for taking us on this beautiful tour! I loved the winter cabbage centerpiece. I also loved seeing actual flowers in the ground in December…here in Boston, that’s rare! Merry Christmas!
I miss Mountain Brook at Christmastime! It’s just such a wonderful part of the city–so cozy and charming. Even after we moved out of Mountain Brook to Vestavia Hills, we still went to church in Mountain Brook, so we were back over there all the time. Someday you should write about the villages! I must tell you, I STILL miss Smith’s Variety!
Thanks for sharing these photos Rhoda. Mountain Brook is a beautiful area! I like the thought of live greenery but like you I tend to go with what I have on hand to save some cash at Christmas. I do occassionally buy a live wreath for my dining room table. I put a hurricane and candle in the middle and it makes my house smell like Christmas!lol…
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. I love all the greenery in your photos. If the outside looks like this I can only imagine the inside!
I love all the beautiful greenery and garland-wow!
I go on a tour every year, it’s something I look forward to all year long! We were able to take photos inside this year, unlike most years. I’ve been posting some this week if you want to check them out.
Donna
What great timing! I just finished Fannie Flagg’s book “I Still Dream About You” and wanted to see that wonderful Mountain Brook she talks about.
The winter cabbage basket is stunning! I love all the fresh greenery. I always decorate with fresh greenery on my mailbox saddle, wreath on my front door, and garland on my iron railing. I only use it outside because of our allergies.
Thanks so much for posting, Rhoda. Your posts always make my day! I especially like your “field trip” posts 😀
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
I love the photo of the decoration with the lettuce/cabbage and the apples — too cute!!
absolutely gorgeous. makes me want fresh everything!! 🙂
Another great post! I just love your blog, I am a native of the Midwest but am fasinated with the South. Thanks for giving me a little insite into your part of the world.
I love the way you captured so much of the detail found in Mountain Brook! My dad’s family is all from here, so it is a place dear to my heart and I love to visit.
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season dear Rhoda!
Jen
Wow, what inspirational shots, Rhoda! All I’ve done is string some lights on little trees on my porch. I feel like a slacker! I remember your mailbox swags from years ago, and always wanted to do one. Maybe this is the year!
So many beautiful ideas! Thanks for taking us on the tour with you! Merry Christmas.
I’ve lived in B’ham for a couple of years, and did not know about this. I’ll definitely be checking it out next Christmas. Thanks, and they are all just gorgeous!
Gorgeous! I’ve been to Mountain Brook one time (during the summer) and just fell in love with it. Your pictures make me want to drive over there right now to see all of the pretty Christmas decorations.
I love these photos, Rhoda.
We used fresh pine rope and a couple of fresh wreaths and swags outdoors. We didn’t do the mailbox this year. Just absolutely moving so slow for some reason! Ran into a lady at Hermann Kristkindl Markt a couple weeks ago. She had a lovely booth set up. We got to talking about moving slower! She was a older than J and me, but we totally connected on that slow moving thing.;-)
I’m going to try to join your party. When I first read your note, all I could think of was the condo bedroom. I skimmed through my 2010 archives and found a few other small projects. It’s that slow moving thing again.
The homeowners must be taking notes from magazines and the web b/c the decor reminds me so much of Eddie Ross’ work! I love the fresh, wintery look, especially with Magnolia leaves. Love being in the South!
I love all the fresh greens and the mailbox swags. I remember when I was young, people used fresh greens more. My grandmother had a bush with red berries and when we would go for a visit this time of year, Mom would bring back some sprigs to use in her decorating. I really should use fresh greens more. Maybe next year.
I am totally bookmarking this post for my inspiration next year. I LOVE all the ideas here. So making those pinecone trees for my porch!