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.
The mail carriers probably love delivering mail to Mountain Brook homes at this time of the year because of all the beautiful mailbox decor.
Oh how I loved this post. Those mailbox swags are spectacular! I love all the fresh greenery!
thanks for the photos – lovely! i live in richmond, va and went to a neat event here for a local charity; it is called “deck the halls” and is the first sunday in december – it was $25 and was held at a local farm – they had loads and loads of all kinds of greenery – boxwood, magnolia, frasier fir, berries, etc. – they provided the frames and ribbons and you could make as many fresh wreaths, swags, arrangements as you could make in the day – they provided all the materials, wire, cutters, etc. I made a bunch of boxwood wreaths, candle rings, swags – enough for my whole house and some for friends – they were great for neighbors, etc. they provided vases, containers that everyone had donated from their stash at home (we all have that stash don’t we?) – they had little punch cups , glass cups, with oasis inside to make tiny individual arrangements – it was a great idea and i plan to go next year – they even sent an email out if you needed more greenery they had so much left to come by and make more! the charity raised a lot of money – there were probably 150 people there; they had roving musicians, snacks, hot cider – a great way to start the season —- getting more and more popular every year – start one in your community for your favorite charity!
Rhoda, You showed us some wonderful outdoor decorating ideas. Love the doorways and mailboxes all decked out with natural materials. These home tours are always such a delight. I’m sure you enjoyed it to the hilt!
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a lovely holiday season, Rhoda! Merry, Merry~ Sue
Oh how I miss Mountain Brook! My husband was born and raised there and all of his family is still in town. We have moved away (to FL) and they just don’t do Christmas like Mountain Brook does!! So southern and traditional in the decorations. Love it!
Hi Rhoda — Next year I’ll have to do this tour! I always take a couple of longs walks through Mtn Brook during Christmas to look at the decorations — the mailboxes are my favorite! The past two years I gathered tree scraps at Lowe’s and made my own garlands and wreaths, but I never hit it at the right time this year. Luckily, they had inexpensive white pine garland (30 feet for $10). I like the big fluffy Frasier Fir better, but, it worked! Once you go with real greens, it’s hard to go back!
Hi Rhoda! I grew up in Vestavia (Mountain Brook’s next door neighbor) but I always loved going across 280 to see the fabulous homes and yards in Mountain Brook. Thanks for sharing all the great photos of fresh greenery decorations there.