Before I get to sharing my Christmas décor with you, I just had something to say that’s been weighing on my mind and I have a feeling it will resonate with many of you too.
I’ve noticed something in blogland. It’s gotten crazy around here during Christmas. I just wanted to take a minute and give a few observations of my own about the Christmas season and blogging and how if we’re not careful, we can let that old ugly monster, comparison, creep up on us. I can honestly say this is the first year of my 7 years of blogging during the Christmas season, that it’s affected me. That clicking around blogland at all the beautiful home tours and feeling a wee bit depressed because my house can’t possibly compete with all of those?
How can it? I’m a pretty confident person and it still gets to me somewhat.
We all have different decorations, houses, styles of decorating, talent, skill, not to mention time to decorate our homes for the Holidays, so how in the world can every house be so darn beautiful? There’s such a multitude of talent out there, I see it every single day. So, if I’m feeling the pressure to perform this year, I know countless others of you out there are feeling the same way. I have never felt the pressure as much as this year in performing for Christmas and showing off my decked to the max Christmas home.
But, the problem is, I can’t compete. Everyone has their own style of gorgeous and putting it all together for Christmas festivities and it can be intimidating to the normal homemaker out there who just wants to create a pretty decorated Christmas home for their families.
So I wanted to take a minute to say, let’s all take a deep breath. There’s talent, beauty and amazingness out there. Some folks take better pics than others. That can be intimidating too. I’m still working on my photography, I’m not at all where I’d like to be (even though I improve every single year!) and find myself oohing and ahhing over those who do it better than I do. We all have to really take a step back. Slow down. Remember the season and why we are celebrating.
I (we) are celebrating a baby Jesus who came to earth, a savior who was born for us, who loves us just as we are. Beautiful home or plain home. We are all loved the same. I hope we will remember that this season, as blogland is scurrying around decorating and showing off all the beauty that is out there this time of year. There are home tours galore and blogland is positively exploding with them this year and I’m part of a big one too.
I, for one, have to step back and remember. This is not a competition. This is sharing creativity and festiveness for the season. Mine will never be the best or the most beautiful, but I hope you enjoy this season at my house. I throw in the towel and admit that I see so many MORE beautiful homes than mine. But, mine is mine and we all have to embrace our homes and spaces and create the most gorgeous Christmas home that we can…with what we have been given…big and small.
OK, now that we got that out of the way. That was just weighing heavy on my mind, because I know if it’s bothering ME, it has to be unsettling to a whole bunch of other bloggers out there. Not to mention all of you wonderful readers who read our blogs. You have to be feeling intimidated at times, wondering how your home stacks up in blogland.
So, let’s give ourselves a break, OK?! Don’t get hung up on who has the prettiest decorated house! Decorate for your family and enjoy this precious time of year and soak up all that this season brings. The meaning behind who, why, and what we are celebrating at Christmas. It’s not all about the decorations and we all certainly know that, right?!
With that being said, I’m ready to share my living room decorated this year for Christmas. I use most of the same things every year, so if you’ve been reading me awhile, you’ll see the same old stuff. But, I love my home and am still so grateful for every single thing in it!
Merry Christmas 2013!
Welcome to my living room.
I added the real wreath to the fireplace mantel this year and am so happy to have a mantel to decorate this year.
I’ve had these gold trees for over 10 years and this year used them with my white Southern Living urns. I went for rustic and natural on the mantel.
These white JOY letters stand out against the stone.
My living room decorated for Christmas this year.
Just a few greenery touches around the room, with ornaments and beads.
My black side table in the living room got a cloche with winter scene and I added some fresh greens cuttings along with feathers and gold touches.
Just a few touches around the room.
I love adding fake snow to my cake plate and putting out a winter scene for Christmas.
My nativity set that I’ve had for over 20 years, from Fitz and Floyd.
The coffee table got a few festive touches too.
I brought in my little white iron birdbath and filled it with snow and pretty gold and white ornaments. A few snips of fresh greens finishes it off.
Another cloche holds my vintage ornaments just found this year. Love these colors!
More blue baubles on an end table.
Simple touches on this side table too, with a white bottlebrush tree, I found at Target last year after Christmas, along with a simple boxwood wreath hung on the mirror.
This cute tree makes me smile.
Love this Silent Night handpainted sign from Beyond the Mossy Tree at the Woodstock Market.
The tree this year got some new ornaments from the Michaels Christmas tree challenge. My sister used part of the ornaments and I used the other half.
Since my old prelit tree died, I picked this one up last year at Lowes after Christmas sales. I love a tree in an urn.
Love the mix of green, silver, and white along with the burlap snowflake ribbon.
A big silver mesh bow, sparkly picks and feathers at the top make it extra fun.
All of these ornaments and ribbons came from Michaels this year. I love those cute white birds.
And that’s my biggest Christmas tree this year, just my size. I am not sure I’ll ever do a huge tree again.
The foyer table always gets dressed with my mercury glass collection and all things silver. I just love this mix and how pretty it looks. I added the zebra runner to the table this year and love that added bit of pattern.
The square boxwood wreath was a gift from Wayfair this year and of course, I love it’s natural feel. You can’t beat preserved boxwood. That 3 tiered stand in the middle was one of my World Market finds from earlier this year and is the perfect holder for these pretty ornaments.
The silver candelabra is a long ago yardsale find and I still love it, along with the silver tray on the left, holding the cute silver tinsel tree.
I’ve collected this mercury glass at all different stores, including TJ Maxx, Homegoods, and Target. Love all of these together and how sparkly and shiny they are.
A scripture white ball gives a beautiful message.
These sparkly words I’ve had for years too, picked up in an after Christmas sale: Joy, Hope and Wish, that describes this season to me. I added a few snips of greens to this vignette too, that always is a lovely touch.
The boxwood wreath up close. I added a jingle bell garland to the middle, along with a pretty silver angel and this Merry Christmas sign was a yardsale find long ago. I love it’s simplicity.
I sure am enjoying having a working gas fireplace now and have turned on the logs several times already this year. The warmth and glow add so much to my living room. Love it! The addition of the mantel this year and the gas logs are good ones that I’m so thankful for.
Mr. Cody joined me in my photo session and he’s been so much fun to have around this past year. He loves me and I love him! Cody and Rhonda have been great roommates the last year.
Come back tomorrow and we’ll head into the dining room!
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Wednesday will be my big home tour, where I’ll be joining 25 other bloggers (5 bloggers per day, Monday through Friday) who will all be sharing their beautifully decorated homes for the Christmas season, so you will have so much inspiration, you won’t know what to do! It all starts on Monday morning. Chris from Just a Girl is the host for this tour and you can see the first day’s line up at her blog on Monday morning, so don’t miss out!
If you’re not completely toured out yet, here are this week’s blogger home tours for Christmas. I’ll add live links as the days go on this week. And really, these are a talented group of ladies, so I know you’ll enjoy the inspiration!
Monday
- Life in Grace
- Not Just a Housewife
- All Things Thrifty
- Funky Junk Interiors
- Thrifty Decor Chick
- Storywood Designs
- Decorchick
- Southern Hospitality
- Our Fifth House
- Sand and Sisal
- A Place for Us
- Songbird
- Pretty Handy Girl
- Beneath My Heart
- I Heart Organizing
- My Blessed Life
- Emily A. Clark
- A Thoughtful Place
- Remodelaholic
First of all Rhoda, I love your blog and you are on my list of regular stops. I’ve enjoyed following you on your journey of purchasing your current home and the process of making it your own with your charming father’s help. This post was so well written and you brought up lots of good points. One of the reasons I stopped blogging was that I got into the comparison game. So many blogs competing for followers, clicks and getting advertising income. That’s fine if it’s your business and everyone has to do what works for them. I was only doing it for fun and an opportunity to practice my photography skills and connect with other creative like-minded individuals. It often amazes me at the thousands of blogs out. It would literally drive me crazy to have to come up with tutorials and constant ideas to stay at the top of the pack. It just wan’t for me. After awhile so many blogs began to look the same. If it’s enjoyable then I say go for it. I’ve simplified this year too. I feel so much peace since I stopped blogging. Mine wasn’t that popular anyway. It amazes me when I see some of the link parties with 500 entries and then the blogger picking the ones to feature by the number of clicks. BTW, I love your decorating style. It’s very unique and perfectly you! Wishing you a joyous holiday season.
Thank you Sandy, I loved your perspective too. Thanks for sharing.
Rhoda you are very wise. It is so easy to be envious of all the beautiful homes out there. It is a blessing and a curse to be privy to everything via Facebook and blogs. I usually decorate Black Friday but was out of town till that Sunday. I then had to finish up painting my living room. I have just finished decorating.!
I have TONS of Christmas decor. We just moved this summer so it was fun to decorated with old stuff because it seemed to look new in its new surroundings! Merry Christmas! Thank you for your honesty.
It isn’t the decor, food or gifts….its about the perfect gift of Christ!
Rhoda, your home is just gorgeous. You have done so much decorating it makes me ashamed of myself for not putting more effort into it this year. Our Christmas is going to be very quiet this year.
Cody looks like such a happy little dog. I hope Santa comes to see him! Merry Christmas to you and all your beautiful family.
Rosie from Raymore
Thanks for your comments Rhoda. I have to agree that dressing a home as if it was a shop window is not for me! Here, I have a tiny half tree that hangs on the wall and looks similar every year, and in the dining room something over the mirror (homemade but lovely, heh!) And something for the middle of the table. On the front door this year a bundle of silver twigs with some red ribbon and some hanging baubles. That’s it, and everyone loves it! (If my photo website would only talk to my blog I’d post pictures!). You are right about the spirit of Christmas and having looked at all the replies, it seems you are not alone.
Rhoda-
Never forget that you are you and you have your own distinctive style and appreciation for your loved ones and home.
That’s what counts!
That’s why I always make sure I check out your blog!!! Your attitude is refreshing and beautiful!
Enjoy this special season…
hugs
Julie
Amen Rhoda ! I love reading your blog and I whole heartedly agree with you about the comparison thing . There is so much more to life and I for one am so grateful for the wonderful things the Good Lord has provided ! Have a wonderful holiday !
Just lovely. I love how you have tied your holiday decor into your home decor colors. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the danger of comparison. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting all these beautiful holiday home tours in blog land but we are bombarded with so much at this time of year that it is easy to feel inferior. Very well said. Have a blessed holiday.
You said that very well Rhoda thank you so much. When you see so many beautiful homes and how expertly they are decorated it’s hard not to compare. I wanted to run out and buy new things and then remembered that the “old” things like the ornaments my children have made could never be replaced or improved upon. Even though they are adults they still look forward to seeing them hanging on the tree. Having my family together healthy and well is what’s important. Your living room is gorgeous and it evokes a feeling of warmth and comfort. I always look forward to seeing what you have done. Thank you for the inspiration.
Ah, Rhoda. It saddens me that blogging can cause stress for others. We must each cherish our blessings, and you are always so good to share yours. Every time I visit you, I feel joy for your blessings. You have been an inspiration to many.
Your living room looks festive and lovely. It perfectly reflects you. A great mix of natural and sparkly.
I started a tour of my holiday home today. Please come by for a visit.
So very well written. Each and every person is different in their decorsting levels. I so admire your tslent, your kind heart,and your bringing everything into perspective. I have thought of creating a blog myself, but am afraid that I would be intimidated by all the competition. We each are unique and should be able to express ourselves and be accepted for who we are, and not by how big our homes are or how much we have…love your home, rhoda.
This is such a refreshing post! This is my first Christmas as a blogger. The first thing I noticed is that bloggers tend to get ahead of themselves. I’ve been seeing Christmas decorations since before Halloween! When we are creative types we do tend to be envious of others who we feel are more talented, more productive, etc. What we need to remember is WHY we do it in the first place. I use my blog as a creative outlet and I like everyone else go through my artistic ups and downs and don’t let that define or discourage me! I think your house is so elegant in its simplicity. My favorite decoration is the birdbath – such a fabulous idea to bring it inside! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your lovely home!
Hi Rhoda,
Your house looks lovely… The Holiday decor is the bow on a beautiful package. Looking at your photos today, I kept thinking about where you & your home were not so long ago and how you have survived, endured and indeed, thrived. Your home’s transformation also speaks of the love & importance of family. You are an inspiration to many dealing with hard times.
In September, my 27 year old son was killed in a car accident. The holiday season brings back a flood of memories & it seems there is no escaping “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. I have deleted more than a few blog entries without a read–This comment is not to elicit sympathy: Really, it is a sincere wish that we can all slow down, simplify and ‘be’ in the moment. Spending time together, creating memories–is a gift our loved ones, and we, will always treasure. Holiday decor is lovely but temporary & soon forgotten. Love endures.
Susan, thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry for your loss. I know that words can’t make the pain go away, but I hope for you peace and love this Christmas.
Rhoda, I have noticed the same thing this year. As I look at the blogs, I find myself clicking through the pictures without really looking at them. It’s too much! I, for one, like to look at a decorated room and find little “treasures” of decorations; subtle, beautiful pockets of beauty. What I’m seeing this year is overkill. It looks as if you walk in the front door and are attacked by Christmas and it’s too much for my taste! I appreciate your decorations and their beauty and subtlety. Too much of a good thing is still too much!
Great post! Something made me read this today. I have been comparing my home to all these gorgeous homes lately and feeling so depressed I literally quit looking. I want to change my decor but have so much that I just can’t trash it all and start from scratch. There are pieces that are so old and broken but have so many memories I cannot let go. I am making an effort to donate the things I have no need for or love of. I really would like to simplify things and concentrate on the true meaning of the season.
I love your rustic mantle!
Rhoda, I agree with what you are saying too. Your home looks lovely year round, whether it’s decorated for the holidays or not.
Very well said. I agree. Every thing is over the top. We are shown huge homes and it makes us feel that we are not worthy. Well we are.
Your house is beautiful, and you have done so much to improve it, you should be very proud.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
Rhoda, I love all your Christmas decorations, especially the iron birdbath & the mercury glass. You’re so right though about how important it is to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Thanks for such a thought provoking post.
Rhoda, I am not a blogger, but I have been following you for a number of years. I just want to tell you that I am amazed how much you have accomplished in what seems to me a short amount of time since acquiring the house that you have purchased. Because of your creativity, you have made your home beautiful. I don’t feel that I am that creative, but I love to watch what someone like you does with what they have. You are an inspiration, and yes, this is a busy time of year, but we all need to step back and focus on why we even celebrate at Christmas, because it is all about Him and not about us. Thank you for sharing your blog. May God bless you and all of your family, whom I have grown to love through your blogging. Merry Christmas!
Rhoda,
Your home is so charming! Being thankful for what you have and I love that your dear father has been there making your home so lovely. You truly are blessed!
Rhoda, what is so interesting is that yours is the home I have emulated most. From your green laundry and office space in Bham to the vignettes in Atl. Yours is so real and doable for me. I’ve ordered Miss Lucy Monograms, wreaths, and hit World Market often. Blessings to you.