Saturday, December 4, 2010

Christmas Decorations 2010

Welcome to our home - freshly decorated for the holidays.... come on in!

After visiting my sister in FL last week, she inspired me to put up some smaller Christmas trees in different areas of our home.

I had so much fun choosing a new color theme for this area - I chose natural browns and greens, in a nature-oriented pine cone theme.

Come on into the kitchen - it's so chilly outside!  We are anxiously awaiting the first snowfall - it seems the entire country has some except for us.

Nothing says Christmas-time like a wide array of Christmas candies!  Trying to keep the decorations in place for a few weeks will  be a challenge.  You can already see the bowl of chocolate peanut butter cups has dwindled significantly.

For the first time this year - we decided to dress up our American Girl Doll collection in their holiday dresses and coats. This idea was inspired by my other sister, Karen, who just happens to love her American Girls Dolls a little more than her daughters, especially at Christmas!  :)   All of these dolls have been gifts over the years at Christmas and birthdays for my girls by their Nana and Papa.    They don't stay put very long now that they are so accessible in the front room ~ some doll stands would certainly help.  There seem to be a few missing shoes and socks I notice.... hmm....

This is the first Christmas I had a REAL formal dining room to decorate.  So fun!

Now step into our family room and cuddle up on the couch in front of the fireplace where the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.....

On the hearth of the fireplace is the very kid-friendly nativity set that Boo received last Christmas from her Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Ricky.  She was so excited to see this come out again.   It's nice that my breakable nativity sets aren't played with quite as much now that she has this one.

This is one of my favorite little pictures of Banana when she was two at Christmas one year.

On the end table is our set of "What God Wants for Christmas".  Create a powerful Christmas memory with this interactive nativity set.  Gather daily with your family to share a Bible-based poem, and as your children open the colorful little presents one by one, they'll discover the characters to complete the nativity scene. But the seventh gift is the surprise that God wants most--one that will open a child's heart to Jesus.

A few weeks ago, I added this wooden chest in the stairwell to the basement which is right beside our mudroom.  It has three drawers and is the perfect place to keep everyone's socks.  It's so handy, right by the door and right by their shoes.  Plus - it was another spot I could decorate with my 'no-longer-sought-after-breakable-nativity".   I love all my wall stencils from Uppercase Living ~ although my hubby prefers to call them wall graffitti, it may be getting a little excessive now.

Our Christmas tree in the family room, notice the ring of missing lights? They light up when they feel like it.   What do you do when your pre-lit tree takes on a mind of it's own?   Looks like next year I will be de-stringing all the lights on our pre-strung tree.  Oh dear.
One of my favorite things already underneath the tree! 


18 comments:

Carrie said...

Lovely, Heather, absolutely lovely! I especially like the picture of the candy canes and also the beautiful candle arrangement on the windowsill. Beautiful!

Christy said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! Would you be able to post a tutorial of sorts in how you photograph the Christmas lights and trees so well? I am having the hardest time doing it. I have a Rebel XTi. Also curious as to what's organized in all those cute white storage boxes at the top of your bookshelves. Looks like something I could learn from as well! :) Just love all of it!

Theresa said...

Oh Heather your house looks absolutely beautiful...You did a fine job decorating my friend...you now have the "knack". And as far as the wall grafitti goes "it looks so good". Maybe we can shop when I get back in town and you can help me with some of the ideas that I like of yours.

"FAITH" said...

You have a beautiful home. Love your decorations and your puppy under the tree is adorable.

Joanne said...

simply beautiful. The pictures are breath taking

Erin Patricia said...

fun!!! we do "What God wants for Christmas" too!!!

Heather O'Steen Photography said...

Thanks everyone - Christy - what a great idea! I would love to do a tutorial for photographing Christmas lights... coming up soon!

Nana said...

Very pretty. Love all your decorations. On your ring of lights there is one bulb that probably isn't making a connection. Papa could fix it in no time, but alas he isn't there. He is my 'light fixer' and without him they would not all light. You did a great job and it all looks beautiful.

Heather O'Steen Photography said...

Nana we have tried everything - last year and this year. Even replaced the fuses.... nothing. You could send him up there though???

Karen said...

Very pretty! I have lots to say....I can just hear him calling it "wall graffiti" - cracked me up! Please put those precious dolls on stands so they aren't posed so very UNlady like :)!!!! I will soon post a pic of Kit & Elizabeth in their precious sled gliding through the snow....

Love your newly decorated dining room and the candy canes on the hurricanes lamps! And I really like the sash thingees on the chairs - great color.

Apparently, both of our kitchens look like fully stocked candy stores - the neighborhood kids are always in awe.

The foyer trees are awesome - perfect for that space!

Wendy said...

Heather, your house looks very welcoming and full of Christmas spirit...absolutely LOVE it!

Joanne said...

Your house looks beautiful! I look around my own house and now I'm DEPRESSED! LOL

Gail said...

Your pictures are gorgeous!

Ashley Wells said...

Stunningly beautiful!

Thanks for sharing!

Jo said...

Your decorations look so gorgeous and professionally done - I hope you're able to keep them looking like that until Christmas itself. I particularly love the garland going up the bannisters!

Amber Noella said...

You have a beautiful home!

Cindy said...

What a lovely home and such beautiful daughters! How blessed you are!

Cindy

http://cindy-newmercieseachday.blogspot.com/

Shari said...

Your dolls look wonderful decked out in their "Christmas best."

I'm also a mom to three girls. They are 10, 7, and 21 months.