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Simple Christmas Decorating throughout the House

Today I’m sharing our simple Christmas decor ideas for holiday decorating throughout the house. Plus my focus on being thankful and sharing my gratitude for all that I have as I approach this holiday season.  

It’s the last day of the Seasonal Simplicity Christmas Home Tour Series, and I’m joining my friends who are also sharing their inspiring Christmas rooms and spaces in their decorated homes.  If you’ve popped over from Chrissy Marie blog, then welcome! Make sure to check out all of the beautiful inspiration at the end of today’s post – this week I’ve gathered together 50 talented bloggers who are all sharing part of their homes decorated for the holidays.

Simple Christmas Decor poster.

As a teacher, I always teach my students that when they are writing they need to begin their sentences in new and different ways.  Not just to write “Then” and “Then” and “Then”, or whatever it may be, again and again.  But sometimes I think that beginning your thoughts in the same way can lend something to the effect of the meaning you are trying to convey.

In this case, as Christmas approaches, I’ve been reflecting more and more on what I’m thankful for. I have to admit that I’ve had a difficult Autumn this year and have allowed myself to dwell in places of negativity much more than during any other time in my life.  But as I worked on photographing, editing, and writing my Christmas tour post(s) this week (see part one: Christmas in the kitchen here); I realized that I’ve been focusing on things that are temporary, changeable and unimportant. Dwelling in a place that isn’t positive takes a toll on your soul after a while, and part of the point of Christmas is the wholeness of our soul.

I am choosing, now, as the holidays approach to focus daily on all that I am thankful for and all that I am blessed with.  Gratitude breeds joy and peace, right?  And today I’m very grateful for our home, our family, our friends, and how far we’ve come this past year.  Today I’m sharing our simple Christmas decor ideas throughout the house.

One year ago it looked like this…

Cracked concrete walkway towards the house.

And now…

A front door with a Christmas wreath on it and holiday decorations around it.

See our full exterior makeover here

I’m thankful that I learned my limits and realize that I don’t have to do absolutely everything myself. I bought these simple pots full or greenery at Costco this year and they are just fine.  They are simple, were affordable, and add a note of Christmas cheer to the entry. Sometimes balance is about letting the odd things “go”.

A planter filled with pine cones and greenery with a red ribbon.

I’m thankful for realizing that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful and that things don’t need to be new to create a new look with them.  This year I reused  a lot of our old Christmas decor (such as this PEACE sign – that I made myself a few years back), and I loved the challenge of using old decor items in new ways.

A peace sign next to the planters by the front door.

This (new) doormat about sums up my fall… I’ve tried.  And I’m thankful for recognizing that trying it what’s most important.  For learning to let go of doing it all right all the time and focusing on doing what I can when I can and learning to not compare my beginning with someone else’s middle or end.

A front door mat that says naughty nice I tried.

The green wreath on the door with red berries on it.

I am thankful for our beautiful home.

It’s a place that has drawn more energy than I expected to renovate this past year yet we have grown to feel “at home” here.  It provides us with so much more than a warm roof over our heads, and is now a place we have begun to make memories in.

Snowshoes hanging by the front door.

A green garland leading to the top of the stairs on the stairwell.

A year ago it looked like this…

Construction on the front door of the house.

And now…

A wreath is on the inside of the front door.

The walls of the house painted a crisp white.

A year ago it looked like this…

And now…

A fireplace in the living room flanked by neutral couches and chairs.

It has been a huge year of transition for us, and I am truly thankful that we made the choice that we did to move.  I’m thankful that we have come through the hardest part of the process and the majority of the renovations, which a good friend by our side to help us with it all.  And I’m grateful that we are now able to share and enjoy our home with our family and friends.

A small Christmas tree is in the corner of the room with a faux fur white skirt.

You can find the details and sources for our Christmas Tree in this post. 

I’m thankful for the health of my family.  Thankful that I had a great start in life with loving and supportive parents who are still there for.  That I still have both my parents and both of my in-laws, who are also wonderful people in our lives.  And thankful that, despite the many health setbacks that they have faced in past years, that we are all healthy and are all here together.

White faux fur stockings are hanging above the fireplace.

There is a white pillow with a deer on it on the chair beside the fireplace.

You can find the details and sources for our mantel in this post.

Little holiday village houses and a small Christmas tree is on the mantel.

I’m thankful for my boys.  They are the light in my life, no matter how I’m feeling or what is going on.  I can hardly remember my life before being a Mom.  Although parenting is full of challenges and exhausting at times (or, almost every day), it’s also full of small joys.

 

 

There is a wooden table in front of the white couch in the living room.

I’m thankful that we get to share our days, that I teach at the same school they go to, that we can bond over reading Harry Potter together, and that I get to cheer them on at the soccer field each week.  I’m thankful that we get to share so many special trips and experiences together and create all kinds of memories.  Being a huge influence over the types of humans that they become is both an honour and huge responsibility.

There is an open shelf behind the white couch filled with Christmas decor.

I am thankful for my husband.  Thankful that I married a man who has traveled through this journey of life with me for the past 18 years; through the bumps and bruises.  Not always in perfect harmony but as partners and friends.

On the open shelves is wooden Christmas trees, stars, and an antique typewriter.

I am thankful for music.  Few things are as uplifting to the soul on a daily basis as listening to music, and I’m thankful that my youngest has taken to it so naturally this past year and is now filling our home with piano music (voluntarily!) on a daily basis.  I’m thankful that he has found joy in it.

A wooden piano is behind the white couch in the living room.

There are small white vases filled with flocked greenery and pine cones on the piano.

I’m thankful to have this blog as an outlet for my creativity.  Although the comparison game has weighed heavily on me this past year, and many a day I have felt ‘not good enough’ to be in this world of blogging and Instagram, I am choosing to be grateful instead for the opportunities it has afforded my family and I.  I’m thankful for my assistants who help me hold it all together when I’m so busy with everything else.

Green garland is around the pictures in the living room.

I am thankful for being able to connect with my readers and inspire others with tips and ideas for how to create a home and space they love through decorating, renovating, organizing, and even free printables to pretty up their spaces without spending a lot of money.

Garland is on the wall beside the tree.

A year ago it looked like this…

The living room before being updated with mustard walls.

And now…

Light and bright walls in the dining room with a wooden table.

A year ago it looked like this…

The living room before being updated.

And now…

A wooden table with a lamp on it is beside the white couch.

I am thankful for my blogging tribe.  For being able to connect with long time blogging friends in real life and to know I’m not alone in this strange and fabulous world on the internet.  For having been able to connect with so many amazing women through this blogging journey and to come out with friends scattered all around the continent.

A white flocked Christmas tree is beside the tv.

All is calm throw pillow is on the chair.

I’m thankful for my other job; although teaching can be a challenge and this year has been particularly exhausting as I navigate teaching full time again, it is also a gift.  Being part of childrens’ lives in such a formative way is an honour that I am blessed with and am forever gratefull for.  And I’m thankful for having an amazing staff to work with that encourage and support one another as well as their students.

There is a tartan throw blanket on the chair.

A wooden table with a glass cloche is on the living room coffee table.

I’m thankful for my friends.  Thankful that there are people in the world who love me not just despite my craziness but because of it.  Friends who support, help, cheer for, and are there even if they don’t really understand me all the time.  Unconditional acceptance and good friendship is definitely something I have huge gratitude for.

A light and bright Christmas tree in the living room.

A wicker chair is beside the fireplace.

I’m thankful for the place that we live.  A safe country, surrounded by nature, freedom and space for our boys’ to grow up.  We have so much more than we need, and I’m thankful for all we have.  I’m thankful this year for the opportunity to give back and pay it forward.

Faux fur throw is on the bed in the master bedroom.

Red and white throw pillows are on the bed.

I’m thankful for all of you, dear readers.  My Christmas hope is that you enjoy a season full of joy, peace, and gratitude.

There are deer and stars in red on the pillow on the bed.

As I’ve helped my sister-in-law design the new-build home that they are currently working on, she told me that she has learned that there is no “one right way” to do things.  The same goes with Christmas decorating, there is definitely no “one right way”.  In fact, the beauty comes through in all our differences, and I wish you a holiday season full of beauty in all kinds of ways.  In your home, in your family, and in your heart.

Merry Christmas!

And this week has been the Seasonal Simplicity Christmas Home Tour series… 50 of my blogging friends have share beautiful and inspiring spaces in their homes.  I hope you have the chance to hop around and find some more inspiration and ideas for your home…

Seasonal Simplicity Christmas Series.

Sharing today with me are….

Friday

Christmas tour 2019

Tatertots and Jello ** A Pretty Life in the Suburbs ** Maison de Pax
She Gave it a Go ** Summer Adams

Christmas blogger tour.

  Amber Tysl ** All Things With Purpose  ** Cuter Tudor
Chrissy Marie blog ** The Happy Housie

And sharing the rest of this week…

Monday

Monday blogger tour.

The Happy Housie ** Shabbyfufu ** Jenna Kate at Home
Inspiration for Moms ** We’re the Joneses

Monday 2019 tour.

Rambling Renovators ** Home Made Lovely ** My 100 Year Old Home
Maison de Cinq ** Nick + Alicia

Tuesday

House by Hoff ** The Tattered Pew ** Clean & Scentsible
The Turquoise Home ** Rain on a Tin Roof

Stacy Risenmay ** This is Our Bliss ** Southern State of Mind
Styled with Lace ** Life is Better At Home

Wednesday

Taryn Whiteaker Designs ** Just a Girl and Her Blog ** Cherished Bliss
So Much Better With Age ** Cassie Bustamante

Lemon Thistle ** The DIY Mommy ** Love Create Celebrate
The Handmade Home ** Craftberry Bush

Thursday

 Grace In My Space ** Rooms For Rent ** Modern Glam
Happy Happy Nester ** Town and Country Living

Two Twenty One** Place of My Taste ** Life is a Party
Sincerely, Marie Designs ** Willow Street Interiors

 

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50 fabulous Christmas Home Tours poster.

 

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10 Comments

  1. Krista, I don’t come to your blog for perfection. I come for inspiration and to enjoy your gracious spirit. I read much more than I comment, but I couldn’t let this opportunity go by without telling you that I am grateful for you! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

  2. I love everything about this post Krista…your home is so lovely and you can feel the love there. I also love SO much that you shared yourself here too…you are an amazing person, and I wish I lived closer, I just know we’d have a hoot together! I too have had a very difficult fall, but like you I’m trying really hard to choose to be grateful…I love what you shared, it was very inspiring my friend. xo

  3. You have a gift of decorating your home beautifully, no matter what you start with. It’s gorgeous as always. Thank you for all the time you spend blogging. Your home inspires me with ideas!

  4. Krista, thanks so much for sharing pics of your beautiful home decorated so wonderfully for Christmas. Love your style and taste.
    You are such an inspiration. Best wishes for the season.

  5. I love seeing all your before and afters!! You have done SO MUCH in a year! I was just remembering how you were in the middle of moving last Christmas during this blog hop. Your new home is so cozy and beautiful.

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