A Merry & Bright Christmas!

A Merry & Bright Christmas

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Merry Christmas! It's that beautiful time of the year again! Not only the beauty we create in our home, but the beautiful time of good cheer and remembering why we celebrate this holiday.

Welcome to Christmas Home Tours 2022! Marty, from A Stroll Thru Life, has been hosting this tour for years. Thank you, Marty, for all your hard work and dedication in organizing this tour. This year's tour features 26 homes in 5 days. It's alway fun to see how each home is decorated.

A special welcome to all those coming from Rachel's blog at This Is Our Bliss. Isn't her home just lovely?

Now, let's take a stroll through our little brick house Christmas...

In planning and trying to figure out what sort of mood and decor I wanted for this Christmas, I thought that I wanted a black and white tree. I thought it would be so elegant and sophisticated. Well, think again. 

I had just finished putting a few garlands of lovely black velvet ribbon down the tree, when my husband asks, "What kind of tree are you doing? It seems kinda dark and dreary, like we're having a funeral." What?! I stepped back and looked....  It was awful! He's right! 😩 It actually looked like black snakes were slithering down the tree. Nope! Not doing that!

So, what's the opposite of black? White! I went completely opposite and did everything white and bright! 

A Merry & Bright Christmas!

Living room with Christmas tree

Can we just talk about this tree for a minute? OMG! This is probably one of the best trees I've ever done. I had serious doubts at first. I wasn't so sure about that large ribbon, but the more you add the better it looks. I might just have to do a separate post just on the tree.

My Merry & Bright Christmas Tree

Keep scrolling, because at the end, I will share how wonderfully magical it all looks at night! 

Christmas train & presents

We still LOVE our Wooden Christmas Tree Stand. We built that 4 years ago and it's still going strong!

Every year, we put out this little wooden train. This year our little granddaughter is the perfect age. I can see her pushing it around, just like her momma did when she was little.

I love these white lidded boxes. I wrapped a few more this year. I can change out the bows every year and actually use the boxes for Christmas presents. This year I wrapped them with a shimmery champagne ribbon.

String of bells

You probably didn't notice the string of bells hanging on the mirror behind the Christmas tree. I made them for practically nothing! I will have a full tutorial soon! I was shocked at the Pottery Barn sticker price. I just love the simple touch of "Merry" that they add!

A Merry & Bright Living Room

This is our view from the couch. It feels so Christmasy! One of my favorite scenes for Christmas is our antique nativity set. This year, I added garland and candles. The garland is actually layered. Long wispy fern like garland from Hobby Lobby ( I've had for years) and then I added branches of pine and pinecones and two types of eucalyptus. It makes it look so full.

Christmasy media cabinet

Wait til you see it at night!! I love the flickering candle sticks I ordered this year. I also purchased more battery operated fairy lights for such a deal! They are all over the house!

There is so much to see in this next photo!

Merry & Bright coffee table and windows

I created this bright and beautiful coffee table decor, which I'm going to do a tutorial on. You won't believe what I used for some of the items.

Then I used the window bench for a snow display of pine trees. At night the windows are glowing, so merry and bright!

Then glance to the left and you will see a peek of how I hung our stockings this year.

Of course, if you've been around for a bit, you will also see that the wall is gone and we are in the middle of our kitchen remodel. It's slowed down a bit since we are enjoying family and fun around this time of year. This is our latest post on our kitchen remodel.

Last year, I had a branch with garland and lights for our Christmas stockings. Well, this year there is a stack of 20+ cases of flooring in the way. So, that wasn't going to work. There is only so much wall space. This was my solution for this year.

Stockings hung on an antique door

I decorated our Antique Door Mirror (that we made a few years ago). I added some garland, bells, gold branches and fairy lights....and of course the stockings. The stockings with bells are for our grandchildren!

Here we have a full view of our new kitchen. We still have tons to do.... But it's functioning! So, if it takes a few more months, I'm not complaining! 

We are keeping the cafe' lights. Hubby and I love them year round. If you look, you will see reflections of them in the refrigerator. Did you catch them in the TV, earlier?

Merry & Bright Dining & Kitchen

It's a very simple merry table this year. We aren't fancy people. All of cuteness is already cleared off the table so we can have our salt & pepper, butter, napkins and playing cards handy. Yes, we play cards after almost every meal together. 😊 Our favorite game is 'kings in the corner'. Such fun!

A Merry & Bright table setting

I thought it was very merry to fold the napkins into a Christmas tree.

As we sit at the table we can see our precious glass nativity. Hubby and I cut those wood trees this year and had a fun night painting them.

A Merry & Bright nativity display

Then in the kitchen, I thought a little green & floral centerpiece would look festive on the island.

A Merry & Bright centerpiece on the island

I mimicked the centerpiece I did on the coffee table, adding a few greens and fairy lights.

Now for the nighttime magic!

Of course we put up our  Nativity Scene. I continue to sell my Nativity Ebook with all the plans, directions and templates.

Christmas Nativity & lights

Do you see the shadow on the house...💗 And the trees filling the window with light.

Now, I'm just going to show you all the nighttime photos... Enjoy!

Merry & Bright trees in the window at night

Merry & Bright media cabinet with nativity & lights

Merry & Bright Living room

Merry & Bright Christmas tree at night

I hope you enjoyed our Merry & Bright Christmas, and that you found a few ideas to inspire you for your home.

Now, it's time for the next home on our tour. Check out Jo-Anna, from A Pretty Life In The Suburbs. She has a beautiful home for Christmas!! I know you'll enjoy it!

Blessings to you this Christmas! May you find joy & peace in Christ. He is the reason for this season!

Have A Merry & Bright Christmas!

Monday, December 5

A Stroll Thru Life - StoneGable - Thrifty and Chic - Southern Home and Hospitality - Worthing Court


Tuesday, December 6

Our Southern Home - This is our Bliss - The Stonybrook House - A Pretty Life In The Suburbs - Up To Date Interiors - Shiplap and Shells


Wednesday, December 7

Whispering Pines Homestead - Calypso in the Country - White Arrows Home - Designing Vibes - Decor to Adore - Clean and Scentsible.


Thursday, December 8

CitrineLiving - Pasha is Home - County Road 407 - Simply2Moms - Southern State of Mind - Chalking Up Success


Friday, December 9

Hymns and Verses - Eleanor Rose Home - Dimples and Tangles









22 comments

  1. Wow, I love it all. Those photos of how fabulous everything looks at night are stunning. You have truly outdone yourself. Please do give a tutorial on how to do the tree. Using the large ribbon is gorgeous and makes the whole tree look so special. I love your garland on the tv console also, so pretty. I definitely need to get some fairy lights, they give everything such a special touch. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season, your home is always a special treat.

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    1. Thank you, Marty! I appreciate it! Being apart of the tour has been really great for me in so many ways!

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  2. So sparkly and beautiful! I loved your tour and your gorgeous Christmas tree! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!
    Shelley

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    1. Thanks so much, Shelley! Have a wonderful Merry Christmas!

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  3. Lori, Your holiday home is so pretty and welcoming! I absolutely love the window pane mirrors with the greenery and bells.

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  4. Oh, I love your light and bright Christmas home! Everything is so beautiful! And, loved seeing a peek at your kitchen renovation!

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    1. Doreen! Thank you! I need to catch up on kitchen reno posts!!

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  5. What truly inspiring Christmas décor. The neutrals are so calming. It's a delight to be on tour with you!

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    1. Hi Laura! I agree, about the neutrals. Yet, there is something about regal red! :) Nice to be on tour with you.

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  6. That tree is gorgeous! Such a beautifully decorated home for the holiday season! Pinned.

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  7. Your holiday tour is so pretty Lori. The Christmas tree is just stunning, especially at night with the lights. I love how you folded your napkins in the shape of a tree. So clever. Happy holidays.

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    1. Thank you, Kim. :) I think Christmas at night is my favorite! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Your home is so beautiful Lori! And I agree, your tree is FANTASTIC!!

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  9. I love your glass nativity so much Lori! Your tree and table top decor look so pretty and I love the night pictures. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks so much Kathy! It's been fun pulling all of it together! Merry Christmas!

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  10. Lori, your tree is so lovely in white and I love your creative solution for hanging the stockings this year! Thanks for the nighttime tour as well-it's always more magical with white twinkle lights. Merry Christmas!!

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    1. Thank you, Kate! I think the magic of nighttime lights is my favorite! Merry Christmas!

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  11. Your home is magical all decked out for Christmas and your tree is so stunning! I guess husbands sometimes do know best. lol

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    1. Thank you so much, Erica! Hahaha, you are sooo right!!

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