Since our kids grew up and left home, I haven’t quite had the same warm fuzzy feelings about decorating for Christmas. In fact, several years recently I’ve tried to get away with not putting up our Christmas tree at all. But every year, either my husband or one of our kids—or just the thought of the grandkids seeing Papa and Mimi’s house without a tree—always convinces me that it wouldn’t quite be Christmas without that ancient symbol of our celebration of Christ’s birth. (And yes, I know the Christmas tree has pagan origins, but in much of the world, for at least several centuries, to most of us, the Christmas tree means it’s Jesus’s birthday!)
This photo is the year I got away with just a tiny Christmas tree behind the love seat. Hopefully we made up for it with a huge wreath in the window, a “Joy to the World” banner across the mantel, and other festive touches throughout the house.
In years since, the full-size tree is back up, reflected here in a leaning mirror behind it. If you’re short on space, a skinny tree fits in a corner without taking up too large of a footprint.
I even had a little “book” tree in my office last year. This is an idea that could easily translate to a child’s room or playroom, using children’s books for the base, and decorating with tiny toys. And maybe a Tinkertoy star? The only limit? Your imagination—and better yet, your kids’ imaginations!
When our children used to beg to put the Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving, I could sometimes satisfy them for a few more days by putting a wreath on the door or setting out a few tabletop decorations—especially if one of them was the Christmas candy dish. The mistletoe always gets hung early at our house too.
Christmas is a wonderful excuse to get out the fancy serving trays and dishes, and try out new recipes that will make your house smell like Christmas!
A cage full of ornaments makes a great centerpiece at Nana’s house.
And Nana’s simple outdoor arrangement says “Christmas” even before guests enter her home.
One of my favorite (and so easy) tree trims in recent years is this “ribbon” I made, simply by printing the Christmas story in a pretty font on nice linen-look paper. I cut the paper into strips, taped the edges together to form a ribbon, then wrapped it around the tree from top to bottom. (Tip: printing the long way on legal size paper helps the paper to curve and curl like real ribbon.) I love finding ways to incorporate the real Christmas story into our holiday decor. It’s also a good way to help our children and grandchildren associate all the hoopla of the holidays with the real Reason we celebrate.
Wishing you and your family all the blessings that make your house a home—and praying that Christ is the heart of your home this holiday season—and every season.
What is the one decoration in your home that, without it, it wouldn’t quite feel like Christmas for you and your family?
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I love using small trees in more rooms now. I put them on tables away from Ollie’s tail. The Bible verse that mentions a tail like a cedar had to have referred to an English mastiff.
I can just picture Ollie sweeping your decorations off the table as fast as you can put them up. 🙂
Deb, I always enjoy your decorating pictures and your posts about garage sale finds you’ve repurposed. Your photos are inspiring!
I love all the ideas in this post, especially the book tree with the birds and star positioned on it, the serving trays and dishes (I’ve been wanting to start a collection of Christmas dishes), and the Joy to the World banner. Did you make/print that banner?
Christmas wouldn’t feel like Christmas to me without our tree because our tree is covered in 20+ years of ornaments. Each ornament tells a story, was made by a child, or comes with a memory of a time or a place.
I bet that tree with the 20 years of ornaments on it is beautiful! And for sure, it’s what makes Christmas Christmas for your kids!
The Joy to the World banner on the fireplace was an etsy find a few years ago. I think you can still order it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/212081353/christmas-banner-joy-to-the-world-banner?ref=shop_home_feat_4
Oh Deb, I want to come to Christmas at YOUR house! LOL You have such a gift for decorating and making everything look so cozy and welcoming!
I’ve hit a a bit of a wall about Christmas decorating the last couple of years since I’ve been working and both of the kids have been off at college. Since we go to my MIL’s for Christmas, it has been a bit overwhelming to decorate when everyone is only here for about 3-5 days before Christmas! And once Christmas is over, I’m done and ready to pack it away. But this year, I’ve put out my wreaths and Nativity and the tree is up, although my husband is replacing the lights so we’ll see if it ever gets ornaments on it. LOL But the lights are beautiful!
Just lights would be fine, Linda! And I know JUST where you are re the kids only being there a few days, etc. It’s a transition and not an easy one! Also, I’m with you on “once Christmas is over, I’m done…” I’ve been known to take our tree down at midnight on Dec. 25!! Really! :}
If you ever stop writing books, Deb, you could be an interior decorator! I love your pictures and ideas.
Thank you, Lynn! I appreciate the compliment! It’s fun to blog opposite your Mondays. 🙂
Beautiful ideas! I have often considered not putting up favorite decorations for the same reasons you mentioned. But my love of Christmas usually wins and we have decorating marathons. The grands are almost old enough to help out!
“…my love of Christmas usually wins…” That’s a great line and true for me, too, most years. Last night I wrapped a whole bunch of presents, then realized I had no tree to put them under! But they still look festive piled in a heap under the desk in the living room. 🙂
Hi Deb, I loved seeing your home decorated for Christmas! The Christmas story paper ribbon is a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Carrie! We used part of that ribbon on my mom’s tree last year, and now I’ve lost some of it, so need to print out a new one! In case anyone wonders, the font I used is Zapfino…one of the prettiest fonts I’ve ever seen, even if it has been overused in recent years. 🙂
Lovely, Deb. We just bought a tint artificial tree and put it up. Since both of our children are far away and it’s just the two of us, we decided we wouldn’t get a real tree. But I managed to get most of my favorite ornaments on the little tree.
Hey, Lenora, the more the merrier when it comes to ornaments! I’m always amazed at trees where you can hardly see any green needles for all the ornaments!
My door wreath
I love my new wreath (from my parents’ last house) too, Shelia. Nothing says “Welcome!” like a pretty wreath on the door!
Such lovely Christmas décor, Deb – – thank you for sharing! I echo what Lynn Austin said above – – however, since you’re one of my VERY, VERY favorite authors, I really hope you continue writing novels for a long, long time. 🙂
As a child, my parents always bought a live tree each year, so the smell of a Frasier Fir brings back wonderful childhood memories. So…that’s the kind of tree we always get, and even though all my kiddos are grown I still have a live tree each year. It’s a special tradition now, because my oldest daughter and son-in-law (who live closer than my other kiddos) always take me to get the tree, then we pick up food from O’Charley’s and come back to the house to eat (husband joins us, of course!).
Besides my tree, my little Nativity scene is the most important of my decorations, and makes me know the Christmas season and all its joy has arrived. 🙂
Blessings to you and your precious family this Christmas!
Hugs, Patti Jo (who is thankful my 2 newest kittens have *not* tried to climb the Christmas tree, knock on wood!) 😉
Awww, thank you, Patti Jo. And I’ve found that “decorating” whether for Christmas or just to freshen up a room, is very good thinking/brainstorming time for a writer, so I think I can do both for some years to come. 😉