{Christmas Home Tour 2015}

 

Christmas is without a doubt my most favorite time of the year!  There is nothing more magical than the glow of Christmas lights at night. {this would be why I decorate the first weekend in November...I want to enjoy it as long as I can!}
 

I like to change things up & my Christmas decor is no exception.  No, I don't go out & buy all new decorations every year - I just mix & match it differently.  I have done red, black & white before but this year I combined it with buffalo check & went a little more "rustic".  I absolutely LOVE it!  I think this year is by far my favorite.  And for the record, I decided on this "theme" long before the buffalo check craze hit instagram & blogland. Just sayin. =)

Let the tour begin!

 

I kept the outside fairly simple.  I would have loved to have added lights all along the driveway & road, but no money in the decorating budget this year prevented that from happening.  There's always next year!  I purchased the white deer from a friend for $6 and moved my JOY sign that I used on my mantle last year to my front door. Gotta love Command Hooks!

 

I was a little worried that I would have to "puppy proof" my inside decorations this year, but knock on wood - Nola has yet to bother any of it.  My living room/dining room/kitchen is by far my favorite. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out.  

 

My tree.  I love, love, LOVE my tree.  I had all of the red, black & white ornaments with the exception of the reindeer.  Those are actually gift tags from the dollar spot at Target.  The tree topper was an unfinished wood star I bought at Wal-Mart for $1.25 & spray painted black.  The Happy Holidays "ribbon" is actually a craft paper banner that I cut apart.  I had a hard time finding a reasonably priced buffalo check tree skirt so the solution?  A table cloth!  I ordered it online from a restaurant supply place for less than $10!

Right off the living room is my dining room/breakfast room.  Since it's all open concept - it has to coordinate with the living room.  I purchased the runner on Etsy & the little buffalo check plates at the dollar spot in Target.  I never "set" my table, but love the special look for the holidays.

 

 

I added a few Christmas touches here & there around the kitchen.  And of course it wouldn't be complete without a mini hot chocolate bar...my niece & nephew's favorite spot when they come to visit. =)

 

 

 

 

There's a little hint of Christmas throughout the rest of the house, including the guestrooms & utility room.

 

In my guestroom/office - I have my "memory tree".  Whenever I travel or have a special event happen in my life, I try to find a glass ornament to remember the occasion by.  My newest purchase is my Old World yellow lab...in honor of Nola! =)

There you have it...the grand tour!  It makes me sad just thinking about having to take it all down in a few short weeks.  =(   But until that time comes, I'm going to sit on my couch, hot chocolate in hand - staring at my Christmas tree while watching a Hallmark Christmas movie that I've seen at least 25 times.

Merry Christmas!