Monday, December 17, 2007

Our Halls Are a Little Bit Decked

I feel unworthy of participating in BooMama's Jolly Holiday Tradition.

As a rule, The Palace is NOT a Christmas showplace. Far from it. The thought of putting it all out only to take it down a few weeks later has always overwhelmed me.

I love our home as it is.

A few years ago, I read a great book, Redeeming the Season, and it encouraged families to prioritize which Christmas traditions are most important to them. Decorating ranked way down on The King and my list. The Princess, of course, liked it...but at the time she was little and we overruled. Now, however, the guilt of raising a mini-grinch is getting to me, so...voila!! The Palace is making an effort. This is our first year in quite some time to have more than a tree and our stockings.

I must say, it is kind of nice.




This is our tree.


When we married (13 years ago today!!) I was given a wonderful Christmas shower. I received so many ornaments that we've enjoyed over the years. I still remember who gave most of them to us!! It was such a blessing to have a full tree that first Christmas.




Our mantle...





I especially enjoy the little touches added to our everyday things.




This is the table beside our sofa.




A few ornaments added to what was already there.




A shelf in our den with a few decorations placed here and there.




Our bathroom enjoys a little bit of cheer.

The eggs that are usually in this nest have been replaced with tiny ornaments.


The kitchen is a great spot for a Christmas plate.



One of our nativity sets sits in a big bowl on a coffee table. Sorry about the glare. And the Cool Whip bowl in the background.



This is my favorite chair during the holidays. We've got a basket of Christmas books sitting beside it making it the perfect spot for reading a sweet holiday story. You'll notice that Oliver is lurking. The tree may still go down....




This may come as a shock.....


The King has (gasp!) a DECORATION on his desk. It is Santa playing golf. Does that count?


Of course, The Princess has decked her playroom with the prettiest tree of all...





Thanks, BooMama, for a peek at everyone's festive Christmas fun!!


Now my question for each of you is this....when do you take your down your holiday decor?


Merry Christmas!! May God bless each of you!!

26 comments:

Keetha said...

That red chair looks very comfy and cozy - enjoyed the tour!

Kris said...

Thanks for sharing - you did a lot more than I did this year and it looks great!

I always feel obligated to take down my decorations before New Year's Day - in my family we were always told it is bad luck to leave the decor up past New Year's.

Queen Mother said...

Pretty stuff. Happy Anniversary. Princess your tree ROCKS!!! My stuff stays up until PK takes it down for me!! haha last year was Feb. Hey, it was BEFORE Valentine's Day!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Can I come read Christmas books in your red chair? What a cozy little nook. I love it.

(And while this seems a little heretical to say on The Tour, I take my Christmas decorations down right on New Year's Day and sometimes before. Which is why I don't go all crazy decorating anymore. Like you, I like my house in its "normal" state, and after December 26, all those knick-knacks start to scream at me. "I'm work waiting for you! You'll have to put me away soon!" So I box them up ASAP and put them in the garage where I can't hear them anymore.)

Lisa said...

The Palace looks wonderful! I would have never guessed that a big Grinch lives there!
Your home looks just like I pictured it would...great!

I usually take the tree down on New Years Day, because by then I am sick of looking at all the clutter that is Christmas stuff! I agree with Kelly, right around the 26th I start feeling like I want my house back, with nice clean surfaces!

Julie said...

Your home is lovely, very Christmasy...but I especially like your red chair and the beautiful tree and the basket o' books just waiting for me. (Dork alert - I just rhymed without trying.)

FYI - I cannot STAND to have my decorations out too long. I just want my house normal again so things usually come down PDQ. As in a few days after Christmas.

Lisa said...

I forgot to say
Happy Anniversary!!

Anonymous said...

Talk about Christmas spirit! Love your fireplace. And thank you for leaving a comment the other day. I really enjoy reading your blog and visit quite often.

Fresh Girl said...

Everything looks beautiful! I especially love your tree, specifically those great red berries at the top. And a Christmas shower -- what a great idea! I think I need to find a husband so somebody can throw me a Christmas shower. ;)

When we take down our decor varies. Used to, my mom couldn't WAIT to get it down and bright and early the day after Christmas, she started dismantling the tree. We don't do that so much anymore -- lately we've been waiting until New Year's. I'm not big on on waiting long... there's something sad looking about a tree with no presents under it.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Hootin Anni said...

Way to go King!!!

I have a slide show for my tour.
I hope you can get connected to view with me, if not, I have a few thumbnail images on my regular blog too.---

My Slide Show Tour

Unknown said...

It is very nice!!

Phillips Family said...

We always take our decorations down on January 2nd.

Love the tour!

Jenni said...

I love all the vignettes of Christmas! Your house looks very pretty and cozy. TFS!

Rhondi said...

It's charming the way you've added touches of Christmas all throughout your home. That red chair looks like the perfect spot to relax! Our daughter has an Oliver and this is his first year to experience a tree. A tree is for climbing, right?

The Fritz Facts said...

Mine will be coming down on News Years Day. After the new years festivities are done, things get cleaned and put away.

Amy said...

Love it and loved the Christmas feel I got when we stayed this weekend!

Probably will take it all down at our house when D-Man can go to the NaNa's house and I can have a few hours of uninterrupted put-away time!

Jessica said...

I love the painting of the French cafe above your little side table!!

Laura said...

Your tree is so pretty, the berries on the top are such a nice touch.

Simple and elegant, my favorite!

Unknown said...

Thank you for the tour of your home, your decorations are perfectly lovely. I love the Christmas corners of your home and your tree is beautiful. Merry Christmas, Karen

Southern Heart said...

Your home looks beautiful...and I'm in love with that fireplace!

Merry Christmas,

Andrea

Rocks In My Dryer said...

Happy anniversary! Everything looks beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I am sooo proud of you!! Next year
we might even see a village in there!! Love your tree Princess
of the Palace!!!!
Merry Merry Christmas dear friends!!
PK

Queen of My Domain said...

I think you have some lovely decorations in your home. I love your comfy chair to read in.

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Merry Christmas, and Happy Anniversary too! :)

Unknown said...

Love the picture of your chair and the tree behind it. That setting just looks so cozy. Thanks for the tour and Merry Christmas!

His Doorkeeper said...

Your home is lovely...very warm and comfortable, inviting, and elegant. I have to start taking down decorations as soon as possible... I prefer just regular things out. i always wonder why they have house tours at Christmas...I'd much rather see a house just decorated for every day use! Oh well, they don't ask my opinion! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home. Blessings to you and your family!