Monday, November 30, 2009

My Home for the Holidays - {Part I}

I admit I am not one to decorate for every holiday, season, occasion, etc. A few pumpkins (preferably of the white and green variety) for Halloween, a fresh bouquet of white tulips for Easter and I am pretty much set. Christmas, however, is a different story.

Like many people, some of my most wonderful childhood and adult memories are of my family's Christmas traditions. My Mom baked wonderful Norwegian cookies, my grandmother cooked a full course Italian dinner {which took hours to eat} and our entire house was decorated with love. Each ornament on our tree held a memory - a place visited or lived, a childhood school project, a favorite past time or sport, a gift from a cherished friend.

Traditions tie us to the past and help us to remember from where we come. As a Mom, I want to pass these same feelings on to my children. Which is why I make the effort to decorate my home during Christmas. It is the time we spend together as a family that means the most. So over the next few weeks I would like to invite you into my home to share some of my favorite decorating projects.
This week's post features my mantel (seen above) and a simple table top decoration. For several years I have wanted to hang a wreath on a garden gate above my fireplace. I had seen pictures of this done before but had never been able to locate a gate until last week. I am so pleased with how it looks and I am trying to figure out how I can have the gate there all year!
I also made stockings out of white burlap, linen and muslin, with raffia hangers. The round fabric embellishments are called "yo-yo's" and have been used in quilting circles forever. If you can sew, making stockings are a simple and quick project.The second item today is a "peppermint candy stand." Many people have some sort of wire stand in their house similar to mine. I simply outfitted it with a few clear bubble glasses, ornaments, greenery and candy.

My kids love this during the holidays as it is the only time of year I have candy out and on display in my house. They find it fun to sneak a piece while they think I am not looking! (another great memory) I have used this as a centerpiece on my island as well as part of Christmas party dessert table.

29 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I do not have one of those stands, but now I want one! Love your wreath on the gate. I'm still decorating and moving things around, but I should be ready for all the holiday house linky parties coming up.

Dena Pickle said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the white and red so clean and fresh and crisp!
I always love to see someone use so much white. I'm one that likes a lot of color in my house but have dreamt of all white from time to time. I honestly don't think I could pull it off...something colorful would sneak in and ruin the whole effect.

Kudos!
Dena

Janna said...

Your Christmas decorations turned out perfect! I love the simple white and red - such clean lines and so gorgeous!

Sarah said...

Beautiful! Oh, this is so my kind of holiday decorating...simple, elegant, natural...love!!! The wreath on the gate is so pretty, congrats for making it happen! Ps. I love the paperwhites in a teacup idea:)

Cottage on the Hill said...

I love the Christmas candy stand and that wreath!! Very beautiful!

pve design said...

I love your red door and have illustrated many a red door ! Pretty images here!
pve

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I love your mantel, it's absolutely charming. So festive. I have a stand like that, and each year it's fun to fill it up, isn't it? It brings an immediate touch of "Holiday" to any room. Thanks for the inspiration.
xo Lidy

Willow Decor said...

Your mantel is so pretty!! I love it!! What a great eye and talent you have!!
xx-Gina

Anonymous said...

Very pretty mantel and I really like the candy idea. Now I want a wire stand! :-)

Brabourne Farm said...

All your Christmas decorations are so beautiful! The gate on the mantel is just gorgeous and I love the peppermint candy stand. What wonderful memories you're creating for your children - these beautiful things will live with them forever. Leigh

for the love of a house said...

Your mantle is so pretty! Love simple Christmas decorating.
So great to meet you (thank you for your comment!)- we've almost neighbors;)!
When I find a new blog I like I go back through the blog and on your table-runner post your Singer Featherweight (or is it the standard size?) caught my eye!! I've had a Featherweight as my only sewing machine since I was 12!!
You are quite the sewing talent (I can only sew straight lines. I'd die to sew a zipper as that would make my life so much easier with pillows;)I have the attachment, just never learned how to use it. I'm much to impatient to sew anyway.)
But YOU, you're wonderful! Is that your main sewing machine? I would love to see you do a post on it! In this day of automated-everything it's so wonderful to see something old and of value still being used!
best,
joan

Red Door Home said...

Thank you for your wonderful comment! Yes, I do use only my singer feather weight sewing machine shown in pictures for all my projects. It was my Grandmother's and it the only sewing machine I have ever owned. I have thought many times about "upgrading" to a new machine but this one has served me so well and the new machines are so expensive. I will definitely do a post on my machine.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I am like you when it comes to decorating. A little at Easter, with white or red tulips...fall is natural gourds. But at Christmas I do decorate most of the house.

I lived in upstate NY for 10 years near Corning...where in upstate are you?
Penny
The Comforts of Home

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Beautiful! I had a gate that I have always wanted to use on my mantle. Finally, I have a mantle and I find out my dad took my gate to the DUMP when we were moving! NOOOOOO!!! So sad. Not sure what he was thinking.

Lovely stockings too! WOW!

Deborah said...

Your mantel is just beautiful and those stockings are wonderful! Love the soft colors. I looked for the stockings on your etsy site, but didn't see any. Do you offer them for sale?

Teresa said...

Love the candy stand- fabulous. Makes me really want to find one.
Merry Christmas

Tia said...

I adore your peppermint candy stand!! Love the addition of glass balls and berries in it!
Your stockings are absolutely gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Love the candy display but I can't do that in my house. No one home but me to eat it! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Jackie

KimMalk said...

This looks so lovely. Your stockings are beautiful. I'm a sewer and have never been happy w/my kids' stockings (I finally made some and I still don't care for them - these are pretty and fairly simple.
@cheapchichome.blogspot.com

Wendy said...

I love the gate and wreath. The stockings are wonderful. And the wire holder with candy and decs is darling. I'm so happy I found your blog. Everything is beautiful. Ü

Amanda - Small Home Big Start said...

I love the white decor - it looks so clean and fresh!

Hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday!

If you get a chance, stop by my blog today and enter my children's Christmas book giveaway.
http://smallhomebigstart.blogspot.com/2009/12/gift-ideas-for-kids-gift-of-reading.html

Moore Minutes said...

Your home is absolutely gorgeous, peaceful, and perfect! I simply LOVE your decorating style. I'm a happy new follower too. :)

Gigi's Thimble said...

Your home is beautiful! I love your decorating style. Thanks for sharing pictures. The "mostly white" is very striking. I love it!

Rue said...

What a beautiful post filled with sentiment and wonderful eye candy. I loved my visit here :)

rue

Melissa Miller said...

You have a beautiful home! Love your Holiday decor'. Very pretty!

Enjoy this joyous season!
~Warmly, ~Melissa :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!

Love the candy.
-FringeGirl

Anonymous said...

It all looks so festive! Thanks for showing us around! I am stopping in from Nester's place. To see my tour click on the 'Christmas 2009' tag on the left sidebar of my blog.

Meghan said...

Do you (or would you) sell stockings like the ones you made for your family?!

Fishtail Cottage said...

love your decor - it's just all so beautiful!

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