How Christmas Should Look

I fully intended to get my house decorated for Christmas but it simply hasn’t yet happened this year.  You see, I spent all of my weekends during November getting my booth ready for Vintage Lynchburg Holiday Sale.  I’m too tired (and lazy) to decorate at night after a long day in the classroom, so as of now, my house is not decorated.  I know my neighbors wonder what is wrong as I’m usually the first on my street to decorate outside.  Wouldn’t you know that the year that I haven’t decorated would be the year that I’m part of the 12 Days of Christmas Tour?  Im taking a trip down memory lane and am sharing how I wish my home looked this holiday season.

Christmas Outside - virginiasweetpea.com

I love putting candles in and wreaths on the windows of my home.  A pottery barn inspired garland lights the entrance and I always make a fresh wreath for the door.  Taking a walk at night is so much fun at Christmas when everyone in the neighborhood has decorated.

Christmas Outside at Night

 

My tree pretty much looks the same from year to year.  Our ornaments are ones that we’ve collected during our 19 year marriage.  The tree skirt was made by my grandmother in the 1970’s and was passed on to me by my mom.

Sweet Pea's Christmas Tree

 

After decorating the outside and putting up the tree, my mantel is always the next to be decorated and usually incorporates a fresh greenery and a wreath that I create.Virginia Sweet Pea Mantel in 2012

My grandmother made my stocking in 1969 and I still use it today.

Virginia Sweet Pea Mantel in 2011

I love decorating my kitchen for Christmas.  A Christmas towel hangs from the stove and vintage Christmas punch sets that I collect are displayed on the counter.

Kitchen Decorated for Christmas

Here you can see two more of my punch bowl sets to the left of the stove.

Vintage Punch bowls

Corner shelves at the ends of my cabinets are the perfect place to display my vintage Santas and Santa boots.

Sweet Pea's Kitchen at Christmas

 

The chalk Santa was my grandmother’s and the Santa mug belonged to my great-great aunt.

Vintage Santa Boots

The other end cabinet displays some of my Lenox Holiday pieces that I’ve collected since I was a teenager.

Lenox Holiday Collection

 

A Lenox Holiday platter decorates and is ready to use when I need it for a holiday meal.  I really enjoy using my Christmas cream and sugar from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas.

Lenox Holiday in the Kitchen

 

Last year Mr. SP and I designed and made a Recessed Glass Votive Centerpiece for our table.  I look forward to using it again this year.

Wooden Centerpiece Handcrafted by virginiasweetpea.com

Every table top in my home is usually adorned with some type of decoration.  If I had this out this year, I’m sure Sherman would pull it apart in no time.  He likes to chew on pine cones.

Glittered Pinecones

 

I can’t get enough vintage, especially at Christmas.  I found the runner in an antique shop in Vermont and the ornaments were purchased at a local estate store.

Christmas Dining Room

Thanks so much for taking a trip down Christmas decorating memory lane with me today.  Seeing how pretty my home can look for the holidays is motivating me to pull my boxes out and get busy even though the big day is only 15 days away.

Today is day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas Tour.  I have really enjoyed visiting the blogs participating to admire their decor.  It’s so much fun to see everyone’s individual style and personality in their Christmas decorating.  Be sure to stop by to visit the blogs participating to get your own inspiration!

12 Days of Christmas Tour

Monday DEC 2nd
FIRST HOME LOVE LIFE
DIO HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Tuesday DEC 3rd
AT HOME WITH THE BARKERS
RESTORING OUR 1890 VICTORIAN

Wednesday DEC 4th
FRESH IDEA STUDIO
THE GOLDEN SYCAMORE
HOUSE ON THE WAY

Thursday DEC 5th
CURB ALERT
PETTICOAT JUNKTION

Friday DEC 6th
ARTSY CHICKS RULE
RAPPSODY IN ROOMS

Saturday DEC 7th
SIMPLY FRESH VINTAGE
COUNTRY DESIGN STYLE

Sunday DEC 8th
MRS HINES CLASS
SNAZZY LITTLE THINGS

Monday DEC 9th
JUST PAINT IT
THE RUSTIC PIG
JUST A GIRL AND HER BLOG

Tuesday DEC 10th
OUR SOUTHERN HOME
VIRGINIA SWEET PEA
MEEGAN MAKES

Wednesday DEC 11th
SOPHIAS DECOR
A LITTLE CLAIREIFICATION
GIRL IN THE GARAGE

Thursday DEC 12th
MOMMY IS COOCOO
LITTLE MISS CELEBRATION
INSPIRATION FOR MOMS

Friday DEC 13th
MY SOULFUL HOME
CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYer
LILACS AND LONGHORNS

37 Comments

  1. OH your home is beautiful Paula…no matter if it is this year’s photos or last! I love all the special and meaningful touches all throughout. If I had great pictures of Christmas past at my house I would have done the same! It was hard pulling it all together!! 😉
    Nancy

  2. Paula, your home looks holiday beautiful! I absolutely love the vintage pieces and your Lenox collection. Every year I say I want some of that Christmas Lenox – it’s so lovely! I totally understand how difficult it is to find the energy to do all of this after a long day – I know you’ll get things done before the big day – that old Christmas magic will kick in! I’m so excited that we got to see your amazing home. Pinning and sharing! Have a happy week and keep holiday smile in your heart! xo

  3. Paula! Love all your vintage pieces and the special memories they have for you, the all red pieces in the kitchen reminds me of my childhood Christmas I LOVE it!! Your home is so warm and welcoming 🙂 Love seeing your home it has put me even further into the Christmas mood!

  4. Where are Santa’s elves when you need them? If you need help, holla! I’ve always loved looking at your home, it is warm and inviting anytime during the year. Catch up on some “me” time and have a wonderful Christmas, decorated or not. -Bev

  5. Paula, just relax! Two Christmas’ ago I did not hang one decoration!!!! And we had the best Christmas ever! You will get it done… or at least the minimum. Your home is so beautiful… and with our without the decorations I know the Spirit of Christmas burns bright in your home!!!!

  6. I really enjoyed visiting your Christmas tour. I LOVE all the vintage touches and memories. I love the traditional red, it feels like Christmas in your home. You will get it all done, even if it isn’t ALL up. Merry Christmas, sweetie.

    PS-So happy to be sharing the day with you 🙂

  7. I love looking back at Christmases past! Sometimes you have time to decorate – sometimes you don’t. I can see why you are sad that your outside décor isn’t up. It looks so charming on your style house! I also had fun seeing all your collections (and your kitchen as I don’t see many pictures of it!).

  8. Paula, sometimes Christmas’ past are the best! After all, enjoying fond memories is what makes holidays special. Your decorations are so lovely. I can just imagine all the warm family times spent in your home.

    Great being on tour with you this year. Have the merriest of Christmases!

  9. Oh sweet Paula I l LOVE all your vintage Christmas! Not matter if it’s yet to happen this year, it’s so nice to see all of your sentimental treasures that have been passed down to enjoy. Now go get some rest so you can enjoy the rest of the month.
    cheers

  10. Oh Paula I can certainly relate. You have seen pretty much every decoration we have up this year and if it weren’t for the kids I don’t know if I would have bothered! Now that some things are in place I am thankful and you will get it done – even if it’s not every single thing pulled out this year. i LOVE how many wonderful treasures you have that have been passed down. I have a stocking like that with my name on it from the early 70s – I don’t know who made it for me and will have to ask my Mom. I must find it!! I have always loved that beautiful Lenox pattern. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us on this tour! xo

  11. Paula, Thanks for the stroll down memory lane. I felt the same way this year and thought I must have been silly signing up for the home tour as I was so unprepared! It was a good kick in the booty to get it all started though and glad I did it. I love your 1969 stocking from Grandmother-so sweet you have kept it all these years. I bet that you are flooded with memories of Christmas pasts every time you pull it out. Hope you have a fabulous holiday!
    Tami

  12. Paula, your holiday decor captures the spirit of Christmas. All of the vintage collections are so special and sentimental. Something about it makes me want to cling to my family and keep them close. I just love it!

  13. Pingback: 12 Days of Christmas Tour | DIO Home Improvements
  14. Pingback: Welcoming Christmas - My Holiday Front Porch by My Soulful Home | My Soulful Home
  15. Pingback: Christmas Tablescape - 12 Days of Christmas Tours - www.lilacsandlonghorns.com
  16. Paula, I just love your home. That outside shot at night is just breathtaking! I love the mantel shot. The woodwork and how you have decorated for Christmas is just so war and welcoming. I have so much to catch up on your blog! You’ve been busy!!! ~Christy

  17. Can’t we all relate to what you’re going through?! I have to admit that I’m a bit reluctant every year to get out the holiday decor because it is just so much work! If it weren’t for my kids and my “Clark Griswold” husband you’d find me with a wreath on my door and a small tree in the living room. Maybe. I always say that and then get sucked in to all of the beautiful decorations that I see everywhere! lol Nonetheless, your home decked out in previous years looks lovely and inviting and I adore your cherished collections. Even if you only get a wreath on the door this year, it will all be fine. Merry Christmas to you!!

  18. Paula,
    I LOVE all the vintage touches in your decorating! Your home was beautiful last year, from the inside out, and I know it will be this year too. It’s fun to go back and remember our holidays past, isn’t it?
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!
    Hugs …
    Lani

  19. Your home is beautiful, Paula! I love your honesty about your home not being decorated yet this year! I chose to decorate instead of work on painting furniture this holiday season and I am feeling like I should have painted more! 🙂

  20. Pingback: 12 Days of Christmas Home Tour - Mrs. Hines Class
  21. Pingback: Merry Christmas -

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.