I can’t believe Christmas is this week!  I swear time just goes faster this time of year.  This year, I didn’t go too crazy with my decorating, and I kept it simpler than some years.  I think I only bought 2 new items too, which were both used in my dining room centerpiece.  I used the same concept as I did for my Fall centerpiece.

I took a festive ceramic plate, added my vase of painted sticks and surrounded it with candles and a ring of berries.  The white candles were one of the items I had to buy….I have no idea how I had no pure white candles in this house, but I didn’t.  And, the second item I purchased was the tiny red and white striped ornaments on the sticks.  And, I tried desperately to make the runner not look so wrinkly, but washing, drying and ironing did nothing for it.  Such is life.

I guess I should back up and welcome you in the front door.  Our foyer offers a festive greeting to any of our guests.

I think last year, I used the apothecary jar too, but I changed it up with only glass ornaments in it this year.  Santa seems to always greet in the foyer, but I used the trio of mini trees this year since they were not on my dining room table.

I decorated one new spot in the foyer.  I have a little 3 shelf plant stand in the one corner and there’s a plant on the top shelf, so I added some Christmas to the bottom two shelves, just some ceramic Santas, ornaments and Christmas books.  It is the same basic set up all year round, I just changed out the contents in the containers and changed the books.

Our living room is the main area for my Christmas décor, with the real tree visible from the foyer too.  The tree is pretty similar to last year, except I got a skinny cheap one this year…not bad for $25.

Our mantel is actually a bit different, because I just left the lanterns on from Fall and added greenery, stockings and berry stems.  With the TV above the mantel, I really have to keep it pretty simple, and I like it that way.

I added a little vignette to the side table in the living room.

Again, the lantern had been part of my Fall décor, but I added some ornaments inside it to make it more Christmassy.

The last surface in the living room to get decorated was the console table.  Since we didn’t have it last Christmas, it was fun to try something new.  I added my thrift shop angels and some fresh poinsettias from the grocery store (ok…so I did buy something else).

I always enjoy adding décor to the buffet because of the nice mirror background.  This year, it is home to the glass nativity on one side.

And a simple vignette of glassware with ornaments, a Christmas book and candle.

Now, for the basement.  We really haven’t been down there much, so I didn’t go overboard.  But, we do have our annual party in the basement with my husband’s side of the family so I wanted it to feel warm and festive.  I added a simple tablescape with centerpieces that I made years ago, with a grapevine tree lit in the background.

Our entertainment center shelves are fun to swap out the everyday with Christmas items.  I’m sure it is pretty similar to last year, but I specifically didn’t look how I had it and just put the stuff wherever seemed good to me.

I added a few small items to the corner shelf to mix in with the family pictures.

And, lastly is the basement tree.  I’m sure it is practically identical to last year, but that’s what happens when you don’t buy anything new! 🙂

Oh, and I just looked…I am actually a day earlier with my Christmas House Tour than last year, so that must mean I’m ahead of the game!  Are you ready for Christmas?