I could write this post with a, “Hello and welcome to our home, where the greenery is perfectly hung and a speck of dust doesn’t exist and every little thing has a place in every organized cranny.” Because the truth is, if you only looked at the photos in this post, maybe you’d get that idea.
But then what kind of friend would I be if I let you believe that?
Today, I’m joining in with my sweet friends Krista of The Happy Housie and April from House by Hoff along with a group of super talented bloggers to share a little of our homes all gussied up for Christmas.
And I have to tell you, when I’m scrolling through all of these gorgeous Christmas tours in blogland and seeing all of the beautifully styled homes on Facebook and Instagram, I start to hear that little voice.
You know the one? The one that whispers, “You’re not doing enough.”
That little voice is more of a “bah humbug” than Scrooge himself. You’re a rock star, and don’t you forget it.
I hope, this Christmas, that you choose grace. Not to be confused with “graceful”… Clumsy McGee talking over here.
But when the dishes pile up and the laundry hampers overflow… choose grace.
When a cookie baking session with your kids turns into a frosting explosion… choose grace.
When someone cuts you off in a holiday traffic jam… choose grace.
When a cashier is short tempered in the checkout line… choose grace.
When someone lashes out on social media… choose grace.
When your spouse has a bad day at work… choose grace.
Christmas is joyful and exciting and magical in so many ways, but it’s always this time of year when I have to remind myself that how I love others matters so much more in my daily actions than it does in my gift shopping, than in my decorating, than in my fun-activity-planning.
Because that someone who cut you off in traffic could be thinking about a lost loved one who won’t be here on earth this year.
Because that short tempered cashier could be worried about how she will pay her bills and still make Christmas happy for her kids.
Because that person who gets angry on social media could be dealing with a battle in his own life that we know nothing about.
Because maybe the Grinch had it right after all. Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
I guess it seems contrary to share our living room all decorated for Christmas alongside such a punch-you-in-the-gut message, but it’s a piece of my heart, and something I have to tell myself every day this time of year.
But most of all, I hope you choose grace for yourself.
That Christmas tree filled with popsicle stick ornaments and pipe cleaner candy canes crafted by teeny hands is more beautiful than any magazine could ever create.
Those misshapen gingerbread men decorated with globs of gloopy icing are lovely just as they are.
The people in your house matter so much more than the twinkle lights hanging outside of it.
Because real beauty is everywhere as long as you look for it.
Sometimes it’s the Grinch of the day, the Scrooge of the week, the Abominable Snowman we encounter in the mall that can teach us more about the true meaning of Christmas than anyone else. Maybe it’s because we get a little Grinchy ourselves every now and then.
But eventually, even Scrooge figured it out. “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”
Merry Christmas, sweet friends. I hope it’s amazing, filled with grace and forgiveness and love, and that it’s perfectly imperfect in so many ways.
If you want to know about any of the sources in our living room and breakfast nook, you can see them all here: (Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience.)
- Wall color: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Trim color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Door color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
- Sofa
- Armchairs
- Blue rug
- Jute rug
- Ceiling fan
- Lantern pendant light
- Coffee table (Craigslist find- similar linked)
- End table
- Wicker trunk (similar linked)
- French bistro chairs (TJ Maxx find- similar linked)
- Winter botanical prints
- Curtains
- Mercury glass lamp
- Silver round tray
- Wooden candle holders
- Mantel garland (similar)
- Boxwood wreaths (IKEA find- similar linked)
- Lanterns
- Cable knit stockings
- Ruffle tree skirt
- Faux fur pillow
- Silent Night pillow
- Cable knit pillow covers
- Silver metallic pillows
- Cream medallion pillows
- White pleat pillow
- Gray/cream sweater knit throw blanket
- Smoke blue throw blanket
- Mercury glass ornaments
- Gray wood bead garland (similar)
- Moravian star tree topper
- Wooden ornaments
- Wood origami snowflake ornaments
- Birch wrapping paper
- Gold stripe kraft paper
- Mercury glass candle
- Sugared birch green candle
- Cake stand
- White village house figurines
You can check out the rest of the Seasonal Simplicity Christmas Tour here for lots more decorating ideas too:
Monday
The Happy Housie / House by Hoff / at HOME with the barkers / Paint Me Pink / Cherished Bliss
Tuesday
Maison de Pax / House of Wood / Tidy Mom / The Turquoise Home / Rain on a Tin Roof
Wednesday
Jamie Costiglio / Robb Restyle / Bless’er House / Two Twenty One / Place of My Taste
Thursday
Town & Country Living / A Burst of Beautiful / Deeply Southern Home / My Fabuless Life
Friday
Erin Spain / Nina Hendrick / The Wicker House/
Making Home Base /Sincerely Sara D / Just a Girl and Her Blog
Beautiful! Your photos are stunning too. Can you share what lens you use?
All that green and white is simply gorgeous! And I want to wear your stockings they look so cozy. It’s beautiful.
Absolutely stunning, Lauren! So light, bright, and airy and totally festive at the same time. Thanks for joining in on this tour with us!
Lovely home and lovely message! Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you for this post, I especially needed the “Grace” part of it!
As always, your style is lovely and your words are a gift to me!
Michelle
Lauren, thank you for the good reminder to be gentle this time of year with myself and others when perhaps the mark falls a little short of perfection. You’re so right that people are much more important than things. Your house is lovely!! Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful post – what a beautiful house – thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas – to you and yours 🙂
Beautiful house, and beautiful message. Thank you for reminding us of all we have, and to remember that we never know what others are dealing with in their personal lives.
Merry Christmas
The tree especially is absolutely gorgeous. I love the entire room! ann lee s. bc Vancouver island, canada
Beautiful post, and beautiful reminder as I sit on the phone for the 4th time trying to resolve a problem! It truly made a difference in how I responded. Also wanted to say, I saw your post on spraying the “Christmas village” white, and since I already had one, I gave it a try. Looks amazing and I never would have thought to do that. Appreciate all that you do.
I love your heart! What a great message!
Your home is beautiful as as usual! I have no Christmas decorating done and your message reminded me to give myself some grave.
Love it all! Beautiful!! I have that same star topper, but we can’t get it to stay upright. It is pretty heavy. How did you do it?
Enjoyed your home and your message!
What a beautiful post! I enjoyed it and needed it! I follow your blog closely and love it. I didn’t see this in any of your links, but wondered about your labels for the stockings. I have had needlepoint stockings in my family forever, but they are not labeled with names, everyone just knows which one is theirs! I would love to add that!
Hi Kim, I’ll be sharing more about those on Monday along with the printable name labels you can download. 🙂 But here is the link to the tags: http://amzn.to/2B2cdPo
Soooooo beautiful, as are your words. May I ask a sort of random question? I see some gifts under the tree in brown craft paper – do you have any tips on wrapping with it? Maybe it’s just the type of purchased, but it is so heavy that I have to use clear packing tape to get it to stick! Is your paper that heavy? What do you use? Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Me Grinchy? Pleeease. Beautiful tour and so serene.
Love your sentiments on choosing grace! Such a great reminder especially this time of year. Your house looks magical and spectacular. Merry Christmas!
Simply beautiful Christmas decor and message…Thank you and God bless.
Where did you obtain your tree from ? I don’t see the source in your list ………
Hi Karen! Oh, sorry. I got it on Amazon after Christmas last year. Here’s the link: http://amzn.to/2BKRxYI
Amen and Amen. 🙂
Beautiful. This is my first Christmas without my dad and honestly I haven’t been feeling it. I haven’t taken it out on anyone, that I know of, but it’s not just about me. This time of the year is about everyone I do still have as well as all those God puts in my path. Thank you for reminding me of grace and hope this holiday season. Blessings to you and yours
I love how you used what looks like luggage tags for your Christmas stockings. Could you please let me know where you purchased these and how you made the name labels?
Thanks so much!!!
Thanks, Cheryl! I’ll be sharing more about those on Monday along with the printable name labels you can download. 🙂 But here is the link to the tags: http://amzn.to/2B2cdPo
This touched my Heart! Blessings & Merry Christmas to you and yours!
What a beautiful post. Not only is your home so pretty, but your words and encouragement on grace are beautiful too. Grace is so needed these days, and if Jesus gifted us with such amazing grace, so should we also! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Blessings Lauren to you and your family for a very Merry Christmas. May you always stay grounded to remind us all of just what is most important at this time of the year.
There is some true beauty in your words and photos. How so very true those words are. A Blessed Christmas to you and your family.
Lauren, you are amazing! Thank you for those words and the beautiful inspiration 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
Great reminders Lauren! These are reminders I need to think about daily this time of year as well.
Your home is so beautiful! I love your flocked tree.
Such a beautiful post! Great reminders for today and everyday of the year!
Thank you!
Can I ask where you purchased the pretty name tags on your stockings?
Thank you, Susan! The tags are actually just luggage tags I found. I’ll be posting printables for them on Monday. 🙂
Wonderful and timely post. The laundry and dishes are piling up and I want everything to be perfect but I have 2 beautiful daughters under three so we need lots of grace, patience and joy in the messes at our house. Thanks for sharing the real reason for the season. He came so we could know how to love and show grace. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and enjoy the season with those precious daughters!
Lauren, it all looks so perfect. I want every single piece of decor in your home.
Sigh.
And such a great reminder – this is the post I needed to read today.
I appreciate your honest thoughts. I know about that voice. I hear it all the time, but try to ignore it. Your home is lovely Lauren. Enjoyed looking at all the Christmas touches.
Amen!
Your entryway is my absolute favorite every season! So beautiful. And thank you for the wise words. We all need to remind ourselves. Have a wonderful holiday. Kristy
Your home is beautiful & I love your sentiments! I have followed you for a few years now and recently downloaded and printed three of the winter botanicals! I love your generous spirit Lauren!
It was really nice to read this, as we are definitely in the sticky candy cane/misshapen gingerbread phase of life. And, as much as I would sometimes love to be fancier, and tidier, there is something beautiful and very special about this imperfectly perfect place. Thanks for reminding me of that. And, for sharing such beautiful inspiration!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. May I ask where you purchased your fireplace screen? Happy holidays!
Thanks, Lynn! The screen was already here from the previous owners when we bought the house. I wish I knew where it came from originally!
Gorgeous, as always, Lauren! Your home is always such a source of inspiration. And I love the message you shared, too!
Thanks Jordan!
I still love red at Christmas. A little goes a long way, and even a poinsettia or two would look lovely with all that white.
I love red too and normally use it every year but just wanted a change of pace this year. And since we have a good bit of blue in this space with our rug, I thought I’d try the neutral look.