Christmas Home Tour 2016

Hello and Welcome Back! I’m excited to be participating in a Christmas home tour blog hop hosted this year by Caroline of Organize Nashville.  I’ll show you around my holiday home and have some great other bloggers to show you as well.  It’s a feast for the eyes!  I love browsing through the Christmas homes, it’s always so festive and fun for me.  And, as an added bonus, we are all going to share our top 5 tips for setting up your holiday home.

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com
If you are here from At Home with Zan, than welcome! Be sure to hop on over to Timeless Creations first thing tomorrow to see how she readies her home for the holidays. I’ve added a link to everyone else participating {and the day they post} so you can be sure to check out all the amazing blogs in this series.

myholidayhome

Monday, December 5

Organize Nashville

Creatively Homespun

At Home with Zan

Uncookie Cutter

Tuesday, December 6

Timeless Creations

Craftivity Designs

Green with Decor

My Life from Home

Two Purple Couches

Old House to New Home

Wednesday, December 7

Our Crafty Mom

A Purdy Little House

Roots North & South

Pender & Peony

Organize & Decorate Everything

Thursday, December 8

Flourish & Knot

Rocky Mountain Bliss

Pocketful of Posies

Recreated Designs

Knock it Off Kim

The Interior Maven

Little Bits of Home

Friday, December 9

Love My Simple Home

Brooklyn Berry Designs

Simple Nature Decor Blog

2 Bees in a Pod

Country Design Style

Finding Your Joy in The Journey

Caroline wanted to know what our favorite part of the season is, and my by far is the quiet down time with just the four of us – me, my husband and kiddos.  We rush around all the time and barely take a break where it’s just us, and Christmas is time for being together, having our traditions and watching movies in our PJs all day long.  But, in order to have this relaxing time I have to prepare our Christmas home.  The other thing Caroline asked us for was our tips for preparing our home for the holidays.  So, here is how I do it!

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

 

1. Organize your stuff

It works out so much better if you can organize your stuff for the holidays when you pack it away.  I color coordinate bins by holiday.  I know that may sound silly, but it’s so easy to do.  Christmas stuff gets red and green, Halloween gets orange and black, spring stuff gets purple and yellow, etc. This makes it super easy to find in the attic when it’s time to change out.  I even keep our “fake presents” stored nicely away so that it looks fun even before I wait until the last minute to buy everything.

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

 

2. Add a little each year

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you might notice some of these pictures look the same.  It can be frustrating to look at others homes, especially when you are just starting out.  I have added a little each year, like these fun little vases with a little winter wonderland charm at the entry.

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

And, I finally did the front porch just this year!

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

3. Incorporate your style

Duh.  No brainer, right?  Well, to be honest, this one is tough for me.  I have bits of rustic charm, like my wine barrel Christmas tree.

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

And my rustic winter wonderland wall.

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

But, I’m feeling less rustic and more modern lately.  Maybe next year you’ll see a change ;).

 

4. Decorate early if you want.

I know, I know – this one is controversial.  It’s just what I do now.  I used to be “not until after Thanksgiving” person.  But, here is why I switched.  The holiday season can quickly become hectic and crazy.  We like to do everything, which is kind of nuts. Last year, because of the blog, I had to get my stuff up and ready early.  And I loved it.  The time before Thanksgiving is usually a little quieter, calmer.  I used that time to put up the Christmas decorations in peace.  And I got to enjoy them all season, which is kind of the point.  It honestly made the season so much more enjoyable, and it made putting the decorations up so much more enjoyable.  It also allows time for new projects :). I’m still working on a few things to bring you this week! I know this one it’s going to go over well with some, but the point is, just do what makes you happy and don’t worry about the “rules” when it comes to stuff like this.  If you want to put your stuff up early, go for it!  I’m not big on tablescapes, so this year I set this one up early and I’m using it throughout the season.

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

 

5. Let the kiddos help

Not every picture and area has to be Pinterest-picture perfect.  My favorite tree in the house is the kiddos tree in the recreation room.  I let them totally do their own thing, and I think they did great!

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

 

I also let my husband & son do the front outside lights, except for the trees – I did those!

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

6. Have fun!

If it’s not fun, what’s the point?  Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

That’s it for today, but don’t worry – I’ve got a few more Christmas home pics coming!  I’m not done with it yet :).

Thanks for stopping by!

April

Christmas Home Tour 2016

Pin for later!

Christmas Home Tour 2016 - Simply Seasonal Blog Hop - UncookieCutter.com

 

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57 Comments

  1. Oh, it all looks so perfect! I especially love the kids tree – they knocked that thing out of the park this year! Makes me miss you crazy Rutherfords. 🙂 Merry Christmas, my friend!

  2. I love the sticks in the vases, the rustic wonderland, and that tree!! I too have to remind myself that it’s ok to have the same things and not get streesed over what I see online. Love your beautiful home and tips, especially for storing the things away.

  3. I am 100% with you on #4. I’ve always been hesitant to start early, but last year I decided — no more. I enjoy decorating, but when I have to cram it all into the busiest weeks of the year, it’s just not as fun. Starting early this year has made it much more enjoyable.

  4. Your home is so pretty and perfect for the holidays. I’m loving your Christmas tablescapes and you’ll have to let me know where you found those adorable plates. I also love your rustic tree made of branches. It’s wonderful.

  5. I love your tips, April! Just what we talked about last night. It can get to magazine swoon-worthy and I feel like Christmas is supposed to be fun especially for the kids! I love your decor. Everything looks great!

  6. April your home is so pretty! I love the winter wonderland wall, it is so creative! Great tips on how to organize your stuff for the year ahead, this is something I need to do.
    Julie @ Love My Simple Home

  7. April!! Your space looks great! I didn’t notice your changing your styles a little so I can’t wait to see the changes!! hehe Either way you’re amazing and I love your creativity! Pinned and Shared! xo

  8. I agree about adding a bit each year: it’s nice to pull things out and be able to tell stories about them; not just have a pile of meaningless decor! I love that winter wall!!

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