Welcome to our Cozy Christmas Tour 2023! Come on in, make yourself at home. I’m thrilled you could make it. I’m going to fix myself a chai latte before I show you around. Want me to make you one too?
I don’t post videos on Instagram, showing how I decorate my tree or how I do greenery outside. Decorating here is a pretty private affair. I also don’t change my decorations much from year to year like some people do. Some change their “themes” each and every year, but that’s just not me. I think I’m too practical. I always wonder, “What do they do with the stuff from last year?” I like a cozy vibe –a cozy Christmas.
Christmas was my mother’s favorite time of year. She LOVED decorating and baking for Christmas, although I think her favorite thing might have been wrapping packages. She was incredible at making a gift look like an original piece of artwork. This post features her a lot, mostly because she did the “heavy lifting” for our Christmas each year. Well, Dad and my brother AJ did the ACTUAL heavy lifting, but she was the boss — she pointed and directed for us to put things where she wanted them.
This year, I invite you to take a tour of my home, where I’ve incorporated traditional pieces, vintage treasures, and DIY decor that I hope will inspire you to add a personal touch to your own holiday style.
My tree is full of memories. I try to add a new ornament every year with the date on it. I collected ornaments from students over the years, which are precious to me, but also from so many family members that made ornaments through the years — my mother, grandmother, grandfather, aunts, uncles, etc. And even a few I did myself! There are also the vintage Shiny Brites that were on my great grandparents’ tree (more on those in another post!). Those I cherish. I never knew my great grandparents, but I like to think it’s like having a little part of their lives that we can share each year.
As you enter my home, you’ll find a manger scene that holds a special place in my heart. My mother made some ceramic pieces in her ceramics class, including the camels and wisemen. She even wrote the history of the manger on the back of the stable, which is a beautiful keepsake I read every year. It’s a reminder of the true meaning of the holiday season and a tribute to my creative mama.
I just love these tea cups and saucers with holly on them. They were made by my mother and add a touch of elegance and are perfect for a cozy cup of chai (or milk) and some cookies while admiring the tree. These cups bring back fond memories and are a reminder of the my mother creating these beautiful ceramic pieces — something she enjoyed immensely.
One of my DIY projects this year is a wreath for Ryan. It’s a work in progress but made from things I’ve collected from years gone by and a few items from our FREE holiday bundle this year. It’s been so much fun creating something unique and special for Ryan that I hope we can enjoy for years to come.
Another favorite decoration is the ceramic vintage Christmas tree made by my mom that sits in the kitchen. It’s a cherished piece because my brother has one that was my grandmother’s (his is a stunning white), and this one is from our house growing up. It brings back so many memories of cozy Christmas pasts and is a symbol of my mother’s creativity and love for the holiday season.
Decorating my home for Christmas is one of my favorite ways to get into the spirit of the season. It’s a time to reflect on cherished memories, create new ones, and bring loved ones together for warmth and joy. I hope my cozy Christmas home tour has inspired you to add a personal touch to your own décor this year, whether through DIY projects, vintage finds, or cherished family pieces. May your holiday season be filled with love, laughter, and lots of festive cheer!
