Hi Friends, I enjoy visiting family and friends during the Christmas season, and I love to see how they decorate their homes for Christmas. A few years ago I read an inspiring book called The Nesting Place, by Myquillyn Smith. She also writes a blog that shares ideas for repurposing furniture and decorating on a budget, emphasizing creativity and beauty, not perfection.
The author of The Nesting Place invited readers to post photos of their homes decorated for Christmas on her blog. That’s such a fun idea I decided to borrow it and invite my blog-reading friends over to our home for a virtual visit.
Welcome to our home! I like to gather evergreens and holly to fill the pots on our front steps and to make a swag to hang by the door. This year, a dear friend from our church invited me over to her yard to clip evergreens. She had so many pretty ones to choose from. It was a fun outing. I made a swag for her too.
We brought this olive wood nativity home from Israel many years ago. The star no long hangs above the roof and Joseph has lost his staff, but we still love bringing this nativity out each year to enjoy and remember that first Christmas in Bethlehem.
Each December I also bring out my basket of Christmas books. We’ve collected these over the years and read many of them aloud to our kids and grandkids. There are a lot of happy memories in that basket.
Our living room is the gathering place in our home on Christmas and all year long. I try to make it cozy and inviting.
I found this pretty pillow online at Dayspring. I especially like the contrast of the bright red birds against the cream and gold background. This simple white nativity below was given to us by dear friends who are missionaries in Kenya. When I put it out it reminds me of them and the wonderful work they are doing there. The quilt table-topper was a gift from another good friend.
Our dining room with just a peek at my corner desk. We’ll be eating Christmas brunch here before we open our gifts.
These gold angles were given to me by my mom, Dorothy Swain. The Mitchell Tolle print of the grandmother teaching her granddaughter to quilt also reminds me of my mom who was a wonderful quilter and artist.
Our Christmas tree is filled with ornaments we’ve collected over the years from travels, friends, and crafts we’ve made. This year two of our grandchildren were with us to unwrap the ornaments and decorate the tree. Here are a few of my favorites.
In the kitchen I enjoy using my Friendly Village Dishes when the family comes to celebrate Christmas Day with us. Cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and bacon are usually on the menu.
We hope you enjoyed your visit. Scott and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you be blessed with God’s peace and joy as you celebrate the Savior’s birth.
Would you like to see some more homes decorated for Christmas? Visit the Nester’s Blog for the Christmas House Tour.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,
Carrie
Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas and God bless!
Merry Christmas to you, Joyce!
All those wonderful fresh decorations at your house, it must smell so wonderful in your house.
Merry Christmas and God Bless
I do enjoy those fresh evergreens! Merry Christmas, Judi!
Your house is lovely and so festive looking! Enjoy the holidays!
Thank you, Suzanne!
You are such a caring and sharing author friend, Carrie! I love and appreciate you.
Have a most blessed holiday🎄
Thank you, Charlotte! Merry Christmas to you!
Beautiful. Your peaceful God loving spirit flows from your books. I really enjoy them and trust I’ll never run into a “wish I didn’t read that” moment. God bless you and your family this Christ centered season and Happy New Year!
Your home is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas blessings,
Tina
I love how warm and inviting your home is. Merry Christmas to you, Scott and your family. May the coming year be blessed more than ever before.
How beautiful! Thank you for a peak into your home, Carrie! Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks for sharing pictures of your beautifully decorated home!
Thank You for the tour Very lovely
Joan
Carrie your house is beautiful. Thank you for the tour.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thanks for sharing your home. I love the basket of Christmas books! And my mom was also a quilter and artist. Merry Christmas!
Lovely tour. i love the Nativity.
Marilyn
Love your decorations Carrie!! Especially that nativity scene. And we have something in common. I have the Friendly Village China set as well and I use it only for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter. It’s so pretty.
Hi Rebecca, that’s fun to hear we share the same taste in dishes! Merry Christmas!
What a fun post to read, and give thanks for the memories of our times together many years ago. Sending my love, Luanne
So warm and beautiful! But then your home is always that way.