Do you enjoy visiting friends at Christmas? I do, and I love to see how people decorate their homes for the Christmas Season. Recently 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, emphisizing creativity and beauty, not perfection.
This month “The Nester” 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.
One of the first things you’ll see when you come in the front door is this olive wood nativity set Scott and I brought back from our visit to Israel shortly after we were married. Joseph has lost his staff and the star has come down off the stable roof, but we still enjoy puting it out each year.
I like to bring out my Teddy Bear Collection each December. This year I placed them on our front landing at the top of the stairs so our young guests could enjoy them. The largest bear in the back, “Joshua Bear” was one we gave our son Josh when he was a baby 30 years ago.
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.
Since I’m from Oregon where we always cut down a fresh Christmas tree, we continue that tradition here in New Jersey. Scott and I visit a the McLaughlin Tree Farm in Robbinsville, near where our church meets.
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.
This colorful angel was given to me by my sister-in-law, Traci, and I enjoy bringing it out each December. 
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.
Blessings and Happy Reading!
Carrie
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us! I, too, love the pillow with the red birds set against the cream background. A Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family.
Hi Tina, thank you for stopping by! Merry Christmas to you!
Your home is so beautifully decorated for Christmas. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Linda, thank you for stopping by for a visit. Merry Christmas to you!
so very lovely, Carrie! thanks so much for sharing!! most blessed Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you, Robin! I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve enjoyed connecting with you on Facebook this year. Best wishes with your new book!
Beautiful home. I love the way you decorated it.
Thank you for sharing with us, so inviting and i can hear the music playing Oh holy night….Merry Christmas to all who enter there..
Thank you for sharing the photos of your home with us. Your decorations are gorgeous! I love the special memories associated with the decorations. Merry Christmas!
I have to say your newsletter is beautiful. And, now that I see our home, that’s even more beautiful! You do a great job of decorating. I wish I were as talented and organized!
Thanks, Morgan. I’ve always loved to decorate. I guess that comes from growing up in a family of artists. Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Carrie, Thanks for sharing with us some glimpses into your lovely home. Your Christmas decorations are beautiful. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Vickie, thanks for stopping by! I hope some day you can come for a real visit! Wouldn’t that be fun. : )
Lovely home, full of expressions of faith and love for family! Thanks for sharing! Have a Merry, blessed Christmas!
I love the virtual tour Carrie, what a wonderful idea. I know your home smells beautiful too! Love it!
Your home is always warm, welcoming and lovely, Carrie, and your Christmas decorating only makes it more so! I pray you and your family are blessed with peace and good health this Christmas and in the new year to come. God’s blessings for you!
Hi Carrie! It was such fun to see the photos of your lovely home. It brought back so many special memories of the day’s our families would get together. In fact if my memory serves me well I was with you the day you first saw the house. It has served you well and has been a vehicle of blessing to so many. It doesn’t hurt that the “mistress of the mansion” is so talented with her decorating skills. Much love to the Turansky family this year. Come see us in Annapolis!
Hi Cathy, how fun to see your name and comment pop up! Yes, we are very grateful for our home and I enjoy decorating for Christmas. This has been a year of big changes for you and Fred. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of your photos on Facebook. I hope we can come down to see you in Annapolis. That would be great! Merry Christmas. More news in my Christmas email that’s going out soon. Hello to Fred and all the family!
I also loved your pictures and sharing your Christmas decorations with all of us. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your time with your family.
Hi Joyce, thanks for taking the tour! I appreciate you! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Carrie
Purposeful, meaningful, and prettily decorated. Thank you for sharing your lovely home. I love the bears! I have a few Boyd’s bears and miss the company that used to make those. I rotate my bears for different seasons. I’ve done the same with Hummels figurines and Effanbee dolls that belonged to my grandma. I figure I might as well let them out of their boxes for display. It reminds me of her, too. Merry Christmas and happiest new year to you and your family!
Hi Susan, thanks for stopping by! That’s fun to hear you also have a bear collection and bring them out in different seasons. Blessings and Merry Christmas! Carrie
Carrie, your home is so warm and inviting. Can I become an adopted ember of your household? Thank you for sharing with us. As a professional quilter, I especially enjoyed seeing all the handmade quilts around. May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas with lots of laughter and joy to fill your memories
Hi Rebecca, thanks for your comment. That’s fun to hear you enjoy quilting like my mom. I admire your patience! Blessings and Merry Christmas!
I love how you have decorated with such warmth! It’s welcoming and makes me think that anyone coming to visit would feel comfortable and right at home.
Merry Christmas, Carrie!
Hi Anne, thanks you for your kind words. I’m glad you stopped by. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing your framed quilting print! So lovely. Merry Christmas and thank you for your blessed words! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us – I can imagine it full of family and friends! I especially love the quilts and your amazing tree!
Thank you for the joy you bring to others through your books.
Praying you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating our Saviour’s birth and every blessing in 2018.
Hi Ishbel, thanks for stopping by for the Christmas house tour! Merry Christmas to you. I hope you enjoy a wonderful celebration of Jesus’s birth.
a lovely tour Carrie. Thank you. Remembering my time there 2 yrs ago.
What a lovely, warm, and welcoming home! Thank you for sharing photos of it.
Beautiful decor. Love your Bear collection .
Thanks for sharing.
A Blessed & Merry Christmas to you , your family and
all.
Very beautiful Carrie! Thanks for inviting us into your home for a Christmas tour!
Blessings Joy Hannabass
Wow! Your home and tree are beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful home! It has a few of my favorite thing included in it too. Your dining room chairs are the same style as mine which are in our kitchen. Also your living room furniture nearly matches our living room.
We too put it our Nativity sets first every year. Some Nativities change locations in the house each year and some just have to set in their most logical spots because of their size. Thanks for sharing your home with all of us. Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year to you and your family. Hugs, Lucy Tew here in really cold Central Pennsylvania.
Merry Christmas!! You have a beautiful home.
Thanks so much for the tour. I love how each picture tells a little story about you and your family. I love teddy bears and books too!! Very intentional and thoughtful decorating. God bless you and have a Merry Christmas.
Hi Lisa, thanks for stopping by! So glad we’ve connected!
I am too Carrie.
Thank you for sharing a tour of your home all decorated for Christmas! Such beautiful memories each special piece holds!
Thanks for stopping by, Trisha! Christmas is a time for special memories. Merry Christmas to you and your dear family!
Carrie, your decorations are beautiful. Thank you for sharing the pictures.
May you and your family have a merry and blessed Christmas.
Blessings, Tina
Thanks for sharing your beautiful house with us here online. This year has been difficult for me due to putting my husband in a nursing home in October. It was a hard decision I had to make and I would appreciate prayers for our family. Merry Christmas to you and your family! God bless!
Hi Polly, I’d be glad to pray for you. Dear Father, please comfort Polly’s heart and give her your grace and peace, especially this Christmas. Be with her husband and watch over him too. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thank you so much!
I really love your pillow with the red birds, your quilted table cloth and your figure of the lady with the quilted skirt! Merry Christmas to you and your family Carrie!
Blessings
Linda Marie Finn
Faithful Acres Books & Author Services
Your home is beautifully decorated, and I love the creche!