Hey, internets – welcome to the 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes!
I’ll go ahead and confess to y’all that I panicked a little bit last week when I realized that this tour-o-homes business was on the horizon and, HELLO, MY HOUSE LOOKS JUST LIKE IT ALWAYS DOES AT CHRISTMAS, OH SWEET MERCY THE PRESSURE.
But then I remembered that there are a few little traditions that I’ve never shared with you, and as you can imagine my relief was palpable.
First, though, let’s look at all the stuff that looks just like last year!
THIS MUST BE SO EXCITING!
And with lights!
Oh, we are very fancy. And once again I can take absolutely no credit at all for my tree, because Mama decorated every single bit of it. Thankfully she didn’t take any tree-related tumbles this year, though the decorating was briefly interrupted by a pesky stomach virus. Obviously she rebounded and finished the task at hand remarkably well.
As always I decorated the bar in our living room. For those of you who aren’t familiar with why there’s a bar in our living room, here’s the gist: our house was built in 1974, and apparently early-70s homeowners felt it was imperative that beverage service be located within ten feet of the television. For whatever reason I get a kick out of the fact that the wet bar now boasts garland, lights, Christmas stockings, and a one-armed monkey stocking hanger.
See? That’s our one-armed monkey stocking hanger. The monkey used to have two arms, but then he tied up with a certain two year-old a few years ago, and the two year-old won. The monkey still does an absolutely beautiful job holding a stocking, though, and I smile every single time I walk past him.
(He’s also completely broken in two at the waist, so it stands to reason that he could use some encouragement.)
Our Christmas card tree – which is a 6 1/2 foot tree that we got for free and now use to display Christmas cards in the playroom – is one of my favorite traditions. It brings me untold delight, especially around December 24th when it’s chock-full-o-cards.
And, as always, I LURVE me a festive table.
For the last several years I’ve put my parents’ aluminum Christmas tree (from way back in ye olden 60s) in our little boy’s room. He loves it because it’s shiny (it’s also very lean-y) and because we put Mickey Mouse lights on it. All the ornaments on this tree are from my childhood – my brother’s elves, my sister’s carolers, my handmade stuff from Sunday School and kindergarten – and it’s so much fun to see how much the little man enjoys it.
And another fun thing in his room? This giant stocking hanging from a curtain rod.
In the past I’ve always done garland and lights outside our front door, but this year I wanted to do something a little more simple because, well, I just wanted to do something a little more simple, AS IS MY PREROGATIVE AS A FEMALE, OH THANK YOU. So I found this cool iron container at TJ Maxx for $9.99, and I filled it with some pieces of a shrub that’s in our backyard.
And just to clarify for all you gardener people, I believe that the Latin name of the greenery I used is shrubae in our backyardae.
Be sure to look for it in your favorite horticulture journals.
The container tends to clang against the front door when people walk in or leave, so it also works as a bell. Who knew my $9.99 would provide me with a container for greenery and an entry notification system? I’m completely undeserving of such good fortune.
Finally, when we were visiting my brother and sister-in-law last weekend, I was totally captivated by the Nativity scene they have in their foyer – and I took a picture of it just for y’all. Because I love how every single creature in the stable is looking at the manger and anticipating the arrival of Jesus.
May the same be true of us, sweet friends.
Thanks so much for joining in the fun today – I hope you have a great time touring and commenting and visiting and whathaveyou. Remember, as I’ve said before, this is a marathon, not a sprint, so PACE YOURSELVES, PEOPLE. Drink lots of water, eat lots of protein, and please, as always, no wagering.
Oh, I kid. But y’all make this so much fun, and I am grateful.
Four quick things before I go:
- It would be great if you’d leave a comment when you visit the blogs that are participating in the Tour. Even a short comment can encourage someone so much!
- Here’s a refresher on Christmas Tour guidelines.
- Everyone who leaves a comment is eligible to win a very special door prize from Engraved Euniques. I’ll draw for the prize this Friday, December 19.
- Please make sure to leave a link for YOUR POST’S SPECIFIC URL, NOT THE GENERAL URL OF YOUR BLOG.
Merry Christmas, y’all!
December 15th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Your home is just lovely! I wrote a post last week and included some pics of my home at Christmas. I have a short post prior to the pics so I hope that’s ok!
I have the Johnson Brother’s Friendly Village China too! I LURVE your festive table as well!!!!
December 15th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Love your card tree. I keep my cards in a display “thingy” on the back of my front door. Then, every week, we pick a card and pray for all those people through out the year. I see it every morning when I come downstairs. What a great reminder of how blessed we are to have amazing friends! Blessings!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks! Thanks for hosting it again, and Merry Christmas!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I haven’t ever heard of this until this year…I am excited to be a part of it.
Thank you!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Wow what participation, I just had to join.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Aww! The aluminum tree is my fav!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Your decorations are just so lovely–especially your tree:)
Happy 2008 Tour–YAY!!
Julieann
December 15th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Thanks for hosting such an awesome tour!! Can’t wait to check out everyone’s decor…Merry Christmas to you and yours!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Thank you for hosting.
We have a bar too, but the former owner moved it, plumbing and all, to the foyer. I didn’t like that look – booze upon arrival – so it has been transformed into a coffee bar. Now when you walk in you smell the coffee and see the tea…
Just a thought for ya!
Please hug the one armed monkey on my behalf.
God bless you!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Oh my…so many already!!! I’m breaking into a cold sweat wondering when I will find time to look at all the beauty!! I will just have to take your advice and pace myself!!
Your home looks beautiful and inspires me to go clean up my house from the busy weekend so people might actually see I DO in fact have Christmas decorations hidden in here somewhere!! Oh, I kid! :)
December 15th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I am all ready for your visit!!!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Your Holiday decor is beautiful…love it! Thanks so much for hosting this bloggy event! This is my first year participating and I can’t wait to see everyone’s homes. Have a great day!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Your decorations are beautiful! I especially like the idea of a Christmas card tree!
Thanks so much for hosting this! It’s my first year to participate, and I’m so excited to see everyone’s home.
Merry Christmas!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I adore the card tree! I want to do that!!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Thank you for being The Hostess with the Mostest.
I absolutely love your decorations.
Seasons Greetings to You and Yours.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Thanks for hosting this! I can’t wait to look at as many as I can tonight when I get off work!!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:34 am
The one armed monkey is most definitely my favorite! And I love the Christmas card Christmas tree. I am always searching for fun new ways to display all of the Christmas cards we receive!
Thanks, Boo Mama, for hosting such a fun event. Merry Christmas!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:35 am
All your trees are fab! Maybe one day I will get my hands on an aluminum tree. Perhaps a pink one for baby girl’s room next year? I love the Christmas card tree idea. Your table is gorgeous! I know your wonderful southern Christmas feast will taste extra good at it. Merry Christmas to you!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Boy, I think I had to scroll down for a full 5 minutes before hitting the bottom of your comments! :v)
Your tree is gorgeous. Your mom does a wonderful job as usual! I’m glad to hear there were no tree decorating injuries. The monkey and memories is sweet.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:39 am
You have decorated beautifully, BooMama! Gorgeous!!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Your home is a wonderland. Thank you for sharing it with all of us, and for sponsoring this great blogging event.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Thanks for doing this again Sophie. It’s just so fun. Loved all your gorgeous decorations.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:43 am
What a GREAT job you’ve done! I’m going to come back and link in.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
If you hot glue an eraser (from a pencil) to the tin vase, the clanging magically stops!!! :) I LOVE all the decorations!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hi! Nice to meet you!What gorgeous Christmas decorations….just beautiful!!! I made post about your party. I love participate in your party!!!!
Visit at blog Only cute things
http://wwwpurocolor.blogspot.com
December 15th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Your decorations are beautiful. I especially love the retro 60s items! Thanks for the tour
December 15th, 2008 at 9:50 am
How fun! I can’t wait to check out all of the decorations!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Your house is gorgeous. I especially love your beautiful table!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
What a wonderful idea, I’ve just added mine. I’m going to work my way through all these posts in the next few days and see everyone’s creativity :)
December 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I’m amazed you have so many “entries” on there! This is gonna take me all day, what fun! I also love the way the nativity set is arranged – I’m gonna go home and re-do mine.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Thanks for hosting such a WONDERFUL party!! It’s my first year attending!!
Your home is beautiful!!
Merry Christmas!
~Tidymom
December 15th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Thanks for hosting this! It’s my first Christmas blogging. I can’t wait to see everyone’s homes!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Your house looks beautiful! Merry Christmas!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Merry Christmas!!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Merry Christmas! This is my first year to participate. Can’t wait to see all the decorations. :-)
December 15th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Oh my goodness! Is ANYONE going to be look at all of these? If so, I think they should win the prize! :)
December 15th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Thank you for hosting! I love the stocking you hang in your son’s window. What a lucky boy!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am
You Christmas card tree is a great idea! Love it!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I am linked and ready to go! This is my first year to participate. Merry Christmas everyone! Looking forward to checking out as many entries as I can!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Thanks so much for hosting the tour! Merry Christmas!
PS. Your home is very beautiful!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Thanks for hosting, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s decorations!
…and I love your card tree. I’ll have to give it a try next year.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Thanks for doing this! Love it!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Thanks for sharing the tour of your home. Great decor!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:18 am
wonderful idea! You will need a couple of virtual tour buses to accomodate all these folks!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Oh, BooMama. You know I held my own little “tour” this year. And when I say little, I mean LITTLE.
P.S. I’m gonna have to start the card tree trad. I’ve always wanted multiple trees and that seems like a wonderful excuse for another!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I did it!!! I think I set everything up correctly and got to play along this year. I can’t wait to see everyone’s home, Sophie, your home is beautiful, as always.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Your front door decoration is beautiful! Thanks for hosting such a fun Christmas event for all of us in blogland! :)
December 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Thank you so much for coordinating the Christmas Tour of Homes! I should be cleaning house; instead, I’m spending hours upon hours on the computer touring and commenting and replying! So much fun!! Your home looks beautiful; I especially love your table settings and the card tree. I hope you have a great day and thanks again! I stayed up way too late last night in anticipation and it was well worth it!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Your home is so beautiful…thank you for hosting this Christmas tour…thios is my first time participating!
December 15th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Okay! I was number 400 to put my blog on the list, that must mean something great, right? I love this tour of homes and I can’t wait to look through everyones homes! There are so many!