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It’s time for my blogger friends and I to share our Christmas Home Tour-Real Life Decorating with you! I really want a beautifully decorated home for Christmas but I do not want to put myself in debt so I try to find a way to repurpose things that I have found in Thrift Stores or things that I already own. I would love to walk in a retail store and purchase all the beautiful Christmas decor but I would rather put the money that we have saved into gifts for my family and friends. I have always said that spending money that you don’t have to have a beautifully decorated home would not be worth the stress that it puts on a marriage. So this is my debt-free Christmas tour.
What I do every year is to go to my favorite retail stores, and I look to see what they are using for decor. I come home and try to recreate it with things I own or I go to the Thrift Stores. The thrift stores are full of vintage and rustic Christmas decor. Sure, it may have a scratch on it, but I don’t care because that $1 Santa Clause with a tiny scratch just saved me money. I can afford $1 because that’s less than the cost of a soda.
All of my front porch decorations came from the Thrift Store. I have been purchasing these items over the last year. I was so excited to find the sled there. I live in Alabama and it is 70 degrees right now, and my kids will probably never get to use the sled but it looks awesome on my porch.
The thrifted rocking horse is a $5 find, and I tied a plaid bow around his neck. You can tell that he is really old, there were spider webs in his hair. I did give him a sponge bath.
I used the same wreath I had last year which came from my favorite thrift shop. I just took everything off of it and added the plaid words and bow to change it up. So many people use their wreaths one year before they donate it and purchase a brand new one. The great thing about an used one is that you can take the decorations off and add some new ones. I purchased the words “Merry Christmas” from Michaels for $1.50, and the pinecone decorations was things I have saved over the years.
Last year I used the woodland theme decorations but this year I wanted something completely different. I am loving the simple look on the fireplace. I made the pom pom Christmas tree on a thrifted mirror myself, and my stockings came from Five Below for $3 each!
The raindeers on the mantel were also thrifted and I love them.
I purchased a bag of Santas at a Thrift Store for $2, and I think they look so cute on this old milk glass mirror. The most wonderful thing about everyone purchasing vintage Christmas decor that the stores have made to look like the originals is that I have the originals!
I am so glad that I have hung on to my old Christmas decorations. My little white ceramic tree was a wedding gift, and I have had it for 30 years. I found a white ceramic tree online if you would like to order one for yourself.
My father-in-law gave me the woodland dishes 16 years ago, and I still love them! Everything on the table was purchased second-hand even my dough bowl.
I painted a stenciled deer onto a pillow that I already had. I found a similar one you can order here. You can always find plain pillows at thrift stores and paint something Christmas on it.
Plaid mugs, sold! You can purchase similar mugs here but of course, mine was a thrift store find.
I made over an old bar cart for a Christmas party. You need to see the before pictures. Click on the link for the tutorial. The cart was black and in rough condition. It is amazing what metallic spray paint can do. I use it as a coffee and hot chocolate station this time of the year. and the rest of the year it is in my living room to display pretty things.
I hope you enjoyed my tour, and don’t forget to tour all my friend’s home. Have a Merry Christmas!
Also, you can check out more Christmas Home Tours below.
A Home To Grow Old In | Hey Fitzy | Nourish and Nestle | Sweet Parrish Place
The Aspiring Home |
Tammy says
Hi Sherry,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. It looks delightful all decked out for the holidays. I need to go thrift store shopping with you. You have the magic touch. I love that little white christmas tree that was a wedding gift. It is darling!
Nicki Parrish says
I love so many about your tour Sherry! all of the little thrifted items, and especially that red mirror on your mantle! I love the sled too, great find! I need those plaid mugs in my life!
Stacey Keeling says
Sherry, everything is so festive and fun at your house. I love it when I see someone else who decorates with red and white. It’s traditional after all. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Lynn Spencer says
Oh, you know how much I heart that bar cart…and it looks fantastic already for your party.And like you, I love to collect vintage Christmas ornaments as well. They have a certain character that just can’t be found in new ornaments.
Your home looks so fantastic all decked out for the holidays!
Have a wonderful weekend my friend.
Hugs, lYnn
Carol says
Sherry, I love all the thrift items you decorated with, and I really love the pompoms on the red frame mirror. Beautiful!
Toni | Small Home Soul says
I love your home and I love that you decorate with things you’ve had a long time. I love the time collected look and I still have some things I bought in my 20’s.
Katrin says
Your home is very cozy and beautiful all ready for Christmas Sherry! Your bar cart is the coolest, I love the hot cocoa station you arranged on it!!
Susanne says
Sherry everything is so beautiful and I am super jealous of your temperatures!!! It is currently 15 degrees here and we have freezing rain coming. Have a very Merry Christmas!!
Sue at Blu says
Sherry, War Eagle! What a wonderful post about how to revive thrift store finds! You need to call me when you are in Birmingham and we can do a thrift store run! Thanks for the tour!
Sarah says
Sherry, your home is so lovely!!! I love your deer head pillow- 😍 what a lovely place to curl up and stay awhile. 😊
Tonya C Redmond says
Sherry, Your thrifting skills are amazing! You have inspired me to take a closer look. at the holiday thrift items! I also love those plaid mugs and the sled. Both are amazing finds!!! Thank you for inviting us into your home and Merry Christmas to you as well!!
Toni | Small Home Soul says
Sherry, I know I already commented but in rereading your post I noticed things I hadn’t before. The white lighted ceramic tree is a smaller version of one my mom had when I was growing up, sadly it broke but I think I need to find one now. Your fireplace is gorgeous and I love all the reindeer I’ve spotted around your home. I’ll be keepin g my eye out at our thrift stores for a dough bowl now. It’s all lovely and cozy. Merry Christmas!
Denise Bryant says
Sherry….your home is BEAUTIFUL and all your Thrifty finds make my heart skipped a beat. I have so many of the same items…like the white tree and rocking horse….and you have given me some inspiration to use them differently. Thanks for sharing your home.
Jessica says
Such cute ideas! And I LOVE that little rocking horse!
Kim says
I am so pulling out my ice skates from the depths of my basement! I forgot they were down there until I saw yours on the sled. I love that! I also am smitten with the white ceramic tree. My mom and grandma had the huge green ones with all the bulbs, and I never saw a white one! I love your tour, thanks for letting us in your home! Have a wonderfully merry Christmas!!