Christmas Home Tour

I normally decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. For years, my husband would make a plan to get up super early and go Black Friday shopping.  I have never been Black Friday shopping and have no desire to ever get in that crowd, so I stay home and put up the tree and the outside Christmas decorations, and we both are happy.

 But no matter when I decorate, everything always comes down, boxed up, and put away Christmas night. No sign of Christmas here on December 26th.

I love the fact that rustic and distressed Christmas decor is the thing this year. This means that I do not have to repaint or repair my old Christmas decorations or the things that I have purchased second hand.  I love that what is old has become new again, and I am so thankful that I have saved many of my old decorations just because of the memories.

I wanted to do a woodland themed fireplace mantle.  I purchase some of my decorations throughout the year, but I also use things I already have in my home. Adding bows, lights, pine cones, or candles can really make your things look beautiful.

Most DIY bloggers tell where all their decorations are purchased, so if you know me, you know that everything has come from a Thrift Store. The only new items are the two deers on my mantle and three of my pillows. Easy enough!

Here are my new pillows this year!

 

Late one night, I decided to try to make another pillow for my couch without getting out my sewing machine and using items that I could find at my house. This pillow took about 30 minutes to make. You can see the directions for the pillow here.

I have had this little ceramic tree that is missing a few lights for over 30 years, and I am so glad I have hung on to it.

I have not completely decorated my tree this year. Only the top 2/3rd of the tree has been decorated. No glass ornaments hanging from the tree, no ornaments of any value this year……….the reason……..

 

On to my thrifted kitchen decor!

 

This is my woodland themed table using dishes that I received as a present 14 years ago. My father-in-law picked them out, and I really love them. I have not used them in years, but I am so excited to use these dishes again.

I purchased the table runner from Goodwill and glued fringe from an old poncho the ends.  Everything else was purchased from thrift stores. You can find the details for making the table runner here.

My little thrifted gross looking tree before.

Christmas tree after a little TLC. It is amazing what bows and burlap can do.

I painted this deer head onto a thrifted pillow with a stencil that I have used for numerous projects. My neighbor at the lake asked me if I hunt. That just cracks me up. 

I love these coffee mugs that I found while thrifting.

I repainted an old black tea cart to use as a Hot Chocolate and Coffee Bar for my neighborhood Christmas Party. You can read more about it here.

I hope you enjoyed my DIY and thrifted home tour. I feel like posting my pictures will be a great way for me and my family to look back and remember our past Christmases. Have a Merry Christmas!