Holiday Home Tour 2014

After Diwali, we decorate again for Christmas. Sometimes it can feel like, why bother putting up all this stuff you just have to clean up in a few weeks anyway.  But, for me it is worth it. I am so grateful that my kids still find so much joy and wonder in this season.

They still believe in magic and Santa. Avinash is six and has already asked me if Santa is real.  I know that his innocence will not last forever.  Nandini of course hangs on his every word like the devoted little sister she is.  If he finds out, I know she won't be far behind.

When we were trimming the tree, Avinash was so enthusiastic about it. He kept saying "Santa is going to love this tree!" or "Look at this reindeer ornament, Santa will love it!"  And, later he told our friend that our tree was right near the fireplace, not the front door or the garage, so that Santa could find it. 

Nandini seems to understand how blessed and loved she is.  She loves to ask, "Does everybody love me?", knowing full well the answer is yes.  She didn't want to ask Santa for anything when she met him, just tell him "I love you." 

They have so much sparkle and I don't want them to lose it.  If I can make our home feel a little more magical and give them a feeling of nostalgia for the holidays, like my parents did with me, then I will be satisfied. 

I love bokeh tree pictures.  I wrote about how to do it yourself here (iphone camera or SLR).

The felted acorn garland from fall is still on the mantle.

I even made my office a little festive.  Twig garland from Anthropologie (and the little feather bottle opener on my scale too).  I'm not quite sure what to do with all my little cubbies anyway so I filled a few spaces with ornaments and pinecones, etc. My little prongs ornament is on top with his own forest of bottle brush trees.

My antique hutch. I made some yarn tassels for my twine caddy.  The ornament garland I've had forever and is from Target.

 

Pomegranate centerpiece for the kitchen.  The silver tray and colander are thrifted.  The leaves are from outside and the fruit was on sale at Whole Foods.  Score. 

 Our little advent chocolate corner.  It never ceases to amaze me how excited they get about little squares of chocolate.  We have been doing this for years and it makes me smile to think of them doing the same thing and still getting so excited so long ago.

 Our entrance way. The Ganesha banner I hung up around Diwali.  I added the elephant stand and cranberry garland.

Even the playroom got a little festive.  Turns out this felt Target Garland fit right in with my playroom shelves.

I hope your holidays are merry&bright!