Kindergarten Chic Christmas- Handmade & Colorful

I know there are some bloggers out there rocking Christmas straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog and I’m all, look at my paper rings folks!

I already blogged my dining room wall, which I like to consider the equivalent of my mantle. I also blogged about this fun kid project here. We left off with my complaining about the disaster and the diminishing daylight. And wouldn’t you know it–I got that house clean and guess what? It was dark.

Three kids live here. I wasn’t leaving it up to chance. When I was up and the sun was shining, I started snapping away. Before they could destroy it all.

Well Hudson was up, but one out of three means the odds were in my favor.

Just as I was finishing up, this guy appeared.

Excuse the over exposed photo. I was actually in the midst of photographing another wall when he appeared, rubbing his eyes. Since it was also the morning of St. Nick–I figured I would attempt to capture it. Later, Eleanor woke up and I caught her pointing and yelling something about presents.

Back to that Christmas tour you were promised.

We were all about the paper ring garland and homemade pom pom garland. Don’t mind Bruce (our elf) bathing himself in generic fruit loops. See the baskets of building toys and musical instruments? This is exactly why I figure I might as well embrace the chaos.

The pom pom garland is draped on a few windows too.

It is really hard to photograph something hanging in a window. Excuse me.

You can see the kid friendly nativity scene. We used that to do a little reason for the season review.

The stockings are hung on the bookshelf with great care.

I went all out decorating the kitchen. Note the mistletoe and festive dish towel.

Truth is–I just wasn’t feeling it this year. We hardly took one thing out of the attic! No sentimental ornaments. We kept it simple. I wanted festive and fun, but not stressed and chaotic.

It as handmade and family centered and perfect for us.

It was the box of lights and the box of generic ornaments and the mistletoe. I didn’t have to micromanage the kids or worry about breaking a “special” ornament.

Don’t get me wrong though, I love a good Christmas house tour. Speaking of holiday home tours–a walk down memory lane, if you will. Home Tour 2011 and Home Tour 2012. I’m already dreaming up next year’s Christmas. I am so inspired by what others have created this year. I’m constantly inspired.

So thank you for letting me share my holiday home with you. I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope you know how much I enjoy every single one of you. Your clicks, shares, pins, comments, and social media interaction are invaluable to me. They help me keep going and they help provide for my family. You have no idea how many times blogging money has kept us afloat–put food in the kid’s bellies and diapers on their butts. I’m truly blessed to get to share me, my perspective, my home, and my family with all of you. Helping provide for my family without ever leaving them is truly icing on the cake. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All mushy stuff aside, tell me–What was your decorating M.O. this year? Or haven’t you begun?

 

Sharing this project at: Link Party Palooza