A Little Holly, Jolly | 2014 Christmas Tour

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Today I am sharing how to bring in a little 'Jingle' to your house this Holiday season.

I love to decorate for Christmas, but I don't like to be overwhelmed by the decorations.  I just bring in a few of the seasons natural 'gifts' and keep it simple.   

My Number One Rule: Bring on the shine, sparkle and texture!

(Here's our previous years inspiration.  It's interesting how my taste changes from what I am inspired from year to year..)

Christmas 2012 

Christmas 2013

  

Front Porch: I splurge every year on fresh garland.. I use it around the door and break it up to tuck here and there.  This year I used some to make a swag on our outdoor light sconces. 

 The wreath is a simple faux green wreath with fresh springs of cedar tucked in.  I added 2 pine cones threaded on a metallic ribbon hung from the wreath holder.   

Foyer: This year our home is filled with pine cones, mercury glass, muted ornaments and fresh garland.  You don't have to spend a fortune making your house special for the Holidays.  A box of ornaments and snowflakes from Walmart, a few mercury candlesticks from Homegoods and mixing in a few things you already have can easily do the job just fine.  

A garland swag for the stair case..  I usually sweep the garland all the way up the stairs, but this year I was inspired to do just a swag at the arm.  

I used a four foot fresh garland and tied it with string to keep it in place.  I then tucked and poked fresh cedar springs from my yard and added pine cones and ornaments.  

I love all the layers! 

Dining Room: My dining room is pretty simple..  Just a boxwood wreath around a hurricane vase for a centerpiece and a bunched up runner.  

I shared my DIY Paper Holiday Wreath last week..  It looks like a lot of effort, but I used white printer paper and it only took an hour.  

  

I think the end result is breathtaking and I can get some use out of it through the Spring.. 

Here is the Tutorial.

My centerpiece: I simply tucked fresh cedar sprigs and pine cones inside the hurricane vase and added a mercury candle for some shine.   
It's the simple touches of outside that inspire me during the holiday season.

Family Room: Our mantle has been tucked with fresh garland as well.  I used the trimmings from the bottom of the tree and added fresh cedar from my yard.  My faux fur wreath was a score from Marshall's.

A simple pillow with some sparkly beads is enough to dress up a chair and make it extra special..

Our tree is adorned with gold, silver and pearl white ornaments, snowballs, snowflakes, and some great family ornaments with memories-- just the way I like it.  The kids help me decorate it now every year and it is has so much more meaning..  

This year I used a curtain panel as our tree skirt.  Any fabric will do...

A simple bow tied on a dresser takes it up a notch..

A silver tray given to us as a wedding gift makes a great place to gather these ornaments, pine cones and mercury votives...

Kitchen: The kitchen is the gathering place for most 'get togethers'..  Why would it be any different for the Holidays?  Again, I just like the little touches..  

 A simple boxwood wreath adds the right amount of texture to the glass cabinet doors.

A white stag head on a cake platter with fresh greens is a simple statement for the season..

Our pie cabinet gets the treatment with fresh greens, a small tree with metallic pearls, silver candlesticks with gold painted pine cones, and a glass house. 

I used a gold snowflake stocking holder to hang a string of pine cones and an ornament.  

And last, but not least, our back porch..

This year a wrapped lights around the top rail of the deck and the result at night is very sweet.

I also hung a faux green wreath and hung ornaments from a gold and brown ribbon behind it. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you were inspired with a few ideas to make your Holiday better than the last.

For more ideas to make this years Holiday special visit my pinterest board --Christmas.

Wishing you and yours a Holiday filled with laughter and joy, Happy Hunting!

Let's Connect!

Linking to:Thrifty Decor Chick

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DIY Paper Wreath | A Holiday Craft

Hello All,

It is the most wonderful time of the year.  Isn't it?

All I hear in my head is.. Silver Bells.. and The Little Drummer Boy--Rum, Pum, Pum, Pum..

I know by now you are probably looking for the perfect decorations to make this holiday better than the last. This year I started my Christmas decorating a week before Thanksgiving --I just could not wait any longer!

I love how my house looks --so full and overflowing with texture this time of the year. It seems like it's the only time of the year that it's acceptable to decorate your home with glitter.   

My theme this year is silver and gold, mercury glass, burlap, and bringing the elements in from outside--fresh greens, fur and pine cones.  I promise I will share it soon!

In the meantime, I am going to show you how to make a simple inexpensive paper wreath that will shine in your home.  Just in time for the weekend!

She is glorious, isn't she?  

On a side note: I am obsessed with this ribbon from Walmart just $8 for 21 feet. It has the natural burlap feel that I want, but stamped with a beautiful gold damask.

You will need:
30 sheets of white printer paper
pencil with eraser
wreath form (you can make your own from cardboard or styrofoam)
hot glue gun and 3 sticks of glue
optional:
spray paint (I chose cream)
gold glitter spray

 1. I cut a 8 x 10 sheet of paper into 4 pieces.  They don't need to be cut evenly.
2-3. I took my pencil and pushed into the middle while wrapping the sides around to create a 'messy cone look'.
4.  I hot glued the pieces of paper on the inside of the wreath going all around and then on the outside rim.

In order to fill in the gaps, I cut my paper into 8 pieces repeating the steps above.

The wreath took about an hour at this point.. 

A lot of bang for no money! 

I spray painted the wreath with a creamy ivory spray paint I had on hand.

Then with gold glitter spray.

 I displayed my wreath in my dining room..  And when you walk into my house, it pulls your eye right in.

 From the kitchen view..

You could really have some fun with this project using different patterns of paper (think book pages) and even maybe using gold or silver paint.  A group of three painted gold would be breathtaking.

This is a great way to add texture to a room (or your covered front porch) for the holidays that could also be used through spring. 

What do you think?  A project you will try?

Looking for other ways to keep up with House by Holly?  I'd love to have you follow me on any of the following: 

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From my house to your house, Happy Crafting!


 

Linking to: Thrifty Decor Chick, Savvy Southern Style, Thrifty Decor Chick

Last Minute Kid Approved Thanksgiving Table

Hey Turkey's,

The big day is almost here and I know everyone is looking for simple ideas to make this years table better than the last.  

Whether its a card table, a make shift table or simply just the kitchen table.. 
Here's a few inspirational ideas to take your kids table or perhaps your casual Thanksgiving table to another level.  

For the artist in all of us: I used some wrapping paper turned on the back side to create a paper runner for my table.  (Pretty cool, huh? And FREE.)  

Who doesn't like to scribble while they wait for a meal?  It's a great way to get everyone involved!

This is a great idea to be used throughout the year any time you have a casual meal or just for fun.  

Drinks on pedestals:  My kids are a little older and they love to drink out of stemware.. it makes the occasion feel a little more "grown up".   

Milk and apple juice suddenly become fancy.   

Chalk it up:  Last year I painted some Holiday chargers with chalkboard paint.  My kids love the idea of creating while they wait to eat. 

We use these on other occasions as well..  even to practice letters and numbers on a regular evening around our house. 

My kids really enjoyed this wrapping paper runner..  which one will you try this year?  

Here's an interview I did last year with Lifestyle by Design on a Thanksgiving and Christmas table that will sparkle.. on a budget, of course!   By using some things you already have and a few thrifty items -you can get a spectacular table for less.

For more adorable Thanksgiving ideas follow my link on Pinterest --Turkey Day Board.

From my house to your house, Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking for other ways to keep up with House by Holly?  I'd love to have you follow me on any of the following: 

 Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Houzz