Recapping Christmas 2022

Do you use all the same holiday decor every year?

One Wednesday after Thanksgiving week, my intern was in the office and I asked her what she did that weekend. She shared that her and her father helped her grandmother put out the Christmas decorations. “I have the photos from last year so you know exactly where everything goes!” Wow! I was kind of impressed. But also, thought to myself…is that how I work? Do I put everything in the exact same spot every year?

And the answer is: Nope. Definitely not.

In fact, every year is different. Some are more similar than others (I’ve learned it is not Christmas without the color red! So more and more red has made its permanent spot in the scheme). One thing is for certain, I always start with the greenery, placing it in the “regular” spots (the stair railing, the mantels and around the front door) and then I go to town on the accessories.

The Porch

My porch is pretty traditional. The swag is from Costco (best deal and always lasts forever!). A few years back I got the red lanterns and Reindeer Parking sign from a place all the way out in Tigard called Walmart. The sled I found at a garage sale years ago and it’s actually come in handy on some of those surprise NW snow days! And the wreath I usually buy from the boy scouts but this year I got this beauty from my friend Tara of Pendleton St. Florals.

The Foyer

The foyer greets you with our normal round table adorned with a vintage circle tablecloth and goodies on top. I added an indoor/outdoor area rug for a splash of red in front of my favorite displays of the annual kids Santa photos from over the years, all framed in white!

Living Room

The living room is the most magical room in the house at Christmas time, with the twinkling tree lights and the stockings hung by the mantel. The newest holiday decor items this year are these ribbon candy trees which I added to the fireplace display.

Dining Room

I have been collecting nutcrackers for years. Usually I put them all in our family room: in the shelves and anything with a flat surface where they can stand proud. This year, I sprinkled them all around the house. Here in the dining room are two of my favorites: the mouse king and the official Nutcracker from the ballet!

Hutch

In the family room, I have this old french bakery shelves which works out great to hold holiday dishes and napkins for a quick grab at a dinner party, along with another holiday collection: Santa mugs.

Kitchen

As the kitchen is the busiest space in the house, I decided to keep the decorations simple. A few wreaths and festive greenery added some holiday cheer to this space!

Family Room

The Family Room: a gathering space for the whole family. Second to the kitchen adjacent to this space, the family room is the second hardest working space at any gathering such as My Favorite Things party this year and especially Christmas day when both sides of our family gathers, opens presents and consumes food and beverages all day long!

If you notice, all I did to change up this space was slipcover the pillows and bring in the toile chair from the other room. Add a wreath in the window and greenery on the mantel and it’s Chrisma-fied!

Master Bedroom

2 decorator pillows in plaid, a wreath over the bed and some greenery in the ginger jar and this primary bedroom has a pop of seasonal joy.

Kids Bathroom

Keep it simple! I added a bit of holiday cheer in the kids bathroom by attaching fresh evergreens to the sconces, satin ribbon and a light up tree in between the sinks.

Bonus Room

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have participated in my Christmas Tree survey. I asked how many Christmas trees you put up in your house. I currently have just the one fresh tree in the front room (& 2, 3′ trees in the kids rooms but they decorate their own so I don’t really count those 😉 ). But I DO think this bonus room could use a nice Christmas tree in that back section by the bar, don’t you?

The rest of the holiday touches consist of evergreen branches, nutcrackers, mercury bead garland in the shelves and some red splashes over the bar. Simple but festive.

I hope you enjoyed taking a walk thru my holiday home 2022! Now, are there any volunteers who would like to help me put it away?! 😉 Please? We’ll have cocktails while we do so! 😉

Till next year (or technically THIS YEAR since I am posting this the first week of 2023!)

xo, Melis