My husband and I downsized last year from a sprawling suburban homestead to a tiny condo in the city, but my Christmas spirit hasn’t been edited at all. It’s true I’m on a path to more minimalist living, but Christmas is an exception. Nonetheless, before I cross the line to becoming that little Home Shopping Network hoarder lady, I better stop with the holiday decorating.
So now that I’m finished, want to take the tour? Come on in…
My study is home to my Department 56 Christmas village, that I built as a replica of my city – Covington, Kentucky – this year.
The village takes center stage, for sure, but I did add my nativity to the bookshelves.
As much as I love the majesty of the simple nativity scene, I made room for a bit of whimsy as well. Wacky Santa greets my guests.
Santas are like potato chips, you know. You can’t quit at just one. Meet his heavier alter-ego that’s living it up on the bar.
He’s a little corny, I know, but when you plug him in, he dances to the song Jingle Bell Rock. Believe me when I tell you he rocks it.
The dining room I kept simple, with leftover Thanksgiving decor tossed into a piece of pottery, and my French creche taking residence in the corner.
My rustic creche is comprised of santons de Provence, little ceramic statues I collected in the south of France.
No mantel, so the stockings found a home here.
If you peek down the hall to the master suite, you’ll spy another tree. This one houses all the ornaments my kids collected through the years.
Of course, my favorite decoration of all is the tree in my living room. You can read more about my mercury tree here. My skinny, flocked tree brings a bit of North Pole magic indoors.
(cough, cough)… notice the sweet boho felt tree skirt I made?
And what fun are decorations if you can’t share them with others… Christmas lights create such a festive ambiance for a gathering of friends.
With our December weather in the sixties (??) this year, I even managed to create a beachy inspired centerpiece for the balcony, using some of our coastal ornaments.
And that wraps up our Handmade Christmas challenge for 2015. Thanks for enjoying my urban condo Christmas tour. Now sit back, relax, and reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. The birth of our sweet savior.
Joyeux Noel!
