SOCIAL MEDIA

November 18, 2014

Christmas Planning & a Look Back at Christmas 2013

I have been busy beginning to deck the halls for this year.  One of my favorite things about having a blog is being able to look back at last year's decorations to plan out what to do this year.  I like to look back and see what I especially loved last year and what didn't really work out so well.  Here is our family room last year.
Corner stone fireplace in Christmas family room-www.goldenboysandme.com

Corner stone fireplace in Christmas family room-www.goldenboysandme.com

Lots of changes have happened in here this year!  The wall unit is now white and the gallery wall is now planked and painted white.  The deer head that hung over our fireplace last year is now a part of this year's winter gallery wall so I will have to come up with something new for this year.  Last year, we had a quiet Christmas Eve dinner in front of the fire, just the 5 of us, and it was definitely one of the highlights of the holiday season.  I hope to do something similar again, although this year our larger family gathering will be Christmas Eve so we will have to find a different time.
Corner stone fireplace in Christmas family room-www.goldenboysandme.com
I already unpacked the melamine plates I bought at Target last year and I still love them.  They are affordable, adorable and unbreakable so they are perfect for us.  I think they have similar plates this year.
Christmas dining room with preserved boxwood topiaries and Target melamine dishes-www.goldenboysandme.com
Our living room will probably look similar this year, although we are planning a real tree this time around.  Last year, we had an artificial up here, but that tree is getting old and looking tired.  Plus, our teenager works at a farm that sells Christmas trees, so he has become a big fan of real trees.  I think I will let him choose the "perfect" tree for us this year.
Red and white Christmas living room-www.goldenboysandme.com
This is last year's Christmas kitchen.  I am working on a candle chandelier for over the island this year.
Christmas kitchen with white cabinets-www.goldenboysandme.com
Last year, I painted a few signs for our entryway and created a "tree farm" theme.  I think I will find a new location for those signs this year.
DIY Christmas tree farm sign-www.goldenboysandme.com

Christmas entryway with rustic decor-www.goldenboysandme.com
Last year, we added some Christmas touches to our master bedroom and we will definitely do that again.  Cozy Christmas bedding makes me happy on a cold winter evening.  Last year, we used fresh greenery over our bed and that was a mistake!  Pine needles would fall onto the bed as it dried out.  Not good.
Christmas master bedroom with DIY monogram on round chalkboard-www.goldenboysandme.com
Our window seat also got some Christmas cheer.  I will probably add another fresh wreath this year for the smell.  I may skip the tree in here though.
DIY windowseat with Christmas wreath-www.goldenboysandme.com
I enjoyed the touches of red in our master bathroom last year.  I love Philosophy bath products and their holiday scents are my favorite!  I usually get them at TJ Maxx or on Philosophy.com during their Black Friday sale.
Christmas bath products in bathroom-www.goldenboysandme.com
I also like to plan our Christmas cookies early in the season.  I make them early and freeze them so they are fresh on Christmas.  Last year, we went all out with lots of cut out cookies with royal icing.  They are very time consuming though, so I think we might stick to our family's more traditional favorites this year.
Cut out sugar cookies with royal icing-www.goldenboysandme.com
Finally, our mudroom got a few Christmas touches.  Right now, our mudroom is a mess of coats, hats and book bags and it is going to take a lot of effort to get it to look like this again! ;)  
DIY mudroom (Ikea hack) with Christmas decor-www.goldenboysandme.com
Are you getting ready for Christmas too?  Before I was a blogger, I thought it was important to wait until after Thanksgiving to start thinking about Christmas, and then it was a mad rush to decorate.  I have learned that it is much more enjoyable for me to take my time and enjoy the process.  Which means starting before Thanksgiving and that's okay.  Even if our family and friends think we are nuts!

20 comments :

  1. I have just recently discovered your blog. I love your home! Beautiful Christmas decor. I particularly love the cushions and all of the tartan around. Thanks for sharing x

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting! I love all things plaid and I have added even more this year!! Can't wait to share this year's decor.

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  2. Your home looked beautiful last year, Courtney! I'm sure you will have it looking festive and gorgeous again this year. I agree about looking back through your blog to see what you did in years prior. Sometimes I forget the little things, like what did I have on the mantel last year, or what did I put in the wood tote with the greenery. It is a good memory prodder. : ) I may just start a few days earlier than I normally do since I am working part-time now.

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    1. Hi Kathy,

      Thank you! It is so great to look back at pictures because I can never remember from year to year what I have done. I started earlier than I ever have before this year, and I have been enjoying it so much more by taking it slow. Good luck with your decorating. Can’t wait to see what you do!

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  3. Courtney your Christmas from last year was gorgeous. Every room just stunning. Can't wait to see what you do this year. I just made cut out cookies yesterday and you are so right they are time consuming. All day event lol! I freeze mine early too so they are ready for the holidays.
    Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! I really enjoy decorating for the holidays. You are really on the ball with your cookie baking this year. Good for you! It is always so much less stressful to get things done early. This year I have started earlier than ever before and I am also enjoying it so much more. Courtney

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  4. Beautiful!! I think you are absolutely right about decorating early. I usually wait and then it's crazy and you don't get to enjoy it as much. It's supposed to be 70 here in this part of Jersey on Monday, I'm going out to hang lights and take advantage. Beautiful looking back at your pics. The white you added to your room really makes things pop and gives a whole fresh new vibe. Love it!

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    1. Thank you, Laura! It is hard to believe that the weather is supposed to warm up so much for next week, but we will probably take advantage of that and get our outside stuff up too. Happy holiday decorating!

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  5. Everything looks beautiful! The first picture is my favorite, peeking through the door. I can't wait to decorate! This full time teaching thing is standing in my way right now. As soon as I hit the Thanksgiving break I will be set!

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    1. Hi Becca! Yes, I can imagine that full time teaching would give you a lot less time for holiday decorating. Thanksgiving break will be here very soon. Enjoy! Can't wait to see what you do this year.

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  6. Courtney, Your decorating is wonderful, I loved the lodge looking pieces, Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thank you, Susie! I definitely lean toward the lodge look in my holiday decorating, even more so this year. Thank you so much for stopping by. xo Courtney

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  7. I agree that it is good to go back and look at photos and Christmas blogs from past years.

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    1. Yes! It is great to have those reminders because I can never remember from one year to the next :)

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  8. What fun to take a look at all your beautiful decorations again! It really is helpful to have a blog so you can look back at all the pretty things. I don't pull out the decorations until the day after Thanksgiving because we host between 20-25 family members that day. I have to focus on that holiday first...but I am getting some ideas and have already bought a few things at Michaels and Homegoods. Such a fun time of year to decorate!
    Cheers! - Shelley

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    1. Hi Shelley, I think that one of the best parts of decorating is the planning. Good luck with your Thanksgiving celebration! We used to host Thanksgiving and we would literally take the boxes of Christmas decorations down that evening when everyone left. Thinking back, that was crazy...and we were a lot younger with more energy ;)

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  9. I love everything about your house!! I recently found your blog from insta and I'm already in love. I saw a few things you did to decorate and I'm going to make some. Thanks for the ideas!!

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    1. Hi Tamara!

      Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for letting me know you found some inspiration here!

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  10. Wow Courtney , everything looked so beautiful!! So cozy and rustic and comfy. I love that look. Maybe you can come visit me and teach me how to blog..it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time:)

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  11. I love the way you decorated your house. That is so nice and I would like to borrow some ideas of yours.

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