Welcome to my Christmas House Tour 2021. Featuring classic Christmas decorating and Lip.
It's that time of year again! Time to pick my way through the mason jars, screwdrivers and dried up centipedes in the basement to get to the Christmas decorations. This is how Christmas decorating goes every single year in this house.
Day 1: Drag the decorations out, put the boxes in the appropriate rooms. Marvel at how easy it's going to be this year. Question why I always think it takes me 3 days to decorate. Ask Google to play my Christmas carol playlist, listen to Google give me the Wikipedia definition of Carol Channing, tell Google that's not what I asked for, and play the Christmas carols myself. Now I can begin pulling things out of boxes and placing them around.
Day 2: This isn't too bad. I should be done by noon. (later that day) This isn't too bad. I should be done by 4. (later that day) This isn't too bad. I should be done by dinner. (later that night) Who am I and why am I asleep on my front lawn under a 3' plastic lawn candle?
Day 3: Excellent. I assess my work from the previous 2 days and declare it perfect. Except for this one thing that I need to change. This thought repeats for the next 10 hours as I move, fix, change, cry & swear up and down that I'll pull my own kneecaps off with a nutcracker before I ever do this again.
Table of Contents
The Foyer
That last night I turn all the lights off in the house, leaving only the Christmas lights on, twinkling from room to room and I realize it was all worth it because this will guarantee I win the neighbourhood Christmas house decorating competition. When that happens, the handsome rancher/lawyer who sidelines as a property developer who has been threatening to put a 76 story condominium on my property will be won over, his heart full of Christmas cheer.
That evening at the neighbourhood pot luck dinner between the Elf-is Cressley salad and the St. Nick Stew we'll fall in love, have a misunderstanding, get the misunderstanding figured out, win a gingerbread cookie decorating competition then finally we will kiss - but that kiss will be interrupted by precocious child. We will laugh.
Every year it's the same thing so I'm not sure why it surprises me.
And this year was no different. It all played out exactly the same.
The tree this year got pared down a lot with the only ornaments being my DIY tree candles and dried orange slices. There are 5 or 6 white pinecones as well. But that's it.
I didn't hang any of my antique glass ornaments because of Philip. If you want to see them you can look at last year's Christmas House Tour post. They make for a pretty spectacular looking tree.
Because of the puppy I wasn't going to put very much out at all this year, reinforcing my deluded notion that I could get it done in a day.
I didn't want to have to spend 24 hours a day wrestling Christmas out of his mouth or looking for it in his poop so I swore I'd keep things minimal this year.
It turns out my sleigh drive is too strong. I had to Santa the shit out of the house once again.
The Living Room
To be fair, I really did put out less than I normally do.
Because this one is curious by nature. Also he's a dog.
I couldn't decide on which shot I liked better for this post. So here you go. Both of them. Feel free to vote in the comment section. I don't know about you but I'm leaning towards the one on the left.
Now is probably a good time to say that I'm not one of those people who gets a poodle and then tells the groomer I don't want him to look like a poodle.
And typical poodle grooming has the face and feet shaved.
Now let's move onto end tables.
Each end table boasts a Christmas book and matching candelabras with fresh greenery. Plus yes, that's a black rock on a glass block.
I got the rock when I went surfing (really just gasping for air and splaying across a surfboard) in Tofino, British Columbia.
I wanted to add fresh greenery hanging from these fake Ikea wreaths but I ran out of time, energy and motivation. Maybe I'll fancy them up on Christmas Eve before my Christmas Eve party.
Can you call it a party when it's just your family that you see all the time?
The David Sedaris Christmas book on display is a favourite for oh, so many reasons. First - it's David Sedaris. Second - Santa is at a urinal. Third - it's a first printing of a first edition.
The book is still for sale and in print but it no longer has this cover. I found ONE used copy of this first printing, first edition in very good condition on Amazon. So if you want it, buy it here.
How to decorate a small living room for Christmas
I don't particularly like this photo but I wanted to show it because it demonstrates just how small my living room is.
It's around 11' x 15'.
My best tip for how to decorate a small room is, as you put Christmas stuff out you also have to TAKE STUFF AWAY.
If you're going to put out 7 Christmas things, you're going to need to take away 7 regular things. Or somewhere thereabouts.
Otherwise everything feels chaotic and cluttered. And I'm 100% in favour of both of those things in my living room to begin with - so if I were to add Christmas decorations to it without taking stuff away it would feel more hoarder than holiday.
Here above the chair in the bookcases, I took away most of the things on the shelves so you could notice the wreath and candle along with a couple of other wintery feeling things like pinecones and antlers.
The fireplace garland is 90% fake greenery with a few fresh sprigs thrown in and I added pine cones and a string of homemade dried orange slices. Here's how to make the dried orange slices for your own Christmas decorating, you still have time.
And then of course, there's the gold leafed, waxed Amaryllis bulbs which *should* bloom by Christmas.
The Dining Room
The dining room also has its own live tree, and I don't know if you noticed with the foyer tree, but they're both sitting in vintage suitcases. Click here to jump right back to the picture of the foyer tree in a suitcase.
The table is a collection of fake trees in old silver bowls, some clementines and greenery.
His favourite spot. As you can see, he's eyeing the pear in a fir tree.
I just realized you may not have seen these chairs before. The big, orange wing chairs.
I bought them for my living room but they won't fit in my living room until I get find my ideal sofa and get rid of the sectional.
So these chairs will be in my dining room forever.
The Kitchen
I know this is about the Christmas decorating but could we please admire the two huge garlic braids I have hanging on the end of my cabinet. Just to the side of them you can see a string of hot peppers that are drying as well.
I didn't know garlic could be Christmassy but if you slap a red velvet bow on it pretty much anything can look holiday ready.
The big question now is,
When to take down the Christmas decorations
I take everything down on New Year's Day. Sometimes even New Year's Eve if I'm getting antsy.
Packing it away on New Year's Eve day has two advantages: it's a great excuse to get out of New Year's Eve parties and it means you can look forward to doing absolutely nothing on New Years Day other than wearing your pajamas and watching television.
Alone.
Because once the holidays are over and things are back to normal the rancher/lawyer/property developer is just going to get in your way and annoy you.
Also he took credit for the winning gingerbread cookies in that competition when you both know you're the one who decorated them.
But don't worry about me. I won't be lonely on New Years Eve and I'll have a Lip to kiss.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Philip on the left and under the tree!
Your pig needs a wreath around its neck!
You're right! I used to put a wreath around his neck but I couldn't be bothered this year, lol. I have to move all the ironstone to make room for it and didn't want to spend 14 hours figuring out where to put the ironstone in this small house of mine. ~ karen!
Maybe just a red bow? I tie red bows on EVERYTHING because I love them! If you stand still long enough--you, too, will be festooned with red ribbon bows! Love your house!!
Beautiful as always. Un-Christmas related but can you tell me about the black and white art with the huts in your living room? I love it.
My favorite is the picture of that handsome boy under the tree with his chin on the suitcase. As always, your Christmas decor is spectacular. Thanks for the house tour. I hope your holidays are a delight with your family and friends and pets.
Karen, Everything is Sooo very beautiful !!! Your home is inspiring and Mr. Lip is so handsome. Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for the tour 🎄🎄🎄
Your house looks gorgeous. Had to laugh at the decoration vs dog dilemma. My sister texted a picture of the two presents that she wrapped so far. The dog couldn’t wait and opened them this morning (one was for him).
Lovely decorations. And, you have yourself one handsome dog. Happy Holidays!
Love everything. You really put your own spin on everything and it's wonderful as is your lovely poodle. Happy holidays!
Thanks Teddee! :) ~ karen!
I only decorated the front of the tree since it’s against the wall, no one will know! I too like your baby’s pic on the left! What a handsome precious boy! Thanks for sharing and making me laugh!
Careful. I did that once and the one side was so heavy the whole tree tipped over in the middle of the night, lol. ~ karen!
Beautiful as always Karen, simplicity at it’s best love it
Happy Holidays Karen!
Philip on the Left - reminds me of our childhood friend Angie (technically Angelique Ranshier Copper Angel, no less) who was an apricot miniature toy poodle. We did her grooming ourselves so...a bit of a ragamuffin. She used to delicately cross her paws Just Like That. Thanks for that nudging of some very fond memories.
Always love your home decorating posts, Christmas or otherwise. As I scrolled through I kept wondering what it all looks like at Night - with candles and twinkly lights and more generally just what your home looks like with all your beautiful lamps, pendants, spots and so on. And a fire going... Hoping you might consider making such a post, someday - though perhaps night photography poses some challenges? Just a thought.
All my best to you and yours - Jo-Ann
Hi Jo-Ann! It's pretty beautiful at night. I wish it could be like this all year long. But you're right, nighttime photography by candlelight can be a bit challenging. :/ ~ karen!
Lip’s haircut is perfect! Just enough to keep his face and feet clean ! Minimal just like your house though I think your decorations are just perfect. Any more and it would look crowded.
Thanks for another wonderful year of blogs. Your humor is the best.
Thanks Robin! Wish me luck I'm going to reshave his feet myself tomorrow. ~ karen!
Remember! Be the boss!
Thank you for sharing!! Beautiful of course and thank you for pointing out specific features. I love the suit case idea and may use it. My tree may only have ribbon, I too have a dog like Lips. 🙄
Merry Christmas!
Ha! I've been really wanted to do a massive popcorn string for my foyer tree for years and this year I thought "That's it, I'm doing it this year!." Nope, lol. Not this year. ~ karen!
Hahahaha nope!
Great advice about taking something away while adding the decorations. The house looks festive but simple.
We spent Christmas in Santa Fe a couple years ago and strings of garlic and peppers were everywhere... and luminaries which were magical.
Sounds like I'd like a Santa Fe Christmas. :) ~ karen!
I love your puppy. He's so cute. I have pared back on decorating this year, too. Our tree has less than half of what I usually put on it - yet it still looks good. Last year I wasn't feeling too Christmasy & didn't even put up the big tree. I have 2 tinsel trees that are made in a spiral & you put the top of it on that top of a post & just drop the rest of the tree to the floor. They are about 4 ft. tall. I have one in red & 1 in gold. I put those up last year. This year things look brighter so I am decorating a little more but not full out. Your house looks great as always. Merry Christmas to you & your family.
Thanks Jackie! And I happen to love ANY gold Christmas tree. No matter size or shape. ~ karen!
My fave decoration? Lip's red collar!
My, my what a handsome boy he is.
A red collar at Christmas was Betty's idea. :) (my mom) ~ karen!
Hey! You got a new coffee table?! I remember you wanting to replace the chrome and glass one or maybe that’s now an end table….
Btw, nice job, your place looks suitably festive. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jan! Yeah, it's a new table that I've owned but haven't set up in years. I got it at Mizners flea market about 5 years ago. And yup the old coffee table is now an end table. I really like it as an end table for some reason. Hated it as a coffee table, lol. ~ karen!
Love the yearly Holiday Tour! You have so much wonderful stuff to look at! I just realized I didn't look at the bookshelves to see if you used the Christmas package inserts this year; I'll have to look AFTER I post this! Merry Christmas to you and Lip!
I did not, lol. I took them out and held them up and thought .... mmmmm, no. Not this year. If I get a chance to redo them (red) I might get them up this year. ~ karen!
I made the bulbs. Such a lovely inspiration thank you. Have you checked out Verbeek Glass? I have some of his glass xmas trees with mini fairy lights on my mantle and they are so beautiful. Merry xmas and thank you for sharing so much creativity.
Thanks Mya! I haven't checked out Verbeek! I will. :) ~ karen!
Lip is adorable..... lot more so than the lawyer/rancher/development guy... who wouldn't have any time for you ... you'd end up doing paper work for him instead of gardening, ugh. Lip is so much better, he'll wait for you to come home and sit on the couch kissing you.
Hi Karen, I love your decor, but now I'm worried because Phillip is also probably going to try to eat the amaryllis bulbs, which are poisonous to him...?
He won't. There are too many better things for him to chew on, lol. But if he shows interest in them I'll just move them up to higher ground. Although he's getting so big that to be ground high enough to keep him away I may have to glue them to the ceiling. ~ karen!