Using my vintage, farmhouse and retro Christmas decor to decorate my home this holiday season.
It seems like in the world of blogs you need to constantly outdo yourself each year for Christmas decor. The wreaths get fancier, the trees get bigger, the packages under the tree get more elaborate (you know those are empty boxes that someone spent a ridiculous amount of time wrapping just for you, right?).
The decor gets more and more "staged" looking. And less and less like a real person lives there.
Believe me, no one is going to have a sip of that hot cocoa with a snowflake shaped marshmallow floating in it while sitting on that perfectly decorated bench with that "casually" thrown plaid comforter wrapped around their legs.
So this year, whenever I had the urge to add one more thing into my holiday decor routine, I would step back and ask myself "Am I doing this for me and my family to enjoy? Or am I doing this because it might make a nice photo opp for the blog".
If it was the latter, then I just dropped the glue gun and stepped back into realityville.
I prefer to know that if one of you knocked on my door tomorrow you would see the exact same scene I am showing you today, give or take a few dog toys on the carpet and Coke cans on the counter.
I am what I am, as Popeye would say.
So here's my . . .
Vintage, Farmhouse, Retro Kind Of Holiday Home Tour:
I bought this snowman mug at a local vintage/craft/everything store and he's one of my favorite things. Sure, he's gotten a little discolored and worn over the ages, but haven't we all?
Santa kicked the turkey out and has taken over the cupcake stand.
Here's a close up of the Gurley candle choir people I scored this year. Well, two out of three, the third guy was too shy for a close up.
These were my mom's NOEL candle holders. I think they're either Lefton or Napcoware??? But they're always the first thing I pull out of the Christmas bins each year.
This is just a print I bought at a gift shop and it's hung from a pant hanger. Odd, since I'm pretty sure Santa isn't wearing pants here.
Santa's multiplying.
I love that I have Santa mugs I can actually drink out of this year. I was always afraid of getting lead poisoning, diphtheria or something out of the vintage ones.
I just love my white tree with my mom's vintage Shiny Brites on it! There's nothing like the whiteness to bring out the colors of the Shiny Brites.
I was sort of mixing styles by throwing the tree in the bushel basket though, but I think it looks pretty good in there!
I repurposed the throw I had shown you on my front porch post into a table runner here in the dining room. (So I guess that's one thing that won't look quite the same if you come knocking on my door).
And my plaid Nesco picnic basket from The Country Living Fair. You gotta love plaid!
OK, go forth and decorate, eat cookies and be merry!
Enjoy those holidays before they're gone and there's just the dead of winter to look forward to! I think it's 2 degrees out as I'm writing this, so it's coming quickly.
Some other holiday posts you may enjoy:
A Vintage Eclectic Holiday Home Tour (2015)
Buying Vintage Christmas Decor At The Stores
Tammy
Hi Pam, I have been reading your blog for a while now and I still love it. I found a pleasure chest just like yours last week. I wanted to get it but it was to much for my budget. So I picked it up and admired it and left it for someone else. Hopefully I will find another one some day. I do have the plaid picnic basket like yours and I love it. I love everything plaid including thermos. Your home looks so cozy and ready for Christmas. I always enjoy seeing what inspiration you will have for us next.
Lola
I just found your blog today and it has brought a huge smile to my face!! I love all your vintage and retro decorations! I'm a huge history lover and have always been drawn to anything old and nostalgic. And it's so refreshing to read that you are photographing for your enjoyment and not for achieving "the perfect" look which is so unrealistic. I have always lived by this as well. Decorate for your own enjoyment, not to keep up with everyone else and what is the latest trend. Thanks so much for the tour!
Bev Regoulinsky
Back about 7/8 years ago, I finally broke down and bought a new pre lit Christmas tree I loved from Hobby lobby. I needed to get rid of the old one that I had to put together (!) And not thinking ahead I also got rid of the old ornaments I had from many years back (Shiny Brights !) ☹️ every time I see them now on your pages and pictures I mentally kick my self every time as I had such a collection of bright colorable ones. The only thing that makes me feel better is the fact that I hope someone is enjoying them and using them on their pretty tree every year!! 🎄
Pam Kessler
Aw, I feel for you. I can just imagine how excited that someone else was when they found those ornaments at the thrift store though! You brought joy to someone's life!
jean
Pam,
I just love the vintage prints you found. I hope I can get them to print the right way. I love all your décor (Christmas and furniture) in your house. I love vintage. You do such a good job and have great talent. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas.
jean
Lorraine
Thank you for being real. Your blog is one I always look at over and over. Thanks for decorating like most of us envision a home to be. Love your sense of humor. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Gay Correll
Your decorating style is so appealing when you put "this and that" together. It is obvious that you love what you do, but that you're not out to impress, just to decorate with love and panache. Yes, perhaps I was trying to impress with that last word...but anyway, it is always refreshing to see your posts! Before I forget--I have to tell you something that I found, (but did not buy, alas) and thought of you right away. Should there be a next time, I AM buying it, stalking you, and sending it to you. What, you are thinking, what could it possibly be? Well, I'll tell you: it was the CUTEST little plaid thermos AVON perfume (or probably) aftershave bottle!! I have seen my fair share of Avon bottles, but never this...
Pam
I didn't even know they existed!!! How fun!
Jackie
Your decor for the season appeals to me! Love the vintage, love the scaled back.
I enjoy those over the top decorating blogs, too - but I don't live that way.
Dianntha
Thank you so much for sharing your real-life home. I look at some of the home tours and I am baffled as to how they actually live there. Love your vintage style.
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things
I am with you. Over the last few years I have slowed down. I actually recently changed my blog name to reflect it. Your home is lovely and I adore your white tree.
Sarah
I needed to hear this today. This year more than others I am asking myself, is this for me and my family or just for the blog? I am trying to post and share things that I am doing in real life for my family, not just staged posts. And I think we are all a little happier for it. Your home is beautiful and cozy and perfect for Christmas.
Also, I love your Popeye line, my husband (and now my kids) say that all the time.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Ariel
love love love the vintage and MCM touches! Classic!
Molly
Thanks for sharing your photos. Your home reflects the warmth and care you invest in furnishings and friends. So many 'new' items used as decor lack the character of those gems from the past.