Christmas Home Tour Part One

*Welcome to part one of my Christmas home tour where I will be sharing with you my entry, living room and dining room. I’m so happy you’re here!*

I am a Christmas music purist. Give me all of the old standards with crooners like Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Etta James, Bing Crosby and the like. I do not enjoy modernized versions of the classics and I am regularly teased about this by my family who will often try to play some heinous new take on ‘White Christmas’ with way too much ‘woo woo woo’ (you know what I’m talking about!) just to torture me.

A couple of years ago I laboriously curated a playlist with all of my favorites and even found some songs I had never heard before! If you want to feel all warm and fuzzy inside, go listen to the song ‘December’ by Kay Starr.

My favorite finds were those songs that still had the scratchy record element to them. They just conjure up simpler times and, for some reason, feel like home to me.

Now, lest you think I’m ignoring all of the beautiful Christmas hymns, Old English favorites and classical music, I will have you know that I’ve also created an instrumental Christmas playlist which provides the perfect backdrop for those times when you just need something more quiet and soothing.

In fact, I’m listening to it as I write these words.

I’ve just always been a traditional girl at heart. When I attempt to hop on board the ‘trend train’ it rarely goes well. I tried to wear one of those plaid ‘shackets’ that are so popular right now and I should’ve just carried an ax with me and hiked into the woods because I definitely passed for a lumberjack. It was not a good look.

So, I’ve finally accepted that the best approach to decorating my home for the seasons is the simplest one. The one that is less stylized and more soft. The one that might not look like it belongs on the cover of a magazine, but that makes me feel a sense of peace as I glance around the rooms.

Those traditional Christmas songs, those favorites we listen to year after year, remind me of the beloved ornaments that I pull out of the bins and hang on our trees. I just can’t quit them. I can’t keep them hidden away in order to try out a ‘new and improved’ look that may garner more likes on Instagram but will never feel quite right.

Like those old classics, my home doesn’t need much enhancement to still feel Christmas-y.

There’s definitely not a whole lot of extra ‘woo woo woo’ happening here.

Just subtle touches that don’t distract from the heart of the season. Like our advent candle centerpiece in the dining room.

Perhaps one of the best parts of getting older is becoming more comfortable, more settled, in who you are. Not that there isn’t room for change because, goodness knows, there are many things I need to work on and I definitely don’t want to get too stuck in my ways.

But, I feel less pressure to make a splash. Less inclined to try and fit myself or my home in a mold where it was never meant to fit.

Sometimes it’s just best to not mess with the classics. I think my favorite Christmas crooners would agree.

Much love to you friends,