• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

December 21, 2012

Inspiring Christmas Features!



 Welcome to our round-up of amazing Christmas features from last week’s Inspiration Friday! We felt that there were  so many amazing holiday and everyday links that we thought TWO features were deserving of last week’s party! Today we are sharing some of our favorite Christmas and Holiday posts and next week Inspiration Friday will resume as normal with another round of features!

So, grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and take a moment to enjoy these gorgeous Christmas features!

 Inspiring Christmas Rooms

Laura from Top This Top That shared her beautiful Living Room all dressed up for Christmas and looking so lovely in all of it’s winter-y whites and silvers.

 Kathy from Kate’s Place showed us her lovely Christmas bedroom and it has such a serene feeling to it. Perfect for resting after those long days of shopping and baking!

Jennifer from Town and Country Living gave us a tour of her entire home all decorated for Christmas but what we especially loved is that she even gave the bathroom a gorgeous winter makeover. So stunning!

Katie from Creatively Living showed off her beautiful Dining Room all decked out for Christmas and there are just so many fabulous details here. We love the numbered burlap chair slips!

Inspiring Christmas Wreaths

Angelina from Shop Ruby Jean  knows the way to a man’s heart…a DIY Man’s Wreath!

Linda of It All Started With Paint  created this gorgeous Anthropologie Inspired Pom-Pom Wreath

anthropologie-pom-pom-wreath

Taryn of Design, Dining and Diapers used some left over dough to create these darling White White Dough Wreaths

Inspiring Christmas Trees

We love Suzy of Worthing Court ‘s beautiful and meaningful Silver Bells “Memory” Tree

Christmas tree via Worthing Court blog

The garden has never looked so beautiful as Kristen of Sophia’s Garden-Inspired Tree does!

Cindy of Beaux R’eves designed this classic white Tabletop Tree full of beautiful detail!

Inspiring Christmas Projects

We adore these Anthropologie inspired Frosted Reindeer from Monster Circus

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

There’s still plenty of time to make these DIY Gift Boxes from Brooke of Blissful Roots

These “Sillouette” DIY Paper Ornaments from Ashbee Designs are simple yet sophisticated!

Robin from Happy At Home created this Christmas Woodland Display. We love the attention to detail!

Inspiring Christmas Recipes and Parties

Grab  cup of cocoa and enjoy one of Sue of Munchkin Munchies Cup O’ Cocoa Cookies!

Tanya of TwelveOEight‘s No Bake Gingerbread House is almost too cute to eat!

Tracey of The Kitchen Is My Playground has rounded up her 16 Sweet Treats for Christmas in one post. There’s a treat here for everyone!

 Inspiring Christmas Stories

There’s only one person we know who could take a simple “Elf on the Shelf” photo shoot and turn it into something so hilarious and so…ahem…naughty. You’ll have to go over and visit Kerry from HouseTalkN to see more of the Elf on the Shelf Gone Wrong!

 Debra from Homespun shared how feeding the birds has played such an important role throughout all the stages of her life and the treasured memories that have been created as a result.

 If you have one of the fabulous posts featured here today, we’d love you to grab the I’ve Been Featured Button!

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed these inspiring Christmas project, ideas, recipes and decor! We know you’ll want to remember some of these for next year.
Please visit each blog directly to pin these amazing posts so that the original authors get full credit! Thank you!

See you back at Inspiration Friday next week with some more amazing features!

22 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Features, Good Ideas, Holidays, Inspiration Friday

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Sharing Simple and Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas with Glynnis Whitwer
Next Post: Hosting a Holiday Party! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:18 AM

    Great features!!…The Elf on the Shelf made me laugh til I cried…!!

    Reply
  2. debra says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:30 AM

    Thank you for featuring my post ..I was reading through everything and got quite the surprise when I saw my name there! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your families !

    Reply
  3. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    Oh goodness – I’m surprised and delighted to see my Silver Bells Memory tree featured as part of your Inspiring Christmas Features. Thank you! I hope both of you and your loved ones have a joyous and blessed Christmas!

    Reply
  4. laura@Top This Top That says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:37 AM

    Oh- what a lovely surprise to see my living in your inspiration features! Tell ya, I love all of the features but the elf on the shelf is tooo funny! Merry Christmas my friends!!

    Reply
  5. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    December 21, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    So many wonderful features! It makes me sad that all the Christmas decor posts will soon be over! I gotta go check out that elf on the shelf!
    Merry Christmas!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  6. Anita @ Cedar HIll says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:00 AM

    The features are all so inspiring! I’m really drawn to those hot chocolate cookies! What a clever, clever idea.

    Reply
  7. Brooke says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:30 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting and for featuring my DIY gift boxes. I’m a new blogger, so it’s thrilling to see something of mine being featured. Thanks again! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  8. Cynthia says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    what beautiful featurews. I enjoyed them all, thanks for sharing.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  9. monsterscircus says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    Hi Girls! Thank you so much for the feature, it such an honour to company alle those great feaures! The trees are so fantiastic like your, and you’ve got more than one, lucky you! You are right, it’s so good to know, that there’s an opportunity to give al those lovely ideas a try next year! Have a blessed Christmas both of you and your family! Thank you for being cool crafters:-)

    Reply
  10. HouseTalkN says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    I love you, sistas! Thank you for sharing my naughty elf!
    Happy Holidays!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN, home of the naughty elf

    Reply
  11. Angelina says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Ah! thank you ladies for featuring my “Man’s Wreath” I can’t wait to stop in and take a closer look at some of these Lovely features.
    Merry Merry Christmas!
    Angelina

    Reply
  12. ange says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Love all these amazing features! Thanks for rounding them up in one post. Merry Christmas to you Heather & Vanessa! So happy to have met you at Haven this year and hope to see you all again one day!

    Reply
  13. Robin says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    Awwwwww, you two are the sweetest. Thank you so very much for featuring my simple red and white cabin display with this fabulous roundup of Holiday cheer. You have made me day. Merry Christmas and thanks again.

    Reply
  14. Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Thank you so much for including my 16 Sweet Treats Round-Up in your feature picks! Such a nice treat to pop on over to your blog and see ‘me’ in the list. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

    Reply
  15. Andrea Schuneman says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    What a wonderful post and what amazing talent out there. Wishing you both a wonderful holiday and new year. Thank you for always inspiring me with your words and talent!

    Blessings to you,
    Andrea

    Reply
  16. Julie says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Beautiful features! Enjoy the break, you deserve it! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  17. classic•casual•home says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Love that pom pom wreath and the Joy Tree.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  18. Carol Reddin says

    December 21, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    So many ideas for Christmas 2013!

    Reply
  19. Sue says

    December 21, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    So many great features! Thanks so much for including my Cup O’ Cocoa cookies! I need to go check out the others, starting with the Elf:) Have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  20. Michele (Finch Rest) says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    EACH and EVERY one of those features are drop-dead fabulous!

    Have a blessed and Merry Christmas and happy healthy New Year!

    Reply
  21. katie goldsworthy says

    December 21, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Thank you so much for the feature ladies! Wishing you both a very blessed Christmas!

    –Katie

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Inspiration Friday No. 94…Welcome! says:
    December 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    […] features are from Inspiration Friday No. 93, last week we featured some amazing Christmas Inspiration, today we are featuring some other amazing projects! […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic

    Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic
  • A New Podcast

    A New Podcast
  • Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive

    Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive
  • Kids Need Real Answers

    Kids Need Real Answers

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Making the Case for Heirlooms

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic March 21, 2026
  • A New Podcast March 21, 2026
  • An Autumn Home Tour October 9, 2025
  • How to Adapt Your Traditions as Your Kids Get Older December 13, 2024
  • Christmas Home Tour 2024 December 13, 2024

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 At The Picket Fence