Nothing makes a house (especially one that we’ve lived in for 6 months) feel like a home like a little holiday coziness. So along with decorating the front of the house, and setting up our tree, each year we love to document how we festive-ify the rest of the house (here’s that post from last year, two of them from 2011, one from 2010, one from 2009, and one from 2008). This year was an especially exciting year because it’s our first Christmas of living in this house… which means I have new spaces to play with – like a different fireplace mantel, and stairs for the first time in seven years of home-ownership!
For almost every other space I just used what we already had, but for the stairs I ran to JoAnn and bought some faux garland (and an evergreen sprig for my green HomeGoods jug). It was $14 for both of them thanks to 50% sales on the Christmas stuff. To hang the garland on the railing, I just used red ribbon from last year (I’m the girl who saves every ribbon when I open presents to reuse it) – one at the top, one at the bottom, and one in the middle. I also added a clear zip tie at the top (under that ribbon) to be sure things stay put.
The bench is a HomeGoods find that we’re planning to eventually use at the foot of our bed (once I recover it) so I tossed a furry blanket on it and plopped it in the foyer for now. I got the idea for the whole garland/bench thing when a few people showed me this photo from Country Living and said “I can’t believe that’s not your house – there’s even blue trim in the room next to the stairs!” – how funny is that? So it was definitely the inspiration for this little holiday moment. Although the first thing we did in the foyer has already turned into a new holiday favorite: The Christmas Moose!
We grabbed him at HomeGoods back in September for $9 (weirdly enough, it was John’s idea – I think I’m rubbing off on him) for the express purpose of hanging him up for the holidays. Basically John picked him up, declared that his name was Morris The Moose, and said “we should bring Morris home and hang him every Christmas, so he can live out his destiny as The Christmas Moose.”
Sold.
He’s pretty much Clara’s favorite holiday decor item ever (if live seals can’t be brought in for the roof, at least there’s a silver moose in the foyer). The best part is that I didn’t have to make any holes in the wall to hang him. I just used the screw that was holding up the Ikea frame that usually lives on that wall, so it should be easy to swap out that picture for a moose every December. And then I just stuck some remnants of ribbon and pom-pom fringe around his neck along with a few pink ornaments and called it a day.
Next we have the living room mantel, which has a bunch of stuff that we’ve enjoyed for a few years in a row. The green feather trees (they’re hand-me-downs from John’s sister, but she originally got them from Target) are nice up on the ledge, along with some wrapped presents. Those are my favorite no-fuss accessories to break out every year because they’re fake and I wrapped them back in 2010 but they’re such an easy way to look like I’m this master gift wrapper (meanwhile I’ve shopped for about 6% of this year’s gifts and wrapped 3% of them). Oh and our stockings are currently labeled as “Mommy & Daddy”, “Clara”, and “Burger” but we’re thinking when the bun comes along next year we’ll get five of them (one for each person) so there’s no more random stocking sharing going on.
My favorite detail of all in here is the cardboard Burger (a reader hand-made him at a book tour signing last year) who’s sherpa-ing a present. Cracks me up every time.
A few folks asked where our outdoor star pendants ended up in this house (you can see where we got those here), and the answer is that we finally got around to hanging them in the corner of the sunroom-turned-veranda, so we can gaze at them from the sofa in the living room every night.
The console in the foyer also got some casual cuteness, mostly in the form of leftover ribbons, and a homemade reindeer.
I have these little letterpress “love” blocks out year-round, but a pink ribbon and two tiny ornaments make it a little more cheerful…
… and this reindeer was handmade by John’s grandpa, so he’s hugely sentimental and we love seeing him standing on his ribbon pile when we come down the stairs.
Our leaning chalkboard in the office got a little holiday message on it as well. Clara asked me to add the birds and snow. Now I just need her help decorating a snowman down at the bottom (she loves to chalk things up down there). She’s also a fan of drawing bunnies these days, so we might get some of those in the mix…
Clara and I also got to do a fun little Christmas craft together, which was basically making a giant mess with fake snow (it was THE BEST and SO HILARIOUSLY MESSY). Otherwise known as making these two snow-filled boxes, complete with tiny trees and mini dogs.
Don’t mind Captain Barnacle’s legs in this shot (he still goes everywhere with Clara). This is what we used for the project:
I grabbed two of these glass boxes from TJ Maxx (I think they were $7.99 each) along with a bag of fake snow, a two-pack of little trees, and one package of tiny ceramic dogs from Michaels (they’re meant for those little holiday villages that people make under the tree with various buildings and skating rinks, etc).
Then Clara just had fun covering the kitchen with fake snow filling each of the two boxes with a mound of snow, and adding a few dogs and a tree. Now they sit on the media cabinet in the living room and Clara can usually be found standing about 2″ away just gazing at them. She even named a few of the dogs (Elmo is the one on the right, and the one in the top hat is Gru). The good news is that the hand-vac was able to suck up all the little glittering snow particles that exploded all over the table and floor during our little crafting session.
So that’s how we added a little more holiday fun to the house. It definitely feels homier with stockings and ribbons and a big ol’ silver moose. What have you guys done inside? Is anyone else having the best time ever decorating their stairs? I can’t be the only one walking in there every ten minutes just to smile at the railing.
Psst – Still in the holiday spirit? Here are nearly 40 other holiday posts from the past:
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Dianne says
Best of all: the moose! So festive and great story.
Mary says
I am loving the moose! Ad the banister makes me want to drink cocoa. Butttt the fireplace area looks really washed out to me, like I had to pick out and look to see what was on it. Are the tan baskets for Christmas or all year round?
YoungHouseLove says
They move around, so sometimes they’re lined up next to the TV cabinet (against the dark wood wall) and sometimes they’re in the office or even in Clara’s room. The living room is definitely supremely unfinished – as in maybe 7% done. So I hope it makes more sense as we go!
xo
s
Christina says
Where did you get the white baskets below the mantle? Loving them! What material are they?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! They’re from HomeGoods (I’m addicted to their basket section and pillow section, both of which John has now practically forbid me from walking through, haha). They’re made from some sort of woven fiber. Maybe jute?
xo
s
Jessica Lindsay says
Those outdoor stars are Moravian stars, btw.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I love hearing the history behind them!
xo
s
Danielle says
Awww, everything looks so lovely! I especially love the snow boxes – so fun and a little nod to snowglobes!
Beauty Moves Me says
I love the star lighting!! Loving all your great ideas!!
Lynz Graham says
I did a stair garland instead of a tree last year when we had kittens. I am missing it this year!
http://domesticlightandmagic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/on-10th-day-of-christmas-blogging.html?m=0
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Lesley says
Check out EcoFlurries for something friendlier to the planet:
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Batt-Felt-CB2323-Flurries/dp/B000X46ABG
On a related note, my daughter asked for a bunny family for Hannukah, and I found this to fill them with–it’s great and washable:
http://www.fairfieldworld.com/product/24
YoungHouseLove says
Love the links! Thanks for sharing!
xo
s
S says
Your house looks so great. I especially love those hangy star things on the veranda. Can anyone else see them but you? We have a small tree in the side yard that we always cover in lights, I think people passing by can see them, but mostly it’s just us looking at them, and that makes it even better!
But, what I really wanted to say is that what I’m always most curious about is the organization in your house. You seem to have it all together, and I’d really like some posts on how you organize stuff. Where do you keep those ribbons you save? And how do you find them in time for Christmas? And how come in your entry it looks so nice and pretty and there aren’t tons of shoes and bags and coats and boots scattered all over the place?
YoungHouseLove says
There’s a small wooded area behind our house, but with all the leaves gone, we think one of our neighbors through the woods can see them glowing past their backyard through the leggy trees. Haha! As for the organization, we have a category about cleaning and organizing on our Project page (see that tab under our header), so there’s info about how we organize closets and cabinets and stuff like that (our ribbons are all kept in one giant box next to gift bags that I hang in the guest room closet, so I go in there year-round when I have to wrap something and it’s all in one place). As for the entryway, we actually come in through the garage, so we have a shoe basket tucked under the desk area in our kitchen where our shoes go (even Clara knows to put hers in there) and we store coats and hats and gloves in the coat closet right next to that space (on the foyer, to the right of the moose). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Rachel says
Ha, last night I was laying in bed and wondering, “Where do John and Sherry store things in their new house?” We just moved into a new place with remarkably few closets and have a few boxes of stuff that have no real place. I’m hoping to see an organization post for the new house and to see all the nooks and crannies and closets and drawers that hide all the stuff that surely everyone has. :)
YoungHouseLove says
I’d love that! Maybe in a few months when we finish up with Phase 1 in the kitchen (the desk cabinetry is used for lots of tools and books, so once I organize that it’ll be so much better! Haha!
xo
s
Jess says
So,
When I first saw your garland, I was pretty confused, because I’d never seen garland like that before! Then, I started looking at some other links and things, and I realized there are so many kinds! I think it might be a regional thing because I’ve only ever seen one kind and my parents house/all of my friend’s childhood homes (and even come to think of it, all the adds in my area pretty much look like this too). Anyways, thanks for opening my world to new garlands!
xo
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Jess! Of course!
xo
s
Victoria says
Your holiday decorations are lovely. The stairs look great, love the various reindeer, and the adorable “snow” filled boxes are so charming. I bet you had so much fun making those with Clara. I also really love the star lights hanging on the veranda – it really must look so beautiful at night.
Of course, you know I think the severed moose head is an abomination. Do you have any idea how many species were made extinct by greedy vicious hunters who only wanted a head for their bragging wall. This is not holiday worthy and not an amusing or charming “animal friend” for a child. Seeing this decorated severed fake head made me feel so sad and actually turned my stomach. You won’t use a real sheepskin but you will glorify the ego-driven slaughter of defencless animals for throphys? You know I respect and adore you guys and wish you only the best. As you have decided to make the severed head an annual tradition for the holidays I will opt out of any holiday decorating posts in the future. I do come here as a “happy” place and this exaltation of the most vicious and base instincts in mankind is anything but happy. It is offensive to me.
I will continue to read and follow your blog because it is worthwhile and usually does make me feel happy and because I really do adore you all. I will simply skip my daily reading of your blog until after the holidays when, hopefully, the severed fake moose head will be gone.
Please have the happiest of holidays and I will catch up with you in 2014. Peace, joy, and love.
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve actually thought about this for a while, and I think I look at not-real animal items as a statement of “I won’t use the real thing” – just like I’ll use faux sheepskins (we have them all over our house) but wouldn’t buy real ones. Another example would be how animal rights activists/designers like Stella McCartney will only us faux leather & fur (the idea of real = against their beliefs, but they’ll use the imitation to make a statement that there are great alternatives to the real thing). In turn, vegetarians will eat veggie burgers and veggie sausage, etc. In other words, I’m sure everyone has different opinions about this stuff (it’s such a highly personal thing) but I look at an obviously not real bright silver moose head as a statement that I don’t need the real thing, but I will instead, very deliberately, choose something faux – just like our fake sheepskin rugs under the Christmas tree :)
xo
s
Kala M. says
Merry ChrisMoose!! I saw the Country Living photo online the other day and totally thought it was your house, too. Blue trim and all. I thought maybe that is what the photo shoot was that we saw a sneak peek of. But then I looked at it closer and I was like nope not their house. LOL.
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
So awesome!
caroline [the diy nurse] says
Ah! I feel silly- I didn’t even think of CHristmas for you at this house. How flippin exciting! I love the christmas glass boxes. And the ribbon all over- my cats wouldn’t let me get away with that though!
I’m team Morris!
Jordan says
We have a Christmas Moose too! His name is ChrisMoose, hah, get it??
And he’s lived an, um, exciting life since then. He even starred in this blogpost: http://jordansometimes.blogspot.com/2012/12/christsmas-wrap-up-and-happy-new-year.html (totally not trying to pimp my blog, but Christmas Moose owners gotta unite, ya know?)
YoungHouseLove says
I love him!
xo
s
Aneev says
The scale is really off..sherry you might want to get fuller garlands and may be stick to a color scheme.. Your house and you can do what you wish but just some feedback.
Pam says
I have a Morris on my wall, too! Only he’s a felt deer, with a speech bubble that’s waiting for chalk paint. I love him deerly! (Ha! See what I did, there?)
http://ravel.me/pamelarae/3pc6
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
N Shirley says
BTW- I have been meaning to ask- how are your floors upstairs doing? Any problems with the adhesive vs. the nailing method for hardwood installation? My husband has been laying hardwood in our 110 year old house and the nailing has put his back out. I was wondering how you would compare the two methods as far as ease and results? Sorry to be off topic!
YoungHouseLove says
They’re awesome! Absolutely no issues at all (they look just as good as they did 6 months ago when we laid them) and we’ve had them through extreme heat and extreme cold, so we’re really excited that they seem to be happy and healthy, haha!
xo
s
Kristine says
I’m surprised no one else noticed, but the “L” in your “LOVE” blocks is backwards.
Beautiful decorations, of course. Can’t wait to see what fabric you use for the bench when you put it in your bedroom. Love the fireplace mantle. Reminds me of your first house!
YoungHouseLove says
oh yes, they’re printing blocks, so they’re all backwards – when you apply ink and stick them down they read forwards – although some can be spun to look correct, like the E (flip it the other way and it’s backwards for printing :)
xo
s
Brittany says
This is too funny! I have a gold moose head named Marvin hanging on my wall and I picked up a silver elephant head at home goods recently (must be Morris’ cousin. Love him.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Long lost moose relatives!
xo
s
Nicole says
Love your home!!! Where did you find your ceiling star in the foyer?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Nicole! That’s from a local shop called The Decorating Outlet here in Richmond, but we’ve seen them on ebay and on joss & main I think too!
xo
s
Lauren says
The picture of that staircase in the mag is uncanny! Fooled me momentarily!
I absolutely love the natural and warm elements going on with the white washed brick. Love all the texture of the baskets with it. I’m even liking the warm wood trim…any chance you consider leaving the mantle in wood and painting out the other trim?
YoungHouseLove says
I think we’re debating leaving the beams dark but painting the mantel and trim white, but you never know where we’ll end up!
xo
s
Karli says
I love the mantel!!! The neutrals with the pops of green are fantastic! That white brick is just gorgeous!
Jennie says
Homegoods just pinned so many of these images to Pinterest… ahhh you guys are so famous! :)
YoungHouseLove says
No way! That’s so funny!
xo
s
Holly says
Wait. Did I miss the post where you painted your brick fireplace?? I neeeed a tutorial!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s that post for ya! https://www.younghouselove.com/2013/08/whitewash-in-the-hizzy/
xo
s
Catherine says
Ha ha, I couldn’t believe it when I read ‘Morris the Moose’. I made a silhouette embroidery of a moose a couple of weeks ago and posted it on Instagram with the name ‘Maurice the Christmas Moose’. We are, like, twinsies! :))
YoungHouseLove says
SO FUNNY!
o
s
Angela says
I love all your decorations and love the pop of the pink and aqua. I definitely want to add that into my decorations. Also, where did you get those big baskets on your fireplace. We also have a long brick fireplace which is also painted and think those would be great to add to the empty area around it.
Hope you all have a Wonderful Christmas!
Thanks,
Angela
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Angela! Those are from HomeGoods!
xo
s
Gabrielle @ Fit Farm Wife says
Where did you find those love blocks?
YoungHouseLove says
They were from a flea market (they’re old wood printing blocks – there’s usually a table or a big tray full of them somewhere!).
xo
s
Neree says
I wonder how many people actually know who Morris the Moose is. “I’m big and strong and I can run… fast as a reindeer; I envy one… but who is always left out of the fun? Me, Morris the Moose.” I could type the whole song, but I’ll spare you… You could also pay homage to Peter & Penelope Penguin in keeping with the Christmas Animal theme!
Kimberly | Turning It Home says
I love it all! That Country Living picture is insane! I mean really, what are the odds of that!?!
I’m a sucker for a live Christmas tree but am notorious for not spending more than $10 on anything… so I just can’t bring myself to buy a tree!! So for inside decoration I made a free Christmas tree branch garland (http://www.turningithome.com/2013/12/diy-christmas-branch-garland.html) and little houses (http://www.turningithome.com/2013/12/diy-clay-houses.html – inspired by your porcelain gift-guide houses last year) to bring Christmas inside in our hot and humid Florida home.
YoungHouseLove says
SO CHARMING! I love the links to both- especially those amazing houses!
xo
s
Kristi says
Hi! I have a question for you- what did you use to whitewash your brick fireplace? I’m currently in the midst of a really old house redo and I’d like to tone down the red brick of the fireplace. Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s that post for ya Kristi!
https://www.younghouselove.com/2013/08/whitewash-in-the-hizzy/
xo
s
erika says
Love all you have done! So fun and festive! Also LOVE the light fixture in that first photo–where did you purchase that??
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Erika! That’s from a local lighting shop here in Richmond called The Decorating Outlet, but I’ve also seen them on ebay and joss & main.
xo
s
Callie says
Your decorations are so great. I love the moose too! He’s cute and casual, which is a great way to decorate for the holidays.
I just finished writing about some of my Christmas decorations this year too: http://calliea.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-decorations-2013.html
We’re still growing our collection of holiday decorations, but it’s fun to come up with a few new things every year (this year we added a creepy wooden jester doll. Not sure why that’s Christmas-y, but it kinda works. lol)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that Callie! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo
s
Teresa says
I LOVE the moose! I have been searching for something like him forever…and you found him for only $10! WOW! Any idea what brand he is? I’ll have to make a trip to my local Home Goods….
YoungHouseLove says
I think he might be Ballard Designs? They sold other animal heads (white) from there at one point, but it could be another maker as well. It doesn’t have any markings on it (other than the old price sticker fro HG on the back). Anyone else know?
xo
s
Lori says
Where is that star light from? (The one in your entry way)
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from a local outlet called The Decorating Outlet in Richmond, but I’ve seen it on ebay and joss & main if that helps!
xo
s
Sam says
Wow, your house looks beautiful for this Christmas. I love that you are decorating with other colours and not just red, green or gold.
Can’t wait for more posts on the house! Keep up the awesome work.
Amanda Standridge says
Maybe I have quarter round on the brain due to my little project of installingitinmywhole3storyhouse (like a crazy person right before the holidays), but is the mirror in thevpic with the reindeer/ribbon a DIY project? It got my wheels turning. You guys inspire me even when you don’t mean to!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually got that on Joss & Main, but I bet you could try to DIY it of you found a big enough mirror. Love the quarter round idea!
xo
s
Melissa says
Big Fan of YHL. You guys are awesome! The white round mirror in your foyer…is it a DIY project? Or one of your fabulously priced purchases? I’m looking for/want to make something similar.
Melissa says
oops…just saw the previous post with same question. I was thinking it looked like quarter round also!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s