A Simple and Cozy Christmas

Happy Holidays! This year, I kept it fairly easy using decorations that I already had stored away, making for a Simple and Cozy Christmas.

Well… not entirely simple. It took me three tries to take photographs. And of course I decided to do this in the midst of choir concerts, a flee market, and holiday parties.

The decor was simple though! Thank goodness!!!

A Simple and Cozy Christmas Living Room: Traditional Red and Green

I had considered pulling out mint and/or coral from our living room rug into the Christmas decor. As I was taking out our ornaments, I just couldn’t do it. Red and Green (and all the ornament memories) it was! Just ignore Crew. He wasn’t in our Christmas card this year. I think he is determined to be in a Christmas photo though!

This plaid wrapping paper is so iconically Christmas in my mind and perfect for our Traditional Red and Green Cozy Christmas Living Room.

Velvet and plaid mixed in here and there also contribute to the overall cozy Christmas feel.

Red beads and garland used sparingly help to subtly tie in the tree to the mantel and the rest of the room.

Black accents on the mantel and shelves against the white paint keep things feeling fresh.

One of my favorite pieces of Christmas decor is snow globes. They are so enchanting! My parents gave our kids snow globes a couple of years ago and they are a lovely addition to our living room shelves.

Our son was obsessed with The Polar Express when he was younger. (As in, we watched The Polar Express at least two times a week from December through May one year.) Side story: We live in a magical neighborhood where we can hear the train whistle even though we don’t live anywhere near train tracks. Coincidence? Hmmm….

In Between: The Staircase

The berries and eucalyptus garland have been housed in several places throughout our home at Christmastime across the years, I like them combined with the black velvet ribbon on our banister this year.

A Simple and Cozy Christmas Dining Room: Terracotta and Wine

Because I really wanted to try a few new things, I did attempt to add some non-traditional colors to the dining room. This was also the first year that I tied ribbon on the tree. I really like it!

Of course, I couldn’t decorate without some sentimental items. My grandmother’s candle holders, our wedding china, and the water glasses that my dad’s mom got from my mom’s mom.

The wreath adds a soft element to this side of the room.

I am guilty on multiple counts of loving a huge centerpiece that no one can see around at dinner. A simple pinecone garland and (easily-moved) white feather tree with candlesticks are a great option.

I carried the pinecones over to the bar cart. I think that 007 approves!

I bought terracotta and fawn ribbon for the Christmas tree. Okay, I didn’t actually know where they would go but I loved them and they ended up on the tree. All’s well that ends well.

We started a Christmas tradition with our kids a few years ago. Each year, they pick out a fun ornament that reminds them of the other in that given year. So far, we have a soccer ball, a cinnamon roll, a pink cake, and a hot dog- haha! I cannot wait to see what they choose for each other this year!

I found yet another spool of ribbon for the gifts. This ribbon has a velvet feel but also stretches which was nice for wrapping the gifts. The wrapping paper is perfect with the berries coordinating well with the ribbon. You may spy the nutcracker wrapping paper too. We have some 3-year old family members who love The Nutcracker Ballet as much as our son loved The Polar Express. I couldn’t resist the nutcracker paper!