I Will Honour Christmas In My Heart

I will honour Christmas in my heart,
and try to keep it all the year.
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.
The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.
I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!

~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas Home Tour 2012, Part Two, The Living Room

Welcome to our Christmas Home Tour, Part Two!!

If you missed Part One which featured the outside of our Home, please click HERE...

Caution:  This is a long post with LOTS of Pictures.....

And now we would like to Welcome you into our Home....
 Look....
There is an Elf calling you to come in....
 No wait!!! It is a Joker and not an Elf!!

LOL!!

This is what you see when you step through the Front Door into our Living Room....
The stairs are directly in front of you....
And to your right is the Living Room.....
First , I want to show you the garland on the stair rail.

I have had this garland for a few years and I decided to try to do something different with it because I usually attached it to the top of the railing so if you had to hold onto the railing going up and down the stairs, you had to grab the railing underneath the garland.

Fact of the matter is , with Joe having had surgery on his feet this past Summer and me having my knee injected several times a year, we NEED something to hold onto!!
 LOL!
So I decided I would drape the garland and attach it to the railing only in a few places.
This is when I realized how stupid I could be at times...
The railing is slanted down so when I attached the garland to the railing, it all slid down to the bottom of the railing!!
LOL!!
I did this after I came home from working all night long but I wasn't totally brain dead though.....
I grabbed my double sided stick tape and cut pieces to put on the railing and stick the garland to it.....
So now the garland is hung  in loops and we have a place to grab the railing....
Also, in my quest to be more energy efficient this year, I used a new set of LED Warm White lights.....
And this is the top of the stairs.....
And now back down into the Living Room....
I used to also have the garland come all the way down to the steps . I have now placed a Nutcracker there....
When you walk into the Living Room, this Hutch is directly to your left .......
It was Joe's paternal Grandmother's Hutch....
To the  right side of the Hutch....
An arrangement that I made.....
The other side of the Hutch....

New this year is what I did to the top of the Hutch... 

I bought gold glittered garland at a flea market during the Summer for $5.00 so I decided to hang it over the Antique Mantle Mirror and added Warm White LED battery operated twinkle lights to it.

And I chose to display my Christmas Tree Shop Carolers on top of the Hutch with the Gold Churches....

 
Also I decided to display all 3 of my Nativity Sets inside the hutch this year.....




The set above is a Home Interiors set that I bought the first year we were married, 34 years ago....

My Old World Santa's always sit on the steps......



  Here is the corner by the stairs......
 Santa heads and a vintage looking angel....


 The globe is a Mr. Christmas product that I bought at a Flea Market...
 It lights up, the scene revolves and it plays several Christmas carols....

It is a bit blurry because the scene is revolving....
 Some of my Bearington Bears....
 Underneath the chair.....
 And now moving around the room....
 Looking into the Dining Room.....

  This is the corner over by the Dining Room.....





 My little Collection of Praying Santa's are on this table....


I bought the plate at Salvation Army for 99 cents!


 The little elves ( knee huggers) were mine as a child....
 Next to the table is one of my Victorian Dolls and another Santa....

 My Fake window.....


   I wrapped this gold pillow with gold mesh fabric and glued a red velvet poinsettia to it.....
 And around to the other corner.....

 A little side table....
 The little skater doll was also mine as a child....


And now for Tree # 1......

 This year, there are all Warm White LED lights on this tree.....

Instead of using 900 - 1000 lights ( you should have at least 100 lights per foot of tree) like I have other years, I was able to cut back to 750 lights. There is a set of C 9 bulb lights through and around the center of the tree so it illuminates from within and the rest of the lights are C 3 bulbs.
 All light sets were bought at Sam's Club...

 This tree has a Victorian Theme and matches the red, gold and green used through out the Living Room.....
Other years, I used candle lights on this tree but I elected not to use them this year but I did use my candle ornaments on the tree .  In Victorian times before electricity, they only lit the candles on the tree for a short time on Christmas Eve and had someone stand by with a bucket of water to throw on the tree in case it caught fire!!




 You can also see the beaded gold garland that is on this tree.....

And I carry out the tradition that I knew as a child with a Village under the tree....
 But I will get back to the Village in a minute.....

Here is a better look at some of the ornaments on the Tree.....


There is also gold sprigs  tucked into the tree....

     Taken with the Flash Off....
 And now back to the Village......

It is a Lemax Village that I started collecting in 1981 when my oldest son was born. My Dad made the platform for us 34 years ago....










And here is the whole village again.......
 And moving around to the front wall where the front door is.....
 I was able to move this 3 tier table back over next to the TV stand when I put the Tree and Platform up.....



 The Caroler Plate was another 99 cent plate from Salvation Army....



 Quite a Dapper looking Snow man.....
 More Bearington Bears....
This new TV and Stand is what caused me to re-think how I decorated the Living Room this year......
I decided to display this set of Caroler's bought at Sam's Club many years ago on top of the TV stand and treat it almost like a Mantle.....
 There are 3 small lighted trees behind the Carolers so those are Trees #2, #3 and #4.......
 The wooden church was bought many years ago on Clearance at Burlington Coat Factory...

 This entire set was something I always displayed in my Den but I really like how it looks now in the Living Room....



 And now moving around back to the Front Door Area....
 
 These Carolers were bought a long time ago at Lowe's.....
 Another set from Sam's Club....

 


 And we are back to where you came in....

Since we have to use our Front Door, I created a bit of a foyer when you walk into the door.....
 The angel was another Flea Market find....


 I filled this crystal basket with Shatterproof ornaments....

 Gold Cherubs and Lenox....


For those of you who have visited Debbie-Dabble or this Blog, you are most likely wondering where are all the pictures in Candle Mode that I SO like to take......

Well, here they are.....

This is the Living Room all lit up....


 I really like how the garland looks...




 I love the reflection of the Tree and the figures on the TV Stand in this picture....


 
 You cab see the Dining Room Tree lit behind the curtains on the divider....



 You can see the reflection of the Tree in the mirror.....
 



 





 






 Another vignette that I really enjoy...





 
 And that is now the end of your Tour of my Living Room decorated for Christmas this year.....

I do hope you enjoyed it and I didn't bore you with so many pictures....
 I am still decorating.I will be doing the Powder Room tomorrow and then the downstairs will be finished....

For Part Three of our Christmas Home Tour, the Dining Room, please click HERE

There will be 12 Trees downstairs....

If you missed Part one, the Outside of our Home, please click HERE.

I am linking up to these parties:

Weekend Warmth Party
Home Sweet Home Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Simple and Sweet Fridays
Tickled Pink Party
Inspire Me Fridays 
 Flaunt It Fridays 
Fall into the Holidays
Fabulous Fridays

Saturday Nite Special
Pink Saturday
 Strut Your Stuff Saturdays
One Great Idea Saturday Party

Seasonal Sunday
Sunday's Best= Monthly-December 1
Sunny Simple Sundays
Bouquet of Talent Linky Party
Sunday SHOW-licious Craft Showcase

Masterpiece Monday
Mod Vintage Mix Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Make It Pretty Monday
Mop It Up Mondays
 DIY Project Parade

Cowgirl Up! Creative Linky Party
Knick of Time Tuesday
Tabletop Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tweak It Tuesdays
Totally Transformed Tuesdays 
Show Me What You Got Tuesdays

All Star Blogger Block Party
What's It Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Rednesday
Fall into Fall Party
Wednesdays Adorned From Above Linky Party
Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays
HOME Party on Wednesdays
Welcome Home Wednesday Party

DIY Holiday Highlights
Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursdays
Show Off Your Stuff Party on Thursdays
Home and Garden Party Thursday
Share your Creations Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Vintage Thingie Thursday
Transformation Thursday
Inspired Creations Linky Party
Time Travel Thursday
 Open House Party

   Inspiration Fridays 
  Weekend ShowOff Party

Clever Chicks Blog hop

 It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas Blog Hop 
 Homespun Christmas Link Party
Holiday Vignette Party
Better Late Than Never Christmas Blog Hop
  Winter Wonderings and Holiday Happenings
Countdown to Christmas 
 Holiday Housewalk Linky Party 
Deck The Halls- Table Decor
Christmas Cheer to the Blogsphere- Vignettes
Tis the Season Holiday link Party- Holiday Home Tour

Please take some time to visit these terrific hosts and all those joining in on the fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and every day that you take the time to visit with me!

Hugs,
Debbie

30 comments:

  1. It is all just so beautiful Debbie! I'm already planning to come back for a second and third look, you just can't take it all in the first time! I love all of your carolers..I don't have any..how did that happen! Your living room looks so cozy and warm with all the lights. I really enjoyed the way you entered , it gave me a much better idea of your home's floor plan. I'll be back (said in my Arnold Swartz... voice)
    Hugs, Penny

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  2. My goodness I don't think I've ever seen so many Christmas decorations! It's like a winter wonderland! It must take you weeks to put it all up and take it down!! Amazing! It's so pretty all lit up!! Your guests must really enjoy their visits to the North Pole! You definitely have the Christmas spirit!!
    Miss Bloomers

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  3. Everything is absolutely breathtaking! I didnt think it could get any better than last year, but you have outdone yourself! I cant wait to see the other rooms!

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  4. Love the picture of Joe at the beginning of your post. Your childhoood knee hugger elves are precious and you know I'm completely SMITTEN with your Christmas village display. I would just want to sit and stare for hours at all your decorations. Hugs.

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  5. Hi, I really enjoyed looking at all of your beautiful decorations. I love it all. Have a great day...Connie

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  6. Double WOW!! Debbie it's like going to a Christmas shop..so many great things to try and take it all in..Love it my friend..How long does it take you to do all of this??
    Girl I haven't even put up a tree in 2 years as I don't have the energy any more..Come do my house girl ha ha!!
    Love ya dear friend and have missed you..Maybe next year I'll be able to come back full time to blogging..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  7. Your tree is magnificent! I hope you'll consider entering my Cristmas Tree Contest!
    I love the warm glow your home has all lite up!
    Looks like you put a lot of work into your home :)
    ~Jonquil
    http://www.awhimsicalchristmas.com/

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  8. Love love love! Everything looks so beautiful...I look forward to this every year :o) Your tree is fantastic and the nativity scene's in the hutch are gorgeous. I love the hutch too...LOL! Your santa's on the stairs look wonderful there and the village under the tree is so neat. You sure do know how to decorate! I can't wait to see the rest. Have a nice weekend! Hugs Jennifer

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  9. Debbie- People must think they have walked into a Winter Wonderland when they enter your home. My dd was looking with me and said..WHERE does she store it all after Christmas? LOL..I told her you had a Christmas warehouse (she may have believed me). You do a wonderful job, Debbie. It all looks just magical- xo Diana

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  10. Hi Debbie, Your decorations are so over the top and wonderful! I really do enjoy seeing them all. I think my favorites are the carolers and the Bearington Bears--and of course your darling "elf" hubby! Thanks for showing us around. Come visit my blog and try to win a Christmas book. See Nov. 23 entry at http://rudydaynews.blogspot.com/2012/11/give-away.html Christmas hugs to you from Mary

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  11. Amazing- your home positively glows with such a warm and inviting atmosphere! The Christmas spirit is definitely alive and well at your house. I love all of your special displays - and your nativity sets are so beautiful.

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  12. The candle lit pictures look like a fairy land. Love the knee hugger elves ad the picture of Joe too. I also love the caroler displays. Everything is beautiful.

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  13. Great Santa and angel collections. I loved the three nativity scenes in the cabinet. Your childhood elves are precious.

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing your spectacular home on Simple & Sweet Fridays. I love everything in your beautiful home! Very inspiring for Christmas!

    Jody

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  15. Surely your address must be The North Pole because you're living at Santa's. :) So much fun Debbie!

    Happiest of holidays to you!

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  16. Amazing! Your home is so warm and inviting. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  17. Oh Debbie, your home is magnificent! You put so much into your decorations that's it's obvious how much you love Christmas. I especially love the shots with everything all lit up. I like turning all of the lamps out in the evening here, and just bask in the glow of the Christmas lights. Such a cozy feeling!
    Happy REDnesday,
    Carol

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  18. Hi Debbie,
    Wow! It's all magical in the daytime but even more so at night when the lights turned are on. I especially love your Christmas village, carollers, and plates! Thanks for sharing at my HOME party and also for your prayers for my son. I really appreciate it. Have a fabulous week, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  19. I love the prettiness of all of the place. Your decorations looks so festive! Wish my Manila condo Happy Holidays! :)

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  20. Truly spectacular as usual. I really love your carrolers. The stair look so beautiful all donned with Santas. Merry Christmas!!
    Ann

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  21. Truly spectacular as usual. I really love your carrolers. The stair look so beautiful all donned with Santas. Merry Christmas!!
    Ann

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  22. WOW!! You take this very serious, it really is your favorite holiday. I can't even begin to think about the space it takes to store all these beautiful decorations. You have really did a lot of work!! Nicely done!
    Thanks for linking up and the Adorned From Above Blog Hop.
    Adorned From Above,
    Debi.
    The Busy Bee's,
    Myrna and Joye.

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  23. Oh, I loved the tour of your gorgeous home with all of the lovely Christmas decorations. Everything looks so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing again this week at A Bouquet of Talent. Have a wonderful weekend. :)

    HUGS
    Kathy

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  24. Debbie, No one does Christmas better than you. Everything is beautiful! Thank you for linking to the Open House party and Happy Holidays.

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  25. Wow! What a collection! I love the Christmas village most of all and your tree! I hope to have a village too someday. Beautiful home that I'm sure makes anyone who come in, very happy. :-)

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  26. Debbie,
    Your decorations are truly amazing. I love all of them. Your elf is cute also, let him know. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop every week.
    Merry Christmas.
    Debi

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  27. Wow, Debbie - in every season your home is a showplace! The Joker is adorable! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  28. Hello Debby, everything is so beautiful, can't wait to see this years decorations.

    Question: I love the little table vignette "Night before Christmas"
    with santa, fireplace and little children. I would love to find something like this, do you remember who made it and if it has a title.

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  29. This is the most beautiful room.What Is Apple Pay? I love the softness and the rustic glam. Very inspiring. Thank you for such a beautiful and lovely post.

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