Sprinkling Christmas Spirit Around My Home

In light of recent events it seems silly to be posting about Christmas decor.  Over these last few days as I walk around my home, lighting candles, illuminating the tree, the following verse keeps coming to mind.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
                                                                John  3:16 

I've been clinging to the peace that comes from knowing the child once born in Bethlehem is still among us now.

You already know that my goal this year was to keep it simple.  So I sprinkled little bits of Christmas spirit around my home the week after Thanksgiving and have been enjoying the simple displays all season.

Starting with my kitchen mail center.

I turned last years JCrew gift bag (I kept it for this very reason) into seasonal art.

Just for fun I papercliped some instragram photos to the lampshade on my new Ikea lamp.

I might leave them up all year long.

So, the mail is sorted in the kitchen and then the cards get displayed in the family room.

I strung some twine around the lampshades and have been using paper clips to display the cards as we receive them.

I replaced the black and white photos I usually have displayed here with some special Christmas pictures and handmade ornaments.

I used wrapping paper to dress up the clothespins.

My nativity this year is a pennant banner I made with wooden nativity ornaments and a thrifted scarf.

On the other side of the room I filled a couple hurricanes with mini mercury glass ornaments.

In the dining room a simple bowl of ornaments is the centerpiece. 

I added gold glittery snowflake ornaments to the black and white striped lampshades. 

You've already seen the nail polished pinecones. 

Last but not least I added a few bows to the gallery wall. 

These simple displays have warmed our hearts and have helped my family and I to focus on the real reason for the season. 

How did you deck your halls this year?



*Linking up at A Thoughtful Place