A Family Room Christmas!
Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Nat King Cole….those were the Christmas albums that we played on the stereo as we decorated the Christmas tree during my childhood.
As soon as Thanksgiving was over, my sweet mama would start playing her collection of Christmas albums.
This was one of the many Christmas traditions in our home, along with tromping through the woods to find the perfect tree (my mother insisted it have a bird’s nest in it!), chopping it down, and dragging it home.
Once we had the tree up, decorating would only begin after we had our hot chocolate with marshmallows, served in Santa mugs, of course.
All of these memories came flooding back as I was decorating our family room Christmas tree this year.
Today, I still play the old Christmas classics as I decorate our tree, listening to them on Pandora with my iPhone, instead of the old stereo. And when I pull out the tree decorations each year, I make sure I have a hot mug of cocoa with marshmallows floating on the top.
Somewhere among the branches, a bird’s nest will be placed.
My mother always insisted that if you found a tree with a bird’s nest in it, it was good luck for the following year.
I always honor that tradition by placing a bird’s nest somewhere in our tree.
Thankfully, we don’t have to chop down our own tree anymore with all of the realistic faux trees available.
This year, I’ve actually put three trees up, as well as small grapevine trees placed throughout the house with twinkling white lights.
The family room Christmas tree is decorated with the traditional colors of red and gold.
I also made a large bow with red plaid ribbon as my tree topper, letting the tendrils of ribbon flow down the tree.
Large pinecones are placed among the branches as well as some sequin snowflakes from my stash of ornaments.
Many of our ornaments have a vintage look, with glitter accents. They remind me of some of the beautiful ornaments we decorated with as a child.
The tree is definitely the star of the family room. We love sitting in here with the tree lights twinkling, a fire in the fireplace, curled up under a blanket, and watching a good movie.
Miss RubyLou is mesmerized with all of the decorations and twinkling lights. She loves to curl up under the tree, on the velvet skirt, and take a nap.
We catch her staring at the tree and nosing at the ornaments.
Thank goodness, our little elf is very gentle, and hasn’t broken any of the ornaments. I love this picture of her in her Santa hat!
I would love to hear about your favorite holiday traditions!
Cheers, Cindy
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Congrats on the move! You will have everything looking wonderful in no time at all! We vacation near Fairhope and I love driving through the charming downtown. It’s beautiful there and closer to your sons, so that’s a win! Merry Christmas from my home to yours.
Thank you, Vicki! Merry Christmas to you!
Your RubyLou! What a blessing. Give her a hug for me. This red and gold is a real change from your usual color palette, but I find it quite beautiful and festive. Happy Holidays!
Ruby Lou is such a good baby! Santa Paws will bring her something special for sure!:-)
Cindy, I want to thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. I love following you and enjoy spending time pondering over each of your pictures 🙂 You truly express the true meaning of the Season with your decorations. Just beautiful! Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year to you and your loved ones.
Thank you so much, Sally! Merry Christmas!
Beautiful tree. RubyLou is so adorable! Our tradition was finding the prettiest tree in the woods on the farm. Wishing you and family A Merry Christmas I have those cherubs in your family room but mine are electric.
Thank you, Nancy! Merry Christmas! I would love to know where you found the cherub wall sconces?!?
Hello Cindy, your Ruby Lou is such a little model…I love her outfit….lol….hw adorable is she…your home looks amazing…wishing u a very Merry Christmas…
smiles~
Mari
Rubylou is adorable! I have 2 schnauzers, Minnie and George, they’re really cute too. Hope your Christmas is merry and bright! One little tradition we had as kids was having our own favorite ornament that only we could hang on the tree. Plus cookies of course!
Wonderful traditions, Barbara! Kiss Minnie and George for me!
Merry Christmas Cindy! I agree, this holiday is all about memories and nostalgia. AND making new memories. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas. Hugs Pat
Thank you, Pat! Merry Christmas!
The room is gorgeous, and Miss RubyLou stole my heart! Wishing you a very Happy Holiday. Thank you for years of pleasure and inspiration!
Thank you so much, Linda! Merry Christmas!
That’s what a Christmas tree should look like! Ruby Lou is the cherry on the top of the cake…. so to speak. She’s such a cutie! Nicely done.
Thank you, Mary!
Ruby Lou looks like a Hallmark Christmas Card!!! Love your tree.
Thank you so much, Rosemarie!