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10 best historic home tours that are decked out for the holidays

Best Holiday Historic Home Tour (2023) December 8, 2023

Have you ever wondered how historic figures spent their holidays or how iconic celebrities decked the halls? You can learn firsthand at these 10 historic houses across the U.S. — nominated by an expert panel and voted as the best by readers — as they pull out all the stops for their holiday tours.

No. 10: Biltmore - Asheville, North Carolina

On Christmas Eve of 1895, George Vanderbilt officially opened his 250-room French Renaissance chateau in Asheville, North Carolina, to family and friends. Vanderbilt passed away in 1914 at the age of 51, but Biltmore is still owned by his descendants and is the largest privately owned home in the country. A variety of tours offer a glimpse into America's Gilded Age, with special emphasis this time of year on Biltmore Christmas traditions. 

No. 9: Filoli Historic House and Garden - Woodside, California

Filoli was built for prominent San Franciscan William Bowers Bourn and his wife in Woodside, California, in 1917. The unusual name was created by combining the first two letters from the keywords of Bourn's credo: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” During Holidays at Filoli, visitors can stroll the illuminated grounds by night or see the decorated home by day in a Gilded Guide tour with the curator.

No. 8: Trail End - Sheridan, Wyoming

The John Kendrick Mansion, better known as Trail End, is an early 1900s Flemish Revival-style home showing off the life of Western cattle barons. It's a splendid house to tour at any time, but if you arrive during the festive season, you can enjoy figgy pudding and holiday decorations at the Holiday Open House or take an intimate tour by electric candlelight — complete with live actors — during Christmas with the Kendricks.

No. 7: Newport Mansions - Newport, Rhode Island

Perfect for history buffs and lovers of architecture, Holidays at the Newport Mansions offer the chance for visitors to see three historic estates — The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms — decked in holiday splendor. Nearly 30 Christmas trees and hundreds of garlands, fresh florals, and poinsettias adorn these Gilded Age houses.

No. 6: Brucemore - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

During the holiday season, Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is decked with more than a dozen trees, sparkling lights, and numerous garlands spread across three floors. Holiday tours take visitors through the historic home to see it as it would have looked for Christmas, including mantle arrangements and other seasonal cheer.

No. 5: Glensheen Mansion - Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth's Glensheen Mansion is a 20,000-square-foot masterpiece of Jacobean architecture, set on the shores of Lake Superior. It's a stunning property to visit at any time, but their holiday tours are especially poignant, as the house offers Christmas candlelight tours, with the whole mansion enhanced by the glow of 27 illuminated Christmas trees. This tour allows guests to go self-guided, and you'll have access to the first, second, and lower level of the storied Glensheen historic home.

No. 4: Meadow Brook Hall - Rochester, Michigan

A National Historic Landmark, Meadow Brook was built by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge. Constructed in Rochester, Michigan, between 1926 and 1929, the 110-room Tudor mansion houses original family art and furnishings. During the day, guests can take a self-guided tour of the festively decorated historic grounds. Visit at night for Winter Wonder Lights, when the estate transforms into a stunning light show that features music, seasonal treats, and festive magic.

No. 3: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens - Akron, Ohio

Stan Hywet Hall, Akron, Ohio's first and largest National Historic Landmark, is the nation's sixth-largest historic home open to the public. The Tudor mansion was built by Goodyear Tire & Rubber co-founder F.A. Seiberling between 1912 and 1915. On select days throughout the holiday season, their Deck the Hall event showcases the Manor House and grounds, which are adorned with nostalgic decorations and more than a million holiday lights.

No. 2: The Christmas Mansion, formerly Stetson Mansion - DeLand, Florida

One of Florida’s grandest estates, The Christmas Mansion, formerly Stetson Mansion, was built in 1886 for American hatmaker John B. Stetson as his winter retreat. The High Victorian property is known for its mosaic parquet wood floors and original leaded glass windows. And each holiday season for the past 12 years, the mansion's 10 rooms have been adorned with completely different decorations sourced from around the world. Festive tours run from early November to late January.

No. 1: Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee

Every year, more than 500,000 people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off in mid-November and allows visitors to tour the home decorated for the season with traditional lights, a life-size nativity scene, and Elvis' Santa. Presley family Christmas artifacts are also on display during this special time of year.

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Christmas 2023: a cozy home tour, holidays | december 1, 2023.

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Welcome to my home, friend! As we kick off the Bloggers’ Best Series, join me on my cozy Christmas Home Tour for 2023 featuring our entryway, living room, and dining room. Scroll down to start my Christmas 2023 tour + 34 others!

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I am excited to share my 2023 Christmas home tour with you!   This is a modern farmhouse-style Christmas decor tour with a twist of Christmas classics. I hope you enjoy this magical tour of our entryway, living room, and dining room.  

Merry Christmas, friend, and welcome to our 2023 Christmas home! This Christmas home tour is the first of a two-part series that I will be sharing this year. Stay tuned for our Christmas kitchen and bedroom, coming soon!  

If you are coming from my dear friend Renae’s at Peacock Ridge Farm home tour , wasn’t it magical? She is the sweetest, and does an excellent job with timeless, vintage Christmas decorating tips.

You have hopped on the Bloggers’ Best Home Tour, which is hosted by my dear friend Kelly of The Tattered Pew . Thanks to this amazingly talented lady for organizing this holiday tour.

There are over 35 remarkable Christmas home tours .

A Cozy Christmas Home Tour 2023: Entryway, Living Room, and Dining Room

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains other affiliate links too. If you click on these links and buy something, I make a commission at no cost to you .

Christmas 2023 Entryway

Our painted blue bench has been tried and true for many years here in our entryway. To make it holiday ready, I just added some cozy plaid pillows, including one with a charming tree accent.  

Above the bench, three faux wreaths decorated with velvet bows add that perfect finishing touch. Loving the simplicity of this space this year.  

Christmas entryway

Dig Deeper: Create a festive and lovely look for family and friends as they enter your home this 2023 holiday season. These nine best 10 Best Christmas front porch and entryway decor ideas include front porches, front doors, and foyer areas.  

Nutcrackers in our entryway

My absolute entrway favorite? The nutcrackers! Towering at 48″ tall, they’re the ultimate festive welcome. Paired with a red poinsettia pre-lit garland, it’s the coziest greeting for the holidays.  

Christmas Home Tours Of Years Past:

• Christmas Home Tour 2022
• Holiday Home Tour 2021
• Christmas Home Tour 2020
• Christmas Home Tour 2019

Protip: Shop all my favorite outdoor and indoor Christmas decorations on my Amazon storefront here . Also, I’ve included several handpicked 2023 top gift guides for you to check out here .  

Wrapping up with this area with our antique dresser holding a favorite small shop painting ( cozy cabin HERE-use code SHEGAVEITAGO for a discount ) and this gold mirror .

Pro tip: Layering vertical wall decor pieces adds a touch of interest to your home! Don’t forget to layer garland around those pairings for a complete look.  

Shop our Christmas entryway by tapping on the images below :

Christmas 2023 Living Room

Got all the lights, ribbons, ornaments, and the tree, but every year it feels like your tree’s just not hitting that extraordinary mark? I hear you! Let’s turn that around with a simple 5-step process to give your Christmas tree that wow factor!  

Protip: Free Christmas Tree Decorating E-Book I want to offer you my exclusive FREE e-book on how to decorate the perfect Christmas tree, which includes:

• Step-by-step tips on HOW to craft the PERFECT Christmas Tree
• A FREE supply list with every product linked so you can recreate the EXACT trees shown in the e-book!

I want the FREE e-book!  

Protip: Use floral wire to attach your ornaments close to the branch and secure them in place.

Easy coffee table decor for the holidays? Grab a wicker basket to hold some small glass trees, books, and holiday scented candles. The basket will nicely contain decorative items and add great texture.  

Protip: Discover stress-free shopping with my curated Christmas gift guides . Knock out your list and make this season merrier.

Recreate our coffee table look below:

• Wicker trunk here
• Wicker tray here
• Glass candle(s) here
• Glass trees here

Another sign that I love is this new one, “Let Your Heart Be Light,” that is hanging above our living room cabinet. Hanging artwork above furniture looks amazing and gives the visual aesthetic of taller ceilings too.  

Use code SHEGAVEITAGO for a discount on this sign .

Shop our Christmas Tree and Living Room by tapping on the images below:

Christmas 2023 Mantel and Fireplace

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nick would soon be here…” stockings are a timeless Christmas mantel decor item, aren’t they?  

The mantel and fireplace are some of the most beloved places to decorate for Christmas. Whether you are sitting by a warm fire or enjoying a cup of a warm coffee, gazing at these holiday-infused spaces just feels warm and cozy for the holiday season.  

Shop my stockings HERE .

Shop my garland HERE.

Protip: I share with you five Christmas mantel decor items and fireplace surroundings ideas for even more inspiration here .

Frame TVs are a game-changer! They show Christmas art when off and still let you enjoy TV on cozy nights by the fire.

Shop my Frame TV here.

It’s always a lovely idea to incorporate greenery into your Christmas mantel decor, right?! But what you choose to use is up to you! Faux or real?  

Simple, draped garland or thick strands of garland with oversized jingle bells tied to them is exactly what I did this year. I finished it off with red velvet ribbon.

Proptip: Use large hooks to secure your garland to the mantel top and ties to keep garland strands together for a perfect look.  

Grab the ones I used below!

You can shop our mantel and fireplace by tapping on the images below:

As we are moving from my Christmas living room to the dining room, you can also check out several of these items on my recorded Amazon Live Streams here .  

Christmas 2023 Dining Room

Our dining room table is simple yet festive this year! A fun mix of greenery, santa planter ( similiar one HERE ), and a lovely table runner.  

And, we are absolutely LOVING this new chairs from Amazon. You can shop them HERE.

We love hosting a cardboard gingerbread house party each year, where we build our houses and decorate them with (lots) of candy. Access our family’s gingerbread house template HERE , and enjoy this fun family tradition during the holidays.  

New paintings are hung by our dining room windows, capturing holiday nostalgia with painted lit candles. Get the “Flicker in the Hallway” painiting at a discount with code SHEGAVEITAGO!  

I love the simple, layered window look in these main rooms that feature woven wooden shades plus white linen panels (favorite ones are here on Amazon ). It provides functionality and a timeless look.

Garland in hallway

Above our vintage console table, new wall art “Gloria” displays the cherished words, “Gloria in excelsis Deo!” Use code SHEGAVEITAGO for a discount on this piece as well.  

Do you spy the garland hanging in the doorway? Go HERE to learn more about this garland hanging hack I tried this year!

I know you’ll love giving it a go too.

Layering garland, candlesticks, and Christmas houses keeps this tabletop simple but festive.

You can shop my dining room below:

Christmas 2023 Christmas Tree Protip

Looking for a free tree skirt idea? Take a blanket or quilt and wrap it around the base of your tree. And for the smaller trees, place them inside a basket for some great texture, as I did in our dining room this year.  

I hope you enjoyed this Christmas home tour. I loved having you stop by. Now, I cannot wait for you to check out my dear friend Pasha’s of Pasha is Home blog Christmas tour . You are going to love how festive her home decorating is for the holidays!

Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best 2023 Holiday Home Tours. Thirty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each home tour by clicking the links below. Enjoy!

Monday’s Tours

The Tattered Pew // StoneGable // Worthing Court Blog

Southern Home and Hospitality // Our Crafty Mom // My Thrift Store Addiction

Tuesday’s Tours

A Life Unfolding // Living Large In a Small House // Cottage On Bunker Hill

Bricks ‘n Blooms // Cottage In the Mitten

Wednesday’s Tours

WM Design House // The Ponds Farmhouse // Shiplap and Shells

Simply 2 Moms // Robyn’s French Nest // Amy Sadler Designs

Thursday’s Tours

Midwest Life and Style // White Arrows Home // White Lilac Farmhouse

DIY Beautify // Thistle Key Lane

Friday’s Tours

She Gave It a Go // Pasha Is Home // This Is Simplicite

Decor to Adore // Le Cultivateur // Peacock Ridge Farm

« The Ultimate Garland Hanging Hack: Try This Curtain Rod Trick!

Cozy december inspiration: welcome home saturday ».

What an absolutely stunning tour! I adore how you made the traditional color palette feel fresh with the addition of a touch of black. The glass gingham trees are amazing. Bravo!

Aww, Laura, I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it. Thank you for being so encouraging. Blessings, Brendt

I’m loving all your pops of red in your Christmas decor this year! Everything looks fresh and cheerful! Happy Christmas!

Obsessed with your tree!

Thank you, sweet Stacy! I appreciate you so much. Merriest Christmas to you and yours! Warm wishes, Brendt

Brendt, your cozy Christmas decor is beautiful and I LOVE those nutcrackers! Wishing you a joyous holiday season, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction

Oh my goodness! Your home is so lovely. Your tree is stunning. Hugs and blessings to you, sweet friend. You are a true treasure.

Brendt, your home is stunning! The pops of red throughout is so beautiful. Love the black and white mixed in. Happy holidays!

Oh wow, friend. Everything is beyond stunning. I love the classic red with the accents of black and cream. So timeless. And those nutcrackers are amazing! I want some.

Happy to be touring with you. Merry Christmas!

Thank you, Jen, your support means the world to me. xoxo, Brendt

Brendt I truly enjoyed your cozy Christmas tour! It was just so fun to look at all the decor you chose this year. I loved the piping red! And your mantel garland is just so dreamy! Beautiful and so thankful for you joining us! Merry Christmas!

Sweet dear friend, thank you! Your kind and encouraging words mean more than you know. I am so grateful for you!! Hugs, Brendt

Brendt your home looks wonderful! I love the use of greenery on your mantle it adds such a nice touch. Happy Holidays!!

Thank you, AnnMarie, you’re the best! Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas. xoxo, Brendt

Merry Christmas, Brendt!! Lovely as always.

Aww, thank you, sweet friend! Wishing you and yours the merriest Christmas! Warm regards, Brendt

Your Christmas tour is so gorgeous Brendt and your Christmas tree is stunning! The mantel garland and those nutcrackers are the perfect details for the holidays. Wishing you a happy holiday season.

Aww, thank you, Kim! Your visit and kind words mean the world to me. Wishing you and yours the merriest Christmas! Warm regards, Brendt

Brendt – I love those fun tall nutcrackers in your entryway! What a way to welcome people into your home! and that Santa planter on your table is so adorable ;)!

Pasha, aren’t the nutcrackers so fun? Thanks a bunch for your kind words and for stopping by. Grateful for you, my friend, and wishing you the happiest Christmas! Warm wishes, Brendt

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2023 Christmas Home Tour

Our annual Christmas Home Tour day starts… NOW! Every year, I consider splitting up our efforts across individual blog posts but as always, when it comes down to it, I ultimately decide to include ALL of it in one lump home tour. So, welcome! And thank you for stopping by for a visit.

*Posts on KelleyNan.com may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click  HERE  for full disclosure.

Before we go anywhere or do anything, I want to preface this year’s post with a caveat or two 😉 If you’ve been around this year, you know how focused I’ve been on simplification and minimization. We’ve succeeded in some areas and still have lots of areas I’d like to improve but even the idea of the Christmas season was a major catalyst in wanting change. The storage, the schedules, the things . So, I wasn’t particularly stoked to start the season because honestly, I didn’t want to see it.

Here’s a few changes/shifts I chose to implement ahead of the season to honor my commitment to simplifying…

• No new holiday decor. I have so much in storage — some I use every year, some I rotate and end up using every few years, some embellishments I’ve never used. There’s honestly not THAT much I don’t ever use but it’s still a lot of “inventory” to manage. I plan to thin out my arsenal and before I do that, I didn’t want to bring another thing into this house when I have plenty. There’s a fine line since I love fresh things and part of my job is to bring ideas, but in a personal capacity, I put my foot down. So… how’d I do? Pretty good. I’ll elaborate as we go through the post.
• Bring out fewer trees. For the first time, we don’t have a tree in the dining room! I did add one back into the bedroom since we missed that last year but aside from that, we have our main living room tree, nostalgic family tree, and Eliza’s tree which we just pull into her room from the playroom. We’ve literally had years with 7-8 trees so the current number we have is maaah-velous .
• Display less. Instead of bringing out bins and trying to decide where everything should go, I looked around and tried to decide what areas I wanted to add holiday decor to . There is literally not a thing in the kitchen this year.
• Decorate early. Which we do each year (starting at the beginning of October).
• Fewer gifts. No buying just to buy to fulfill some sort of imaginary quota/visual. Both mine and Dave’s gifts are experience gifts this year, too, and I’m gifting my mom an experience again.

I’m certain there’s more that slipped in there, but those distinct focuses have already made a difference this season. So, now that I’m rambled about what this year’s Christmas tour is not , let’s talk about what it is .

It’s breathable. It’s only the favorites. It’s repurposing. It’s classic over trends. It’s reinvention within the constraints of working with what I have. It’s less stress and obsession over the details. In this season of life, it’s more enjoyable. It’s a celebration of finally making some seasonal updates after remaining unchanged for the majority of the past year.

So, let’s head in to a “lighter” but complete 2023 KN Christmas home…

*Available sources can be found below photos throughout the post.

BTW — the outside of our house usually isn’t complete until after the annual home tour launch, so here’s a look back when we finished our exterior last year.

There was no need to change out this big vase of magnolia stems in the entry, so I didn’t. (These are the kinds of simple decisions I’ve made this year that have been liberating). I invested in a bunch of the stems over the past few years, adding them to my collection gradually, and I’m so glad since originally intended for the cooler months, I now pretty much keep them on permanent display.

Sources : Gray Chest | Mirror | Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches (seven in this arrangement) | Dining Table ( similar ) | Dining Chairs ( similar ) | Wool/Jute Rug | Extra Long Curtain Rod | Chandelier

I love a natural/rustic moment, mixed with a little glitz. Sprinkling jingle bells anywhere is always a good idea 😉

Sources : X Stools | Window Pane Checked Pillow | Shallow Wooden Bowl ( similar )

Like I mentioned, it’s the first year we haven’t had one (or two!) trees in the dining room. I miss it a little but simplifying in here was a major win.

Sources : Gray Chest | Mirror | Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches (seven in this arrangement) | Dining Table ( similar ) | Dining Chairs ( similar ) | Wool/Jute Rug | Extra Long Curtain Rod | Chandelier | Cement Lamps | X Stools | Window Pane Checked Pillow | Lantern Pendant | Shallow Wooden Bowl ( similar ) | Red Velvet Ribbon

Since we didn’t do a tree, I went a little more elaborate on the sideboard than I usually do, and embellished a strand of garland, nestling in our little modern concrete village collection.

Sources : Dining Table ( similar ) | Dining Chairs ( similar ) | Wool/Jute Rug | Chandelier | Cement Lamps | Sideboard ( similar )

Sources : Bar Cart | Reindeer | Gold-Rimmed Wine Glasses ( similar ) | Crystal Vase (vintage)

Sources : Wool/Jute Rug | Cement Lamps | Sideboard ( similar )

For the centerpiece, I wanted something low and something that wouldn’t compete with/detract from the sideboard. I mixed gold ornaments and the Amazon pears I added rub n’ buff to a few years ago.

Sources : X Stools | Window Pane Checked Pillow | Lantern Pendant | Shallow Wooden Bowl ( similar ) | Red Velvet Ribbon

I used faux berries I had in storage that coordinated with our tree theme this year and mixed in the regular greenery go-tos — faux cedar and live magnolia leaves. I love using live eucalyptus too, but time constraints didn’t allow for it without stress so it was an easy omission.

In the areas we use a lot and do a lot of living in daily, I kept things to a minimum so as not to create a bunch of stuff we’d be having to move to eat, prepare, work, etc.

Sources : Wood Bead Chandelier | Mirror | Black Cane Sideboard | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches (3 in this arrangement) | Round White Dining Table | Leather Dining Chairs (pebble) | Round Jute Rug | Large Black Wooden Bowl | Brass Candlesticks ( similar ) | Christmas House 1 ( similar ) | Christmas House 2 ( similar )

I’ve never met a bowl of balls I didn’t love and to me, it’s the easiest way to carry your Christmas colors into adjoining spaces. Just save a few from your tree to use in an arrangement(s).

Sources: Large Black Bowl

If you’re working within space constraints or just don’t want to allocate a ton of surface space to something like a village, try going vertical with it. You can stagger your dwellings front to back and add books/boxes for elevation. Think more Santorini, less Main Street 😉

Sources : Wood Bead Chandelier | Mirror | Black Cane Sideboard | White Stoneware Vase | Magnolia Branches (3 in this arrangement) | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | Large Black Bowl | Black Matted Frames | Christmas House 1 ( similar ) | Christmas House 2 ( similar )

These mini wreaths were some of the few impulse purchases I made this season, but I really loved punctuating the season a bit without using more surface space.

Sources : Matted Black Frames | Faux Olive Tree | Small Wreaths ( similar 1 ) ( similar 2 ) ( similar 3 ) | Red Velvet Ribbon

Sources : Matted Black Frames | Faux Olive Tree | Small Wreaths ( similar 1 ) ( similar 2 ) ( similar 3 ) | Red Velvet Ribbon | Wood Bead Chandelier | Round White Dining Table | Leather Dining Chairs (pebble) | Round Jute Rug | Large Black Wooden Bowl

And for this year’s Christmas color scheme/creation…

Sources : Matted Black Frames | Small Wreaths ( similar 1 ) ( similar 2 ) ( similar 3 ) | Red Velvet Ribbon | Round Jute Rug | Dining Chair | Cone Pendant Lights (medium/antique nickel/paper shade) | Woven Bar Stools | Wood Wall Art | Black Leather Arm Chair | Iron Chandelier

Here it is! I was originally going to go with red, green, and gold but I’d been holding onto that thick blue ribbon for the past several years, so I decided to morph the scheme into something a little more unexpected.

Sources : Wood Wall Art | Black Leather Arm Chair | Teddy Faux Fur Pillow | Wooden Christmas Trees | Nativity Set | Two-Handled White Vase | Terracotta Vase | Cabinet Knobs | Wool/Jute Rug

THIS velvety ivory and gold ribbon was another new purchase I hadn’t anticipated, but I was satisfied using all ornaments and picks from my arsenal. The ribbon shop carries a lot more pretty, wired ribbons — and additional colors with the gold backing, like mine, HERE .

I also pulled out copper/brown ornaments I last used over 10 years ago and never thought I’d be brining them out again! Well… here we are! By the way, if you’re wanting to incorporate some of that brown/coppery color on a budget, Target still has THIS pretty tinsel-finish set and it’s 30% off right now (making it $10.50/set of 9!) When I last looked, the viral flocked ornament set in brownish tones (also 30% off, making it $7!) was out of stock but I know it’s been coming and going. The other sets ( HERE ) that are still in stock have some GORGEOUS color combos!

While the tree has some bold colors, I didn’t want that to take over the living room, so I focused on the copper/natural tones and stuck with linen pillow covers instead of anything too heavy. Again, I had it all on hand. I’ve kept my pillow organization under control all year (remember THIS project ?) which made sourcing them so much easier and less daunting.

Sources : Iron Chandelier | Wood Wall Art | Black Leather Arm Chair | Sofa | Bronze Linen Pillows | Striped Pillow | Leather Stool | Wool/Jute Rug | Coffee Table | Cement Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches (seven in this arrangement) | Brass Bucket | Christmas Stockings ( additional collections) |

Using my regular garland strand (the Costco strand is still my Number 1!), I spent time embellishing the mantel. It’s one of my favorite places to decorate since it’s so finite 😉 You can find a full tutorial on my approach to mantel garland HERE .

Sources : Brass Bucket | Christmas Stockings ( additional collections)

Side note — I already had our chimney cleaned for the season but we have to replace the inside walls (scheduled for next week). I’ll be excited when it’s a little bit cooler and officially fire season. And, if you want to save it for later, you can find a regular home maintenance list HERE .

Sources : Christmas Stockings ( additional collections) | Christmas Stocking Hangers

I purchased my green velvet pillows years ago from West Elm, but I found some dead ringers on Amazon for a steal HERE . They come in a bunch of colors and sizes and in a set (the 20″ set of two, for example, is currently $16.99!).

I adore our growing collection of family Christmas cards. This year’s card is already framed and on display 😉

Sources : Console Table | Mirror ( similar ) | Pre-Lit Christmas Tree In Basket | Large Textured Vase | Two-Handled Vase

That little lit tree in the basket was another minor unexpected, impromptu decor purchase since I stumbled upon it at the Outlet, but it’s the *perfect* size. You can find it online in three sizes HERE .

Sources : Console Table | Mirror ( similar ) | Pre-Lit Christmas Tree In Basket

Incorporating just a few things and leaving most of the built-in bookshelf decor as is (with minor adjustments) is a huge time saver.

As a side note, in the photo below, the terracotta vase on the bottom shelf on the right is so much prettier in person. It’s also a surprisingly good deal, coming from PB. You can find it in a few sizes HERE .

Sources : Two-Handled White Vase | Two-Handled Black Vase | Pocket Watch Clock | Two-Handled Terracotta Vase ( similar ) | Wooden Christmas Trees | Textured Bud Vase | Terracotta Vase | Nativity Set | Cabinet Knobs

I love that our tree is all maximalist but as a whole, I feel like I can still breathe easily in our living room. There’s fewer pillows on the sofas, I barely adjusted the coffee table decor, and it’s so easy to “reset” at the end of each day.

Sources : Iron Chandelier | Wood Wall Art | Black Leather Arm Chair | Sofa | Bronze Linen Pillows | Striped Pillow | Leather Stool | Wool/Jute Rug | Coffee Table | Cement Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches (seven in this arrangement) | Brass Bucket | Christmas Stockings ( additional collections) | | Round Accent Table | Lidded Tulip Basket | Woven Tissue Cover ( similar )

The conversation room continues to hold our most special (and most fun to look at!) things. With all the visual stimulation from the variety of ornaments, I simplified the surrounding decor in this room this year.

Sources : Chandelier | Area Rug | Sconce ( similar ) | Bird Print | Black Glass Front Cabinet ( similar ) | Large Cement Vase | Small Cement Vase | Seagrass Storage Trunk | Shallow Black Bowl | Gold Star Christmas Tree Topper | Boucle Christmas Tree Skirt | Spiced Cider Jar Candle

I was happy to use more ribbon I’ve had for years, still brand new. And, I love the thin ribbon on the nostalgia tree. BTW — you can find tips on decorating a family tree HERE .

I gifted myself with THIS glass and glitter book stack ornament from Anthro — so pretty in person and perfectly commemorates my uber bookish year.

Sources : Shallow Black Bowl | Small Bell Garland | Hanging Iron Bells

Sources : Natural Wood Nut Cracker ( similar ) | Landscape Canvas Art | Secretary Desk ( similar 1 ) ( similar 2 )

Sources : Natural Wood Nut Cracker ( similar )

I won’t source individual ornaments (we’d be here all day and most are no longer available) but my favorite places to find special/cute ornaments are (tap the names below for their ornament collections)…

• Anthropologie
• Target (some seriously cute ornaments at ridiculously low price points)
• Pottery Barn

Sources : Sofa | Green Linen Pillows | Extra Long Curtain Rod | Chandelier | Area Rug | Sconce ( similar ) | Bird Print | Black Glass Front Cabinet ( similar ) | Large Cement Vase | Small Cement Vase | Seagrass Storage Trunk | Shallow Black Bowl | Gold Star Christmas Tree Topper | Boucle Christmas Tree Skirt | Spiced Cider Jar Candle

I don’t remember if I publicly pondered on KN or just in a KN newsletter, but I was considering a brown quilt… and I did it! I had taken a break from the Belgian Flax Linen Quilt , and honestly, nothing compares. I was so excited to get a fresh one for the first time in a few years and also — don’t hold me to it but I’m enjoying not having ALL white bedding for a bit.

Sources : Wood Bead Chandelier | Platform Bed | Sherpa Storage Bench | Area Rug | Grey Nightstand Chest | Glass Lamp | Linen Quilt (mocha) | Linen Duvet Cover & Shams | Belgian Linen Pillows | Antelope Pillow | Fringed Throw | Accent Chair | Rug | Wicker Basket Set | Bird Art 1 | Bird Art 2 | Accent Table ( similar )

Sources : Platform Bed | Grey Nightstand Chest | Glass Lamp | Linen Quilt (mocha) | Linen Duvet Cover & Shams | Belgian Linen Pillows | Antelope Pillow | Fringed Throw

Two things.

• Last year, I decided to forego a bedroom tree and I really missed it. So, I brought in one of my flocked trees to leave bare — after it was set up, I plugged it in and it wouldn’t fully light. I took that one down — no problem, I had a second identical tree. I hauled it upstairs and set it up… it also didn’t fully light. So… enter THIS tree . I love the slender size and the downward sloping branches — it’s perfect to leave bare with no effort. Mine is the 7′ flocked pencil spruce that has been in and out of stock for weeks.
• And then, Number 2, since I’ve been thriving in my reading era, I’ve REALLY been spending a lot of time in my bedroom reading corner. I saw THIS barrel swivel chair (upholstered) at the Outlet for a stellar price and in my mind, it matched the bedroom. In person… it does not. Even though it’s gray, it’s a REALLY cool gray and almost looks blue against my bed fabric, rug, and the rest of the bedroom. But, it’s so so comfortable to read in. So… the verdict’s out. I love the chair, I love reading in the chair, I hate how the fabric looks in my bedroom.

Sources : Swivel Chair ( leather version ) ( similar fabric version ) | Tree (7′ Flocked Pencil Spruce) | Striped Pillow ( similar ) | Pouf | Accent Table ( similar )

A little peek at my current (hard copy) library stack 😉

Sources : Swivel Chair ( leather version ) ( similar fabric version ) | Striped Pillow ( similar ) | Pouf | Accent Table ( similar )

Last year, I was so excited for Eliza to have a purple tree in her purple bedroom. Except… she didn’t really have a purple bedroom because her bed ended up taking more than a year to get here. So, this year, we did a purple(ish) tree 2.0. She and I tag teamed the family tree downstairs and she still likes coming home to a “surprise” tree in her bedroom so we’ll see what she’s feeling next year 😉

Sources : Knot Pillow | Unicorn Doll

I actually used THIS Merry & Bright print from Little Sleepies as the color inspo — I had bought Eliza the blanket for the season (not currently available) to match a set of pjs. For the first time, I used only what I already had for her tree.

Sources : Knot Pillow | Unicorn Doll | Linen Pillows | Linen Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover | Fringed Throw | Vertical Channel Tufted Bed | Cloud Art | Castle Art | Jacaranda Art | Rattan Storage Trunk | Area Rug | Woven Pendant | Curtain Rod | Curtain Rings | Silver Star Christmas Tree Topper

Sources : Knot Pillow | Unicorn Doll | Linen Pillows | Linen Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover | Fringed Throw | Vertical Channel Tufted Bed

And I only pulled bottlebrush trees from the bins that coordinated. I’m borderline obsessed with her forest village this year.

Sources : Three-Shelf Bookcase | Song Lyric Art ( similar ) | Song Lyric Art Frames | Woven Storage Baskets ( similar )

THIS 3D star tree topper (here in silver; downstairs on the family tree in gold) continues to be one of my favorite Christmas finds over the past decade.

Sources : Knot Pillow | Unicorn Doll | Linen Pillows | Linen Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover | Fringed Throw | Vertical Channel Tufted Bed | Cloud Art | Castle Art | Jacaranda Art | Rattan Storage Trunk | Night Stand | Table Lamp | Wooden Nativity Set

We’ve been enjoying Christmas in our home since before Halloween (it’s no secret around here — the trick or treaters always get a laugh 😉 ) and before we put it all away, I am tasking myself with letting go of some back-stock still in storage. I’ll also be more fully setting up my storage system with QR codes ( HERE ) to alleviate the hunting next year.

Thank you, thank you for stopping by today for what is one of my favorite blog days of the year, each year. Here’s to a beautiful season ahead, and remembering to prioritize what makes you and your family happy.

More Posts to Check Out

• Christmas Mantel Garland Tutorial
• Christmas Tree Color Scheme Ideas
• 2022 Christmas Home Tour
• How to Decorate a Christmas Tree with Ribbon
• How to Flock a Christmas Tre e

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28 Comments

wow, everything looks Amazing!! Lots of great ideas too.

Thank you for taking the time, Annie. I appreciate your kind note so much. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas season!

Absolutely stunning!

Thank you, Kristie, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Simply Spectacular and as beautiful as you! Loved it all! Holiday Blessings and Cheer ♥️💚

Once again you’ve outdone yourself! Your home looks fully decorated but not overdone! I keep telling myself I MUST stop buying but…….. One question about the blue ribbon – isn’t it dupioni silk, not velvet?

Thank you for visiting our Christmas home, Denise! The blue ribbon I used on this year’s Christmas tree is silk-like. The ivory ribbon with the gold backing is velvet. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Thank you so much, Darla! I know this holiday season will be especially magical for you all.

Gorgeous as always! I love that you decided to use what you already have and mix it up in new ways!! I’m challenging myself with that this year and am excited to see how I can re use and recycle! Merry merry Christmas!

Thank you, Meagan, for your sweet note. I was so determined to use what I had on hand and it worked. I know you can do it, too, and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

It’s all very beautiful and just the right amount. You used restraint this year which is better than I did. As soon as Halloween was over, I decorated. My thought was to just add a few pieces to my existing decor but I ended up fully decorating. I did pretty much stick to my buy nothing new. Out with a friend I saw two can’t leave in the store garlands. Oh well, maybe I’ll do better next year. Oh, and Eliza’s tree is spectacular with all those pretty purple and pink balls. She must be over the moon with her pretty bedroom.

Thank you, Joanna, for taking the time to visit and for your note! Like you, I always have good intentions… Since “simplifying” has been my mantra this year, I was determined to stick to my guns. And I still say, if you see something that you absolutely must have, go for it! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season. xoxo

Amazing! What a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Thank you for the inspiration, my friend.

Thank you, Renae, for taking the tour of my Christmas home. I hope you and yours have a magical Christmas season!

Wowza! Just stunning once again. Well done!

Thank you so much for your kind note, Corine! I appreciate you taking the time to tour and wish you the best Christmas season.

Can you please tell me what finish the Iron Ore is in your dining room? Also, have you ever done a video showing how you decorate your main tree from start to finish? I would love to learn from your amazing skills!

Hi Robin, Thank you so much for visiting my home for Christmas. The paint finish in the dining room is eggshell. If you’re on Instagram, I have published several reels recently that demonstrate the steps I take to decorate my trees. Merry Christmas!

As usual, everything is beautiful. I absolutely love the tree in your room. It’s now on my list.

Thank you, Doris, for your sweet note and for taking the tour! I’m so happy to have that tree and love the look with just lights and no decorations. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

This is just beautiful, you always do an amazing job! I am loving the neutrals, the layers, and simplicity, but most of all it is just so intentional! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!

Hi Christine, Thank you for taking the time to tour and for your kind and thoughtful note. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and also hope your Christmas season is magical!

So beautiful!! Thanks for the inspiration. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Thank you for your sweet note and for taking the time to visit! I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

I am truly in LOVE with your maximalist tree in the living room. It adds so much to your otherwise minimal space, it’s a beautiful balance. Seeing all of your holiday decor makes me so excited to break more of mine out! As soon as our cabinet painters are done with the kitchen reno, I’m adding in all of my kitchen decor. Thanks for the inspo, and the reminder to take things a lil slower this season!

Thank you for taking the time to tour our Christmas home, Amelia! I imagine you are having busy days since you are in the midst of your kitchen reno. I hope it is completed soon and that you have a very Merry Christmas!

I love, love, love your decorations Year after year. They’re simply stunning. One question for you, how do you store all of your accessories, ornaments, etc.?

Thank you for your kind message, Wanda! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and I will be sharing a post on this topic soon.

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Christmas Living Room // Our Relaxed Holiday Home Tour 2023

Falalalala! Its time to share a peek into our home this season! Every year, I find myself putting less and less stuff out, but do love little Christmas moments throughout the house. I plan to share a few more spaces all spruced up for the season next week, but today I’m sharing our Christmas Living Room as part of Our Relaxed Holiday Home Tour 2023 .

I’m thrilled to be joining in a week of holiday home tours hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life . I’ve participated for several years now and love participating with such wonderfully talented bloggers and content creators.

If you want to catch up on my  Christmas Home Tours  from years past, you can  see them all here.  

And my  Full Christmas Gallery here  – filled with  gift guides , decorating inspiration ,  recipes ,  holiday cocktails  & more.

If you’re stopping by from Kristin’s tour from White Arrows Home , then welcome! I’m so glad you’re here! And if you are new to This is our Bliss, then hello! My name is Rachael and I’m the girl behind the lifestyle site where I share all things life, style, and home. My goal is to help you dress, decorate and entertain for every occasion with affordable stylish finds.

This is our 3rd Christmas in this house and it definitely feels like home. After my husband, three sons and I moved from Illinois to Arizona in the Summer of 2021, I remember worrying how long it would take to feel like “home” and I especially worried if we would feel settled by our first Christmas here. I’m happy to report we did, but even more so now! Everyone has adjusted very well and I continue to enjoy making our house a home, room-by-room.

You can see all of my Room Reveals here and I have some exciting plans for 2024, so be sure to stick around. I’d love to see you back here visiting again!

You can find the full week of tours at the end of my post!

Last year, I kept the red out of the Living Room and strictly stuck with neutrals. But this year, I couldn’t resist adding in a couple pops of green! I love the richness and elegance this deep green adds to the space.

If you zoom in to the photo above, you might actually see a hint of red in the mirror of our Elf “Manny”. He was hanging out in the dining room the day I snapped the tour photos!

This is our front Living Room, which is not where we gather on a daily basis, so I loaded the sofa up with throw pillows since we won’t be sitting there much anyways!

I bought and used these green pillow covers years ago in our last house during Christmastime and decided they needed to come back out of storage this year. You can snag a set here . I actually have a the deep red set and the light purple as well.

I also added a couple of these black & white plaid pillows I’ve had since last year to bring in some pattern and break up the dark, solid colors.

On the coffee table, I filled up my brass hand with small metallic ornaments just like last year! I loved the look then, so why not leave well enough alone?! It normally sits empty [ or filled up with matchsticks or other random items from time to time ] on top of a stack of books.

Next to the stack, I decided to pull out one of my Christmas books and place it on my acrylic coffee book stand.

Lastly, I swapped out my plain white candlesticks with this pair of twisted green ones. You’ll never guess where I found them…The Dollar Tree! I also found a similar set here and here if you’re looking!

My mom and I were on the hunt for cool red candlesticks for her holiday table and mantel this year and found some great options at HomeGoods. But they were 4-5x the price and the quality is the exactly the same! And the color complements the pillows so nicely!

Loved this score 😉

Last but not least, is the star of the show – our Christmas tree in the corner. I actually just noticed our 9′ pre-lit flocked tree is on sale for under $200 right now. I’m pretty sure we paid around $300-350 in 2019.

Sometimes I add some red to the tree, but this year I stuck with neutrals & metallics again – from black, ivory, gold, silver, pewter & copper – you’ll find it all.

I didn’t buy any new ornaments and haven’t for a couple of years now, but it still feels fresh and new when I look up at the tree. The sparkle & shine and glitz & glam get me every time.

Sadly, I don’t have any gifts wrapped under the tree yet! Last year, I was proud to say I actually had some real ones wrapped! Most years, I have fake wrapped boxes [ shhhh don’t tell anyone ;)] under the tree for my tours, but this year, I just didn’t even bother!

Here is a peak at how it has looked under the tree in year’s past.

Very Merry Holiday Home // Christmas Living Room Tour 2022

Classic Christmas Home Tour 2020

Simple & Elegant Christmas Living Room Tour 2019

I’m planning to wrap a big batch of gifts this weekend, so maybe I’ll share a snapshot of under the tree next week!

In all honesty, my trees were up a couple weeks before Thanksgiving, but I didn’t hang a single ornament on them until last weekend! It always gets done, but my timelines look a little different now. Life is so busy with the boys now – ages 11, 9 & 5 and truthfully, the lights are my favorite part anyways, so we enjoyed the glow and didn’t miss the ornaments much at all.

Now that they’re up, I of course, couldn’t imagine it any other way!

Sneak peek…I did put another poinsettia in the Dining Room again and do plan to set the table next week. I picked up some Christmas dishes at an estate sale and can’t wait to see how it all looks on the table. I’ll be sharing soon, so come back to see more!!

The Dining Room isn’t done, but I had to snap a few pictures since Manny was hanging out here today and he’ll have traveled on somewhere else by the next time I photograph 🙂

That’s all for today. I’m so happy you were here to have a look around! Now be sure to head to see Alicia’s home from Thrifty and Chic .

2023 Christmas Home Tours

This week I’m joining thirty talented and creative bloggers to share our holiday decorating for our 2023 Christmas Home Tours. I hope you enjoy all their beautiful ideas and inspiration! I especially want to thank Marty from A Stroll Thru Life for organizing this tour of homes. You can visit each Christmassy home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

Simply2Moms | Worthing Court Blog | Midwest Life and Style

DIY Beautify | Peacock Ridge Farm | The Stonybrook House

Tuesday’s Tours

Our Southern Home | Calypso in the Country | Chalking Up Success

Pink Peppermint Design | The House on Silverado | Lyndale Drive

Wednesday’s Tours

Southern Home and Hospitality | A Pretty Life in the Suburbs | Whispering Pines Homestead

She Gave it a Go | Decor to Adore | Eleanor Rose Home

Thursday’s Tours

County Road 407 | Thistle Key Lane | White Lilac Farmhouse

My Family Thyme | Southern Hospitality Blog | Clean and Scentsible | Bungalow 47

Friday’s Tours

Shiplap and Shells | It All Started With Paint | White Arrows Home

This is Our Bliss | Thrifty and Chic | Follow the Yellow Brick Home

TO SHOP THE SOURCES FROM OUR CHRISTMAS LIVING ROOM , YOU CAN CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL IMAGES BELOW:

If you want to catch up on my  Christmas Home Tours  from years past, you can  see them all here.  

And my  Full Christmas Gallery here  – filled with  gift guides , decorating inspiration ,  recipes ,  holiday cocktails  & more.

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Everything looks so gorgeous, Rachael. I love the deep green color. And your tree is STUNNING! So happy to be touring with you this week. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Calypso in the Country

What a gorgeous tour – relaxed yet sophisticated! I love the green, gold and black together. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Shelley

Cindy@CountyRoad407

Well I can say I don’t miss the days of Elf on a Shelf. LOL. That was exhausting! Your tree is beautiful and how clever to put ornaments in the giant hand. So cute. Enjoyed touring with you. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas.

Laura Ingalls Gunn

What an absolutely gorgeous tour! The tree is an absolutely showstopper. So happy to be on tour with you!

Gorgeous! I love the green and gold together, it’s so pretty!

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Taryn Whiteaker Designs

DIY and Interior Blog

December 22, 2023

Our Christmas Home Tour 2023

This holiday season has felt different. In a lot of ways. Last year, we’d only been in our house for a few months before the holidays, we hardly had any furniture and still felt like we were moving in and getting settled! This year, I had spaces to decorate and adorn with holiday decor and it just felt. Better.

I had in my mind that I would continue to do DIY projects and room renovations right up until Christmas, but I found myself slipping into more of the Christmas spirit this year and ended up slowly setting all of those projects aside. I had fun. I allowed myself to decorate and enjoy the process and dress up our house for the holidays for our family to enjoy. I have shared bits and pieces throughout the the last few months, but here is our complete Christmas Home Tour of 2023.

Christmas Entry

Walking up to our house I added wreaths to our gates and set up a cute little bench area as you enter. I really want to add garland over all the arches… maybe next year!

You can read more about this entry bench set up here. It was a budget friendly display and I chat all about it in the post!

Christmas In The Courtyard

Here is a view of the courtyard I don’t share too often! It shows how the spaces are all connected.

Outdoor Fireplace Christmas Decor

Moving over to the outdoor fireplace area . I had JUST finished this space this time last year. I loved adding a few festive touches out here this year, I might even leave the lights on the cedar trees year round! I love how they add an extra glow out here.

We’ve enjoyed a few fun family evenings out here, making s’mores and enjoying the mild temps. I’ve even sat out here a few evenings working just enjoying the scenery.

Tour our Outdoor Fireplace Christmas Decor .

Simple Christmas Front Porch

It’s a little odd because I often forget we have a front door. We use the door off the courytard fireplace that goes into our kitchen 99% of the time, so do all our guests. But off in the corner of the courtyard is our actual front door that occasionally gets a package here and there :)

Neutral Christmas Living Room

As you enter the front door, you walk straight into our formal living room. This is where we have decided to place our Christmas tree and celebrate Christmas morning. I went with a very rich neutral look in here with a bit of a vintage glam look. You can see a full tour of the space here.

I wanted to embrace the colors and tones that were already in the space with the ceiling and the chandeliers. I really hope to bring this whole space together with a new look in the new year!

I’ve been getting into more olive green tones lately and love how it brings a deep neutral tone to a space for more contrast. Also, still loving our white modular sofas and chairs!

Cozy Casual Christmas Family Room

Our family room has been a slow process over the last 18 months, a lot of marketplace finds and moving pieces around! It’s cozy and I hope to make even more progress in here this year.

I added just a few simple pillows in here! These dark green velvet for some contrast, the neutral textured Christmas pillows and my favorite faux fur reindeer pillows .

Christmas Dining Room

Last year we didn’t even have a dining room to decorate! It was a completely open empty space, so this year has been extra special to dine at an actual table. And decorate it! You can see how I built the DIY floating buffet here, and tour the whole neutral transitional dining room here.

I love a good moody holiday tablescape. In fact, I think my favorite one is this moody Thanksgiving table I did a few years ago. I channeled this table to create a black and white Christmas tablescape . A little traditional, a little rustic and a little modern.

Wishing You A Merry Christmas

Thanks for joining me this holiday season! It was a jammed packed season, with lots of fun holiday decorating and product finds. I can’t wait to get back to some more DIY’s!

About  Taryn Whiteaker

Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!

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Calypso in the Country

A Home Decor and Lifestyle Blog

Cozy Christmas Home Tour (Classic Decorating Ideas)

Welcome friends!  I’m so happy you stopped by today!  If you’re looking for Christmas decorating inspiration, we have a treat for you.  Today, I’ve joined a group of talented bloggers for our 2023 Christmas home tours!     For my cozy Christmas home tour, I’m sharing my kitchen, family room and a peek into my dining room!  Come get inspired!

*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

Christmas Home Tours 2023:

Tour 30 homes over 5 days.

Before we begin, I want to thank Ann Marie and Ann of Simply 2 Moms for stepping in to host.   They were kind enough to help out Marty from A Stroll Thru Life who organized this annual blog hop.

If you are arriving here from Our Southern Home – Welcome!  Christy always does an amazing job with her holiday decor so I’m sure you enjoyed her tour! When you’re finished here, please be sure to visit the links at the end of this post to see all the beautiful Christmas home tours!

Welcome to my home!

A cozy christmas home tour with classic decorating ideas….

Normally, I’d start at the front door but I’m not done with that area yet.  Today, we’ll start in the hallway leading to the kitchen. 

Just the other day, I had the bright idea to hang classic black and white family photos on this wall.  Previously, I had a floral wall hanging in this spot…which didn’t feel ‘Christmasy’ at all!  So, I spent more time than I should have measuring to get the frames straight.  Luckily, I didn’t make too many mistakes!

Anyway, these black frames ended up coordinating well with some of my family room Christmas decor.  Before I show you that room, let’s head into my Christmas kitchen.

Cozy Christmas Home Tour – The Kitchen:

Classic red for the holiday season….

When you step into my kitchen, the first thing you notice is the red checked curtain panels framing the sliding glass door.  Normally, I have blue and white curtains in this spot but it’s been awhile since I’ve used the red for Christmas.  So I thought, why not?

To dress up my chandelier, I added some faux greenery.  Years ago, I would attempt to use fresh evergreen stems but the needles would fall on the table and my hands would get sticky from the sap.  After going with artificial greenery, I haven’t looked back!

Throughout my kitchen, I added more faux greenery such as the garland over the window and the mini wreaths hung on the cabinet doors.

This year, I also filled a basket with artificial greenery to serve as the focal point on my stove mantel.

When I found the plaid ribbon, I knew it would be perfect for the basket.  In fact, I was going to change the ribbon on the mini wreaths to smaller matching plaid ribbon but my order didn’t arrive in time.  Oh well, I still like the red snowflake ribbon I ended up reusing from  last year’s tour.

To dress up my candles, I wrapped each one with the same plaid ribbon.  If you want an easy and inexpensive way to coordinate your accessories, add some pretty ribbon!

Even though my original plan involved using red, green and white from the plaid ribbon, I decided to add some black with my buffalo check rug. This Christmas, I decorated mostly with items I already owned.  After all, I practically have a million Christmas bins in my basement, why keep buying more decorations?!

For my window area, I just kept it simple with a garland.  As I do some tweaking, I might hang some decorations in that spot  like I’ve done in previous years. Or, maybe I’ll add some bows which seem to be really popular this year.

In the back corner of my counter, I decorated a little vignette with classic red and green for Christmas.  

On my window sill, I displayed a group of small white ceramic houses.  If you read my blog, you know I love decorating with these little houses at Christmastime.  To see some of my ideas, read –  White Ceramic Christmas Houses (Why We Love Them).

Some of these little houses have lights in them so they look really pretty at night when the lights are dim.  For some other ways to decorate a windowsill, read  Easy Kitchen Window Sill Decorating Ideas for Every Season.  

Across the kitchen, I kept my decorating very simple.  Maybe I’ll still add some greenery to the pitchers on the shelf but I don’t want to overdo it.

Usually, I keep a round tray on my island and change the decor with every season.  Not only does it make a nice focal point but using a tray is convenient if you have to make room to serve food.  For more Christmas countertop tray ideas read –  Kitchen Island Tray Decor (a Cozy Winter Theme).  

Once again, I stayed with classic Christmas colors along with a white skiing nutcracker for our family of skiers.  In the glass hurricane, I made use of my extra cranberries from Thanksgiving.  For more ways to use leftover cranberries,  read my simple ideas including some cute Christmas luminiaries.

In my glass cabinets, I displayed a few more Christmas plates along with all my glassware for entertaining.

And I created another simple vignette on my glass tray.  Once again, some greenery in a white pitcher…one of my go-to decor ideas.

Speaking of white pitchers, here are a few more on my console table between the kitchen and family room.  Each season, I also do simple updates like color coordinating my napkins and stack of cookbooks.  

Besides the white pitchers, baskets and trays are more decorating staples in my home.

Cozy Christmas Home Tour – The Family Room:

Holiday decor inspired by red…and black.

After adding my red and white buffalo check curtains in the kitchen, I felt like the family room needed equally bold colors.  Luckily, I still had my black and red pillow covers in my stash so I brought them out.  

And since I was adding red and black, I went with a simple mantel using a mirror and fabric star.  Sometimes it’s hard to decorate a stone fireplace so I usually end up leaning the decorations.

If you’ve toured my house at Christmas before, you know that star  usually makes an appearance somewhere!

Of course, if this were truly a “cozy Christmas home tour”, I would have a fire going in the fireplace!  Since my husband just mentioned that we need to have the chimney sweep guy come and clean it out, I’ll wait on that fire for now!

This year, I didn’t hang my stockings yet.  Overall, I like the simplicity of the mantel for now.  Also, I’ve be been using battery operated fairy lights on my mantel and they are a game changer!  After years of struggling with extension cords, these things are so much easier!

As we head back to the foyer, you can see another decorating item from last year – my red snowflake pillow.  Like I said, I try to reuse as much as I can over the years.  For instance, in the background you can also see our old Santa advent calendar hanging on the wall.  Even though my kids are older, they still like me to put that up every year!  Ahhh…childhood memories!

Cozy Christmas Home Tour – A Dining Room Peek:

Navy blue with touches of red….

As I mentioned, I just started decorating my dining room so here’s a peek of my tree in there!

Shop my cozy Christmas look:

Thanks for stopping by and i hope you enjoyed my 2023 christmas home tour , wishing you a very merry christmas season.

Once again, thank you to Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and Ann Marie and Ann of Simply 2 Moms for hosting! 

Also, please visit the rest of the participants on the blog hop from the list below the collage.  If you’re following along in order,  Chalking Up Success is next!  I know you’re going to love Jayne’s lovely home!

Here is the full list of all the homes on the tour:

2023 christmas home tours.

Monday’s Tours

Simply2Moms | Worthing Court Blog | Midwest Life and Style

DIY Beautify | Peacock Ridge Farm | The Stonybrook House

Tuesday’s Tours

Our Southern Home | Calypso in the Country | Chalking Up Success

Pink Peppermint Design | The House on Silverado | Lyndale Drive

Southern Home and Hospitality | A Pretty Life in the Suburbs | Whispering Pines Homestead

She Gave it a Go | Decor to Adore | Eleanor Rose Home

County Road 407 | Thistle Key Lane | White Lilac Farmhouse

My Family Thyme | Southern Hospitality Blog | Clean and Scentsible | Bungalow 47

Shiplap and Shells | It All Started With Paint | White Arrows Home

This is Our Bliss | Thrifty and Chic | Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Have you finished decorating your home for Christmas?

Follow along so you don’t miss a post!

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Shelley, You know I already love your kitchen, but it is so beautiful at Christmas. I just love the charming use of plaid ribbon to add that festive look. I think I need that Christmas tree plate! ❤️ Enjoy your beautiful Christmas home with your family this season. Wish I could pop into enjoy a cup of cocoa with you.

Thanks so much Christy! Glad you like the plaid…I always like adding some at Christmastime. And yes, it would be fun to sip some cocoa with you during the holidays! Cheers!

This is beautiful. I love the splashes of color, and I love that foliage and greenery. Visiting from Wonderful Wednesday.

Thank you Jennifer! I love using holiday colors in my decor!

Well you know I’m loving all your pops of red, Shelley! Your home feels so warm, cozy and magical for the season! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!

Red for the win! Thanks Cindy – and a Merry Christmas to you!

Beautiful and festive Shelley! Red and plaid are my ABSOLUTE favourite this time of year too! You have so many pretty touches…I especially love the wreaths in your kitchen!

Thanks Jo-Anna! Yes, it’s fun to bring out all the color and plaid this time of year. Cheers to a wonderful holiday season!

Shelley, everything looks so festive, and I so love your light-filled kitchen! What a cozy space:-)

Thanks Anita! Have a fabulous Christmas season!

Such a beautiful Christmas tour Shellie! I love the view from your front entrance into the kitchen with the red buffalo check curtains, how festive!!! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much, Heidi! Once I put those curtains up, I ended up adding so much more color than I had planned!

Your home is so pretty. I love all of your festive touches. Merry Christmas.

Thanks Renae! Great to tour with you!

Everything looks beautiful, Shelley! I love your beautiful ribbons. It’s all very elegant. Thank you for sharing your cozy home tour and the links to your friends’ tours as well with Hearth and Soul. I’ve shared this post in our Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook. I would love for you to join! Hope your holiday season is wonderful!

Thanks so much, April! Yes, I will swing by and join! Wishing you a wonderful holiday as well!

Shelley, I love your black and white gallery wall! I’ve been thinking about doing something like that too. I’m enjoying your cozy Christmas tour and seeing how you’re changing your decor around this year! Happy Christmas my friend!

Thanks so much Michelle! Yes, always fun to try new looks each year!

Your home looks so festive Shelley. The plaids are bright and beautiful and I love the added touch of wrapping the candles with the plaid fabric to bring it all together. Your Christmas wreaths hanging from the cabinets make the space magical. So much inspiration my friend. Happy Holidays!

Thanks so much, Kim! I’ve been hanging wreaths up there every year and now my family comes to expect them. Always fun to have those holiday traditions. Merry Christmas, friend!

I love that you switched out the curtains. They are perfect! I wish I could find good faux greenery like yours around here. The stuff I buy online is always disappointing so I’ve decided I have to touch it first. Your Santa with the white pitchers is adorable as well. Everything looks amazing and so classic. Merry Christmas!

Thanks Cindy! I haven’t put up the red curtains in awhile but I was happy once I did it! Glad you like them and thanks for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you too!

I just adore (and envy!) your beautiful kitchen and it looks absolutely perfect dressed up for Christmas! Happy holidays!

Awe, thanks Linda! It was probably my favorite room to decorate – and I’ll continue to tweak it for the next few weeks! Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday!

It all looks so lovely and inviting!

Thanks so much, Joanne!

Your home looks just lovely, Shelley, and I especially love the kitchen! I think it’s my fave room in your home! 😉 Pinned, and I’m delighted to be featuring your post at Tuesday Turn About this week.

Thanks so much for the feature and for pinning, Julie! You made my day!

Your home is beautiful! I’m hopping over from the Inspire Me Monday link up party…Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much, Christie! Enjoy your week!

Your holiday home is just gorgeous Cindy! I love battery-powered lights too, and yours are darling on your mantel – I’m so inspired. Thanks for sharing all your great ideas and lovely design sense. Happy Holidays!

Thanks Barbara! Those battery operated lights were such a great invention! Thanks and enjoy your holiday!

Your tour is stunning! I love all your classic decor and cozy touches. Your kitchen is beautiful and we have been stumped for months on how to finish the open space above our refrigerator. I love the open shelf idea and may “borrow” this to finish up or kitchen!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much, Amber! I’d love to see how the shelf idea works in your kitchen! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Your home is just so beautiful all dressed up for the holiday season! Your kitchen is gorgeous and I love your fireplace! Wishing you and the family a beautiful Christmas! xo Kristin

Thanks so much, Kristin – and a Merry Christmas to you too!

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Life On Virginia Street

DIY . Home Decor . Travel . Style . Life

2023 Coastal Christmas Home Tour

Christmas , Decorating Ideas, Tips and Trends , Home Tour

It’s one of my favorite days of the year – Christmas home tour day! I always look forward to this day so much because, despite not loving winter, I love Christmas decor. Today, I’m sharing our coastal Christmas home tour with a bit of citrus vibes mixed throughout!

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy  here .

Simplicity was the name of the game this year. We still have a bit of unpacking/organizing to do since the move the last week of August. And with us traveling to see family for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, I didn’t want to spend more time decorating the house than actually enjoying the decorated house! I tried to use as many things as possible that we already owned with only a few purchases here and there. Let’s start the tour!

Coastal Christmas Entryway

I’ve shared a peek at our entryway previously, but have since wrapped the garland all the way to the upstairs. Since the time I took this photo last week, I’ve replaced the photos with our nativity scene and love the addition here!

I reused the exact bows I used on the staircase for last year’s tour , but then added in these fun white starburst ornaments to the garland.

The stars tie in well to the giant star chandelier we have in our entryway. It’s hard to capture the full view here but with the wide angle lens you can almost see it all from my office doorway!

The chandelier awas one of my major lighting budget splurges when we built this house, but with it being 25 feet in the air, I knew whatever I picked had to stay forever . It’s hard to capture the scale, but it comes in around 4′ by nearly 5′. The star chandelier feels even more perfect here this time of year! The mercury glass literally glows when the sun shines through our little lighthouse tower here!

ENTRYWAY SOURCES: Cedar Garland  |  Norfolk Pine Garland   (also  here )  |  Blue Velvet Ribbon  |  Green Velvet Ribbon  |  Blue Console Table  |  Rustic Wood Trees  |  Small Ceramic Tree  |  Medium Ceramic Tree  |  Large Ceramic Tree | Wicker Picture Frame Set | Medium Potted Tree  |  Large Potted Tree  |  White Starburst Ornaments | Star Chandelier (smaller sizes here ) | Double Sconce Lights

Coastal Christmas Kitchen

Moving through the entryway, you’ll see our kitchen and beyond that, our living room.

I always like to keep our kitchen decorated simply, and this year was no exception. I always love a wreath on the range hood and a vase filled with seasonal greens, and that’s about all I did this year! I propped the wreath on the hood trim and then used a small 3M hook to secure it at the top.

I really love the injection of color the faux oranges and light blue velvet ribbon add to our kitchen!

KITCHEN SOURCES: Faux Soft Cedar Wreath | Blue Velvet Ribbon (similar here ) | Vase  |  Pre-Lit Birch Stems  |  Faux Orange Stems |  Faux Pine Stems  |  Woven Shade (color: Bonaire Flaxen)  |  Herringbone Runner Rug |  Cabinet Knobs | Cabinet Bin Pulls |  Woven Chandeliers   |  Faucet  |  Marble Tray  |  Swivel Counter Stools | Wall & Trim Color:  Sherwin Williams Snowbound

Coastal Christmas Living Room

I previously shared a peek at our living room decor, when I shared some ideas on citrus Christmas decor . As I mentioned, my goal here was to use as many items we already owned that I could. I love that I can then use the citrus stems again in my summer decor! Without a basement, we’re having to get creative on storage – and overall just have less seasonal decor and things in general!

These chunky Cableknit Throw Pillow Cover   are one of my favorite finds of the season. I love that I can use them all winter, not just until Christmas. They have a winter vibe but don’t feel too out of place in coastal Florida!

Here you can see a peek at the long and narrow console table we have tucked behind our sofa to hold the lamps. I’ll share a better view once the Christmas decor is all taken down.

I filled this little cane rattan box with ornaments to add some color to our coffee table.

Aside from Henley constantly sitting on the back cushion of one, we’re still very happy with these gorgeous armchairs !

LIVING ROOM SOURCES:  Sofa   (read my full review  here ) |  Chairs  |  Coffee Table  |  Indoor/Outdoor Striped Rug  |  Rattan Box Set  |  Christmas Tree  |  Blue Velvet Ribbon (similar here ) |  Light Blue Orb Ornaments  |  Orange Orb Ornament s |  Faux Orange Stems | Oyster Shell Ornaments: purchased locally at the Acton Academy of 30A kids fair |  Cableknit Throw Pillow Cover  |  Striped Pillow Cover  |  Velvet Pillow Cover  |  Lamps  |  Ceramic Houses | Console Table | Woven Roman Shades  |  Frame TV

Coastal Christmas Dining Room

Our dining room sits off to the side of our living room and kitchen. It, along with Kurtis’ office next door, were meant to be a side screened-in porch. We knew we’d likely never use it that way so we had the builder close it in to add the two additional rooms and we’re so glad we did!

Admittedly, not much is happening in our dining room currently. With the big gingerbread house party over the weekend, we actually cleared this room out entirely until Sunday night. So, here’s how it stands today. I plan to have it wallpapered in the New Year and add some drapes which will definitely bring it to life! But for now, I wanted to share it as it currently looks.

I took down the art that usually hangs here and replaced it with these woven stars for a bit of texture. I’ll still likely move this set of trees outside (so ignore the cords) but we used them here for the party and I love the added glow they provide to this space in the evenings!

Man, I just love twinkling lights and pretty velvet bows!

DINING ROOM SOURCES: Dining Chairs (larger version here ) | Dining Table | Rug (also here ) | Set of Woven Stars | Set of Trees | Mini Wreaths: Old from Target (similar here and here )  |  Blue Velvet Ribbon (similar here ) | Prelit Trees

Coastal Christmas Home Office

As we head back to the entryway, my office sits just around the corner from the front door. You may recall, this room was intended to be the primary bedroom, but neither of us loved the idea of our room being just off the entryway and with five windows wrapping the front porch. So, we moved our bedroom upstairs and the change has been working out great!

Admittedly, the room is a total disaster, but I did clean up this half of the room so that the view from my desk isn’t quite as chaotic. The “Deck The Halls” and   “Fa La La” couldn’t be more perfect in here! Continuing with the simplicity theme, I filled the melamine bowl with some leftover ornaments and called it a day!

SOURCES:  “Deck The Halls” Art  |  “Fa La La” Art  |  Lamps   (also  here )  |  Console Table  |  Melamine Bowl  |  Blue Ornaments  |  Green Ornaments  |  Topiary and Vase – old from Pottery Barn

Coastal Christmas Bathroom

So with the layout changes mentioned above, our bathroom where we get ready and closet are just off my office. We were worried it would be odd not connected to our bedroom, but it has actually worked out really well for us. Especially on those mornings where one of us has to get up much earlier than the other! I thought it would be fun to include this space in the tour because I haven’t shown much of it in the past.

I added a few simple festive touches here by tying some velvet bows on the pendant lights and stealing the arrangement from the kitchen 😉

The Woven Cone Pendants were one of the lighting options I ordered outside of the builder and lighting store to save on budget. We’ve been so happy with them! I know they look low in pictures here, but our ceilings are 12′ tall on the main floor, so these even clear Kurtis’ 6’2″ head by 8-10″. I love that they (and their reflection) help to warm up all the gray marble tones in here!

BATHROOM SOURCES: Woven Cone Pendants (small size) | Blue Velvet Ribbon (similar here ) | Vase  |  Pre-Lit Birch Stems  |  Faux Orange Stems |  Faux Pine Stems | Cabinet Knobs | Cabinet Bin Pulls | Reversible Pine Tree Towel | Citrus & Sage Hand Soap | Bath Mats | Faucets

Coastal Christmas Loft Living Room

Moving up stairs, you’ll find our loft living room at the top of the stairs. It’s a cozy little spot that serves as a second TV room or reading spot for me. We just reused old furniture here that didn’t have a home elsewhere so you’ll probably recognize most of the pieces from other spots in our prior homes. I kept the tree naked up here (and honestly it still needs a little fluffing still), but I really just wanted the glow from the lights this year!

Here you can see how the space relates to the entryway. The cats’ “bedroom” is off to the right and then our bedroom and a small guest bedroom are off to the left.

Literally one of the easiest decorating ideas you can re-create is to fill a giant clam shell, dough bowl, or bowl in general with ornaments. If you want to get extra fancy you could also throw in a few greenery stems or clippings. But this takes seconds to achieve and still feels so festive!

LOFT SOURCES: Sectional | Console Table | Woven Shades  |  Rattan Cabinet  |  Footed Bowl  |  Similar Moss Balls | Blue Bottle Brush Tree Set  |  Green Bottle Brush Tree Set | Scalloped Stockings | Faux Greenery Stems with Pinecones |  Frame TV |  Lamps |  Baskets  |  Similar Rug | Green Corduroy Pillow Covers | Striped Pillow Cover:  Serena & Lily – no longer available | Plaid Pillow Cover: Serena & Lily – no longer available  | Giant Clam Shell | Green Ornaments | Christmas Tree

Coastal Christmas Bedroom

Moving down the hallway is the last stop on our tour – our bedroom! Although this room has a relatively small footprint, the vaulted ceiling helps it to feel much more grand! I have big plans for this room some day, but our new blue linen bed (look for less here ) makes me so happy that I don’t even care about the rest for now! Fun fact: up until I ordered this bed, Kurtis and I had used the same bed for nearly fifteen years. It was definitely time for an upgrade!

I added this cozy washed velvet bedding and a wreath above the bed for a festive touch. It’s been so cold in the mornings over the past week or so, I’m glad we have this added layer! We’re still refusing to turn on the heat in our house!

I’ve had these camp stools for years in the navy lido stripe, but recently found out you can purchase new fabric pieces for them! I found two on clearance last year and this buffalo check works perfectly in here for Christmas! It’s the perfect little stool for the cats, too, when they want to hop up on the bed.

SOURCES:  Bead Chandelier  |  Blue Linen Bed   (look for less  here )  |  Nightstands  |  Lamps | Cane Wrapped Vase | Brass Frame | Wreath | Blue Velvet Ribbon (similar here ) | Washed Velvet Pillow Shams  |  Waffle Knit Blanket  |  Woven Rug | Buffalo Check Stools

And that concludes this year’s coastal Christmas home tour! I hope you enjoyed it!

Additional Christmas Home Tours

Looking for even more Christmas decor inspiration? Be sure to check out these tours of our home from prior years.

• 2022 Christmas Home Tour
• 2021 Christmas Home Tour
• 2020 Christmas Home Tour
• 2019 Christmas Home Tour

If you would like to follow along on more of my home decor, DIY, lifestyle, travel and other posts, I’d love to have you follow me on any of the below channels:

Pinterest  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  LTK

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December 5, 2023 at 1:51 pm

Beautiful color scheme 💙

December 5, 2023 at 2:22 pm

Your coastal style is so serene. I grew up in Florida and had an orange-themed wedding =) so love all the orange accents you added to your holiday decor.

January 24, 2024 at 9:56 am

Hello! I love your style and decor – beautiful! I love those Comporta chairs and am thinking of purchasing one. Are they comfortable and deep enough to sit back, or are they pretty firm and more for decoration? I wanted to ask someone who actually owns one! Thank you so much for your help and insight.

January 29, 2024 at 7:14 am

Thank you! We’ve been very happy with them so far. We’ve only owned them about three months but they are comfy! I don’t sit in them that often but my dad and husband actually watched four hours of football in them last night and they both said they’re comfy! They’re not super lounge-y and are a little firm, but still very comfortable. The back has fill rather than a solid foam cushion and they’re fairly deep so I think that’s what makes them comfier. I hope that helps!

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2023 Christmas Tour of Homes

December 9 & 10, tickets on sale now.

Experience the the holiday event of the season! Immerse yourself in tradition and celebrate the season as seen through the lens of FIVE beautiful Waxahachie historic homes this year!

Decorated with unique holiday styles and traditions, this year’s tour visitors will see inside five different architectural styles from historic Queen Anne Victorians to classic MidCentury Modern, and learn about what it’s like to live, work, and play in these historic places. This year features several homes never before seen on the Christmas Tour of Homes , as well as truly special family stories and a special tour experience just for kids!

Once again the tour guide book, which serves as the exclusive ticket to this event, will be a special collectors edition which gives attendees a list of all the home addresses, information on the stops on the tour, and a community map for easy tour-going convenience. Each year, the collectors guide book features custom watercolor art of a Waxahachie home from the previous year’s tour. 

A festive and fun experience for the whole family!

Decorate with Tip and More

CHRISTMAS 2023 HOME TOUR

This  post may contain affiliate links. Click {{ HERE }} for full disclosure.

Join me on a Christmas home tour! Take a peek inside our home decorated for the holidays.

To view all of my Christmas videos you can catch my full playlist on my social media.

Facebook Page Christmas Playlist or YouTube Channel Playlist

Before I start, I want to apologize for the repeat of photos of our home.  I am in bed at the moment not feeling well.  Not a very good start for my Christmas week!  For more details of our Christmas home, click on the words “HERE” to see the full tour of each room.

Make sure you go tour Tammy’s Christmas Home Tour, I will have her link at the bottom of my page.

Christmas Home Tour 2023

Christmas front porch – here.

Christmas Foyer – HERE

Christmas Dining Room – HERE

Christmas Family Room – HERE

Christmas Coffee Table – HERE

Christmas Mantel – HERE

Christmas Tree – HERE

Christmas Guest Bathroom – HERE

Christmas Guest Bedroom – HERE

Christmas Kitchen Hutch – HERE

Christmas Kitchen Decor – HERE

Christmas Breakfast Bar – HERE

Christmas Countertops – HERE

Christmas Laundry Room/Mudroom – HERE

Christmas Half Bathroom – HERE

Christmas Master Bedroom – HERE

To view all of my Christmas 2023 Blog Post you can catch up on them all here:

CHRISTMAS 2023 BLOG POST

I’d love to have you follow along with me as I share more seasonal ideas, budget friendly DIY’s and  home decorating inspiration!

Follow Decorate and More with Tip!! ↓ To find all of my inspiration ↓ Facebook  ◊  Pin terest ◊  Instagram  ◊  HomeTalk  ◊  YouTube

Stay strong and God bless! ♥

To view my privacy policy open  here

Decorating our home on a budget is my thrill.   I think a home can look beautiful without breaking the bank.    Your home should bring the best out of you and make you feel happy.  You should smile every time you enter your home. 🙂

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2 thoughts on “ CHRISTMAS 2023 HOME TOUR ”

What a beautiful home and a fabulous Christmas decorating season. Your home exudes warmth and the magic of the season. Thank you so much for including me in Decorate With Us. Merry Christmas!!!

Thank you Tammy!

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Holiday Home Tour and Winter Wonderland plus The Market Place

Bringing many seasons of joy to celebration and its visitors, holiday home tour welcomes residents and visitors on self-guided tours through seasonally decorated homes., holiday home tour.

Winter Wonderland

The Winter Wonderland experience is one of the stops on the Holiday Home Tour. Winter Wonderland features an exquisite display of themed holiday trees, and tablescapes and vignettes. Everything that you see at Winter Wonderland is available for purchase including the items at the newly added and very popular, The Market Place. The Market Place is the perfect place to find unique gifts for everyone on your list. Winter Wonderland is wheelchair accessible.

Winter Wonderland VIP event

• Elaborate food stations
• Wine and beer bar

Community Connections – May

May 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm.

Welcome to Community Connections! Are you a new or established Celebration resident that wants to know more about the community you [...]

Remodeling a Vintage Farmhouse in the Middle of the Country

CHRISTMAS Christmas Tour 2023 (and 25 Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas)

// similar camper //

On the eve of November turning into the month that is December…

…I had to share.

This year’s Christmas home tour is here.

There’s a little vintage.

And a little farmhouse.

And a little Christmas color.

And a whole lot of tiny villages everywhere and I also wanted to share 25 creative Christmas decorating ideas that I may or may not have made up along the way.

Are you ready?

You might need a beverage for the tour because there is a WHOLE LOT of Christmas going on over here (#calmdownkarianne). I also tried to link the sources where I could, but be sure and let me know if you need help with anything I’m sharing.

LET’S GO.

// blue and white rug // blue and white striped chairs // round coffee table // similar set of marble trees //

// fireplace screen // blue and white rug // blue and white striped chairs // round coffee table // abstract painting //

// blue and white striped ribbon // fireplace screen // blue and white rug // blue and white striped chairs // round coffee table //

25 Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas

1. Make bows from old pieces of ribbon. You can see all my bow decorating ideas and how I make them here.

2. Layer in two types of garland. Here I layered in magnolia and evergreen.

Here’s my best garland hanging tip.

And this is the cord bundler that I use to hang the garland.

// blue and white rug // blue and white striped chairs // round coffee table //

// similar stockings you can personalize before Christmas // blue and white striped chairs //

// similar oversized blue bowl // these 3″ blue and white orbs //

3. Fill a bowl with leftover ornaments and blue and white orbs.  This bowl is sold out now—but I found a similar one here.

4. If you can’t hang stockings on a mantel? Why not use a bookcase or hutch to hang stockings on instead?

// similar gold branches // similar jeweled branches // set of gold ornaments //

// similar white nativity //

5. Tuck branches or stems (like these gold branches and jeweled branches) to add dimension (and fill out the tree).

6. Books are your best friend when it comes to Christmas decor. Add a book under different elements of your display to make it look a little more intentional.

// blue and white striped chairs // similar stockings you can personalize before Christmas //

// similar set of marble trees //

// similar gold elk // abstract painting // navy ornaments //

7. Decorate with ornaments. I add them all over the room—on side tables and here on the mantel.

8. Create your own advent calendar with votives and ornaments. I bought this set years ago from Pottery Barn (you can still find them on eBay).

9. Decorate with presents. Wrap tiny presents up and add ribbon and tuck them around your rooms.

// colorful rug // striped chairs // slipcovers for chairs on end //

10. Don’t overlook the doorknobs. Here I hung a Santa tassel on a ribbon on the vintage door knob. I’ve also hung bells with ribbon from the door knob too.

11. Create a table centerpiece from mini houses. Here I added a few mini houses and ornaments to the center of the table.

// similar house advent calendar // similar Christmas village //

// similar ornament wreath // set of gourd lamps // slipcovers for chairs on end //

12. Hang a wreath from a mirror. I got this ornament wreath from Walmart last year. I wrapped the ribbon around the wreath and taped it to the top.

13. Add a Christmas pillow or two to your dining room chairs. It’s the perfect place to add a little color.

// similar Merry Christmas tin ornament //

// similar glitter house village //

// colorful rug // striped chairs // slipcovers for chairs on end // my favorite bow tree toppers //

14. Add a bow tree topper. It’s so affordable and an easy way to add color to the top of the tree.

You can see all my favorite tree toppers here.

15. Cut pieces of 10″ ribbon and tuck them into the tree. You can also tie them in a knot and or tie them around the branch. It so much easier to add ribbon this way instead of winding the ribbon throughout the entire tree.

16. Make your own ornaments with wood slices. I hosted a glass several years ago with a local artist who showed us how to make ornaments. The only thing better than painting ornaments is painting ornaments with friends.

17. Create a display for your center island with different sizes and textures of Christmas trees.

// similar white church //

18. This wreath is actually two wreaths layered in together. I started with a basic evergreen wreath and then I added a eucalyptus wreath to the very center.

19. I found this paper ribbon years ago. I cut it up and added it to different places all over the house. You could print out paper ribbon on your home computer and create the same look.

// khaki and white rug // tufted chairs // spool side table //

20. Make an advent calendar from tiny trees. I just pulled out the drawers on this vintage piece and added the trees.

You can see the bottle brush advent set used here.

21. Add a driftwood snowflake to the top of the Christmas tree. It makes the perfect tree topper.

// fur stockings //

// bottle brush tree advent set //

// gingerbread house //

// similar white knit stockings // similar grain sack stockings //

22. Create a display on a hutch with tiny bottle brush trees and gingerbread houses and a tiny village.

23. Make stockings out of dropcloth with stamped vintage sayings.

24. Create a centerpiece from a sleigh full of ornaments. I filled it with ornaments and added another paper ribbon with vintage fonts.

// monogram ornaments //

// blue bow tree topper //

25. Add monogram ornaments to the tree. You can custom order them and paint them to match your decor.

You can see the small wood monogram ornaments here.

Happy almost December.

I hope that you enjoyed the tour. It was so much fun to put together. Just between us? This is only the downstairs? I have four more trees upstairs to show including this map/travel tree I’m in the middle of creating. I’ll be sharing all that soon.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything or let me know if I can help with sourcing with rooms on the tour.

Christmas friends have to stick together. 🙂

Looking for Gift Ideas?

Click here to see all my gift guides

photo credit for the photos in this post: Kenna Lynn Photo

disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free? Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Posted On: November 30, 2023

Written By: KariAnne Wood

33 Comments - Leave a comment

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Thistlekeeping

The BEST Christmas Garland Hack

OMG all the trees, lol. I tried the cut ribbon trick for the tree on my screened porch. I don't have a lot of ornaments for it and tucking in the ribbon lengths was a perfect way to fill it out.

Absolutely beautiful! I always love seeing what you have done and you did not disappoint! Merry Christmas!

Thank you dear for sharing your passion for decorating! I really need a boost to get going this year and you have helped me get there. It is all beautiful! My question is a simple one, or maybe not.....where and how do you store all your bits after the holiday? Have a beautiful week!

WOW just one word WOW, thanks for taking the time to put all of this together and sharing..

Cheryl, Of course! Great question! Here’s a post I wrote about how I store all my stuff: https://thistlewoodfarms.com/christmas-organization-ideas-and-how-i-store-all-my-stuff/ happy day, karianne

I just loved every single picture. The colors 😍 just right on mark . 👌 Beautiful

Amazing! Such beautiful work on every area of the house. How many days does it take to get all that done? You must be exhausted. Happy Holidays

So beautiful..so festive. Loved it all. I think you have as many gold toned deer as I do. My family comes in my home and always says "OH DEER". BUNCH OF SMARTY PANTS. Your house is always beautiful, but now it is very heart warming beautiful. So glad I got to see it.

Love it all of course. I do like your gingerbread houses espcially if you know where to find them. Did you make the bottlebrush tree advent? I think you mentioned once your brother made the trees from pallets? Does he sell them? I am sure I could talk my husband into making them but I might be too old to enjoy them by the time he did it! LOL I love all things wood

You are the sweetest! You can see the bottle brush advent tree set here: https://bit.ly/47zbUaB Happy day! KariAnne

Ohhh I adore all the trees!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! xoxo

WOW, KA!!! You have really outdone yourself. Everything looks great. Sure love both of your big trees! Absolutely stunning.

Beautiful! Looking forward to the McKinney home tour! Question?? Do you have a tutorial for hanging Garland on the mantle?

Yes! I use these cord bundlers and they make it so much easier! We are all hooked on them (even my mother)! You can see them here: https://amzn.to/3T57tA1

I love all the vignettes and trees. I can't wait to see the upstairs and what you did. My questions is where did you get the all white nativity, it is beautiful and the stable?

Diana, This one is super similar to the one I have on my dresser in the living room: https://amzn.to/46Esch6 Happy day! KariAnne

#calmdownkarianne...You crack me up! ;-) Thanks for the tour! Now pour a cup of tea and enjoy a Hallmark movie in your gorgeous home. Happy almost December!

I have Window Wonderland all cued up!!! Right after I watch the Housewives! LOL!

Where did you get the gorgeous white Nativity set?

Pat, This one is super similar to the one I have on my dresser in the living room: https://amzn.to/46Esch6 Happy day! KariAnne

What talent-simply gorgeous! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to YOU!

Stunning! A true masterpiece under one roof! So pleased for you, inspired by you and proud to be one of your many devoted followers! You always ROCK KariAnne! Just W-O-W! East Texas Hugs to you! Katy

Simply Beautiful. Big Hugs,

Wow! KariAnne! You outdid yourself. Everything is beautifully put together, colorful, some vintage (my favorite), all totally magical. My favorite is the little wooden houses you found in McKinney that are on the dresser in your hallway by the stairs. Absolutely love those! Thank you for sharing sweet girl!

AMAZING!!!! Merry Christmas!

WOW! WOW! Right now I'm wishing that I was you or at least had YOUR energy! PLEASE-A tutorial on putting ribbon in the tree! I couldn't be the only one who needs help with THIS!? OK, maybe I am........ Please, anyway????

Oh Dear Friend, This is truly magical!!! Your home is so beautiful for the holidays. It screams pure JOY! 🎄❤️🎄

So beautiful. It makes me feel happy looking at all your rooms. We only have one huge real tree and a few tiny sparkling ones scattered among the other decorations. I love the idea of joining two wreaths, I'm going to copy that! We have our grandchildren staying for two weeks over Christmas, so much fun but exhausting! I can't wait to see their sweet faces when they walk in the front door and see all the decorations. Merry Christmas from Australia xx

Ohhhh... I love decorating with ornaments. Seriously, I am known for tucking little ornaments into the oddest of places. Adding the little bit of red to the bowl of blue and white -perfect. Tell us more about the gold and crystal (?) ornaments. Did they come in sets? Do you have more than one set? I'm thinking that they would be a great idea for a window with fairy lights.

Your talent knows no limit. Even when compared to your energy. :) Love it alllllll.

Such eye candy for the holidays! Lost scroll stoppers! I loved every image of your house!!!

KariAnne Your tour is simply amazing. I couldn’t help but chuckle over the fur stocking because if I had it, Rudy would be sniffing it thinking it was another goldendoodle. lol. Have the best weekend.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Christmas home tour 2023.

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hey, y’all!   It’s a great day for a Christmas home tour!   Not much has changed since last year, but I always enjoy welcoming y’all into our home to see all of the coziness anyway.

Come on in!

We actually do have one big difference this year… we finally took the plunge and got an artificial Christmas tree, and it’s the very best thing we’ve done this Christmas season!   No more pine needles everywhere, no more dead tree before Christmas, and no more horrible cleanup after Christmas… I am already so excited for how easy the cleanup is going to be this year!   We bought this tree , and it is seriously stunning in person… you can’t even tell that it’s artificial.   And the best part is – it looks identical to all of our live trees from years past!  

4 comments:

I like the hooks for the stockings and that's so funny that you have a picture of Buzz's girlfriend!

I like how you put the nativity on the coffee table...I might give that a try next year! Everything is stunning, especially the new tree.

It all looks so lovely, as always.

Thanks, Joanne!

Thank you for taking the time to comment... I read and respond to each and every one! However, if you are a no-reply blogger (meaning that your email address is not connected to your Blogger account), I will not be able to reply to you directly via email... you will have to check back on the blog post for a response!

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2023 CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR || PORCH AND ENTRY

Would you like to comment?

So beautiful Jennifer! Your creative ideas always inspire!

Thank you so much Lisa, Merry Christmas to the Young Family!

It is magical, Jennifer!

Absolutely gorgeous! I love it all. The bottlebrush trees are just so cute! Also, I can't believe how high end you made the simple flocked wreath and garland look. I'm definitely adding those to my wish list for next year. You have a masterful touch with scale and color- thank you for giving us this tour!

So fun and festive. I love the wreath and garland. They do look very high end. Thank you once again for your fabulous inspiration.

Jen, you are definitely one I follow for your COLORFUL decorating creativity ideas! Love the bottlebrush trees above the front door way! That is worth repeating next year! Suggestion.....the back of the front door needs 'something'.... =) Thank you for sharing your home as always.......

Oh I just love your home so much. It makes my heart so happy! Also, I love how easy it is to pin your images. I have saved so many great ideas! Merry Christmas, dear maker!

Oh thank you for that feedback Jenny, I appreciate the pins and glad it's helpful! Thanks for being here, Merry Christmas!

I always get super cute and easy ideas from you. Love the bottle brush trees over the door! I must do this 🎄💚🩷

Everything looks so good Jennifer! Love it! Sharon

Love the trees over the door. Your home is fabulous!!

Jennifer, your home is a great big dose of "happy"! I LOVE it! So happy that you share your gift with us. Thank you. Could you also share where those beautiful snowflakes come from? Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy 2024! 💖❄💝

I always enjoy your "tours" and get great ideas from your creativity. I love the footed white containers on your entry table with little trees in them. Do you recall where you have found these? I have looked and looked for a footed white container (all I seem to find is to hold fruit) for a project.

Love it as always!! the bottle brush trees over the door are so adorable.

I love your use of color, it brings a smile every time I see it. Quick question. Where do you storage all of your deco items, how is it organized, by season, by shape, material (glass, paper, etc.)? Easy access?

ik always love your decor! Do you have directions or a tutorial for making the large bows from the runners? Mine do not look like yours - at all!!! Thanks!

Fun, festive and impeccably done, as usual. Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much for leaving a comment, they make my day! If you have a specific question, please make sure to check back here as I will respond in the thread, or leave your e-mail so that I can respond personally. Or, email me directly to address in "Contact" section at top.

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COMING DECEMBER 2023!

The Mt Lehman Christmas Home Tour is back for 2023!

Be part of the movement to eradicate human trafficking. 

December 16-17 & 21-23

This holiday season, the neighbours of mt lehman welcome you to a special place, where beauty, community and purpose come together to celebrate the spirit of christmas. , experience hallmark magic.

The homes in our neighbourhood have starred in over 50 Hallmark Christmas movies! We are inviting you into our homes to enjoy beautiful decorations, live music, and delicious holiday treats.

GIVE THE GIFT OF FREEDOM 

All proceeds of the tour go directly to International Justice Mission to free children from human trafficking. Your family, friend group or business can choose a gift of rescue from our giant giving tree.

2019 Tour Highlights

We have been inspired to do a second home tour. We want to provide a way for people to be part of the movement to end human trafficking and bring freedom to children this Christmas. We are hosting the second Christmas home tour in our historic Mt. Lehman neighbourhood for the benefit of IJM (International Justice Mission). The homes in our neighbourhood have starred in over 50 Christmas movies, mostly Hallmark. 

Beautiful country neighbourhood 

3000+ Attendees

"The best Christmas event around"

Through ticket sales, gifting and donations IJM received $100,000 to rescue people caught in human trafficking!

The homes in this Mt Lehman neighbourhood have starred in more than 50 Hallmark Christmas films! 

2019 Media Coverage:

Global News feature  HERE

Other media coverage:

Vancouver Su n

Abbotsford News

The Province

Lynden Tribune

We live in a charming country neighbourhood where we have had over 50 Christmas Ha llmark movies filmed. This Christmas we are coming together as neighbours to create a Christmas experience that will be like being inside a Hallmark movie - people can walk through the neighbourhood, see inside beautifully decorated homes, hear live Christmas music, visit Santa in a gazebo, climb up into an attic to discover a 52,000 piece Christmas LEGO train, get treats at a Christmas café and a Candy Cottage and do a QR code scavenger hunt to discover which movies the homes have been featured in.

W e’re doing this as neighbours to raise awareness about human trafficking and to help rescue people who have been enslaved - 100% of the proc eeds go to International Justice Mission.

The way our neighbourhood has come together to work for this cause is really heartwarming and a perfect story for for Christmas. 

$30 - Adult Ticket

$28 - Seniors (ages 65+)

$10 - Child ticket (ages 5-12)

Children under 5 are free

Saturday, December 16

Sunday, December 17

Thursday, December 21

Friday, December 22

Saturday, December 23

Time: 12-8pm each day, tickets will be sold for a 2hr time slot. 

See Tickets for more details! ​

More information about International Justice Mission

Slavery at a glance:

There are more than 50 million people in slavery today.

That’s more than ever before in human history.

Slavery is a multi-billion dollar industry.

Around the world, human trafficking generates

$200B CAD annually.

Slave owners prey on the poor and weak.

1 in 4 victims of forced labour slavery is a child.

To  learn  more about IJM's work  check out:

Will you partner with us?  

Classic Christmas Home Tour 2023 {Dining Room}

I change my dining room table every Christmas, but mostly use items I already have. I fell in love with this April Cornell tablecloth and everything fell into place from there.

You can tour the dining room, along with the living room, in this video:

And in photos below…

Other than the linens, I had everything else already from prior years. I layered a Christmas garland, eucalyptus garland and frosty picks down the center of the table.

And then I nestled in red roses.

The bells were a new addition last year that I look forward to using in different ways over the years. They remind me of the saying “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings” and make me think of baby Matthew.

I added red ribbons in the greenery for more color. I’ve reused the cute tags (on sale from Hester and Cook) for three years now.

I don’t keep the table set like that in perpetuity, but I know readers like to see table settings for ideas.  So do I!!  This year it was all set for our family Thanksgiving.

My favorite in this room is the nativity.  It’s one of the very first Christmas decorations I ever purchased, over 20 years ago.  It is so beautifully detailed and the manger has a small light that I love turning on in the evenings.

Christmas 2023 Home Tour video tour |   exterior lighting | exterior | foyer |   living room | den office + powder room |  kitchen + mudroom | dining room grown up bedrooms | teen bedrooms   | porch |   cabana + courtyard Christmas Decor Shopping List Remote Tree Switch | Monogram Guest Towels | Magic Light Wand Balsam & Cedar Candle | North Pole Pillow 1″ Red Velvet Ribbon | 3″ Double Face Satin Red Ribbon Record Player  |   Elf soundtrack vinyl | Battery Tree Candles Flameless candles   Holiday DIY Video Series How to Make Christmas Bows   |   How to Spruce Up a Basic Wreath How to Make a Greenery Bouquet   |   Easy Flower Arranging Tips + Tricks 2 Ways to Tie the Perfect Bow | Candy Cane Calzone Other Holiday DIY 2 Easy Ways to Hang Christmas Wreaths   |   Paper Bow DIY Painted Lamp Shades   |   Reindeer Kid Art | Tinsel Trees All Holiday & Seasonal Decor   |   All things Christmas

2 thoughts on “ Classic Christmas Home Tour 2023 {Dining Room} ”

What a gorgeous table – and tablecloth! The April Cornell flagship store is in Burlington , VT. Did you stop in when you visited? My son goes to college up there and I need to check out the store one of these days! Shelley

Yes! I did! I love her stuff.

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Faun Cariotta

Explore ideas, tips guide and info faun cariotta, daniel boone home candlelight tour 2024.

Daniel Boone Home Candlelight Tour 2024 . The historic daniel boone home ticket sales for the christmas candlelight walk are now available!!!!!! Charles for the christmas candlelight tour.

Event starts on friday, 1 december 2023 and happening at the historic daniel boone. Guests tour the inside of the home and hear.

Sat, 12/09/2023 Step Back In Time To Observe Christmas.

It features local artisans, historical tours, food, music, gem mining and axe throwing.

Christmas Candlelight Walk Hosted By Md Asgor.

Experience a night of warmth and.

Theater Event In Defiance, Mo By The Historic Daniel Boone Home On Friday, December 8 2023 With 329 People Interested And 28 People Going.

Images references :, it features local artisans, historical tours, food, music, gem mining and axe throwing..

Daniel boone lewis iii connley brothers funeral home, the daniel boone home in defiance will hold its annual candlelight tours 6 to 10:30 p.m.

The Historic Daniel Boone Home Ticket Sales For The Christmas Candlelight Walk Are Now Available!!!!!!

Tour 6 homes on this candlelight home tour, including the preservation dallas showcase home available to tour during the friday candlelight tour!

The Daniel Boone Homestead Calendar.

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Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Winter

• Explore the majestic St Petersburg & Moscow on private city tours
• Admire the rich Russian history, art and architecture
• Travel to Moscow on a highspeed train
• Enjoy the local cuisine in stylish restaurants

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

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Small Group Moscow Tours

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

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Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

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