Hey, internets – welcome to the 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes!
I’ll go ahead and confess to y’all that I panicked a little bit last week when I realized that this tour-o-homes business was on the horizon and, HELLO, MY HOUSE LOOKS JUST LIKE IT ALWAYS DOES AT CHRISTMAS, OH SWEET MERCY THE PRESSURE.
But then I remembered that there are a few little traditions that I’ve never shared with you, and as you can imagine my relief was palpable.
First, though, let’s look at all the stuff that looks just like last year!
THIS MUST BE SO EXCITING!
And with lights!
Oh, we are very fancy. And once again I can take absolutely no credit at all for my tree, because Mama decorated every single bit of it. Thankfully she didn’t take any tree-related tumbles this year, though the decorating was briefly interrupted by a pesky stomach virus. Obviously she rebounded and finished the task at hand remarkably well.
As always I decorated the bar in our living room. For those of you who aren’t familiar with why there’s a bar in our living room, here’s the gist: our house was built in 1974, and apparently early-70s homeowners felt it was imperative that beverage service be located within ten feet of the television. For whatever reason I get a kick out of the fact that the wet bar now boasts garland, lights, Christmas stockings, and a one-armed monkey stocking hanger.
See? That’s our one-armed monkey stocking hanger. The monkey used to have two arms, but then he tied up with a certain two year-old a few years ago, and the two year-old won. The monkey still does an absolutely beautiful job holding a stocking, though, and I smile every single time I walk past him.
(He’s also completely broken in two at the waist, so it stands to reason that he could use some encouragement.)
Our Christmas card tree – which is a 6 1/2 foot tree that we got for free and now use to display Christmas cards in the playroom – is one of my favorite traditions. It brings me untold delight, especially around December 24th when it’s chock-full-o-cards.
And, as always, I LURVE me a festive table.
For the last several years I’ve put my parents’ aluminum Christmas tree (from way back in ye olden 60s) in our little boy’s room. He loves it because it’s shiny (it’s also very lean-y) and because we put Mickey Mouse lights on it. All the ornaments on this tree are from my childhood – my brother’s elves, my sister’s carolers, my handmade stuff from Sunday School and kindergarten – and it’s so much fun to see how much the little man enjoys it.
And another fun thing in his room? This giant stocking hanging from a curtain rod.
In the past I’ve always done garland and lights outside our front door, but this year I wanted to do something a little more simple because, well, I just wanted to do something a little more simple, AS IS MY PREROGATIVE AS A FEMALE, OH THANK YOU. So I found this cool iron container at TJ Maxx for $9.99, and I filled it with some pieces of a shrub that’s in our backyard.
And just to clarify for all you gardener people, I believe that the Latin name of the greenery I used is shrubae in our backyardae.
Be sure to look for it in your favorite horticulture journals.
The container tends to clang against the front door when people walk in or leave, so it also works as a bell. Who knew my $9.99 would provide me with a container for greenery and an entry notification system? I’m completely undeserving of such good fortune.
Finally, when we were visiting my brother and sister-in-law last weekend, I was totally captivated by the Nativity scene they have in their foyer – and I took a picture of it just for y’all. Because I love how every single creature in the stable is looking at the manger and anticipating the arrival of Jesus.
May the same be true of us, sweet friends.
Thanks so much for joining in the fun today – I hope you have a great time touring and commenting and visiting and whathaveyou. Remember, as I’ve said before, this is a marathon, not a sprint, so PACE YOURSELVES, PEOPLE. Drink lots of water, eat lots of protein, and please, as always, no wagering.
Oh, I kid. But y’all make this so much fun, and I am grateful.
Four quick things before I go:
– It would be great if you’d leave a comment when you visit the blogs that are participating in the Tour. Even a short comment can encourage someone so much!
– Here’s a refresher on Christmas Tour guidelines.
– Everyone who leaves a comment is eligible to win a very special door prize from Engraved Euniques. I’ll draw for the prize this Friday, December 19.
– Please make sure to leave a link for YOUR POST’S SPECIFIC URL, NOT THE GENERAL URL OF YOUR BLOG.
Merry Christmas, y’all!
Your home is just lovely! I wrote a post last week and included some pics of my home at Christmas. I have a short post prior to the pics so I hope that’s ok!
I have the Johnson Brother’s Friendly Village China too! I LURVE your festive table as well!!!!
Love your card tree. I keep my cards in a display “thingy” on the back of my front door. Then, every week, we pick a card and pray for all those people through out the year. I see it every morning when I come downstairs. What a great reminder of how blessed we are to have amazing friends! Blessings!
I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks! Thanks for hosting it again, and Merry Christmas!
I haven’t ever heard of this until this year…I am excited to be a part of it.
Thank you!
Wow what participation, I just had to join.
Aww! The aluminum tree is my fav!
Your decorations are just so lovely–especially your tree:)
Happy 2008 Tour–YAY!!
Julieann
Thanks for hosting such an awesome tour!! Can’t wait to check out everyone’s decor…Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you for hosting.
We have a bar too, but the former owner moved it, plumbing and all, to the foyer. I didn’t like that look – booze upon arrival – so it has been transformed into a coffee bar. Now when you walk in you smell the coffee and see the tea…
Just a thought for ya!
Please hug the one armed monkey on my behalf.
God bless you!
Oh my…so many already!!! I’m breaking into a cold sweat wondering when I will find time to look at all the beauty!! I will just have to take your advice and pace myself!!
Your home looks beautiful and inspires me to go clean up my house from the busy weekend so people might actually see I DO in fact have Christmas decorations hidden in here somewhere!! Oh, I kid! :)
I am all ready for your visit!!!
Your Holiday decor is beautiful…love it! Thanks so much for hosting this bloggy event! This is my first year participating and I can’t wait to see everyone’s homes. Have a great day!
Your decorations are beautiful! I especially like the idea of a Christmas card tree!
Thanks so much for hosting this! It’s my first year to participate, and I’m so excited to see everyone’s home.
Merry Christmas!
I adore the card tree! I want to do that!!
Thank you for being The Hostess with the Mostest.
I absolutely love your decorations.
Seasons Greetings to You and Yours.
Thanks for hosting this! I can’t wait to look at as many as I can tonight when I get off work!!
The one armed monkey is most definitely my favorite! And I love the Christmas card Christmas tree. I am always searching for fun new ways to display all of the Christmas cards we receive!
Thanks, Boo Mama, for hosting such a fun event. Merry Christmas!
All your trees are fab! Maybe one day I will get my hands on an aluminum tree. Perhaps a pink one for baby girl’s room next year? I love the Christmas card tree idea. Your table is gorgeous! I know your wonderful southern Christmas feast will taste extra good at it. Merry Christmas to you!
Boy, I think I had to scroll down for a full 5 minutes before hitting the bottom of your comments! :v)
Your tree is gorgeous. Your mom does a wonderful job as usual! I’m glad to hear there were no tree decorating injuries. The monkey and memories is sweet.
You have decorated beautifully, BooMama! Gorgeous!!
Your home is a wonderland. Thank you for sharing it with all of us, and for sponsoring this great blogging event.
Thanks for doing this again Sophie. It’s just so fun. Loved all your gorgeous decorations.
What a GREAT job you’ve done! I’m going to come back and link in.
If you hot glue an eraser (from a pencil) to the tin vase, the clanging magically stops!!! :) I LOVE all the decorations!
Hi! Nice to meet you!What gorgeous Christmas decorations….just beautiful!!! I made post about your party. I love participate in your party!!!!
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Your decorations are beautiful. I especially love the retro 60s items! Thanks for the tour
How fun! I can’t wait to check out all of the decorations!
Your house is gorgeous. I especially love your beautiful table!
What a wonderful idea, I’ve just added mine. I’m going to work my way through all these posts in the next few days and see everyone’s creativity :)
I’m amazed you have so many “entries” on there! This is gonna take me all day, what fun! I also love the way the nativity set is arranged – I’m gonna go home and re-do mine.
Thanks for hosting such a WONDERFUL party!! It’s my first year attending!!
Your home is beautiful!!
Merry Christmas!
~Tidymom
Thanks for hosting this! It’s my first Christmas blogging. I can’t wait to see everyone’s homes!
Your house looks beautiful! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas! This is my first year to participate. Can’t wait to see all the decorations. :-)
Oh my goodness! Is ANYONE going to be look at all of these? If so, I think they should win the prize! :)
Thank you for hosting! I love the stocking you hang in your son’s window. What a lucky boy!
You Christmas card tree is a great idea! Love it!
I am linked and ready to go! This is my first year to participate. Merry Christmas everyone! Looking forward to checking out as many entries as I can!
Thanks so much for hosting the tour! Merry Christmas!
PS. Your home is very beautiful!
Thanks for hosting, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s decorations!
…and I love your card tree. I’ll have to give it a try next year.
Thanks for doing this! Love it!
Thanks for sharing the tour of your home. Great decor!
wonderful idea! You will need a couple of virtual tour buses to accomodate all these folks!
Oh, BooMama. You know I held my own little “tour” this year. And when I say little, I mean LITTLE.
P.S. I’m gonna have to start the card tree trad. I’ve always wanted multiple trees and that seems like a wonderful excuse for another!
I did it!!! I think I set everything up correctly and got to play along this year. I can’t wait to see everyone’s home, Sophie, your home is beautiful, as always.
Your front door decoration is beautiful! Thanks for hosting such a fun Christmas event for all of us in blogland! :)
Thank you so much for coordinating the Christmas Tour of Homes! I should be cleaning house; instead, I’m spending hours upon hours on the computer touring and commenting and replying! So much fun!! Your home looks beautiful; I especially love your table settings and the card tree. I hope you have a great day and thanks again! I stayed up way too late last night in anticipation and it was well worth it!
Your home is so beautiful…thank you for hosting this Christmas tour…thios is my first time participating!
Okay! I was number 400 to put my blog on the list, that must mean something great, right? I love this tour of homes and I can’t wait to look through everyones homes! There are so many!
How lovely! Thank you for being our host and for bringing us together. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Loved seeing your beautiful home all decorated. Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour of homes!
BooMama – Your home is beautiful. I’ve followed your blog for a couple years, but never commented. I’ve finally started a blog of my own and I am so excited to participate in the Tour of Homes this year. Such fun! Have a very blessed Christmas!
I love the monkey! You have great style…it’s Southern, so different than what we see in California. Beautiful. Thank you for generously hosting this fun event. I’m 405.
I love, love, love this!! SOOOOO much fun. Your home is gorgeous and I love little man’s stocking curtain.
Happy Ho-Ho
JESUS is the reason for the season!
Blessings to you all my precious Sistas!
How blessed we are to have such lovely homes! Thanks for sharing them!
It’s all good in the Sista-HooD!
Love,
Sista Staci :)
Look at all the people!! So great! Beautiful Christmas decorating, Boo!!
oh my goodness! 412 homes of holiday fun! No way! I must start browsing now!!
Thanks for hosting such a fun party! This is my first year to participate and I look forward to doing it again!
This is so much fun! It’s my first year to participate…thanks for hosting!
Your dining room table is beautiful! The blue trees add such a festive touch.
this is so exciting, I just added photos to my blog. I loved your home and the stockings are so sweet :) Beary Hugs, Catherine x
My favorites were the little stories that were attached to favorite items around your house, the card and tinsel trees, and the ginormous stocking in your son’s room. Fab-u-lous!
Have a great Monday and thank you for hosting such a thing as this!
WOWZA! It will take me days to get thru all these!
I love the tours and have been looking forward to it! I don’t think I’ll make it thru all 500 though!
I am all linked up! Thanks for hosting..
Christmas in Morocco when we don’t have our things with us. It’s okay–we have legos. I hope you don’t mind; I liked to a recent post as I forgot you were doing this today. But my post is all about our Christmas decorations. Come see!
I can’t believe I posted at 6:45 this morning and was already 200+ down the list. Man there are some early birds on this list!
Thanks for hosting again this year.
FUN tour! I’ve added your button to my site along with my Tour! Pop over if you have time… so many people to visit… I think I will put on Christmas music and visit ALL DAY LONG! FUN FUN FUN!!!
ENJOY the Holiday Season!
Fifi
I love your table setting with the trees! that is so gorgeous! :)
Thank you for doing this! What fun!!
I think this is a fabulous idea! i love seeing everyone’s creativity and beautiful decorations as well as their lovely homes! I just added mine and i’m #431! wow! that’s a lot! Merry Christmas and God Bless!
~Bekah
Magnolia, Arkansas
How exciting! This is my first year to participate and I’m thrilled since no one will be able to see my house in real life!
I love the card tree! Great idea. I can see why it would be one of your favorite traditions.
Merry merry and thanks for doing this.
Thanks so much BooMama! This is my first year to participate and I can’t wait to look at all the beautiful decorations while I wait for our baby to come!! :-)
Love your house – it’s so festive! It’s only 11am, and I’m number 400-something on the list. It’s going to be a busy week!
I just love the idea of the Christmas card tree – we may have to get another tree now! We are just decorating around here – bought our tree yesterday. My little boy’s b-day is early in the month, and I like to wait until after his birthday to decorate – you know, to keep ‘birthday’ separate from ‘holiday’. Except that this year, he’s asked me SO many times why the lights aren’t out yet. Guess it only bothers me – so we’ll be decorating after Thanksgiving next year and I hope to join your tour then!
I love the monkey stocking holder!
A beautiful home you have! Thanks for sharing! This is a fun tradition to come peek inside and see what Christmas means to everyone.
~Amy
i LOVE the fact that i’m not the only one who puts trees and/or christmas decor in every room of my house!!!
I have really enjoyed touring everyone’s homes. Thanks for hosting!
I think you should post the picture of your Mama’s legs sticking out from under the Christmas tree every.single.year. ‘Cause that was all kinds of funny (disclaimer: had she actually gotten hurt it would’ve been awful!)
Everything is lovely. I believe I will be a looker and not participate. I’m too much of a messy. I love your happy comments. The card tree is a good idea. Merry Christmas.
My post is finally up. What fun this will be.
Cheers, Kiy
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Madeline
Thanks so much BooMama for making a way for all of us to share our Christmas with each other – this is way fun!!
Blessings,
Leisha
Your home looks wonderful! Thanks so much for hosting this tour, I’m having lots of fun (in five minute increments cuz I’m juggling two kids)!!!
What a fun idea! I will have to clean up my house and try to join in, but I am looking forward to taking a peek into some of these homes! Thanks for sharing yours too!
thanks for sharing your home and hosting this fun peek at holiday decorating.
I just happened to find this after I just did a post about our Christmas decor last night, how fun! Our decorations arent too extravagant, but Im sharing anyways! Thanks for hosting:)
I love the Christmas tours! It’s always so fun to see how everyone gets festive!
Holy cow, protein is right! I could spend all week looking at these!! :)
Beautiful table! I wish I could be that fancy. I’m just visiting other homes this year, not posting my own pictures. I love seeing what other people do in their homes.
This is such a brilliant idea! Love the Christmas Card Tree!!
Thank you BOO!!
Love this!…Beautiful!..
Love your home and your blog is hysterical!
This year it was tough to decorate, so we didn’t do tons, but what we did do was meaningful. I’m excited to tour!
Enjoyed the tour. I looked great to me. The narration was the best.
Thanks for hosting this fun show off! I am a little late to the party but I arrived just the same! Wow! So many people joined in the fun. I hope I can get around to visit them all by Christmas. You are so fun!
Love you bunches, and have a blessed Christmas and New Year!
Loving this idea! Lots of fun.