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!
Oh, what fun! I can’t wait to view the other homes on the tour. I love the mention of your parents’ old tree. We also have one in our possession, but our two-year-old doesn’t quite have the hang of leaving it alone. :) Looking forward to it! Thanks for starting such a cool thing!!!
You sweet little BooMama you for hosting all of us crazy people. I love these little linkies and can’t wait to see them all. Your house looks beautiful.
So fun, merry christmas everyone!
I love the card tree idea! No I might have to look for another tree!
Thanks for hosting this beautiful party!
What a FANTASTIC turnout! I’ve already seen some terrific decor and some delicious Christmas treats. Thank you so much for hosting! May your Christmas be a merry and blessed one!
Merry Christmas everyone!
BooMama-
I have waited so long to do the Christmas Tour!! I learned of it a few weeks ago and have been so excited. I just posted my link.
I love you for doing this!!
-Jessica
Whew, even with total procrastination, I managed to get my post up TODAY. Now to take a look at all the other pretty decor….
You ladies are incredible! Talk about making a girl feel totally decoratingly inadequate! Good grief! :) But I love all the same! Thanks for hosting, BooMama!
May you have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you so much for hosting this event again, I so enjoyed it last year and have been looking forward to it this year:-) Your home is beautifully decorated and I loved hearing the story behind the one armed monkey! lol Merry Christmas! xox
Super fun idea! i can’t wait to look around!
I want to move into Alex’s room… that alumninum tree plus the giant stocking… HEAVEN!!! :-)
Beautiful pictures. I loved the table with the blue trees and the silver tree from your parents. I also love the broken monkey stocking hanger. The memories and traditions of Christmas that keep us putting out our broken stuff even though any other time of year we would buy new. I do it too and am glad I am not alone.
Thank you for hosting such a fun event. You put a lot of work into this. Thanks
First there was the delicate spitting-of-coffee that happened when I read “shrubae”…
which led to the try-to-laugh-silently-so-people-don’t-think-you’re-deranged as I got to the “Entry Notification System”.
But then I just let the tears FLOW when I read your sweet reminder and blessing to us, your gentle readers, to:
Stop
Look
Anticipate.
Thank you, dear BooMama.
I finally got my home decorated…I’m late this year. I love your Christmas card tree. I love all the ideas I get from all of you talented gals in bloggy world. Merry Christmas! Connie
Yeah!! I got mine up! :) This is alot of fun! Merry Christmas
OK! I’ve uploaded some Christmas cheer to my blog. I look forward to visiting everyone! Have a happy week. Warmly, Cathy ^..^
Thank you for hosting such a fun event! I love it!!
Was only able to post the first link – but hope ya’ll will check out the others. It’s the most decorative time of the year!
~Kate
WHat a great idea! I love seeing how everyone has their own unique way of decorating and celebrating. Thanks for doing this!
This is such a great idea!
I love looking through everyone’s cute Christmas decor =]
Beautiful! I loved the one armed monkey!! :) Too cute!
I love seeing ALL the homes. Beautiful
OK now I have a million ideas for next year :)
I love your one-armed monkey stocking hanger, Sophie. It’s maybe my favorite thing. Or maybe, my favorite thing is the tree in Alex’s room. No wait! It’s all the decorations on the bar. Yes. I’m sure it’s all the decorations on the bar. :-)
Love your decorations, thanks for hosting!
Wow, girl, you got some followers! Thanks for hosting this great party. Love your blog!
Lamp Tramp
This is my first year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the tour. Thanks so much for this great event!
Thanks! This was so much fun.
This was so much fun!
WOW…I’m #496 to post! I have a lot of homes to tour!! :)
Thanks so much for hosting this…it’s so much fun!
Merry Christmas!
Awwwww!!! This was SO much fun! What a great hostess! Love your house–all warm and cozy…I’m so glad I stubled across your virtual tour of homes! Merry Christmas from the Steece family!
SO MUCH FUN BooMama! Where I come from, we have to PAY money to tour houses & see decorations at Christmastime. This is sweet! And I get to sit on my comfy couch the whole time! Thank you! And Merry Christmas!
WOW, what a FUN opportunity – esp. on this VERY cold day! (in IL) Enjoyed ‘seeing’ your home!! Blessings to you! -Kristy
How fun! Okay, I love the card tree…love it! And I love the nativity scene with everyone looking at Jesus, wow.
I linked to my site just because it’s all Christmas, all the time over there!! Hope that is OK!!
Thanks for hosting, fun, fun, fun!!!
Love your site. Very inspiring!
WOW, you are going to need a really good carpet cleaner after all these visitors have finished coming to visit you. Everything is looking lovely. Well done to you on hosting this wonderful event, I look forward to improving my own decorations for next year so I have something different to show off. Merry Christmas
It’s been SO much fun seeing everyone’s decorations. Thanks for sharing!!!
Holy commenters!
Where did you get the fluffy trees on the dining room table – LOVE THOSE!!!!!!!!
I finally got mine listed! Hey! It’s only 4pm. Not bad. ;)
oh this has been so much fun – I had to force myself to stop looking and go to bed at midnight – up at 7am to feed the goats and here I am on here again to check the new houses.
LOL
I love, love, LOVE your table!!!!!
So fun!! I have loved visiting all these amazing houses filled with all these awesome bloggers!
How fun! But OH MY it will take me days to look at all of these! Hope the family doesn’t miss me.
Thanks for much for hosting. Lots of fun!!
This has been so much fun. It is amazing what folks have done.
Thanks for hosting the tour.
Love looking at all of the decorations! Getting some ideas to work on for next year!
Thanks for doing this, Sophie! You are the Queenie!
Thanks for hosting! These are going to entertain and inspire me the rest of the week! Merry Christmas.
I had fun! I love looking at the stuff. Read what my hubby said about me taking pictures of our house! Funny!
It was great fun participating in the Christmas Tour. But I think the best part was your one-armed monkey!
It’s like paying for a house tour, but it’s free, and you can do it from the comfort of your own office sipping Starbucks.
Thanks so much for hosting! This is fun…I can’t wait to visit everyone’s homes!
I love your tree…so pretty!
Blessings!
Thanks for letting me be a part of this!
What a treat it is to see everyone’s homes. Thank you for hosting!
Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful home! Thank you for hosting this fun event! Merry Christmas!
Your home is beautiful!! I love the idea of a Christmas tree for all of your Christmas cards!!
Merry Christmas.
Your house is so cute!!! Thanks for doing this every year :)
I love the card tree. Actually I love it all, this is my first time reading your blog and I really enjoyed the tour.
Well… the linky thing is gone maybe because I waited until #507 to post? This is my home at Christmas http://bunchofscrap.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-home-tour.html
I hope the Mr. Linky works soon so I can visit all the others!
Where did the Mr. Linky go? I want to go on a Christmas home tour.
Just came back to do some more home-touring, and I can’t find all the links, what am I missing? Was their an overload??
Thanks, Kelly
How fun! What a great idea to put out a simple iron container and put on your door, I would have never thought of that!
I thought I was going nuts, but I see I’m not the only one who can’t see Mr. Linky anymore. :v(
Does anyone know what number Mr. Linky was at before he crashed? Just curious.
Susanne, what a cute little smiley face with a nose!
Kelly
wow! I dont think it’s even possible to look at all these beautiful homes! Thanks for hosting the tour and merry Christmas! :-)
Your decorations are fancy and fun! Especially the one armed monkey!!!
thank you, boo mama! i love your tinsel tree. very cool! :)
How fun this has been..thanks for doing this. I have seen it everywhere in the blog world! It got me going this season to get everything up..I kept thinking Dec. 15th..booMama!
-sandy toes
This is great… so excited to see the rest of the blogs when mr. linky gets running again!
Merry Christmas!!!!
So much fun! Love your home! Merry Christmas!
Love the little monkey stocking hanger, even if he is a little “short handed”! I can’t wait to see everyone’s stuff!
Love the card tree! Thank you for hosting this fun event.
I don’t know if it’s my computer or Mr. Linky but all the Mr. Linkys are missing from all the blogs right now… I backtracked till I found an archived version of your post and added mine to your list though :)
Love the decorations. My favourite is your table setting. Merry Christmas!
will one more comment even matter?
Girl, it’s cleat alot of people love you.
Thank you for such a lovely tour.
I’m posting later this week….a tribute to people like you….calling the post “Move over Martha”
stop on over….I’ve got the table set!
ooops…..
http://savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com
Mine’s here: http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/the_simple_wife/2008/12/come-on-over.html
wow! your party is amazing! super cool! I love your decoration!
my link is!! I hope you your visit!so, you have big job, there are a lot of blog in your party!regards from Argentina!;)besos
my link is http://wwwpurocolor.blogspot.com/2008/12/decoracion-en-navidad-christmas.html
Putting the finishing touches on the decor as we speak–check in with us in a little while! =)
I think we might have overloaded mr linky!!! Wow did you expect so many entries?!! How much fun is this!!!
blessings
mary
I’m #505- better late than never! I can’t wait to visit everyone else. Thanks Boomama! Your one armed monkey sure made me smile :-)
Beautiful table.
I loved everything.
Merry Christmas
thank you for another year of lovely tours!
*gasp*
We BROKE Mr. LINKY !?!
Did we blow up Mr. Linky?
love, love, love the blue feather trees!!
Am I missing something? Mr. Linky isn’t showing up now.
This is my favorite time of the year! Love the tour of homes and I am so stealing your Christmas Card tree idea…if that’s okay with you of course. =)
Merry Christmas BooMama
Had so much fun…at work because of you! Bless you and the many good works you bring! k
Lovin’ your house, BooMama! Especially that vintage aluminum tree! Thanks for hosting this fun event:)
Merry Christmas!
Hope you have a Cherry Christmas!
I’m a little late posting my own decorations, but I had a great time checking out some really wonderful and creative decorating ideas! I’m going to have to improve for next year!
This is so much fun! Your house looks beautiful! I especially love your feather trees on your dining room table. You know not everyone can pull off feather tree, but you make it look sooo easy.
Merry Christmas!
I’m so excited about the tour even though my decorations are not the best in the world. I’m a newlywed so we are definitely working on that are of our lives. Thank you for hosting such a fun tour!