Jesus, Simple, Traditional, Vintage and Needle and Thread Thursday

Those 4 words are how I wanted my home to feel and what I wanted it to reflect this year during the Christmas season. Last year I had a lot of lime green, glittery stuff, and other colors. This year I wanted it to feel more authentic and real. I love Santa and other fun decorations, as you saw on my mantle here, but I wanted my manger scenes to be the focus of my decorations in my living room and den. I bought this manger set for $20 in 1993 when I was pregnant with Logan. I can remember exactly how much it cost, because I was 23 and broke! I had just started teaching and didn’t really have the money for a lot of decorations. I had to do the best I could with what I had, but I DID splurge on this Nativity scene and my first Santa.  I didn’t have the manger then. That was a find at Wal-mart when Andrew and I first married.  It’s my favorite Christmas decoration of all, and I had so much fun putting it out this year and explaining the meaning of each piece to my girls.

I decided to place it on my antique library table in my living room. It’s the first thing you see when you enter the living room from the kitchen/dining room.

This is what my family and guests are greeted with first. I put some pieces of burlap on the table to soften it up and give it a more rustic realistic feel.

Some close ups of the figurines:

I love the sweet Mary in this set.

I love the moss and all the other details on the manger.

The little logs and burlap bag…..

The cow, sheep, and piece of pottery all work together.

I wanted to use other rustic elements on the table like these moss balls wrapped in a cut piece of upholstery webbing and accented with greenery and red balls.

This sweet angel was a gift from my mother in law a few years ago.

More moss balls and “holly”….

Another view…

I also gave my lamp a Christmas update. You can see how I made the holly wrap here.

I love the way this tabletop turned out…. It feels so calm and is a favorite spot in my house. I love being greeted by this every time I enter the room.

I have more decorations to share over the next few weeks. This is such a HAPPY Christmas for our family. We are enjoying every minute and look forward to sharing more Christmas spirit with family and friends. Little children definitely bring out the Christmas joy!

I will post Needle and Thread Thursday tonight. I wanted to be able to share this vignette at Rhoda’s Christmas vignette party.  Head over there to see more Christmas gorgeousness!

I have Christmas flannel ruffle pants to share today. They’re so warm, comfy, and CUTE. I also have 3 patterns to giveaway, so check back later tonight.

love and hugs,