Welcome to a Texan family's Christmas in the UK! We recently moved to the London area and did some downsizing of our Christmas decor. But the important and sentimental things are still here. Our new home feels much cozier than our Texas place, so I am really enjoying the Christmas lights, scented candles, and memorable ornaments.
You might remember that I've participated in Christmas Home Tours (in the blog world that is!) in the past. Here's our home in 2008 and again in 2010.
And here you can see our collection of Advent Calendars. This year is no different...we are following along in a countdown to Christmas with Lego Star Wars, Playmobil, a paper Buckingham palace, the felt ornament tree, and a Jackie Lawson online London calendar. All these countdowns keep us busy in the morning!
Let's get started with the tree in the living room. We bought an artificial tree at our favorite store Longacres. It is lit with soft white LED lights and lots of sentimental ornaments. We have an angel on top.
We have a tradition of buying an ornament when we go on vacation someplace. Here are some of these special ornaments.
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| A Christmas Angel from our 10th anniversary trip to Hawaii |
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| The Eiffel tower of Paris |
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| Disney World 2009 |
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| Disney World 2007 |
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| A British corgi - the queen's breed of dog |
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| San Diego Zoo |
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| New York City taxi |
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| San Francisco |
In our conservatory (sun room) by the kitchen, we put a small potted tree. I love the colored lights on this tree. Here in the UK, the sun comes up right before 8am and goes down around 3:45. So this little spot of color brings lots of cheer in the kitchen as I'm getting breakfast ready or cooking dinner.
Our stockings.... I made these and need to find time to do needlework again!
Here is our entry hall. I love to collect snow globes. Grace is my official nativity scene designer. She likes to rearrange the nativity scenes!
And our dining room...
Here is our breakfast room. This is the Buckingham palace advent calendar. There is a soft felt Christmas tree with ornaments from when the kids were toddlers. And a quote from our favoritesChristmas movie - Elf. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear!"
And what Christmas tour would be complete without the American Girl vignette that Grace put on display in her room. Note the party lights, the Eiffel Tower tree topper, the gifts she wrapped, the angel costume, and the party food.
Here's the kitchen. One of my favorite things here is being able to find fresh greenery in my yard to decorate for Christmas. I bought the wreath, but found the items for the vase in our yard.
On my kitchen sink area are past Christmas pictures, a gorgeous cyclamen, and a vibrant amarylis.
Thank you for looking at our Christmas decorations!
Leave a comment and say hello...I'd love to go look at your blog too!
Leave a comment and say hello...I'd love to go look at your blog too!
Linking to:
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| via 517creations |
Love the stockings on the staircase. That's how we did them when I was growing up (we didn't have a fireplace)! :)
ReplyDeletewe buy ornaments on vacation as well!
ReplyDeleteSo far your decorating is so a lot like mine and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! You have a beautiful home and what a awesome idea about buying the ornaments when you go on vacation. I may actually have to start doing that with my fiance! Have a merry christmas and thans for letting us peek inside your beautiful home! :0)
ReplyDeletevery pretty! I like the stockings on the staircase :)
ReplyDeleteLove those big picture windows in your kitchen! The green wreaths look great there!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful tree! I love the ornaments especially the mickey ears :)! I love the American girl dolls around the tree how cute!
ReplyDeleteLovely decorations, your daughters tree is so cute!
ReplyDeleteYour home looks wonderful decked out for Christmas. Following you. Diane
ReplyDeleteLove the American Girl doll vignette. :-) How cute. I have a soft spot in my heart for those dolls. ;-) Special Christmas memories...
ReplyDeleteHow do you like life in the UK? I would love to visit England, but I know what is like to actually live in a foreign country, as I lived in Australia for 7 years. And I must say there is no place like the USA to call home. :-)
Your tree is beatuiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the popularity of the small tabletop trees. They're a great way to create several different themes.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Does your family participate in Boxing Day?