Holiday Gathering Home Tour

Hi friends and welcome to our home!

I’m so excited to share my holiday gathering home tour with you!  Some dear friends and I are inviting you to see how we celebrate the holidays at home!

Throughout this post, you’ll see a variety of memories we enjoy sharing with friends and family!  But first, here’s a look at how we decorate the outside of our home; thanks to my sweet hubby for making it look so festive every year!

As guests enter, they are welcomed with big smiles and open arms!  I’ve simplified our entry quite a bit this year, which has included updating existing pieces for a more modern and classic look.

Reflecting through the French doors is our dining room, where we gather with family and friends for dinners, games, beverages and late night conversations.  I keep it pretty simple in here throughout the year, but I always love to create table scapes and centerpieces during Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Let’s take you into the living room, where all the memories and fun happen!

I’d love to share a fun tradition we started a few years ago involving homemade gifts.  We’re all pretty creative, so we were up for the challenge!  The adults in our family exchange names at Thanksgiving and have one month to complete their gift!  It’s been so fun to see what each person creates and the reactions… Keep scrolling and you’ll see!

The first year we made gifts, my sister-in-law made these adorable wine toppers for everyone!  Needless to say, she outdid us all with this presentation!  Aren’t they cute?  We all poured a glass of wine and thus began the tradition of giving and receiving our homemade gifts.  Please forgive the quality of these upcoming photos.  They were taken quickly (and organically) to document our memories.

We love surprising each other, after all, it’s the best part of the exchange!  When my brother, Kyle walked in with his multi-functional contraption, we were all in stitches!  He loves to rescue other peoples junk and create something unique out of it!  My hubby was the lucky recipient of this gift!

Complete with working lights and storage drawers!  Chris uses it out in the garage to store his tools.  My husband had Kyle and used his new found skill of bladesmithing to make him a beautiful knife!

I taught myself how to arm knit and knitted a chunky smoosh throw for my mom… She immediately wrapped herself in it, which brought a smile to my face.

My dad had my other brother, Kevin and made him the coolest contraption!  I wish it had a cool name, but we just called it a beer dispenser.  Most of the men in our family enjoy beer, so this was a big hit!

Kevin had my dad and made him a coat rack out of an old Chevy engine part.  He was so proud, as you can see here!

My sister-in-law drew my name and taught herself how to use a wood burning tool to create designs on cork trivets.  She also made the tray pictured here.  I was so impressed and use these every time we entertain!

These are just a few of the gifts we exchanged in 2017 and 2018.  I can’t wait to see what we all come up with this year!  I’ll be sure to share in stories in the coming weeks, in case you and your family want to start this fun tradition!  I hope you’ve enjoyed this holiday gathering home tour; it’s been so fun sharing family moments with you!  Please check out my friends below, as they share their holiday gatherings and traditions!  Cheers and Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

Blessings,

 

Shades of Blue Interiors – Wild Flower Home Blog – The Nester – Oscar Bravo Home