Today on the blog, my dear friend, Heather is sharing the festive Christmas touches she’s added to her home. The splashes of bold red she incorporated this year are so cheery! Heather has a gift for hospitality and refreshing those who enter her home – and I’ve experienced this firsthand. I always come away from her home feeling loved and encouraged by her example as a wife and mom. My hope is that this post gives you a little glimpse into the heart and home of this godly woman.
We’ve been in our new home for less than two months. I must admit, I went through a little grieving process when we left that first home we had ever owned (I admit I have a sentimental streak). With it nearing Christmastime, I had already begun to get little bursts of excitement when I would think about bedecking our living area with all the Christmas-y touches I love so much. But when God so unexpectedly provided a beautiful new home for us, I had to let go of seeing that house decorated for Christmas one more time.
But, God knows these seemingly “little” desires of our hearts. He knew that moving into this new home shortly before Christmas and giving it all the holiday touches would help this house to begin to feel like home.
Our home now is quite a bit larger than the last one, so the temptation can certainly be to go all out. But God has been re-challenging my heart that it’s ok to keep things simple, and what is most important is to make this season all about meditating on HIM. It’s caused me to be more reflective in my decorating, remembering that Jesus is the centerpiece of this beautiful holiday.
Another thing impressed on my heart this year is that our decorations not cause my children or anyone entering our home to feel that they have to be over-careful or uncomfortable. I want our kiddos and guests (especially those with children) to be able to enjoy the beauty without unnecessary stress that they will break or mess something up. With four children it’s almost inevitable that a little hand will grab an ornament off the tree or reach up and snatch a pinecone off the piano. But, when it’s kept fairly simple, it’s not continually a cause of tension or temptation upon their little minds and hearts.
One of my favorite places to decorate for that very reason was the mantle. It’s out of reach of little hands, and able to be enjoyed thoroughly by all. Give me ALL the pine this year!
I bought a package of six plain stockings a few years ago and painted each one a little bit differently. It was a fun way to personalize them in a subtle way.
One thing we did splurge on this year was a new tree! We’ve been super content with a four-foot tree for the past 8 years, but with our high ceilings, it’s thrilling to have the space for one that “soars” a little bit.
Last year my in-laws bought us this beautiful nativity scene, and I LOVE having it displayed on our inherited upright piano!
I’ve always loved simple, classic Christmas decorations. Some years I’ve gravitated toward less color and more gold and silver, but this year I’m loving the bright pops of red from things like berries and our buffalo plaid table runner (which I found at Marshall’s for $10!).
Last year my dad bought me a beautiful, gold candle from a very old French candle company. He said it’s to be lit once at the beginning of the Advent season. We loved starting that tradition last year, and this year our kiddos could hardly wait to get it out and light it while we sat together and focused our hearts on Jesus.
And here are a few more Christmas-y accents around our home that give me a little thrill every time I see them.
(Our trusty Mongolian warrior who’s been a fixture in every home we’ve lived in since we got married. He looks pretty good surrounded by pine, too)
I hope that even from afar you felt welcomed into our earthly dwelling. And I pray that in this last week before Christmas that your heart is filled with the hope that the coming of Jesus brings this season and every single day of the year.
Heather Cofer is a wife and mother of four with a passion for encouraging others to love Jesus with all their hearts. She is a regular contributor for the ministry of Set Apart Girl, as well as a guest writer for several other ministries. She and her husband both grew up overseas on the mission field, and are still actively involved in ministry in their church where her husband serves as a pastor.Heather and her family currently live in Northern Colorado. You can follow along on Heather’s journey through her website, heathercofer.com.
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PREVIOUS CHRISTMAS TOURS:
Embracing Contentment: The Townhome Cottage
Whispers of His Glory: The Cobblestone Cottage {Guest Post}
