CHRISTMAS DECOR: Christmas Hospitality Tour (Part 1)

<div style="text-align: center;">Now that our family is finally past colds, flu, and taking my son to college - </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm catching up on our fabulously fun Christmas Hospitality Tour. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We had 9 participating homes  - and a good turn out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope our tour inspires you and that you enjoy the photos! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">HOUSE #1- Ashley</span></strong>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashley is mom to two little girls and a baby on the way. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is their first house - </div><div style="text-align: center;">a house that Ashley said she chose because she could imagine her family having Christmas there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Just starting out in their new home, her decorations were mostly hand-me-downs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Christmas for Ashley is all about the kids. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just look what we did with a budget of only $150. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The nativity set was a gift that Ashley adds to each year. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We featured it in a prominent spot under her mirror, </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">which we adorned with an amazing natural looking wreath. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HfmHvQis6JbulIWIgrgsTWMMq2hMBjIzaCtkII2J5zk6dhgzkfGH4LwvKrUNYQuRWDBrlpTYJWuXYs7laFEYU9uMVkC4zW5-oJ2-1H0Ebr5FyTVEI2JPRD7s4rBNwUxFuzWMfarHyA0/s1600/IMG_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HfmHvQis6JbulIWIgrgsTWMMq2hMBjIzaCtkII2J5zk6dhgzkfGH4LwvKrUNYQuRWDBrlpTYJWuXYs7laFEYU9uMVkC4zW5-oJ2-1H0Ebr5FyTVEI2JPRD7s4rBNwUxFuzWMfarHyA0/s640/IMG_1668.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We bedecked her fresh tree with inexpensive glittered snowflakes and shatterproof (for the kids) ornaments in red and silver. We added a touch of whimsy with a red and white tinsel pompom garland.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgNBEeveWO-cx6UpUxI9QekjqZ13Qh4c1GH_D1cvWpM1L-mb6U8M7MFEazk7hfIQIlcefqHSQWchf1UxgGy1K3tBB-Vl58QI9AyOZqmU2DS7TexXiHVJCMT8kcq15M6psxAUP_lzvoBg/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgNBEeveWO-cx6UpUxI9QekjqZ13Qh4c1GH_D1cvWpM1L-mb6U8M7MFEazk7hfIQIlcefqHSQWchf1UxgGy1K3tBB-Vl58QI9AyOZqmU2DS7TexXiHVJCMT8kcq15M6psxAUP_lzvoBg/s640/IMG_1669.JPG" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBgL2A4NAzRFEmOKcOgD9tibDgSD7cJOSlzqo5V0hM5g1sGN9JB4_pPeLNnw9vKqhG-3eXmq7V5p4ZcAP1Oj7lX6-H7oYEneJYRRcDVDxFnVn0sm16DZOcJEcmnw_s93TVWQBzgzk9I/s1600-h/ashley+tree+closeup.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBgL2A4NAzRFEmOKcOgD9tibDgSD7cJOSlzqo5V0hM5g1sGN9JB4_pPeLNnw9vKqhG-3eXmq7V5p4ZcAP1Oj7lX6-H7oYEneJYRRcDVDxFnVn0sm16DZOcJEcmnw_s93TVWQBzgzk9I/s1600-h/ashley+tree+closeup.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBgL2A4NAzRFEmOKcOgD9tibDgSD7cJOSlzqo5V0hM5g1sGN9JB4_pPeLNnw9vKqhG-3eXmq7V5p4ZcAP1Oj7lX6-H7oYEneJYRRcDVDxFnVn0sm16DZOcJEcmnw_s93TVWQBzgzk9I/s1600-h/ashley+tree+closeup.jpg"></a>Ashley picked this vintage suitcase up at a flea market. We felt it deserved a little Christmas cheer. The green fits in naturally and provides an inexpensive centerpiece with the addition of a little greenery and a silver Noel sign.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktjTs0KO-rG4UQPaqunkR2-sgzgKLbzdQslZvsCLbnFeAOfqgtcVw7ObFuslhrMNjlFAfdAJI41x4HAJlgmFk24LpP15F-E0zrTUHMO-Iy4GQIg11mMTOj7rhzsI_NNGGN_YdTVOxyH0/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktjTs0KO-rG4UQPaqunkR2-sgzgKLbzdQslZvsCLbnFeAOfqgtcVw7ObFuslhrMNjlFAfdAJI41x4HAJlgmFk24LpP15F-E0zrTUHMO-Iy4GQIg11mMTOj7rhzsI_NNGGN_YdTVOxyH0/s640/IMG_1670.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Ashley's entry we were met with a large blank wall. We rounded up photo frames that Ashley already owned and arranged them to fill the wall. She quickly chose family photos and had them printed in black and white. Now, everytime she enters her front door or comes down her stairs, her wall says "Family" and makes her smile.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQ2b3NJLIo4zFiTjikYBeVjgsLhIxdlxklaia8Pyek9MME9K0IKbRTN_TQ2bviJbc_w3Hqc5fBKpt_pUgrrzzLBkoFC0npy_JI1HfYK66FNdepwT4b2xBQPRzf4Koqzj6s6rK_XMECk/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQ2b3NJLIo4zFiTjikYBeVjgsLhIxdlxklaia8Pyek9MME9K0IKbRTN_TQ2bviJbc_w3Hqc5fBKpt_pUgrrzzLBkoFC0npy_JI1HfYK66FNdepwT4b2xBQPRzf4Koqzj6s6rK_XMECk/s640/IMG_1671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We were confronted with another blank wall over the fireplace, but found an unused mirror in Ashley's garage. We hung it horizontally, added greens, berries and ribbon and completed the mantel with a purchased garland, lights and silvered glass votives. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0FFtuvPJiksX2tZxLUxK6X_g9pYuLhjXyu7LZS5ekQxU_TPLXreVruTqaFbPVI-pI8ob2AanD_xTeurXoM0yg_XGF3UoAqpgGkMVYi9AWri3-3jXkLn6bjJrIq_ElLF5_bDK54JFofM/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0FFtuvPJiksX2tZxLUxK6X_g9pYuLhjXyu7LZS5ekQxU_TPLXreVruTqaFbPVI-pI8ob2AanD_xTeurXoM0yg_XGF3UoAqpgGkMVYi9AWri3-3jXkLn6bjJrIq_ElLF5_bDK54JFofM/s640/IMG_1672.JPG" width="489" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">   Thanks to Ashley and her family for allowing us to tour her home!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">HOUSE #2 - Ginger </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ginger is a busy mom of 5. She wanted a new look for her Christmas decor this year. We purchased new ornaments, garland and picks and put some of the decorations she already had to work. I actually did a little redesign as well - moving her furniture around in both the living and family room areas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61XKgNAa7r9RJ5-0wKacI_uL5quAem5GIIUSa29TIa6EYjSPgGNbBMlrHwTosmdRp1EmJm2rMBuggk4AmAo00x8K0xAfeCEX2PuJAy-3j9c0tRmXGN-30gTNoP0um7qe0fJx7Hgr_Fvo/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61XKgNAa7r9RJ5-0wKacI_uL5quAem5GIIUSa29TIa6EYjSPgGNbBMlrHwTosmdRp1EmJm2rMBuggk4AmAo00x8K0xAfeCEX2PuJAy-3j9c0tRmXGN-30gTNoP0um7qe0fJx7Hgr_Fvo/s640/IMG_1674.JPG" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting at her front door, with a big Christmas welcome, we added pillows to two mid century metal lawn chairs. (We found adorable red placemats and Ginger made them into pillows.) Topiaried Christmas trees were decorated with lights, ribbon and handmade wire star ornaments. A natural green wreath was topped with a wreath of shiny red berries to complete the porch area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doesn't it look welcoming?</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZWSrE7gpeEqToDXhQvQV7frHyRUx6qglURB_9Ajz4UgqpKeQEEb4rdtZg3mIdebhSQT9uUadT0H8B8p05iEu8Al2seBuYdvLj2BQuDtrBhvU6qnl3ZsQOH1QxU1UvgwKxbVLHwFDnJE/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZWSrE7gpeEqToDXhQvQV7frHyRUx6qglURB_9Ajz4UgqpKeQEEb4rdtZg3mIdebhSQT9uUadT0H8B8p05iEu8Al2seBuYdvLj2BQuDtrBhvU6qnl3ZsQOH1QxU1UvgwKxbVLHwFDnJE/s640/IMG_1675.JPG" width="453" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Her formal living room was the perfect spot for the Christmas tree. We used golden sisal ribbon and shatterproof ornaments, along with 900 twinkle lights for the 8 foot tree.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCA21zmW5a-VgbvsBJ_PTr0O-DlDVruvrfR1kMU1xkeouYQNpJfRe-120rIkXy3DU0Q5V0GL5hb_-R1P01urxN0DB6GpnxWmGpgw_eqZJvEPPP1xDdjsVCLVsBge31ByPPOhZTHMo7jQ/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCA21zmW5a-VgbvsBJ_PTr0O-DlDVruvrfR1kMU1xkeouYQNpJfRe-120rIkXy3DU0Q5V0GL5hb_-R1P01urxN0DB6GpnxWmGpgw_eqZJvEPPP1xDdjsVCLVsBge31ByPPOhZTHMo7jQ/s640/IMG_1676.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also added garland and sparkly picks to the bannister and a big red bow.</div><br /><br /><br /><br />   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k-hNL3aVAA1sf1AiX2akUbGODXegRPuARAfcwUOn1CxkfAWA2GTecf-iriNDVfntf8dCNa1KWT8ED7lFU3602svvLWHCLTTI0og5IlPdFFWV3o99JR5wRoWmut5kBHut_5Trkalsdrg/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k-hNL3aVAA1sf1AiX2akUbGODXegRPuARAfcwUOn1CxkfAWA2GTecf-iriNDVfntf8dCNa1KWT8ED7lFU3602svvLWHCLTTI0og5IlPdFFWV3o99JR5wRoWmut5kBHut_5Trkalsdrg/s640/IMG_1677.JPG" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her family room's natural focal point is the fireplace - which is charmingly decorated with photos of the kids. We added garland, candlesticks, candles and Christmas stockings. </div><br /><br /><br /><br />  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cl9MW5cwQyMEwP3eXf3s7gkQ_MtXtxcItA0vQeY3CReD6OiRfSV9qqr4iMh1nW1B9pawbapcakuxDzH53dLA6OJSY0eNr1jtCHJfAHGATD0oSml8Zo7WtdmdtNcgOo83auTS5jjvFeU/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cl9MW5cwQyMEwP3eXf3s7gkQ_MtXtxcItA0vQeY3CReD6OiRfSV9qqr4iMh1nW1B9pawbapcakuxDzH53dLA6OJSY0eNr1jtCHJfAHGATD0oSml8Zo7WtdmdtNcgOo83auTS5jjvFeU/s640/IMG_1678.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her table was set with handcrafted napkin rings and freshly baked gingerbread men - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">all made by Ginger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_do-Q9BznEEF9wwJ5sHbAaVvLWpSMqdwWv5U0cvpRTlrTvLVjsSs9Os1hPYzCoHOa6W2AYeKS60iXF2-TYbu3yfTogurwExqbeff7_UIzap5eakAc4IYALoWbJ7WUcCgsfWZm6-WCvM/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_do-Q9BznEEF9wwJ5sHbAaVvLWpSMqdwWv5U0cvpRTlrTvLVjsSs9Os1hPYzCoHOa6W2AYeKS60iXF2-TYbu3yfTogurwExqbeff7_UIzap5eakAc4IYALoWbJ7WUcCgsfWZm6-WCvM/s400/IMG_1679.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Ginger's spacious kitchen has amazing display space above the cabinets. We added greens and berries to coils of grapevine and bedecked her chalk board with ribbon and garland.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd891JIlU37PHVTnP-InCpr_KaOPSLDK3eJ2OVQUOrmtPPnlaDovWd0l7sr-nMNbZ7b5wx3MiRBobFMVozFeUC1104WX8L6wMcLrR9lOOx7D_s92dBSXkN4nYWiHw4Pf6w6nTI5KckjY/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd891JIlU37PHVTnP-InCpr_KaOPSLDK3eJ2OVQUOrmtPPnlaDovWd0l7sr-nMNbZ7b5wx3MiRBobFMVozFeUC1104WX8L6wMcLrR9lOOx7D_s92dBSXkN4nYWiHw4Pf6w6nTI5KckjY/s640/IMG_1680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk-PRGZqgbj1KG_lDGMiTWw6uap_Z7lguV6kikRZc3c_mpY1d32pBteF-qa_5PT2h6-rXkmeudUa-CjaUwrjlrkU_Q-k60ufQvSKxt1g03dfTF26rRco-9GeyCsV7pz7fbMqhi-ZRARE/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk-PRGZqgbj1KG_lDGMiTWw6uap_Z7lguV6kikRZc3c_mpY1d32pBteF-qa_5PT2h6-rXkmeudUa-CjaUwrjlrkU_Q-k60ufQvSKxt1g03dfTF26rRco-9GeyCsV7pz7fbMqhi-ZRARE/s640/IMG_1681.JPG" width="482" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We found adorable gingerbread men and added ribbon to decorate her cabinet doors, and used ribbon to pull back her curtains. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Thanks Ginger, for allowing us to tour your lovely home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UiTCjRj9HkI/SWrAA5zjSKI/AAAAAAAAAnI/5h_GSVGB1rQ/s1600-h/IMG_1672.JPG"></a></div>

CHRISTMAS DECOR: Christmas Hospitality Tour (Part 1)

Now that our family is finally past colds, flu, and taking my son to college - I'm catching up on our fabulously fun Christmas Hospitali...

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