I have found myself, despite our level of crazy with work stuff, eager to create a happy space for our kiddos this December. This is me still adjusting to the oldest being away at college and my excitement in having all three home for Christmas break. Here I am, embracing the next chapter, while still striving to create a little magic. So, I thought I’d share an entirely new level of sparkly neuroticism: The Handmade Home Colorful Christmas Tour!

If you’re in the mood, grab a warm cup of whatever and a snuggly seat: It’s an old-school tour of sorts. We were able to sprinkle a little colorful love on our front porch this year, and I have more after-dark reveals below. 

I’m always game for a happy place table setting. This one was filled with a hodgepodge from around the house. You can see how to make these little ornaments here. 

We made a few new additions to the Christmas rankings this year, and you can find all those links in this post here. {Keeping it simple + real for anyone who doesn’t really care and anyone who does. So, if you don’t see it listed in this post, let me know and I can probably help point you in the right direction!} 

This table is a hodgepodge of some of our faves, and we love combining old and new for simple vibes with colorful ones, too. 

The piano is decked out with some sentimental faves from over the years. We have some of their sweet photographs in handmade ornaments and a handmade nativity from their childhood. {It even includes a Cadbury egg and a polar bear who can’t stay upright, because this one is inclusive.}

I don’t change it up too much from year to year, because to be real, aintnobodygottimeforthat. While I do realize I am more over the top than most, {see pool room mantel below} I don’t have time to reinvent the wheel. I just go for easy and colorful. Regular anxiety, but add glitter for Holiday anxiety. The more sparkles the better—the end. 

These cozy nutcracker pillow covers added a layer of fun that I love. 

When we were renovating this house, {you can see our before and afters in this link} all I could see was where I’d put that Christmas tree. I think it really kept us motivated to finish phase 1. So, this is always a view that makes me grateful when descending the stairs. 

PS. No worries; those presents are fake. I use them every year in some capacity for photo shoots. They make for easy decor whilst I fill in the blanks in real life. While I assure you that I do have a friend who already has her gifts wrapped and under the tree, and I do applaud anyone who does, I’m not that gal. I’m still confused about what may be arriving in the mail via my last Amazon frenzy. 

You may have seen my mantel because I’ve shared it a few times now. While we love our tree in the great room, this is our main gathering spot each Christmas. Over the years, it slowly evolved from simple additions to full-on, happy glitter, colorful explosions, and no one is mad about it—until we have to take it down. Which may not happen until well after January at the rate I’m going, if we’re honest. 

This additional table in the pool room is always helpful when entertaining larger groups of people. I loved adding extra color and sparkle here!

If you’ve ever wanted a giant mirrorball, this is your sign. It’s so pretty this time each morning and transitions perfectly into the new year and beyond. I mean, name one reason why you wouldn’t want mirrorballs in your life. Yes, I may have a problem. 

Of course, we had to bring out our Every Time A Bell Rings sign! {Painted by me, available in our shop.}

All these views just make me happy. 

I photographed the kitchen late one afternoon in a rush to beat the sunlight. It was the perfect time to capture what those windows are like in the late afternoon light. 

Someone asked me why we left the windows here after our pool room addition {these were once exterior, and you can see the details of that change here.} He then tried to man-splain to me why I shouldn’t have them there. I told him we left them because we can. I mean why wouldn’t you want to let extra light in, with a sweet seating area and storage? 

The main mantel is often overshadowed by its pretty sister in the back room. But I say there’s just something gloriously classic about a nice, traditional brick mantel. We now have three fireplaces in our home, because I knew this deep-south transplant gal wasn’t going to make it in Nashville with such cold winters. Each piece of art or photograph you see above it hides an alcove with a TV. We added lights here this year for some more ambience and love the easy change. 

Back to my neuroticism: Our oldest says he doesn’t care if we decorate or not, but he certainly doesn’t complain when he gets the right ornaments on his tree. I love making his space cozy so he’s ready to come home!

Clearly, I never miss an opportunity for a good sparkle situation. 

The youngest asked if we could not have the star garland in his room this year. {Check that one out to see how much this once-shared space has changed since he’s grown.} He’s not opinionated about much, so I did sheepishly realize he’d probably outgrown it. I think he’s happy with his sentimental tree and stocking and a few touches here and there. It makes me happy that the youngest two still get excited about decorating their rooms. 

Downstairs, our butler’s pantry is not safe from the swag.  

Check out our handmade magnets here – maybe a fun project with tweens + teens over the holiday break! 

I had some leftover greenery that I added to our own bedroom mantel this year. Rigby and Fitz were also happy to drop by for a pose. 

I told you, nothing is safe. 

Back downstairs, I have these wreaths with another sentimental tree full of handmade goodies and photographs. 

Annnndddd the star garland. Even if the guys have to move it out of the way for football games. 

That pretty much concludes our little tour, with the exception of a few night views. 

This is also your sign to get some colorful lights if you’re on the fence. The chonkier, the better. 

And I love these little charlie brown-esque trees at night!

Check out our little cabana tour here, if you missed it! 

What are some of your favorite things to add a little sparkle to this year? We’d love to hear. Have an inspired day!