Hooked on Holiday House Tours: Let the Party Begin!

by hookedonhouses on December 14, 2008

Welcome to the “Hooked on Holiday House Tours” blog party! I’m so glad you came. First of all, help yourself to one of these Chocolate Candy-Cane Cupcakes. We baked them today and they’re pretty yummy! I figure you could use a little sugar before starting the tour (recipe on the Baker’s website if you want to make them for yourself!).

Last week I took you on tours of homes featured in Christmas movies like “Home Alone” and “The Holiday” (click here if you missed them). Today I thought I’d give you a peek inside mine.

This is the first year in a very long time that I haven’t hosted Christmas for my extended family at our house, and I hardly know what to do with myself. I don’t have nearly as much cooking and baking to do as usual. And I scaled way back on the decorating in general since we’ll be traveling over the holidays. But I still had to put out some of my favorite things. Otherwise it just wouldn’t feel like Christmas!

I love my mercury-glass trees. I put them in my dining room, which is otherwise pretty bare as we finish the room’s remodel:

I just bought this cute Santa cookie jar to give as a gift–but he’s been sitting in my kitchen all week, and now I’m not sure I’ll be able to let him go. I might have to go back to Target and buy another one!

I love a simple centerpiece when I don’t have much time to decorate, and these silver ornaments fit the bill (oops! I still had Christmas storage boxes sitting out in the background–just ignore those):

I hung a couple of wreaths on the french doors leading to the backyard. I used red ribbon to string them up and tacked them to the top of the door frames with white thumbtacks. Easy! Here I am looking through our family Christmas album with one of my favorite people–my aunt Toni.

Lily made some garland by cutting shapes out of old Christmas cards and red and green construction paper and stringing it up on the mantel. She tells me that there will be “garland ALL OVER the house” by Christmas, and this is only the beginning. (If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know how much my 6-year old loves to decorate.)

We do red, white, and silver for Christmas in our house. This year I let the kids decorate the tree, and they did a great job, didn’t they? I forgot to give them the garland, but I decided it looked good enough without it. I’m keeping things simple this year!

On Saturday, I stole borrowed an idea from my creative friend Amy (the one who made this pretty party button for us!). On her blog Living Locurto, she mentioned that she likes to have “Family Christmas parties” with her kids. I decided to try it.

I asked the kids what they wanted to do Saturday at our little party, and here’s what they said: play games, put puzzles together, bake cupcakes and cookies, make more garland, watch “The Santa Clause,” and play Christmas carols. We didn’t fit everything into our day, but it was a lot of fun trying!

To prepare for our party, the kids formed a “family band,” and all week they worked with their dad on some Christmas carols. My husband Dave played piano. Jake was on keyboards. Lily banged on the drums. On Saturday night they performed for their grandparents, and they were a bit hit!

I told them we should get a bus and travel the country. I have no musical talent to contribute, so I’ll drive.

I finally got our Christmas-card photo taken for the year. There was lots of goofing around:

But I finally got the shot:

Okay, now that you’ve seen what a simple family Christmas looks like at my house and have eaten more than your share of cupcakes (a little greedy, weren’t you?), I’m excited to visit your blogs and see what you have to show us today.

Lime in the Coconut: Florida Christmas

Living Locurto: Gingerbread Houses

Lookiloos: Gorgeous Saratoga French Chateau

Southern Hospitality

Springtree Road: Drive-by in a Small Southern Town

Nesting Place

Chatting at the Sky

Ramblings of a Renovating Couple

Cottage Industries: An 11-Foot Tree!

Cottage Magpie

Laura’s 1856 Farmhouse

Derek M Design: Trimming the Tree

Design Editor

A Bird in the Hand

A Soft Place to Land

Back Porch Musings

Canyon Wren Cottage

Fifi Flowers: Christmas Trees

Nesting Instincts

The House of Jack & Gail

Bunch of Scrap

Restyled Home

Sanctuary Arts at Home

Shorehouse Chic

The Painted House

Historical Home: Colonial Connecticut Christmas

Violet Posy

Lemonade Home

Montrealaise en Californie

Rose Colored Glasses

Seasons for All…At Home

Thrifty Decor Chick

Third on the Right

Life at Home

Kelly’s Korner

Sweet Finds

Because I’m the Mama

Thoughts from an Evil Overlord

The Green House

Connie

New Every Morning

Self-Confessed Lamp Tramp

Making This Home

Coastal Nest

Tidy Mom

Dolce Chic: Vintage Ornaments

JanMary in N. Ireland

Kari & Kijsa

One Little Birdy

Pumpkin Cottage

Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Forever Wherever

Elderberry Street

Whitney Caroline Designs

Greek Grits

The Dominee Huisvrouw

A Little More Crazy Than Cool

Remodeling This Life: Front Porches

Kiki’s Corner

Streams of Living Water

Southern Mama

Warm Heart Cozy Home

Homebody Holly

Hazelruthes: Santas!

A Bushel and a Peck

The Queen of Good Intentions

This Southern Girl’s Nest

City Momma – Country Momma

Southern Seven

The Adventures of a Supermommy

Life in the Carpool Lane

For the Love of My Home

Life in Grace

Springs Home Blog

All Things Wonderful

Cornbread Beans & Quilting

Jan’s Gems

How Sweet the Sound

JenX67

Ame’s Snapshots

Somerset Cottage

The Organizing Blog: We’re Allowed to Be Snoopy!

1. Ladybug & Honeybear
2. A.E. Filkins
3. Spiffy Spotlights
4. Cowgirl in the City
5. Melissa
6. Jen@OurDailyBigTop
7. DeeDee @ No Greater Joy
8. Interiors by Design
9. Pensieve
10. The Crowned Casa
11. Judy@In His Grip
12. Chantilly Charm
13. There Is Always Thyme For
14. Robin
15. Paula – Buckets of Chirstmas Ideas
16. Amanda @ Bibs & Cribs
17. Kymber @ A New Day Dawning
18. Girls in White Dresses
19. Caroline
20. Frippery
21. DebraK@the Bunnies Bungalow
22. Rebecca@achairofbowlies
23. Cora @ The Life Adventures of the Sykes Family
24. Mandi @Mandi Shandi\’s
25. Angie
26. melissa * 320 sycamore
27. Reading Rosie
28. LINDA T
29. Carolina Mama Christmas
30. HSingMama
31. Shay
32. sam
33. Jessica
34. Kim-HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs
35. Kate
36. Sarah ~~ A Beach Cottage
37. Calamity Anne
38. Goodness Gracious Abiding
39. Laura D@ the dunning duo
40. Nise\’
41. MB @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
42. Lela Faye
43. The Decorated House
44. jen@lovelaughterandlyrics
45. Sherry@creations From My Heart
46. Cyndi J
47. ~Phillips Phamily Phive~
48. Ruth Lee @McLain Moments
49. Angela (Cottage Magpie) – Tour Part 2
50. Stephanie
51. Paula – Buckets of Grandparent Christmas Fun
52. The Charm House Christmas Tour
53. Frugal Carol – The other tree…..
54. Adventures in Osbornland
55. Dana @ Just Passing Through
56. Southern Fried Gal
57. VeryVeryCherry
58. Jen ~ Be Thou Exalted
59. ArchitectDesign
60. lylah – simple home for the holiday
61. Sue @ Life At Home
62. Beth at aunties
63. Emily @ notionsonnesting
64. Mrs. H. @ Heritage Schoolhouse
65. Ramona @ A Day in the Life of Ramona
66. Kendra@My Insanity
67. Homage Style
68. Kathy@ having a hallelujah good time
69. Melissa Burford
70. Jocelyn @ Who Needs Ink and Paper
71. Sugar Mommy
72. Shell
73. A Walk in My Shoes
74. Stacy – Themes to Me
75. Anne Marie @ East of
76. Empty Nesters
77. Urban Nester
78. hellogorgeous
79. Pat Layton
80. rue\’s pb & j life~ Decking the halls parts 1, 2 & 3
81. A Greenhouse at Christmas
82. Jennifer
83. Marsha
84. Seeking Glitter and Grace
85. Kirsten of B&K
86. Beth~Running the Race
87. Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home
88. The Deco Detective
89. Linda from ::Surroundings::
90. Debbie @ Jadehollow
91. Michele
92. Kiersten at The Pretty Neat Company

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Feeling overwhelmed? Then start here:

20 Highlights From This Holiday House Tour

Several of my friends are hosting parties this week, too, so be sure to pay them a visit when you’re done here!

Southern Hospitality

Thrifty Decor Chick

Boo Mama

A Soft Place to Land Open House

We are THAT Family (show your Christmas tree)

A Cottage Magpie (cookie exchange)

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{ 4 trackbacks }

Violet Posy » Blog Archive » Christmas Decorations and Mini Tour
December 15, 2008 at 10:49 am
Holiday House Party | Remodeling This Life
December 15, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Sunday Link Love - Christmas Fun | TheHouseholdHelper Blog
December 21, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Deck the Halls 2008
November 18, 2009 at 4:28 pm

{ 184 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Nancy December 16, 2008 at 4:49 pm

Another kindred spirit keeping it simpler this year…what is it? The down the tube economy isn’t it because we all have jillions of decorations. Anyway your house looks fabulous, when I saw your red toile I remembered that I have those placemats also…somewhere..LOL. My favorite is the garland your daughter is making. She can come put it all over my house if you run out of room. Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for hosting this. Nancy

2 Pixeltrash December 16, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Wowsers… I love that mercury glass. I’m spending WAY too much visiting everybody’s home. Very fun though! Thanks for hosting! This is my first year on the circuit!

3 Elaine December 16, 2008 at 5:33 pm

Your home looks lovely and your kids sound like a blast! I love the tree/fireplace picture – so cozy! And thanks for the cupcake recipe… I just may have to try those! Merry Christmas!

4 boysmum2 December 16, 2008 at 5:44 pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you I have just realised that I had a passion about movie homes and your site has proved this to me. I have just sat here surfing your site going ‘OMG’ & ‘WOW’ & ‘Oh I remember that’ & ‘oh what a fab movie’
I have just found my new site to keep up with.
Have a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to visiting you more in the new year.

5 sarah @ a beach Cottage December 16, 2008 at 6:58 pm

hello

great tour, I’m enjoying looking around!

thanks for hosting

Sarah

6 Calamity Anne December 16, 2008 at 7:20 pm

This is so magical touring everyone’s homes. Merry Christmas to all!!!

7 Laura D December 16, 2008 at 7:59 pm

I’ve never been to your blog before, but found you on a few of Boomama’s list. What a nice blog! I’ll be checking it again and adding a link to my blog as well.

8 Kymber @ A New Day Dawning December 16, 2008 at 9:04 pm

Julia,
I am touched that you took the time to stop by and leave such a sweet comment. You must be SO swamped today. I can’t believe how many are participating! What a fun event this has been. I really want to thank you again for hosting this and I hope you come back by to visit. Your blog is fantastic – keep up the great work and keep on blogging!
Blessings to you,
Kymber

9 The Decorated House December 16, 2008 at 9:57 pm

Delightful!
I so enjoyed your Christmas pictures.
Donna

10 Angela (Cottage Magpie) December 17, 2008 at 3:09 am

I’ve got a second part to my tour now! Just posted! :-)

11 Ruth Lee McLain December 17, 2008 at 9:40 am

There are some really talented women out there. :) I loved everything about Chantilly Charm. Her house was beautiful!

12 Ashlee December 17, 2008 at 2:25 pm

This was such a fun tour. I especially loved the Saratoga French Chateau.

13 Southern Fried Gal December 17, 2008 at 4:12 pm

I love the fabulous simplicity in your Christmas decor and your children are adorable! I can’t wait to tour all the homes! Thanks for hosting!

14 Sue December 18, 2008 at 7:09 am

Wow! You put so much time into this Home Tour. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to get a minute to go around and visit everyone.

15 Bonnie December 18, 2008 at 10:35 am

Julia, this was so much fun for me. My tour was #8 and I noticed I had lots of visitors by my hit counter, but not a single comment. I am wondering if I did something wrong when I signed up as it seems odd that no one commented? Could you just send me a comment to see if it is working just out of curiosity~I’d just like to know if I did it right??

No rush on this just trying to learn what I am doing in the blogsphere.

Thanks,

Bonnie

16 hookedonhouses December 18, 2008 at 11:06 am

Bonnie–your link worked fine for me and I was able to leave a comment. Who else can hop over there and show Bonnie’s post some love? Her home is beautiful! -J :-)

http://interiorsbydesigndefined.blogspot.com/2008/12/coming-home-for-christmas.html

17 Kendra @ My Insanity December 18, 2008 at 6:40 pm

I’ve finally got my post up! It’s not what I initially intended to post, but we’ve got to keep it real, right?

18 Andrea at Homage Style December 19, 2008 at 12:12 am

Thanks for doing this home tour! What fun!

Of course, I’ve spent *way* too much time surfing homes today!

Happy Holidays!

19 Sugar Mommy December 19, 2008 at 11:03 am

Yea!! I love a good party!

20 hello gorgeous December 19, 2008 at 2:18 pm

Hi there – I loved the tour so much I thought I’d enter my house! I guess you can just click on my name to get there or go here: hellogorgeousblog.com.

Thanks! And Happy Christmas!

21 Urban Nester December 20, 2008 at 2:26 am

I love your home. What color are the walls by your fireplace?

22 rue December 20, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Hi Julia :)

I know I’m late, but I added my name anyway. I hope you don’t mind. We’re moving, so I’m late with everything this year.

Now I’m off to see what you’ve been up to…..

rue

23 Tamara December 20, 2008 at 9:45 pm

what a fun party! I hope that a Greenhouse decked out for Christmas counts :) It’s going to take me quite a while to check these all out but I just LOVE christmas…..

24 Marsha December 21, 2008 at 3:57 am

Julia – Really enjoyed those photos of you and Mum and the children – thanks for sharing !!
I’m so pleased that I found your website – so much to explore. I love looking your posts.
I live in an old Mill House here in England – maybe you would like to see a photo ?
Happy weekend to you !

25 Michelle December 21, 2008 at 8:40 pm

This has been a blast! I’m a little late in joining. I hope you’ll come by to visit.

26 Michelle December 21, 2008 at 8:41 pm

My vote is for the Queen of Good Intentions. I really enjoyed touring her home. She’s definately a girl after my own heart…

27 Paula - Buckets of Christmas Ideas December 21, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Love your blog – ! Paula

28 Michelle December 21, 2008 at 9:07 pm

Hello…I added my Blog – Seeking Glitter and Grace – and then realized I had made a mistake in the spelling of my link. The first link doesn’t work, so I added it agin with the correct spelling. You can delete that first link. Thanks, Michelle (vintagesquirrel) at Seeking Glitter and Grace

29 Kirsten of B&K December 22, 2008 at 4:33 am

I love your site and I am so excited about all the great ideas found in everyone’s posts! Thanks for hosting! Blogland parties rock!

Kirsten of B&K

30 The Deco Detective December 22, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Hi Julia,
I just discovered your blog via Off The Wall. I hope it’s not too forward to enter this Mr.Linky the first time I visit…
Thank you, now I have lots of stuff to discover during the holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Trudi

31 Bella Casa December 24, 2008 at 8:05 am
32 Bella Casa December 24, 2008 at 8:13 am

Stumbled :)

33 Debbie December 25, 2008 at 11:27 pm

I’m a lil late to the party .. I love seeing everyones different taste. I’m new to blogland and love touring everyones pages getting to know different people and getting ideas from them. Thanks for taking the time to host this party!
~Debbie

34 Kiersten December 27, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Well I’m really late! I am so impressed at how everyone finds time to not only decorate but blog about it before the holidays too! I hope it’s okay to join in after Christmas as I enjoy checking out these parties all year long! Oh and this is my first ever comment on another blog and link so I hope I did it right!! I love following other blogs and thought it was perhaps time to mingle with others now that I’m getting a bit more comfy with blogging! Perhaps next year I can be on time?? :)

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