Our Christmas Home Tour
Hello, friends! You are witnessing a benchmark day here at Just a Girl and Her Blog… I’m about to share my very first home tour! The words “home tour” always seemed kind of daunting to me, so I decided to try to ease my nerves a little bit by pretending I was throwing a Christmas dinner party with you all as my guests.
So let’s just say you received this in the mail a few weeks ago and are now arriving at the Just a Girl and Her Blog residence…
As you walk up the sidewalk, the first thing you’ll notice is my chic little black bench, all decked out for the holiday.
Since we don’t have a porch, this bench has been a nice way to bring in some color and decor items to the outside of our home. We went simple with some greenery, berries, pinecones, and metallic ornaments.
Once you’ve finished checking out the bench, you’ll approach the door, immediately recognize our felt flower Christmas wreath, and know you’ve come to the right place!
When you knock on the door, I’ll answer and invite you in– I’m so excited that you’ve come! Thank you so much for traveling all this way!
As I take your coat and hang it in the front closet, you’ll notice that our command center has temporarily been transformed into a welcoming Christmas scene.
You’ll ask about some of the details, and I’ll explain that they JOY sign is just a simple scrap of wrapping paper with some card stock letters, and we’ll laugh about the fact that I’ve still kept a bunch of the berry wreaths that I used for our Christmas wedding almost seven years ago and typically integrate at least one into my Christmas decor each year.
We’ll breathe in the Christmas-y scent of the fresh pine branches in the basket, decorated with some spray painted pine cones and metallic ornaments, and marvel over the fact that the chalkboard art is actually way easier than it looks when you use my super simple transfer method.
Next I’ll invite you into the dining room where the table is set for our Christmas feast.
Just beyond the table, you’ll notice my grandmother’s china cabinet, dressed with yet another one of our wedding berry wreaths.
Atop the cabinet, you’ll see one of our nativity sets, graciously gifted to us by one of our wedding guests. It has become one of our most cherished items in our Christmas decor.
We’ll sit for a while and chat over our delicious dinner, and during dessert we’ll look across the way to the living room and realize that it has gotten dark and the tree is absolutely glowing.
I’ll tell you all about how we went for an “eclectic” look with our live tree this year, with the majority of the ornaments being silver, but having our special family ornaments sprinkled throughout.
I’ll share how every year since I was a little girl, the first ornament I put on the tree was my little pink and blue doll house. It even has tiny furniture and a little Christmas tree inside and has always been my favorite. Hubby always insists on putting his Steelers ornament at the very top of the tree for all to see, and the Cs have a blast hanging some of their favorites as well.
We’ll get up and walk over to the tree to inspect it closer and find some sillier ornaments like a lobster (given to me by one of my bridesmaids who declared that hubby and I were each other’s lobster– anyone remember that episode of Friends?) and even Santa in a fishing boat reeling in a big catch! Our tree may not be fancy, but it has a little bit of each of us represented on it, so I think it’s perfect. 🙂
At this point we’ll look at the clock and realize we’ve been chatting so long that it is now late at night and time to part ways. Before you go, I’ll be sure to invite you back next Monday, December 9th to finish the rest of the grand tour.
I’ll thank you so very much for coming and wish you well. We’ll part ways, knowing that we’ll see each other soon and keeping memories of a wonderful night spent with friends!
Thank you so much for visiting our Christmas home tour!
I want to hear about your Christmas decor! Did you go traditional or a little more unique? Do you keep it simple or go all out?
Your home looks lovely Abby!! What a sweet wedding gift!! I love nativity sets of all kinds 🙂
Thank you so much, Denise! I love nativity sets, too! We got married two days before Christmas, so we received a few Nativity sets and several other Christmas decor items as gifts, and they are still so special to us! Thanks for taking the tour!
~Abby =)
Your home looks very lovely — and nicely decorated for Christmas! I love your nativity set. Happy holidays! In my home, we just put the tree up over the weekend, and I created fun advent gift boxes for my kids to open each day before Christmas!
Thank you, Lauren! I just popped over to see your advent boxes and they are so adorable! The Cs would flip over those! Thanks so much for visiting!
~Abby =)
You have such a pretty home, Abby–love all of the red! I have family in the ‘Burg, and we spent one fantastic Christmas there. Have a wonderful week! Dee 🙂
Thank you, Dee! I am definitely a Pittsburgh girl– I love living here! So cool that you have family here too! Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Abby =)
All of these decorations look mighty nice. I love how organized and creative all of you are. Thanks for sharing tours of your homes via pictures. It reminds me of doing the Christmas home tours I did as a kid.
Thank you so much, Crystal! Your kind words mean so much! Thanks for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Very cute! I also have white lights on my tree and I think it adds such a magical touch. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us!
Agreed! White lights all the way! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Carrie! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Gorgeous girlfriend!! I am actually doing mine next week! A little scared about it too! Love all the little accents you have made and the Xmas tree ornaments stories are so sweet!!
Xoxox
Thank you so much, Nicole! I can’t wait to check out your beautiful Christmas-y home! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Abby, your house looks so pretty for the holidays! I love your cute invite and the shot of you at the front door….adorable!!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, April! I just checked out your beautiful home, and I LOVE everything! Gorgeous!
~Abby =)
Beautiful Abby!
Thank you so much, Marjorie! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Everything looks BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for inviting us to tour your home 🙂 And YES, I do remember that episode of Friends. It is one of my favorites 🙂
I’m glad someone else remembers it too, lol! Thank you so much for your sweet words, Tasha! You’re the best!
~Abby =)
LOVE THOSE PLATES ON YOUR TABLE! You did a gorgeous job.
and… of course, gorgeous photo of you welcoming us in! 🙂
Thank you so much, Jen!! You are so, so sweet! <3 Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Love how you “played” the dinner invitation, Abby! Cute! Your Christmas home is beautiful and that little bench is adorable♥!
Thank you so much, Aniko! I’m glad you came to my “dinner party”! 😉 Thanks for your sweet words!
~Abby =)
I absolutely love the way you presented your tour! I seriously felt like I was welcomed right in! Your house looks beautiful!! My hubby and I had a Christmas wedding too, but we used super glittery wreaths and Centerpieces that got everywhere so I eventually donated them. Love what you did, can’t wait for part two 🙂
Thank you so much, Christy! Aren’t Christmas weddings fun? I loved it, although now our anniversary kind of gets skimmed over between Christmas, New Year’s, and my son’s birthday. We always squeeze it in somehow, though! Hope you’re having a great weekend, my friend!
~Abby =)
Everything is so pretty Abby, don’t know why you’d have been nervous about showing your home. We all have different tastes and ideas but your home is quite special. How wonderful to have an almost Christmas wedding. It must have been just beautiful with the berry wreaths and all you must have done for it. Love to see your wedding photos some day.
Your writing for this post was especially great, did a great job setting the scene for the rooms. I was wanting to go ahead to see what you had in store for us next.
My oldest son was due Christmas eve but I didn’t want to be in hospital on Christmas so he came on 12/21. I ran with oldest daughter on my hip for the bus and son of a gun if Mike wasn’t born early, naughty me. Looking forward to seeing rest of your great home. Happy week
Awwww I almost had a Christmas baby too! My Connor was born January 2nd, so he just missed it! 😀 Thank you so much for your sweet words, JaneEllen! You always brighten my day!
~Abby =)
You are simply adorable and your home is so warm and charming, I love all the little details! Wish I could stop by for real 🙂 Happy holidays sweet friend!!
I wish you could too! Maybe someday! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Chelsea!
~Abby =)
so tastefully done…very pretty Abby
Thank you, Christine! Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Your Christmas home tour is beautiful Abby- I love the bench décor outside and that wreath is one of my faves of the season! Your dining table looks stunning- as does your tree!! Can’t wait to see the rest next week!!
Thank you, Krista! And thanks SO much for organizing this tour– so many beautiful homes to check out! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Awesome job Abby! Love your entry and that you use the berry wreaths from your wedding. What a fun thing to get out each year!
Thank you so much, Corey! LOVED your tour! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I love your invitation- too cute an idea! Your table setting is just lovely as are all the beautiful touches you’ve done around your home. Love it all!
Thank you so much, Tricia! It was so fun being on this tour with you!
~Abby =)
How fun! I had such a fun time…lets do it again 🙂 but maybe in real life 😉 Loved all your decorations!
Yes! Definitely in real life! Thanks so much, friend!
~Abby =)
Everything looks so great! I love the chalkboard and spray painted pine cones. You did a wonderful job.
Thank you, Paige! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Abby, your home is so gorgeous! You are such a talented decorator – want to come to Georgia and decorate my home??? 🙂 I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much, Jessi! After waking up to several inches of snow this morning, I will gladly come to Georgia! Lol. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
So beautiful! I love your front door wreath and your tablescape!!
Thank you so much, Sarah! It was so fun being on this tour with you!
~Abby =)
Totally remember the lobster from Friends! Lovely house tour, April!! Sharing on my FB page today 😉
Hugs,
Jamie
I’m glad someone else remembers that one! 😀 Thank you so much for sharing and stopping by, Jamie!
~Abby =)
Lovely, Abby! Thank you so much for the tour! 😀
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, Shayna! It was so fun being on the tour with you! Loved your gorgeous home!
~Abby =)
I just love your pink and blue dollhouse!! It’s one of my favorite things on the tour… and definitely what I will be telling my friends about! Ha ha!! Thank you for having me over today… it was fun hanging out!! And be sure to tell the hubby, I didn’t even notice his Steelers ornament!! Ha ha!!! No hard feelings! 😉 So happy to be on this tour with you!!! Well done, friend!
Lol! Thanks so much, Candace! I LOVED your tour–so gorgeous! Thank you for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Where did you find the printable for the chalkboard?
Ashley, you just made my day by thinking that was a printable! So thank you! It’s actually drawn on there with chalk. I created a design I liked at picmonkey.com and then used a chalk transfer method to get the outline on the chalkboard and filled it in. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Just lovely! Your little bench is so sweet and festive. We were out of town for Thanksgiving week so our decorations aren’t up yet, and my poor 3yo keeps asking, “Mommy, when is Christmas coming to our house?” I guess I could hop to it! 🙂
Is it me or did it really sneak up on us this year?! I think with Thanksgiving being so late, we just got thrown into it without a chance to recover from our turkey hangovers, lol! Have fun with your decorating!
~Abby =)
Abby – loved the clever idea of inviting all to your party. I actually felt like it was a party and enjoyed your tour. Best to you and yours during this holiday season.
I subscribed to future posts!
Teri
Thank you so much for “coming over”, Teri! 😉 I hope you have a wonderful holiday season as well!
~Abby =)
Oh my gosh, gorgeous Abby! And look at beautiful you welcoming us in…. 🙂
We are big Steelers fan so I totally get that! 😉 (although we don’t have a Steelers ornament…thinking we might ought to get one!) And traditions…my son has and still does (at 15) always put the star on the top of the tree at the end of decorating. <3
Your home and tour are beautiful friend!
xoxo
Nancy
Yay Steelers! Yes, I definitely think an ornament is in order! 😀 Thank you so much for your sweet words, friend! LOVED your tour yesterday!
~Abby =)
Abby your home is so beautiful! Your Christmas decor is lovely, Pinning!! xo
Thank you so much, Tanya! LOVED your tour! Thanks for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Thanks for the dinner invitation! I would love to chat with you about the personal stories behind your ornaments. Most of ours are special mementos or keepsakes, and I love being reminded of their stories every year!
Thanks so much, Emily! I definitely love the nostalgia factor at Christmas time, too– so many fun memories! Thank you for stopping by! Loved your tour!
~Abby =)
Hi abby, I loved your home tour! I especially like your writing style which transforms it from a series of attractive photos to a very personal, welcoming visit. I bet you’re a superb host in real life! You’re very sweet 🙂
Emma xoxo
P.S I like your husband’s choice of bauble
Thank you, Miss Emma! Your comment made my day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Go Steelers!
~Abby =)
Abby, Such a welcoming home tour! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us. Tami
Thank you so much for visiting, Miss Tami! Loved your tour!
~Abby =)
Abby,
I’m loving your Holiday home tour! Your entryway table vingette is adorable!! I am featuring you this week at our “Inspire Me Please” blog party 🙂
xo,
Jennifer http://www.BlissfullyEverAfter.net
Thank you so much, Jennifer! You totally made my day!!! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Abby,
Your home is beautiful! I absolutely love the Jim Shore nativity set. I’m a quilter, so anything “quilty” catches my eye! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Hugs …
Lani
Oooh girl, I am so impressed. I love beautiful quilts and am always so in awe of you talented quilters– it’s such an art! Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy your day!
~Abby =)
The party invitation was SO much fun! And you know that a post written in second person is my favorite kind of post (especially when it comes to house tours). Your home is absolutely lovely…and I love your creative use of that bench as a porch of sorts! We might have to do something similar, as we don’t have a porch either. Hmmm…. (Gears turning.) Oh, and those deer place card holders are so elegant! Were those family heirlooms? Thanks for letting me tour your place, even though I’m a bit “late to the party” so to speak. Hugs!
Thank you so much, friend! Can you believe those deer are ornaments from the Dollar Tree? I think I bought every one they had, lol. I’m using them everywhere because I just love them! And $1!! Can’t beat it! Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Your decor is so beautiful! I’m in love with your white felt wreath…thanks for sharing! Your blog is amazing!!
Sally
loveofhomes.com
Thank you so much, Sally! You are so sweet! Thanks for stopping by! Merry Christmas!
~Abby =)