Some Christmas decorations

Hello! Welcome into our cozy dining room, where our Christmas tree is this year. I really kept the decorations to a minimum this year. I just felt the need to keep things simple.
The poinsettas aren't real but they hold up really well every year. Those plates are a collection of Norman Rockwells that were given to me after my grandfather passed away. Even though they aren't "Christmasy", for some reason Norman Rockwell always invokes that cozy feeling to me. The centerpiece in the table are just some tall beaded gold trees.

Because of allergies, we have to do an artificial tree. We keep it very kid friendly...it's mostly handmade ornaments and the ones they collect every year. There are a few on there from my childhood as well. One day I will gussy it up beautifully, but for now I like it just like it is. I am a white lights person, what about you?

(I love the way the lights reflect against the window...it's the first thing you see when you walk up to the door!:)

It's hard to get these shots, but I love this glittery turquoise dream ornament. Of course, I love anything red and turquoise for Christmas.

On the other side of the dining room is our piano. This is where I set up our Willow Tree Nativity scene. This is my favorite Christmas decoration and the kids know to just look, not touch. I want to buy them a children's nativity scene to play with this year. Doesn't Little People make one?

On the other end of the house in the hallway I decorated with this cute Santa and Reindeer that my mother-in-law bought me. Those quirky trees are from the Dollar Tree last year, I just think they are so cute!

Every year it is a tradition for our kids to pick out a new ornament and we buy one or two new Christmas books. When we do our Advent activities at night we usually read one of our Christmas books. So what great book are we missing? We haven't bought any Christmas books this year, so tell me your kids favorite!

I have another little tree set up with all of our Charlie Brown ornaments, but it needs some help. When I get it looking better I'll show you. I also forgot about our outside decorations too!I've got Christmas music playing tonite and we had hot cocoa with snowmen shaped marshmellows. Don't remind me that the high today was almost 80 degrees, I'm pretending it's already Winter!

xo, Chrissie

I'm linking up to the Nester's Tour of Homes. Soooooo many beautiful decorations!!