Christmas Tour of Homes

This year I decided to participate in the Blogging World's Christmas Tour of Homes. The Nesting Place is hosting the tour this year and I'm excited to participate! (Prepare yourself, this is going to be a LONG post) This year's decorations look a lot like last year's so maybe next year I'll change it up some. I love snowmen and just the simple red and white! Since our living room has a red accent wall these Christmas colors also work.

I'll start with our outdoor decorations. I prefer simple outdoor Christmas decorations, even though I love driving around and looking at all the cheesy Christmas decor. Rob and I spend as many evenings as possible driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations! We had a white light snowman but he "died" last year in a windstorm. We went this year and picked up a new one. Is it just me or are there more tacky decorations to choose from than just simple ones?

I also needed a new wreath this year but I found this at a local craft show and LOVED it! It's so cheerful and colorful and I love it so much more than my wreath.

I also got a new flag and OF COURSE it's monogrammed! I found it at Priester's Pecans which is on the way to Gulf Shores. Rob and I always stop there on our way to Gulf Shores or on our way home. It is such a neat store!Here's what the front yard looks like

Now on to the inside of the house. Our Christmas tree has lots of snowmen ornaments among others but most are red and white. Instead of a tree topper we have a bow on the top. I looked all over this year for something new but really didn't find anything that just wowed me so I'm going to look again after Christmas (hopefully it will also be cheaper)

Christmas trees are never as pretty in pictures as they are in person. Why is that exactly? Anyway, here are a few of my favorite ornaments.
I found a pack of these red snowflakes at Target last year and I LOVE them. They are glittery and show up SO well. I went back to find some more but of course they were out and I can't seem to find any that are as pretty as these.

I found our stockings online after Christmas a few years ago and paid 5.00 for each of them. I bought 2 extras (just in case we had children...at this point I would just like to use 1 of them :) ) Even though I keep seeing other stockings that I like, I just can't part with these!

Last year I found this fireplace screen at Kirkland's and I just love it. It matches the whole red/white them we have and it's just so whimsical and happy!
I decorated the mantle last year with "presents" using Hallmark's color coordinated papers and I loved it so much that I used it again. I hope to work on something new for next year but I really like doing this. It's much easier and cheaper than any other mantle decorations that I have done. There are also lots of snowmen in our kitchen too. When I registered for bridal gifts I found the Woodland Snowmen made by Fitz and Floyd and six years later I still love these pieces. I put them in my hutch along with our Christmas dishes.
I have a 10 piece setting of these dishes and I love them. Rob and I got engaged in November, 2002 and that Christmas was my first one with Rob's family. Rob's brother's family came out from Oklahoma and the whole Akins clan was there! Little did I or any of the rest of us know, that would be the the last Christmas with Rob's mom. When she found out we were all going to be at her house for Christmas, she went out and bought this huge set of dishes because she was SO excited. After she died, my father-in-law gave them to us and I absolutely love and treasure them!

The dogs even get in the Christmas spirit. Their treats get put into a Christmas canister.

I also hang up mistletoe.

Another one of my favorite Christmas items is this snowglobe that my parents gave me a few years ago. If you've read my blog or know us, you know how much we LOVE Walt Disney World! Mom found me this Christmas snowglobe and it's even personalized (which makes it even better)
If you are still with me after this LONG post, Thanks! I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas Tour. I can't wait to see everyone else's tours and get LOTS of ideas for next year!!!!

I'm working on a post of all the crafts I have mastered this season! I hope to have that post up this week, but with all that I have to do this week, it could possibly be next week! :)