Happy December, friends!!
Can you believe we’re here?! Right this minute, I’m watching The Family Man, wearing Santa pj pants, drinking coffee and typing this post…clearly, I’m trying to cram as much “December” into my morning as humanly possible 😉 .
Every year, I open up my front door and invite you guys in to see how we get all festive in our home. If you were here in person, I’d hand you a cup of coffee, you’d smell the pine candles burning and there’s a 99% chance The Carpenter’s Christmas album would be playing in the background. Not much changes from year to year as we decorate, but it’s always just a nice way to start the season. From my house to yours, wishing you the merriest first Monday in December!!
Come on in!
This year, we have Santa to greet you 🙂 .
I love my mercury trees (they’re oldies from Pottery Barn)!! It’s hard to tell in this picture, but I put blinking lights in the trees this year because they seemed festive (hence, I caught the middle one mid-blink).
My grandfather’s grandfather clock. He left this to me when he died, and it’s probably my most cherished possession 🙂 .
I’m not going to lie, this is the perfect spot for coffee and a good book.
I’m a traditionalist…give me all the red and green 🙂 .
Hi, my name is Shay, and I have a holiday pillow obsession. Storing them is MUCH easier if you just buy the cover and change them out with your inserts.
I spy Santa!
Little touches of Christmas in every room.
This is where we live 🙂 .
See those three ornaments right there? These…
…are our VERY favorite!!! Their kindergarten teacher makes them with them every year. Next year, we’ll have FOUR!
Every year, I take down what I have in here and then add their Santa pics…
All of my little signs are made my That Inspired Chick!
We are currently working our way through a puzzle…lots of little hands are trying to help. Ha!
I always fill this glass container with different things throughout the year: ornaments, little pumpkins, plastic eggs and our favorite, Fruit Loops!
Those are Ashby’s sweet hands on that Santa plate from when she was three. I love that girl SO MUCH!!
My kids’ favorite decorations are our little Snow Village houses.
I’m ready to move into that German restaurant 😉 .
Even the pantry has a little Ho, Ho, Ho!
I also adding bits of holiday to our bedrooms too…
This is my favorite bedding all year long. I loooooove my cozy Christmas sheets!!
Heading up the stairs…
This year, I gave the kids their trees and let them decorate them by themselves. They loved it!! Side note: Kensington thinks shoving everything under bed is the same as cleaning. 😉
The little girls’ room is nice and cozy too!
Ashby’s tree is at the bottom of the stairs…
…and Mades’ tree is at the top!
Smith added a few extra lights to his room…
…and had so much fun decorating his tree too!
‘Tis the season!
It doesn’t take much to make it look festive!
And last but not least, little trees on the patio too 🙂 .
I wish I could have all of you over!! In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed our little first post in December home tour! Don’t forget, next Monday is the first day of FIVE DAYS OF FABULOUS!! You should all be reallllly excited already!!! I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow!! Happy December, friends! xo
Erik Slaughter says
It’s super comfy and cozy in there! Looks great! What time are you serving the coffee? I’ll be right over!
Alexis deZayas says
I decorated last night! Everything is just more cozy at Christmas!
Kristen says
Love it all! Where did you buy Smith’s desk and chair?
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Teen!
Lisa Simpson says
Your home is beautiful! Where could I purchase a Santa like your new one?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from Front Gate!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Sooo cosy! I love how you’ve gone all out with your decorations, Shay! Meanwhile, I don’t even have a Christmas tree, haha! ❤️✨
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Julie C. says
Your house is beautiful!!!! It is always decorated nice, but I especially love it at Christmas time. Thanks for the tour!!!
Kristen says
Love it all! Where did you buy Smith’s desk & chair?
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Teen!
Sheaffer Sims says
Everything looks so great! I especially love the mercury trees, the plaid ornaments, and all the pillows! I’m a little offended you didn’t include the picture of me as your tree, but whatever.
😉
Carly says
Best post of the year! Happy December Shulls!
kasey says
Where are the gold trees at your fireplace from? I LOVE!
Mix and Match Mama says
A store on our town square called Homeology!
Denise says
Looks beautiful. Random question. Where is outdoor furniture from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Restoration Hardware 🙂
Narci says
Looks sooo cozy! I’ll be over with my laptop and coffee after drop off. 😉
Vivian G says
This is my favorite post of the year. I love looking into your home and seeing all that coziness. I loved everything, especially your kids ornaments on the tree. That was too precious ☺️ Thanks for letting us in.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you!!
Kerrie Hofstad says
Shay! You have made the most beautiful, fun, happy home for your family! I love it so much. I hope y’all have the best December!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe! Thank you so much, Kerrie!!
Kristi says
Love your house so much!! I always go to your posts for inspiration!! I want to know how you stay on track with party food, school breaks, so many vacations and yet you always seem to stay healthy, active and always look amazing. What’s your mindset? What do you do when you’re feeling bloated and off? How many days a week do you work out? Thanks so much! Just looking for tips on enjoying this season, but still feeling great doing it all!
Mix and Match Mama says
It has helped SO MUCH working out really early in the morning. When I was working out mid-morning, I could find a million excuses not to, but now, it’s really hard since it’s so early. That being said, I’m a BIG believer in seasons. If this season is too crazy for you, let it be. You can pick back up with your eating/workout routine next season. Don’t be too hard on yourself!
Rachel says
Your house looks amazing! So cozy and inviting! And my daughter Lily cleans her room the same way Kensington does 🙂
Amanda Wilson says
Love these posts!! You have the coziest home!!! I hope you do a Trader Joes Christmas post soon!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I went the other day and was a little overwhelmed!! Haha! I need to go back!
Courtney says
Trader Joe’s has “Jingle Jangle” that would make PERFECT Christmas gifts for teachers, neighbors and friends. I also bought some for my house. It’s dark chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered popcorn, m&m like candies, and mini Reese cups. It’s so delish! And comes in a cute little metal container. But please do another TJ post soon. I need to know what I’ missing.
Your home is beautiful, Shay!
Beth Valenta says
So festive! It just brings me JOY to make my house festive too. I am heading to NYC on Saturday, so I am full blown holiday mode. Mother/daughter trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh! Have the best trip!!!
Kelly says
I always enjoy a tour of the Shull home at Christmas, so festive! And I also appreciate that you ‘live there” and are not afraid to show it. Merry Christmas, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you!!!
Anna Jones says
So beautiful and comfy, cozy!! I want to do just like you said and curl up with a book in your study!
Rose says
Love the little holiday touches all over. Where are the kids’ cute little trees from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Hobby Lobby 🙂
Margaret says
Where is a good place to buy pillow forms for all the throw pillows I’m forced (ha!) to buy?
Mix and Match Mama says
I almost always get mine from Pottery Barn!
Tracie says
Today only Pottery Barn has the Mercury Trees on sale. I might get some white ones to mix in with my silver ones. https://www.potterybarn.com/shop/accessories-decor/lit-decor/?cm_re=hpbanner1-_-default-_-litdecor
Kristine says
So cozy and Festive!! Do you have a favorite
“pine” candle”? In the past I have gotten the Thymes Frasier Fir. The Bath and Body Works “Evergreen” plug in smells good. I have it plugged in by my fake tree.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love both of those brands!! I also like Anthro’s too!!
Corbie says
LOVE LOVE LOVE, so beautiful and cozy! Thank you for sharing!
Jenn says
Merry Christmas Shay!
Did you see the big Cyber Monday news?! The same packing cubes you have been lovin’ on are on sale for $11.99 per set, down from $17.99 (all colors except for blue for some reason?)! I ordered 1 set for each of the 5 of us and saved $30! I can’t wait to try them out!
On another note, our 11 year old daughter used to think that stuffing her newly washed and folded (by Mom) clothes under her bed was the same as properly putting them away. They would become so wrinkled that I would have to wash them again. She did it one too many times and has now been completely in charge of her own laundry for almost a year. She deeply regrets her actions. LOL! 🙂
Mary Smith says
I always love getting ideas from you!
Do you buy your garlands with the ornaments on already or do you attach them some way?
Mix and Match Mama says
I buy them and attach the ornaments and almost always, the lights too. I like to buy them without lights so that I can add/take away strands that go out.
Rhoda says
Looks so beautiful…..just as cosy as any hallmark Christmas movie! I look forward to your holiday annual house tours! Also took a leaf out of your book and bought my college age daughters mini xmas trees for their rooms. They loved this little surprise when they came home from college this week. Maybe I’ll surprise them with cosy xmas sheets when they return home for the holiday break!
Mix and Match Mama says
They will love that!!! How sweet!!
Jordan says
Love everything!! And LOVE the Cavalier picture in the background 😉 We have a 2 year old Cavalier King Charles and have a very similar painting hanging in our living room!
Kathy Lang says
Very cozy! I love that you have something in every room. We decorated last night after being gone all last week to celebrate with family. Now I just want to stay home and cuddle up on the couch by the fireplace with the Christmas tree lights on and read all day! Work? What work? Ha!
Kimberly says
How long does it take you to decorate? Do you do it over several days?
How/where do you store all of your decorations?
Mix and Match Mama says
Two days! We store everything in plastic bins in our attic.
Jennifer says
Hi Shay! Random but where did you get your Christmas napkins that are in your bathroom? I find mine at TJ Maxx but they didn’t have a whole lot to choose from this year! Thanks! Your house is so festive! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Amazon 🙂
Gina says
I have a question to add…did you also find the bathroom napkin holder at Amazon as well?
Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
No, I don’t remember where that’s from…hmmmm…I bet you could find them on Amazon though!
Janie Smith/Reinert says
FABULOUS ! Merry Christmas !!
Donna says
Your house is really a home, thank you so much for sharing!!! Where did you get the matching lamps on the table in your entry way? Also, the other lamps throughout the house (in the bathroom). I have such a hard time finding small lamps and good lighting.
Mix and Match Mama says
I bought them from a store called Anderson’s which is unfortunately no longer in business.
Laci says
Shay you have taught me so much about making my home cozy and festive! Love your blog and followed you for many years Merry Christmas!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe! Merry Christmas to YOU!!
Marie says
So warm and inviting!! But where is your nativity to remind your kids that’s it not just about Santa?
Mix and Match Mama says
We have some! My kiddos talk about Jesus year around, so they don’t need a nativity to remind them about Jesus which is even better news! That being said, along with other ones we have, the My People one is always so played with this time of year 🙂 .
Patty Anderson says
I could just snuggle up in your home with a good book and some CHRISTmas music and die happy! So warm and inviting. Just lovely!
Carol W says
Do you do all of the decorating yourself or do the kids like to help? Love it all!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
They did their trees and helped me change out their bedding, but I did the rest while they were at school.
Genevieve says
Do you remember where you got the tiny lamp in your pantry? Also, the round glass bowl on your counter that you filled with Christmas ball ornaments?
Mix and Match Mama says
The glass bowl is for sure from Hobby Lobby but I don’t remember where the lamp is from.
Mother of 3 says
Beautiful touches; love that grandfather clock. Only one of my boys actually wanted his tree put up in his room this year… it’s kind of sad as they get older and more and more of our traditions become obsolete.
Kim says
Your style of decor is totally my jam. Thanks for the house tour!
Sara says
These are my absolute favorite every year! Because of yours, we ordered the same stockings last year when we were expecting our first babe, and are now so excited to be able to use them this year! I noticed, when/why did you decide to change your stocking?!? ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe!!!! congratulations!! I didn’t change mine, I just pulled out my original one. When Ashby came, they didn’t make mine and Kensington’s any longer, so I bought all three of us new ones. This year, I accidentally hung up my original one and thought it was still cute, so I left it.
Lara says
Do you have a formal dining room? Would love to see! Maybe I’ve missed it!
Mix and Match Mama says
We do!!
Jessica says
Your kiddos Christmas plates are adorable! Do you make them at home or do you go somewhere to make them? I would love to do this for my daughter who is 2.5years old, who will have her first Christmas with her family. (I adopted her from China 6 months ago)
Mix and Match Mama says
There is a lady in the neighboring town who makes them! You go to her house and she puts the prints on there and then designs around them. Aren’t they adorable?
Annie says
Beautiful decor!!!! Where do you get such tall/full/thick garland for your mantels? Or is it multiple pieces up there? They look so full and beautiful!
Mix and Match Mama says
Only one piece! They came from The Christmas Shop in Plano TX!
Donna says
Where did you get the lighted garland going up the staircase ?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think Hobby Lobby. I added the lights!
Grace says
Your house is gorgeous- so festive and welcoming and cozy!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Do you have a computer area for the kids or do they borrow your laptop when needing to do any schoolwork?
Where do the kids keep their toys? Is there a separate playroom or is most everything in the bedrooms? Do you have big toys like play kitchen, trampoline, rocking horse, dollhouse, tent etc?
Thanks Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
They use my lap top in the kitchen when they need it for school stuff (which at this point, isn’t very often at all). We used to have a big play room with toys (play kitchen, rocking horse, etc), but this last July, my kids decided to donate almost all of that stuff and turn the room into their “library” with shelves of books and craft things. The big toys they kept are in their rooms now. We do not have a trampoline but we do make tents out of blankets and pillows all the time 🙂 .