Christmas time. It’s a magical time filled with so many memories of being a child. I get really emotional around this time of year because so many thoughts and feelings come rushing back. My dear friend, Jen, from withHeart is hosting a beautiful blog hop today. It’s not just about pretty photos, but the stories that we all hold dear. Stories of tradition and meaning. If you are just coming from withHeart, welcome. I thought I would sprinkle in a few photos of our living room decorated for Christmas as I share some of the things that make this time of year special to us.
I am always very cognizant of my brother no longer being with us at this time of year. I miss him immensely. He made us laugh like no other and I miss his sense of humor especially on Christmas eve. For some reason, Tim would always pick Christmas eve to convince me that he had an amazing singing voice. He would attempt to bust out a Christmas song in a booming singing voice. Honestly, it was hilarious because we couldn’t stop from laughing. Both of us. I am still not sure if that boy could sing but I do miss him trying each Christmas. So to carry on that tradition, my husband and I sing for one another on Christmas eve and it always ends in us laughing hysterically. Let’s just say, I can’t sing.
I grew up with a mom who could sew and make beautiful things. She made a reindeer head surrounded by a wreath when we were young. It cracks me up that those are all the rage now. But it was seeing the same decorations year after year that was so special. I used to LOVE pulling out all of the decor when I was young. I want that for our children. You won’t find me drastically switching up our Christmas decor each year. I think there is something to be said for pulling out the same stockings and the same nativity scene. Our ornaments date back to when we my husband and I were little to ones we have collected with our own children. Many are hand made or given to us by relatives. My children savor unwrapping each one to hang on the tree each year. I love the tradition and memories attached to decorations that stand the test of time. Are you the same way?
I recently spoke about our Advent Calendar and what an important tradition that has become. It’s by far our favorite tradition as a family of four. We spend time together every night doing something. It’s never too elaborate but it’s time out during this hectic time to just be together. And my son recently announced that it’s his favorite part of Christmas.
While there are many traditions that make Christmas really special for us, these stockings have special significance. Not necessarily the stocking themselves, but the history behind this tradition. It goes back as far as I can remember as a child. And it’s one that brings up tears almost every Christmas season. The tradition we hold dear is having Grandma and Grandpa open a stocking full of gifts. One from every grandchild in the family especially picked out for them. I have such vivid and wonderful memories of seeing my sweet grandparents sitting in their pajamas opening all of the little gifts. Their reactions were always so enthusiastic as if they had just opened the crown jewels. Now that my sweet grandparents are celebrating Christmas in heaven, we have continued the tradition with my parents. As grandparents they now open stocking gifts from each of the grandchildren on Christmas morning. Without a doubt it always reminds us of Ammy and Poppy (what I used to call my grandparents).
It’s the traditions that are woven throughout the years that make this time of year so intimate and magical. I look back at my own childhood and just how important the little things were. Now my children are forming those same memories and ideas and it’s hard to believe I am not a kid anymore. I hope that the traditions we have put into place always remain a special part of their holiday seasons as they grow older and one day have their own families.
Next up on the Holiday withHeart tour is my sweet friend, Kristen, from Bliss at Home. She is so very talented and her house it just magical around the holidays. I’m sure you’ll fall in love if you don’t already know her.
Bliss at Home
Thanks for stopping in. I know this time of year is hectic and busy and I appreciate your taking the time to check in over here.
Your living room always looks beautiful around Christmas! I too like pulling out the same decor each year and not changing it up too much. And I love your stocking for grandparents tradition! And I can only imagine how much you must think of your brother around the holidays. It’s always nice to remember the good and fun times with them 🙂
Thank you so much, Meghan. I love that you like to keep things similar as well. It makes it so fun pulling those decorations out year after year. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season. xo
Such a beautiful and warm home and Christmas decor. And it is a sweet way to remember your brother. It’s always a good thing to remember someone with laughter! Happy Holidays!
Thank you, Julie! I am always so sad to take down the decor after Christmas. Everyone’s homes look so pretty this time of year. And you are right, laughter is the best way to remember someone. We have learned that for sure. Thanks for popping in, Julie. xo
We also keep the mostly the same decor at Christmas–I just love pulling the things collected over the years and the memories associated with them. My mom did the same thing, so I grew up talking about the memories of the pieces with my mom, and then my daughters and now my grandson helps me put out the Christmas decorations. He is only 5, but gets excited when he sees certain things! In our family we all get one new ornament each year (usually a Hallmark ornament), so our trees are full of memories. Have a wonderful, memory-filled Christmas!
I love that, Dawn. And how special for your grandson to be forming all of those same memories you have had. I love watching our two unwrap the ornaments. They BEG to open that box . . . and it’s normally while things are a scattered mess and the tree isn’t even up yet but sweet that they don’t want to wait. Merry Christmas to you and your family. xo
Beautiful, touching stories. I especially love the story of the stockings for the Grandparents. Do you do this with your in-law grandparents too? I’m sorry about your brother, but what a wonderful, life affirming way to remember him. Gorgeous home!
What a beautiful post Courtney! I loved it all. Especially hearing about your brother singing on Christmas Eve. I’m sure the holidays are always hard without him – what a special memory and I love that your husband sings with you to keep it alive. Although I have to say I have a hard time believing you can’t sing because you do everything SO well! 🙂 I am the same way about my Christmas decorations. You won’t see me doing drastically different things each year. My kids love pulling out the same decor and so do I. Everything has meaning and brings back special memories.
Your home is absolutely stunning Courtney! Wishing you the best holiday season! And my New Year’s goal this year is lunch with you. 🙂 xo
Your home looks stunning and so warm. I have been looking at all the homes on this blog hop. They are all so beautiful. I loved reading all the stories. Yours, however, really touched my heart. We lost our 17 year old son to brain cancer. Reading about you and the memories of your brother had me thinking about my daughter and how much she misses him this time of year. They were so close. Yet, like you, she tends to always bring back traditions she had with him during the Christmas season. The Holiday’s are always so hard but when you remember the good times and bring back those special moments that you shared with your loved one, it makes it a little easier.
Our favorite tradition is the tree and ornaments. I wouldn’t trade my ornaments for new ones either. They mean the world to me. We do buy a new one yearly, but the old ones are always front and center on our tree especially the ones that remind us of my son.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas filled with love and laughter.
Courtney,
That was very touching to hear you talk about your brother. He sounds like an amazing person. My daughter has a beautiful singing voice, but sadly, the rest of us were not blessed with the talent.
Your decorations are so beautiful. I used the same red striped ribbon on my stockings too. I also used it on my red and black/plaid tree and I just sit and stare at it. Something about that ribbon just makes everything stand out. My advent calendar was made by my mom and I treasure it. Seems like we have some of the same traditions. I hope you and your family have an amazing Christmas together.
Jenn
Sweet Courtney, what a special post– thank you so much for sharing! I loved every bit of it– especially the way you celebrate your brother and the story about your grandparents. What lucky kids you have to have such a sentimental mother who makes holidays so special! Love you!
Courtney,
Your blog is my absolute favorite! I love everything you decorate, wear, and share! Thank you also for always putting your faith and family first! A thoughtful place is my spot for inspiration! Christmas blessings!
Beautiful decorations accompanied by a beautiful post. Traditions are so important — especially this time of the year. I grew up with so many fun and comforting traditions surrounding Christmastime. By far, as a child, this was the month I waited all year for. It was the month we did so much as a family and spent so much time with all of our extended family, too. Thanks for sharing your traditions with us. Those of us who have memories like these are so, so blessed!
Such beautiful traditions, Courtney. I have so many of the same great memories – my mom getting the same things out year after year. I LOVED the collection of Christmas books that we’d get out every December. I’m sure whatever your singing voice sounds like it makes your brother happy in heaven 🙂 You can’t shut me up when Christmas carols are on and I have no great singing voice either…or any song for that matter, you should hear me rap to Macklemore 😉
I love this post, Courtney. Thank you for sharing such intimate and special memories for your family. I agree that it’s so special to use the same decorations year after year. We have some loop stitched pillows that were done by my great-grandparents– they are so special to me.
Thanks for sharing something so personal, Courtney. Love your home and your sweet heart as well:)
I love this so so much! Such special traditions you all have. And your home always looks so beautiful at this time of year!
Thank you for your blog- it is truly a breath of fresh air. I look forward to your posts and appreciate that somehow it is unique yet traditional and that the posts don’t seem to be a repeat of 12 other posts on 12 other blogs! Hope your holidays are truly filled with joy!