Christmas Cottages!

Four distinctly different small homes decorated for the holidays should get us in the mood for upcoming festivities!  Seven days and counting...

Photos Courtesy of Country Living

Christmas in a New England Cottage

Christmas in a Cozy Cottage

Photos Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

A Red, White and Blue Cottage Christmas

 

Beach Cottage Christmas

New Year's Resolutions

This year, instead of resolutions where success depends on self-deprivation and steely willpower - the usual suspects of dieting and sticking to a budget come to mind - why not consider New Year's promises that bring beauty and joy into your home and life.

Here are a few suggestions.

Bring fresh flowers or greenery into your home.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

And think beyond store bought. Home grown garden greenery or seasonal flowers are just as lovely.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Put your rooms on a diet. Get rid of clutter and extra furniture.

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

Calm and beauty will naturally follow.

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

Create a haven for yourself. A comfortable chair in a sunny corner...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

a good book...

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

a few pillows and a cozy throw are all you need.

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Make small luxuries part of your everyday life. Thick white cotton towels are not just for guests.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Use your best china and table ware to make any occasion special.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Light a fire just because.

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

Open your home to family and friends. Plan at least one dinner party.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Or a simple tea party.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Start a garden. On a patio ...

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

... deck ...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

or backyard.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Do you have any home projects or resolutions planned for the New Year? Amber and I would love to hear about them.

Cheers!

Genevieve

Happy Holidays!

Everyone at The Jewel Box® Home would like to wish you a very lovely Christmas and Happy Holidays!

My focus this year, as every year, will be in those small moments, tiny treasures that linger in my memory for years to come. As the hustle and bustle of the season slows down and "The Day" is upon us, I make a point to stop and reflect on the many things about this time of year that I love and the abundance of things for which I am grateful. I challenge you this week, to stop and savor the small moments. Remembering that life is made up of those small moments and that those memories can be made in your own cozy Jewel Box® of a home.

This holiday season, may you experience sparkle...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

...moments of repose...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

...the gift of greetings from family and friends...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...the joy of giving...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...a feast to share...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...visions of sugarplums...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...and the warmth and joy of the season!

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

From my little Jewel Box® Home to yours...I wish you love, joy and happiness!

~Amber

"A little house~a house of my own~
Out of the wind's and the rain's way."
~Padraic Colum

Christmas on a Budget

This year I decided not spend any money on holiday decorations, except for buying the Christmas tree. My beloved amaryllis, poinsettias and fresh arrangements of roses and lilies would not be part of our Christmas scenery. I did not even buy a wreath for the front door, but instead used white lights and red bows saved from last year. I almost made an exception for my annual tradition of buying a few new Christmas tree ornaments. As a girl, my mom took me every year to pick out two or three new tree decorations. I have continued the annual tradition on my own, always thinking of my mom as I choose my ornaments. But this year, I was not spending money which I knew would make my mom happy.

So here are the results of my frugal creativity.

Christmas Greenery

Instead of buying roses and white lilies - which I love - for the front entrance, I filled a vase with pine greenery from the lower branches of the tree and fresh variegated boxwood from my garden. The 'red berries' are artificial. I reuse them every year to add a little pop of color to greens.

A large flower and fruit filled crystal vase is one of my 'wow' Christmas centerpieces each year. To recreate this focal point without spending money, I again used greenery from the tree and hung my Santa ornament collection from the branches along with gold bells that also typically hang on the tree. As a final touch I tied a Rudolph ornament on a slim red ribbon around the neck of the vase. A completely different look from the elegant flower and fruit arrangement, but still very 'Christmasy' and one my young niece and nephew will enjoy when they visit on Christmas day.

My Santa collection hanging from Christmas greenery.

Close up of a Santa ornament.

The Christmas Tree

I didn't spend any money, but I still have two new ornaments for the tree.

This is a tiny Godiva chocolate box tied with a red ribbon. I used an ornament hook to hang it from the branch.

This special ornament is a small jewelry bag that belonged to my mother. I stuffed it with tissue and hung it from a red tie cord near the ornamental birds that my mother always loved.


My tree skirt is two yards of red velvet I used several years ago for a Halloween costume. I think it frames the tree nicely and is an elegant backdrop for presents. (And yes, I forgot to sweep around the tree before taking this photo. That green speck on the floor is a broken tree tip.)


I also wanted to make holiday decorating a little easier, so I didn't hang the dozens of crystal icicles in my ornament collection. Not as much sparkle, but still festive. And less to put away when the holidays are over!

More Holiday Budget Decorating

Rosemary topiaries decorated with 'red berries' for the holidays. I'll be using these rosemary clippings for my beef tenderloin on Christmas day. (You can find the recipe on my New Year's Celebration post from last year.)

Santa ornament collection with holiday rosemary topiaries.

Dining room chandelier decked out with artificial greenery and a favorite ornament.

A trio of nutcrackers and a red berry wreath purchased several years ago.

A simple white bowl and pomegranates add holiday color to the coffee table. The pomegranates will be served with dessert at Christmas dinner.

Homecoming

Fast becoming a traditional holiday scene at my house is luggage dumped in the entry way when my son comes home from college. To be fair, this pile also includes luggage my younger son used for a trip to visit a friend out of state. It has now been over a day since both boys came home. I'm waiting to see how long it takes them to pick up their bags.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Genevieve