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Simple Christmas decor in the Sugar Maple house great room, featuring mantel decorations, pillows, flowers, and a Christmas tree!
Welcome to the week before Christmas! I hope this finds you ready, and resting up for the big day. I’m still not ready, but the clock is ticking, so I know I need to get busy! I’m very glad I’m able to share our great room decorated for Christmas…and a few shots of the kitchen. (I’ll be showing you the entire kitchen next month.) I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, but here I am!
The Mantel
The Christmas decor in our great room happened slowly, because I honestly wasn’t sure what I was doing. The first thing I tackled was the mantel. I already had the Norfolk pine garland, so I simply placed it on the mantel. No swooping or draping…but I might attempt that next year!
The little white houses were nestled in, and fairy lights were added. After that, I hung our stockings on one side, and my new set of gold bells on the other. Simple to do, but festive and fun.
Note: the Norfolk pine garland is currently sold out everywhere. I had linked to it several times earlier in the season. I will let you know when it’s available again.
Festive Accessories
We lived with the mantel decor for a week or two, and then I was ready to finish the room. Christmas pillows and throw blankets softened the furniture. I hadn’t treated myself to fresh flowers for a few months, so I added them to the coffee table. The pine, along with the red and white flowers, provided the perfect holiday touch.
The Christmas Tree
At this point, I had to decide if I was going to bring in my tabletop trees, or perhaps go another route. It’s been many years since I’ve featured a big tree, but I decided to give it a go, and not only was it fun, it was very easy. (You can read my tabletop tree journey HERE.)
When we lived on Sutton Place, our basement stairs were enclosed and small, and carrying up a Christmas tree was a chore. The Sugar Maple house has an open and wide basement stairway, so bringing up a tree is so much easier.
I purchased a pre-lit, slim tree that went together in, and I’m not kidding, about 10 minutes. (I got the tree at our local Hobby Lobby, and it’s sold out…but I linked to a few similar trees below.) I also purchased a tree bag, so that will help with the storage issue as well.
Decorating the Tree
Decorating the tree was an interesting experience! I felt a little out of my comfort zone, but I decided to keep it very simple so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed.
I love the way the ribbon garland turned out, but there was no rhyme or reason in regards to the way I hung it. I know there are many, many tutorials on how to add ribbon garland to a tree, but I didn’t look at a single one. I just wrapped, fluffed, and attached the ribbon to the tree in various places. To attach it, I found a flexible tree branch and twisted it around the ribbon.
I had the striped balls from last year, and I’ve had the collection of red balls for many years. I spaced them out the best I could, and they filled the tree nicely. Every square inch of the tree is not covered with ornaments, but I’m OK with that. Maybe next year!
The last thing I knew I wanted was a tree collar. I’ve seen them on Instagram trees and in catalogs for several years, and I was lucky to find one at a decent price when I got the tree at Hobby Lobby. Again, it’s sold out, but I found a couple of similar ones that I linked to in the shopping section below.
One of the reasons I stopped putting up a big tree, and there were many, was that I didn’t enjoy doing it by myself. It felt like a difficult chore, and it was definitely no fun. This year, I didn’t feel that way at all. It was a challenge, but I loved every minute. For me, keeping it simple and straightforward was the key to a positive experience. Our “simple is best” motto proved to be the answer.
The Tree Placement
Another big difference between the Sugar Maple house and the house on Sutton Place was the placement of the tree. On Sutton Place, I needed to move furniture, and actually remove a chair in order to make room for a big tree.
This year, there was no moving needed! The tree is the first thing we see when we walk in the front door…and I think it’s the best Christmas greeting ever.
Click the images below to be taken directly to the product listing. Every effort has been made to provide sources for the items found in this post. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
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This is my last Christmas post for 2021…but I’ll be back Thursday with a very fun post about layering a neutral bed. Until then…
I love everything! What is the brand and model of you sofa?
Hi Reda…that sofa is several years old and was purchased at a local furniture store. The store belonged to a chain that actually went bankrupt and is no longer open! I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. Happy Holidays!
Your Christmas decor looks great. I too have simplified this year by not putting out so many of the decorations I have made and accumulated over the years. Merry Christmas!
I’ve been saving this post for when I had time to read it. It’s all very lovely!
Everything is just lovely Anne.
Look forward to seeing more of your new home.
Season’s blessings!🎄
Merry Christmas and your new home and Christmas decor is beautiful!!!
Calm, peaceful, beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Ann, I don’t know where to start – I love it all, and I mean ALL! The tree is gorgeous, the simple Christmas decor is beautiful, but I’m also admiring your neutral palette, the white walls, white accessories, beige rug, and chairs…it’s simply gorgeous. The pops of red Christmas decor really make a statement!
Ann,
Your home is lovely and all of the Christmas decorations. The tree is very nice. Thanks for sharing!!!
Everything looks wonderful Ann. Good to hear you enjoyed decorating a big tree this year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
It’s all lovely. I truly believe that simple, as you describe it, is so much more tasteful these days. Simple doesn’t mean bare or plain—it is peaceful and carefully curated. So so pretty.
You’ve done a wonderful job decorating your new home.
Merry Christmas!
Your new place decorated for Christmas is so striking!! I absolutely love it! Merry Christmas :)
Merry Christmas to you and especially exciting for you to be in your new home 🎄.
Love your tree….we need a replacement next year for ours and we plan on getting a slim tree.
Everything is so pretty! I also purchased a slim Christmas tree at Hobby Lobby. It’s the perfect fit for my small sitting room and I love how quick it goes up! Merry Christmas!
Wonderful! Everything looks simple and cozy. Love reading your blog. Merry Christmas!
Lovely as usual…you have the perfect touch. I have a question about your flower arrangements and the table scape. Are any of the elements artificial and if so, from where do you purchase these greens, etc. I look forward to all your messages especially all the Christmas ideas. Merry Christmas to you and your family…
Everything is so very lovely. I think the new house is going to be just as wonderful as Sutton Place. Thank you for sharing all of your new decorations. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2022.
Cheryl
Your house is beautiful and looks so welcoming and comfortable.
Just beautiful!! 🎄
I couldn’t love this more, Ann!! The light, bright, wide open spaces punctuated by your cheerful holiday pops is just perfect!
Your new home is beautiful and your tree is gorgeous! I love plaid and red for Christmas decor, so your tree is perfect! Merry Christmas!
Your new home looks beautiful and ready for Christmas! Love the light and bright feel of the family room.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas in your new home. I think it takes some time living in any new space to actually feel one with it. Your decor turned out just right. Looking forward to your new ideas. Happy New Year.
Loving your new tree and the simplicity of the decor.Everything looks like it’s fitting together perfectly in your new home.Blessing to you and your family.Merry Christmas.
You’re house looks wonderful…warm, cozy and inviting. Love your tree. I too decided to keep the tree simpler by not adding all the Disney Hallmark ornaments my mom had bought for my daughter as she was growing up, but I’ll save them for my grandkids to put on their tree. Can’t wait to see your new home through all the seasons! Have a Blessed and Happy Holiday!
Your Christmas decor in your new home is beautiful! So cheerful and festive. Thank you for sharing ~ and Christmas blessings to you and your family!
Lovely, as always! I miss the house on Sutton Place, but love your new home! You always inspire me!
Just lovely. And you got a new table and chairs! It looks great.
A new home is a new empty canvas. How fun.
Wow it’s so beautiful, I have a white tree but have not put it up the last year and not this year because we are not seeing family yet too risky for hubby he has cancer and on heavy meds at the moment. Hopefully next year I love your tree collar I thought if I get a smaller tree I need one the I remembered I have a lamp shade (a large one) I could use for a smaller tree LOL I will experiment with it. Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year.
Everything is beautiful! I like your tree the way it is. I don’t fill every branch with ornaments on our tree either. I like that it gives the eye a rest, it highlights the ornaments I do have, and I enjoy seeing the green of the tree. What width ribbon did you use for your garland? I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
I just realized it was 4 inches–I need to read more carefully!
Everything is so beautiful, Ann, and I know you will be happy to get it all in place. Merry Christmas!🎄
Looks like your settling in and feeling out the new house! It is a process for sure. I love the new tree! And I did the very same thing this year! LOL so I got a little giggle seeing it there! Our new slim tree was a snap to set up and I too ordered a storage bag! I can just slide this new tree into a closet. And my Hubby made a box for ours to sit in. I put up all the decorations but might simplify next year I love your simple decor! It was good to revisit all those family decorations but that eventually becomes a bit overwhelming so I will be rethinking that this next year.
Sit back and enjoy this year Christmas as you and the house get to know each other! Merry Christmas!!
Everything looks beautiful!
Merry Christmas in your
lovely new home. You bring such joy to us who read your posts. Now take time for self and family and blessings of this holy, special season
Everything looks gorgeous!