Here at the farm we are still waiting for snow. The pleasant weather seems odd for December in Kansas, but once inside the farmhouse you will find, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas“…

In the entry I erased the grocery list from the chalkboard and replaced it with the story of Christmas. Then, on the entry table I lovingly displayed the Willow Tree Nativity set that Michael gifted me on our first Christmas as a married couple. The stable backdrop behind the Holy Family is something Michael made himself. You can read that 5 Step Tutorial by clicking {Here}.

The girls dressed one of their baby dolls up like Baby Jesus and set him on a rocking chair, “so he can watch the pwetty wites!”

This year is the first year in the history of our little family that we have a faux tree. After my second pregnancy my system must have changed! Sadly, now I am suddenly allergic to real Christmas trees. I suffered through last Christmas and then we bought this flocked tree at Walmart’s end-of-the-year sale for a steal. It’s very easy to set up and doesn’t shed needles. Still I miss the hunt, the authentic beauty, the smell, and the hilarious wrestling match that all come with having a real tree.

I had two very sweet helpers who decorated the pre-lit tree for me using worry-free dollar store “parkle balls.” I never had such an easy Christmas set up!

I had this little weathervane sitting in the living room awaiting the moment when Micheal would have a chance to attach it to our chicken coop. As we started to decorate the farmhouse for Christmas, the idea came to me to see if the little weathervane would perch atop the tree. With a little persuasion, low and behold it did! I love how the weathervane tree topper both fits with the farm theme of our decor and fits with the humble stable beginnings of our Savior’s birth.

Speaking of humble beginnings: this vintage style wooden truck, the zinc lanterns, and the little white barn in the school corner were all $5 finds from Dollar General Store, believe it or not! With a little paint and imagination they all became unique touches of Christmas cheer dotting our living room.

Having school in the living room during the farmhouse restoration project has been a tight squeeze, but it’s nice that I can work at my secretary desk and easily see if they girls need help on their schoolwork nearby. Avonlee feels honored that her tiny desk gets to display the Christmas barn after class.

As always, I kept the Christmas decor simple and the color palette didn’t stray from the usual blues, greens, whites, and warm wood tones, so that the room feels relaxed and subtly cheery. I like to keep all my holiday decorations up till after the New Year. So, adding minimal, yet meaningful touches in the room is the way I like to deck the halls.

I didn’t let my new greenery allergies or our tight budgetary restraints hold me back from having a magical mantlescape. I simply used what I call “brownery” (aka dried weeds from our pasture) mixed with bits of faux greenery I ripped out of those zinc Dollar General lanterns when I needed space for a candle. You might recognize the candle sticks from my Thanksgiving Tablescape Post. Never be afraid to shop your own house for decor!

If you are interested in learning how I made these grain sack stockings you can read my Tutorial by clicking {Here}. We don’t put gifts in them because they are really more for decoration. Honestly, the command hooks I use (and everything I have tried) to hang them with immediately falls the minute you put anything in the stockings. I still love to see the names of everyone in our little family displayed on the antique mantle, so it’s not a big deal.

Keeping the focus on the reason for the season is the main goal at our farm. Like any birthday celebration the decorations are fun to put up, but it’s the honorary birthday Boy who deserves all the attention. When the birthday Boy just happens to be the Saviour of the world all the decorating, the gifts, the hustle and bustle seem insignificant. If you stop and think about what Christmas is truly about… Wow, Christmas is the most incredibly beautiful moment! The moment that the Son of God came to live among us humans to save us from ourselves. What an incredible gift!

May God Bless you and your loved ones as you celebrate this Holy Day – Christmas.

The angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:10-14 ESV

Merry Christmas with Love,

the Floyd Family