It’s hard to believe this is our second year decorating this house for the holidays — where did the time go? You may have seen a glimpse in our new kitchen door post, but today I’m sharing the full tour. Year Two in this house feels more restrained than last year, but still festive and warm.
Last year we placed a small real tree upstairs in the family room and used our narrow faux tree in the bedroom. This year, though, the main tree sits in the cozy nook created by our new pantry in the kitchen, which means it can be enjoyed most of the day. Having the tree in that spot made a secondary tree upstairs unnecessary.
One happy surprise about this location is how well the tree reads from outside — it feels like extra value for very little effort. We literally just tucked the tree into the pantry corner on a whim and both said, “Yes — perfect!”
I love the contrast of flip-flops and a lemon tree outside with a glowing Christmas tree indoors — it makes me smile. The tree doesn’t intrude on daily life; it replaces a potted plant that usually sits in that corner, so the only real change is height. The kids easily decorated it without the tree blocking any pathways.
For a better feel of the kitchen and how everything flows, there’s a video that walks you through the space. I especially like the glimpse out to the kitchen porch — it’s very Florida and always makes me chuckle.
Back to the tree: we’re fans of a collected, sentimental look. Ornaments accumulated over time — handmade by the kids, gifted, or meaningful — are what we love. Gone are coordinated, themed trees; instead we fill every branch with memories and enjoy the results.
The kids placed their stuffed animal “Burger” by the tree the first night, which made me cry — we miss him deeply. Our tree has several ornaments that remind us of Burger, and those keepsakes help hold his memory close.
There’s also Raychard — yes, Raychard, named by our daughter when she was little. He’s been with us for years and always gets into mischief, which keeps things entertaining.
Upstairs, I kept things minimal: a tray of ornaments and some small bottle brush trees were all I needed to make the space feel festive. The mix includes bottle brush, wood, ceramic, and mercury glass pieces — small treasures I was careful to pack when we moved, so I’m always a little protective of them.
By the TV there’s a shallow bowl of pink and silver ornaments for a touch of sparkle. I actually store that bowl with the ornaments inside it year-round in a wardrobe cabinet, so it’s ready to set out each season — an easy, low-effort hack that keeps things tidy.
The living room decorations are intentionally subtle this year. I’ve resisted going overboard and focused on small accents that feel thoughtful rather than flashy.
I adore the corner with the pink painting, a brass sconce, and a cluster of tiny tabletop trees. They’re inexpensive but charming; I picked up a few small ones at Target and they feel instantly cheerful.
More bottle brush trees ended up on the desk, alongside the reality of Lego pieces on the floor — real life in a family home. Many of those Legos are from John’s childhood, saved by his mom, which makes me happy that playthings get passed down.
I also recommend a disco ball for year-round sparkle — the reflections when sunlight hits it are surprisingly delightful.
This year we added a beautiful menorah, a nod to family traditions. Growing up, we had both a tree and a menorah, and it felt special to share those memories and light the candles with the kids. Also, you’ll notice a few smeared handprints on the dishwasher — authenticity over perfection here.
Outside, John wrapped a tree with warm white lights and it looks magical at night. I’m lobbying to leave those lights up year-round because they cast such a lovely glow that we enjoy from inside during dinners and evenings on the couch.
Also worth a mention: our neighbors decorate with inflatable dachshunds, and their enthusiasm for festive yard decor is the best. There are several cheerful houses nearby, so even at the beach — with temperatures in the 70s — the neighborhood feels merry.
Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season!
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