It’s hard to believe this is our second year decorating this house for the holidays. You may have seen a peek in our kitchen door post, but here’s a full tour. Year two feels more minimal than last year, but still very festive.
Last year we had a mini real tree upstairs and our skinny artificial tree in the bedroom. This year the main tree found a new home in the little nook the pantry created in the kitchen, which makes it visible and enjoyed much more. Because it’s so central, we skipped adding a second tree upstairs. You can see last year’s decorations in our previous holiday post.
The pantry corner turned out to be perfect — the tree looks great from outside and lights up the entryway at night. We literally pushed it into the nook on a whim and both agreed immediately: it was the right spot.
The combination of flip-flops and a lemon tree outside with a glowing Christmas tree inside is irresistibly Florida and always makes me smile.
From the other side, the tree doesn’t interfere with daily life. That corner usually holds a large potted plant, so the main difference is height. The nook isn’t a walkway, so the tree feels like a natural fit.
We prefer a collected, sentimental approach to tree decorations — a mix of handmade kid ornaments, family keepsakes and favorites gathered over time. Coordinated, themed trees aren’t our thing anymore; we love the joyful clutter of mismatched ornaments across every branch.
The kids placed their stuffed animal “Burger” under the tree the first night and it brought me to tears. We miss him dearly and have several ornaments that remind us of him — he truly lives on in our holiday memories.
We also have Raychard (yes, Raychard, not Richard) — a long-lived stuffed friend named by our daughter years ago. He’s a mischievous presence in our home and a small, funny tradition that feels comforting.
Upstairs I kept things minimal: a tray of ornaments, a few bottle brush trees and small decorative pieces. The mix includes wood, ceramic, mercury glass and vintage-style trees that I carefully packed and moved because they’re precious to me.
By the TV there’s a dough bowl filled with shiny pink and silver ornaments for a subtle sparkle. I store that bowl with the ornaments already arranged, so it’s quick to set out each year — a simple shortcut that keeps holiday prep easy.
I love the vignette of the pink painting, a brass sconce and a small grouping of tabletop trees. I couldn’t resist picking up a few inexpensive bottle brush trees that felt fun and festive. They’re tiny, affordable, and pack a big visual punch.
More bottle brush trees ended up on the desk in the upstairs office, where everyday life — including a scattering of Legos — continues alongside small festive touches. Many of those Legos are sentimental too, saved from John’s childhood by his mom so our kids can play with them now.
I also added a disco ball because reflections and little sparkles are good for year-round cheer. When the sun hits it, the room comes alive with tiny dancing lights.
This year we also added a beautiful menorah to our home. Growing up in an interfaith family, I loved having both a menorah and a tree, and I wanted our kids to share in that tradition. Lighting the menorah together sparked stories and memories from my childhood, which was really special.
Outside, John wrapped a small tree with warm white lights. It glows beautifully at night and can be enjoyed from inside while we eat or relax. We’re tempted to leave it up year-round because the soft glow is so lovely.
Our neighbors bring extra cheer with their inflatable dachshunds and seasonal displays. There are several festive houses nearby, so even at the beach — when it’s 75 degrees — the neighborhood definitely feels like the holidays.
All in all, our holiday decorating this year is more restrained but warm and personal. Between the central kitchen tree, sentimental ornaments, small tabletop trees, a menorah, and cozy exterior lights, the house feels merry without being over the top.
Hope everyone is having a happy holiday season! *
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