Take a peek inside our rental home for the Holidays! We kept things VERY simple and as inexpensive as possible – but I hope you’ll still find some inspiration with our Natural Christmas Decorations.
Welcome everyone coming from Love Grows Wild! Take a minute to close your jaw and wipe the drool . . . I know, Liz works decor miracles. Love that girl to death!
I’m shrugging off my pride and swinging open the doors of vulnerability and letting you all into our rental home for the Holidays . . . at least the only part that is decorated.
We really are grateful to be where we are at the moment, with a slower pace of living and exciting things to look forward to, but I just didn’t feel like my decor this year was anything very inspiring or worth taking up your brain space.
Then a couple things happened. A dear friend and fellow blogger, Sheila from Maison de Cinq contacted me and asked me to fill a spot in her Farmhouse Christmas home tours, and did her best to convince me that what I had to share would be worth it.
I also took my IG Stories followers for a little tour and was floored by the kind comments and feedback for the natural decor I had used. You see, nature is not only beautiful, but very inexpensive (or free!) and many seemed grateful for the ideas that would allow them to add decor without the cost.
Buoyed by the encouragement of the kind souls in this world, here I am, sharing my life in each stage . . . Pinterest perfect or not.
If Farmhouse style resonates with yours, in a big or subtle way, be sure to cruise through the beautiful homes at the bottom of this post. Each blogger decorates with Farmhouse Elements, in their own unique way and interpretation. It is so very inspiring to see them all come together like this!
I tend to love natural, simple and curated decor, so Farmhouse style subconsciously sneaks in no matter where I am at. In this house, bringing in rustic and naturalistic elements seemed like the right direction to help create a cozy atmosphere for my family.
It started with a wonderful day up in the mountains together and chopping down a sparse but beautiful evergreen tree. Then I sprinkled in other natural elements like dried oranges, dried apples, fresh greenery, pinecones and we even dehydrated cranberries to make cranberry garland to go with the popcorn garland. It was all a family affair and we watched many Christmas movies to get through it all! A treasured memory (now that it is said and done). Our food dehydrator has been working on overdrive!
The only thing I bought this year were these battery operated remote candlelights. They clip right onto the branches and all turn on with the push of a button.
I adore a sparse mountain tree, but can’t stand when the cords from string lights hang and dangle everywhere. These candle lights are the perfect alternative!
Other candles and lights dress the mantel with fresh garland and oranges.
I’ve placed our Book Countdown near the tree, one of my absolute favorite traditions. I posted our Families Favorite Christmas books if you are looking to add few to your collection this year.
Lastly, I shifted around some furniture so I could squeeze in a side-table to hold our Nativity, a treasure passed down to me from my Grandmother.
A few cozy blankets and pillows top it all off.
While this home may not suit my TIDBITS style perfectly, I hope it has inspired you to find a way to cozy up your home no matter the situation you find yourself in.
Simply look to nature to inspire your Farmhouse decor . . . and the following bloggers homes will help guide you too 😉
If you would like to know a couple of ways to dry or dehydrate fruit, I wrote about that on my DIY Dried Stovetop Potpourri gift idea.
If you would like to see what a TIDBITS Christmas usually looks like, check out my favorite year ever . . . A French Farmhouse Christmas tour.
I’ve also created some themed Christmas decor round-ups, which you can get a glimpse of all the themes HERE, or for the Farmhouse fans, skip right to all things Farmhouse!
If you haven’t seen it already, our old home made a comeback for our Classic Red and Green Farmhouse Christmas Bedroom.
Next year, I’m hoping to share a Christmas tour from a new home on this beautiful 25 acres of land! More details about this big dream coming up in video and photos so soon! Eeeeeek!
Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you’ll all each enjoy a little Farmhouse in your Christmas!
See all my friends homes down below, or continue this home tour loop by heading over to the incredible, kind, generous and extremely talented Liz Marie Blog!
(P.S. Did you see what Liz and her husband announced on her Instagram stories?!! Funding someone else’s adoption!!! Incredible! Go and nominate yourselves or someone you know hoping to adopt, if there is still time!)
FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS HOME TOURS
And if you missed yesterday’s posts, you can get to those by clicking the links below!
Thursday’s Posts:
Maison de Cinq | Boxwood Avenue | Ella Claire | Rooms for Rent | Maison de Pax | Farmhouse on Boone | Thistlewood Farms
Friday’s Posts:
Miss Mustard Seed | Love Grows Wild | Tidbits | Liz Marie Blog | So Much Better with Age | Mountain View Cottage | Lauren McBride
Cami,
I saw your nativity and almost spit out my coffee! It’s exactly like ours!
My in-laws brought one back from Jerusalem (church trip) in 1994 for each of their four children’s families who resided in Cincinnati. I still have the box and the newspaper it was wrapped in printed in Arabic. My mother-in-law said it was carved from olive wood. We treasure it and display it every year. Your rental home looks very cozy and welcoming. Love your style!
God’s Word says ” be content where you are ” . I just don’t understand your apologizing about your situation . A Lot of people are in much worse situations – homeless , wondering where their next meal will come from , abused and unloved homes , sexual abuse , unsafe neighborhoods , I could go on but I won’t . You have created a safe, loving , well provided for home . You are truly blessed and Still not satisfied , you have a loving husband and wonderful children . They are not on drugs, in a gang or sexually active , they look healthy , happy and well fed . I thought it was so sweet , thoughtful and unselfish when you decorated your neighbors porch . Cami, SHINE where you are , Never apologize for your home or situation , be content with what you have created ( don’t look for outside approval ) trust yourself and God . I want a tree just like yours – the simplicity of it is elegant . I enjoy your blog , especially the ones with the children in them . Your children look so different from the children here , some of the children here are on drugs and sexually active at age seven – they look hard already . Your children are how children are suppose to look . Have a Blessed Day and know that I love your family.
Cami! Everything looks just lovely! You always inspire me, no matter what space you are decorating!
Tracey xo
How utterly inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing how enjoyable Christmas can be without the clutter of commercialism. What you shared today took me back to my childhood Christmas’s, something that I now regret my kids didn’t get to experience. I remember stringing popcorn and crocheting garland to decorate our own sparse tree (that somehow seemed to grow from the time we cut it to the time we set it up in the house). Thank you so much for sharing where you are right now. A lot of us are in limbo, not quite where we want to be, but trying to make the best of what we have. It’s important to embrace and appreciate these moments of growth and potential. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Cami, thank you for sharing a simple Christmas. It’s so lovely. I love the simplicity. Your home looks very cozy. Enjoy your blog so much. Thank you for sharing your home with us all.
Thank you for sharing this part of your life. There are many people who are not in their “Pinterest” time of life who are going to be so inspired by you. I was actually thinking of drying some oranges to hang around my house this year to add to our decor and seeing your home has given me the push I need. It is cozy and fun. Thanks again for sharing!
There are two things I am embracing this Christmas. Your former posts inspired me to start dehydrating fruit, and yes, I am making your Dried Fruit Stovetop Potpourri. The other is not over decorating. I live in a cozy log home in the Piney Woods of E. Texas. The first year that we lived year, I used a lot of natural elements to decorate and it was my favorite. So, I plan to try and recreate that look. So, for me, your Christmas décor is PERFECT! I love the dried cranberries and orange slices, and I’ve always loved using pinecones and fresh greenery. Your inspiring posts have really influenced my gifts this year. I am making little baskets filled with the dried potpourri, homemade Madagascar Vanilla, and Goat’s Milk and Honey soaps (even used the cute mold). And for the adults who imbibe, we made batches of Apple Pie and Cherry Pie Moonshines. Thank you for sharing your creative ideas throughout the year!
Soooo glad you decided to share………………. that mantle is just perfect !!! And so is the tree….. makes me want to head back up to a cabin in the Smokies………… just beautiful !!
Good grief, Cami, your Christmas decorations are amongst the best I have seen this year. They have both a Victorian and Scandinavian feel to them. Perhaps the rental’s color scheme is out of your wheel works, but that doesn’t alter your decorating skills one bit. Please feel free to celebrate the joy of the season along with your ability to transform a space into something magical. Cheers, Ardith
Ok, the house may not be your style, but that tree! The natural elements are stunning! Your style is still there, Cami. You have nothing to be embarrassed by…plus I see plenty that’s Pinterest worthy! I really like the dried fruit!
🙂 Cecilia
I love the dried orange slices! They look perfect on that tree.
Marian Parsons recently posted…Christmas Living Room 2018
It is beautiful. Just like all of your design the love you have for your family shows through. It is liveable and so much love is all of the design.
Your decorating (even if not what you would usually do) speaks of your heart, family and an inexpensive way to have a cozy and inviting Christmas home; very nice.
I bet a lot of people live in homes similar to your rental home. It’s nice to show them some inspiration that they can actually use. Good decor is good decor whether it’s in a rental house or your dream home.
You have created Christmas in the best way possible, with love and understanding. You have a warm and cozy atmosphere, thank you so much for sharing.
Girl, you need to take a deep breath and just enjoy the transition between what was and what will be! Even tho all that brown got you down, you’ve done an inspiring job of bringing beauty to your “inbetween” rental. Your Christmas décor is cozy and calming. It has family and faith and love written all through it. I bet your kids will remember this one especially well because it will be so different than all those before and all those to come. And that’s what it’s all about — making memories with our family! 🙂 Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your current nest!
Cami, I love your blog, but was a bit disappointed that you were apologizing for your home. There are so many families out there that would love to have your home. It is cozy, and cute and filled with love, which is the most important thing of all. God tells us to be content, happy, and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is not about what or how much you have. Your Christmas tree brought tears to my eyes. This was the type of tree that my Mother loved, and brought into our home when I was growing up. I loved it as well. She loving decorated it herself, after I was grown and gone from home. It is one of the best memories I have of my childhood. And lastly, I am 71 years old now, and have never had a fireplace in my home. I have longed for years for a fireplace, but have always loved the home I am in. You have a fireplace, and I am sure much much more. Be happy and be proud and bloom where you are planted. What you did show us was lovely. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday.
It is really nice to see a Christmas tree that is not all commercial. So many are done up with big company items, not that it is a bad way it’s just nice to see something that is homemade. It give a special spirit to the season. Thank you!
I have always loved your blog but I think it has gotten better recently. Anyone can go buy out a craft store to decorate but you have been so creative and done it on a dime. Please stop apologizing and focus on all your blessings and the beautiful memories you are making with your children. I grew up in a family with 5 sisters and I always made my presents to them. You are teaching your children skills that they can someday teach their children. Many, many people would feel so blessed to be where you are.
I really like your simplicity of décor. I think you nailed it! Merry Christmas!
Cami, please don”t apologize! It’s beautiful. Home isn’t about the 4 walls but the family within.
Wishing you peace through your transition.
Merry Christmas!
~Aly
thanks, i love all, wonderful decorations
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As a fellow renter this year I am so glad you shared this space!! I know just how hard it is to get into the decorating spirit when you feel like your living in someone else space!!! Its so pretty and I loved all the natural touches!! Can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!! 25 acers of land!??!! ahh that is so exciting so happy for you my sweet friend!!
Cami you needn’t have worried as this is absolutely perfect. Not only gorgeous – but simple and gorgeous. I love the oranges and the shots of your mantel are stunning. If this is what you can do in a rental, I can’t WAIT until next year when you’re in your new house!!
Again, thank you so much for hopping in and joining us! I’m so glad you did:)
And Merry Christmas to you sweet friend!
Sheila
xo
Sheila recently posted…French Country Fridays – Holiday Decor, Gifts, & More!
Yay you! So proud of you for not letting perfection (or the lack thereof) stop you from posting! I think your lovely white decorations look beautiful with all the wood and neutral colors. It made me so sad when you said you weren’t going to decorate or post any Christmas decorations. You’ve just shown a lot of us how to make the most of what we have while dreaming of good things to come. Merry Christmas! ???
Beautiful. And best of all: attainable by everyday people. I agree with the others, don’t apologize for this!
Cami, your home is beautiful! I love how you decorated it! I know how hard it is to do tours in a rental, so proud of you!
I bought those candle lights for my Christmas tree this year. I love them!
Hugs, Jamie
Jamie recently posted…Home Style Saturday No. 113
Cami, your simple Christmas decor is just gorgeous. Christmas is not about spending mega bucks at the stores, it is about creating a festive season look with what you have on hand and you have done this. Pinterest look homes can make poor or depressed people feel even worse about their circumstances. I love your simple decor so please keep on showing us how to decorate on a budget.
It’s beautiful! We do things for our families and not for Pinterest. Many of us have to do our best in places that aren’t perfect. Thanks for sharing!
How lovely is your rental home. I may not be yours, but you have made it very lovely for Christmas. You will be an inspiration to people who are in a rental home situation for all their lives and have to make the best of it always. It just goes to show that your talents can take ho hum boring and make them beautiful!!
Oh my goodness!!!! Everything looks so AMAZING! I LOVE EVERYTHING! Most especially your Christmas tree and the dried orange! U are my inspiration! Advance Happy Holidays!
This looks so beautiful, I love it
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hey girl- love your home! so pretty!
What a fabulous idea – I would never have thought of using dried apples for decorations. Although my kiddos are big fans of apples so they would probably just try and eat them all!
Peter recently posted…How to Fix Christmas Lights without a Tester
What a fabulous idea – I would never have thought of using dried apples for decorations. personalized graduation gifts
How lovely is your rental home. I may not be yours, but you have made it very lovely for Christmas.custom anniversary gifts