A Little Christmas in July…{a look back} & a Link Up Party!

July 7, 2014 /

If you are a Hallmark junkie like me, then you know that this week they are running their “Christmas Keepsake Week” with lots of their holiday movies showing every day and night. I can’t get enough. I love watching those cheesy, feel good movies, not matter what time of year it is!

Now, I know that some of you are like me and enjoy keeping the Christmas spirit alive all year, and others don’t want to hear about it until after Thanksgiving. If you are the latter…I am afraid you won’t like this post much. I can respect that.

But in honor of the “Christmas in July Spirit” that is coursing through my veins right now, I thought I would take you back to a Christmas past with me if you care to go. I also decided to host an impromptu “Christmas in July” party for you to link up your own Christmas posts! (Link up info at the end of this post.)

Back in 2011, the year that my daughter Hazel was born, she was six months old at Christmas time (four months adjusted for being born a preemie). It was a crazy time for me. I had given birth to a preemie, spent the summer in the NICU, and then the entire fall I had the worst bout of postpartum depression. But by the time Christmas rolled around, life was starting to get better. I didn’t blog much then, though so I never shared pictures of our Christmas decor.
I actually didn’t decorate too much that year, but did do a few things. I had a small white tree in a galvanized bucket. It was decorated with silver and white ornaments and strands of pearls.
No star or angel on top, but rather a burlap bow.
The tree had some lovely handmade religious ornaments that I purchased from Ozma of Odds.
I had my favorite Père Noel greeting visitors near the front door.
And in my corner shelf (that you can view more of here), I had a rustic crate with some vintage Christmas touches.
Our mantel was still dark brown at the time and in the living room then. I filled antique mason jars with faux snow, chalkware figures, and bottle brush trees. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a full picture, just this one detail shot.
(You can see a full shot the following year here when our mantel was white and moved into the dining room.)
In the kitchen, I added a tiny bit of Christmas charm with letter tiles spelling out “Joy” and another little putz house on the center island.
So that was a jolly little walk down Christmas memory lane! I hope that you enjoyed it! (and if you didn’t…bah humbug! 🙂 
You might also enjoy:
Christmas Home Tour 2013: The Dining Room
Christmas 2012
Salvage Door Corner Shelf
And now for the Christmas in July Link Up Party! 
If you have older Christmas posts that you shared in years previous, dig them up and share them here! I would love to see how you decorated in years past. Or if you are a crazy Christmas fanatic and keep the spirit alive all year with new posts, please link those up as well. I will put together a round-up from these links to share later in the month! I look forward to getting Christmas in July inspiration from you!

Till next time…
~Alice W.

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23 Comments

  • Natasha In Oz

    July 7, 2014 at 5:53 am

    You have just made my day Alice! No wonder I love visiting you so much – you are such a Christmas kindred spirit! I've been watching the Christmas specials on TV here in Australia and have been playing Christmas music as well.

    I have just linked up and hope you can join me at my Christmas blog for a Christmas in July linky party on July 25th!

    Best Christmas wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

  • Vanessa Greenway

    July 7, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Oh my Alice! This is so lovely! I also love those feel good movies, they make me think of my childhood and how everything was so simple…. The sacred heart ornaments with Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus are absolutely beautiful. I'm going to check out that website, I wonder if there are still some available. Have a wonderful week! Love ~ Vanessa

  • Burlap Luxe

    July 7, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    Hi Alice,
    First of all you have two beautiful little ones to share your creative holidays with now, and to see it through their eyes couldn't get any more beautiful then that. I love the beauty in preparing for Christmas and I always end up being one of those last minute creators. I often pop in a holiday movie during summer on those blah days where you just lay around and watch a feel good and holiday cozy movie. My aunt does the same, she will watch Santa Claus on a sick day over and over.

    Love that you no matter how big or small create this feel good spirit of goodness!
    Your sacred heart ornaments I too have some from Rosemary of Ozma of odds, she gifted me some a few years back, they are truly delicately made with a soft glow of glitter.

    A beautiful Joyeux Noël to you m'y dear.

    Xx
    Doré

  • Angela Ryder

    July 7, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    This is so wonderful!! I'm so glad I found you through Facebook and Bloggertunities! I'm going to love looking at all this inspiration!!~~Angela

  • Julia - "Vintage with Laces"

    July 7, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Hi Alice, Your Christmas decorations are so lovely. I had never been in the mood to start with Christmas projects before November. I always admire people who can create far ahead of the seasons. Thanks for the party! I've linked up my Christmas creations of last year.
    Have a wonderful week!
    Hugs,
    Julia

    • Alice Wingerden

      July 7, 2014 at 4:07 pm

      I am usually a very bad procrastinator Julia but I am trying to get better. Especially for getting diy projects going for the blog…people need them earlier than the week before Christmas when I usually get around to them…lol!

  • Jann Olson

    July 7, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Hi Alice, vintage Christmas is my favorite! You shared some wonderful things. Love, love that little red deer! I have a little Santa that reminds me of your sweet snowman. The white tree in the bucket is gorgeous! I sent you and e-mail. Had a problem getting it to go through. I think it finally did. Will you please let me know. I'll have to see if I have a post I could redo and come back and link up.
    hugs,
    Jann

  • BlueClearSky Elizabeth

    July 7, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    What a great idea! I start thinking about next Christmas around this time every year. You have a real touch for styling your pretty Christmas decor. Thanks for sharing and for hosting.

  • Devonshire1212

    July 8, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    I can't believe this! What a delightful coincidence. I was just thinking yesterday (while sitting in the a/c) what I was going to put up for Xmas this year since I will be in school! It's so comforting to know that my virtual buddies are also thinking about Christmas. I have always admired and enjoyed your holiday decor.

  • Sheila Rumney

    July 9, 2014 at 1:49 am

    What a great idea! I watched some of the Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel this weekend. All these wonderful ideas and links put me in the Christmas spirit!

    Just love your holiday decor!!!