Well!  This week was a total blur.  Yours too?  I’m going to assume so.  December always is, isn’t it?  The one month I want to SLOW down and last a long time and it always seems to fly faster than ever.  Someone serioulsy needs to fix this!  It’s going to have to be one of you because I have a lot of pictures to post.  ;)

In my last Christmas home tour you saw a lot of my home decked for the holidays, but I still have a few spaces left to share!  No room left behind when it comes to Christmas decor, remember?  Today I’m bringing you into my kitchen!  It’s Christmas ready. :)

It’s also pretty similar to how I usually decorate it for this time of year.  I just doesn’t feel like Christmas at my house without my It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year sign over the stove.  Ahhh tradition. :)

You all know that keeping my kitchen clean (or attempting to anyway!) is high on my priority list, so I usually keep holiday decor in this space pretty simple.

A small wreath on the pot filler and a Christmas bow tied around the wooden spoon holder.

Red popcorn bowls on the counter.. because Christmas movies are on heavy rotation this time of year which means so is the popcorn. :)

I always get asked where I get my greenery – usually at Home Depot but this year I was so happy to find some in a local grocery store.  It usually lasts about 2 weeks so I put it up at the beginning of December and then switch it half way through the month.  It makes a total mess when it comes down and every time I switch it out I think that I’m SO done with it for good!  But then I put up the new greenery and fall in love all over again.

And end up going back the next year for more.  :)

Fa la la la la.. one of my favorite finds last Christmas!  It was from PB Kids (they always have the cutest banners!) but they didn’t bring it back this year.  Sometime I need to take a picture to show you how I got it perfectly attached inside of those upper cabinets.  You’ll think I’m SO tricky.  Even more tricky than usual. ;)

Simple ornaments in a wooden bowl always look festive!  And can we just talk about how I’ve kept this plant alive for over six months!?  YES!  You heard that.  A total record for me.  And can we just not talk about how it happens to be one of the easiest plants to keep alive ever because it hardly needs any water.  Seriously we ALL need this plant in our lives!  Don’t be surprised if you see one popping up in every room in my house this Spring.

My Santa Magnetic Advent Calendar has been such a fun addition!  I love seeing it in my kitchen window every morning and moving the snowflake to remind me of how I have very little time left to accomplish A LOT more things. ;)  It’s marked down.. half off right now!

I usually add a lot more to this shelf but decided to keep things simple there too.  I added a deer and some candy canes and called it a day.

Speaking of deer..

These beauties needed a little extra something on this table so I put them inside of my new magnolia wreath.  A fun, unexpected way to use a wreath that doesn’t involve any holes in the wall. ;)  On a side note I stored my rug all folded up after Christmas last year and now it has bumps in it!  I’m going to store it flat this year.  Covered in Kenny’s law school books to flatten it out!

A little more Christmas cheer in the butler’s pantry.  You can never have too many red stripes in my opinion. :)  (Favorite dishes here.)

I always try to take room shots like this when my kids are in school because it’s SO hard to keep my house “photoshoot clean” with my family home, but I had to take these pictures last Saturday because my week was so busy.  Addison was being so patient and then finally couldn’t wait one more minute and had to sneak something to eat.. ha!  In case you’re thinking my kitchen always looks this clean let’s be reminded of what it has been known to look like in December..

I believe this was Christmas day a few years ago.  At least it was a happy mess.

Kind of. ;)

{KITCHEN SOURCES}   *Affiliate links used.

On Tuesday night this week I hosted our annual Christmas party for the Young Women in our church (girls ages 12-18).  Having this party at my house every year is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!  I got a lot of questions about what we do at this party after I posted a few minutes of the party on Instagram Stories so I’ll quickly explain our favorite activity!

{Team Santa/Red Flannel Plaid pj’s/other favorite Christmas pj’s here}

First of all.. we always wear Christmas pj’s.  Because it’s at my house so.. of course we do. :)

After everyone chats and gets comfortable it’s time for our annual sock exchange!  Every girls brings a pair of socks wrapped.  They can be any kind of socks – really comfy, fuzzy socks, crazy unique socks, Christmas socks.. whatever!  Then each girl gets assigned a number (#1 through however many girls are there).  #1 goes first and picks a present and opens it and keeps the socks.  #2 picks a present and opens it and can choose if she wants to keep her new socks or trade them for the socks #1 chose.  Every girl from then on can choose if she wants to keep her new pair of socks or trade with someone else for their pair.  One pair of socks can only be traded twice so once it has gone through two people it stays with its new owner for good.. is this making sense?  Ha.. :)  Anyway.. it’s always a fun because there are usually a few pairs of socks that everyone wants!  The girls get laughing over the sock trading and who knows what else and it’s always a good time.  Fun party activity if you are hosting a group of girls!  I also think it would be fun to try a Favorite Things party with this crew.  You can read more about how that party works (and see some fun gift ideas from our last Favorite Things party!) here.

Love them all so much!  After the sock exchange we serve treats and hot chocolate and everyone spreads throughout my house to eat and chat. :)

Some years we have also also done service activities with the girls in addition to our annual sock exchange.  One year we made baby blankets to take to a nearby women’s shelter.

And another year we wrote thank you letters to people serving our country and to people serving in our church.  Always nice to make sure people feel appreciated for all they do.

El and some close friends. :)

This pic was from last year’s party.  Having these sweet girls in my home just makes me happy!  All of our December traditions do.  Tomorrow is my girls last day of school!  I’m kind of bummed Kole has one more week to go at his school.  I get so excited to have my kids home so we can really start enjoying the holiday!  Late night drives to look at Christmas lights, delivering gifts to neighbors, making our annual Christmas hugs, picture with Santa, visiting the nativity at the SD temple, hot chocolate station, wrapping wrapping wrapping, Christmas pj movie parties galore, gingerbread house decorating, late night chats in the hot tub, having friends over.. oh my word.  We have a lot to fit in!  I better sign off and get started.

I think I’ll start with the hot chocolate.

:)