Week of Christmas Celebrations, Holiday Traditions, and a Cozy Styled Bar Cart

It’s less than a week before Christmas and I’m starting to dial it back a bit and settle in to enjoy these last days to the fullest. I am making an effort each day to celebrate the season – I’ve been eating all the food, watching all the movies, and doing every activity possible while sitting under one of our trees. Our 12 days of Christmas box has helped hold us accountable to taking a time out each day to relish in the spirit. More on that HERE.

Part of the fun of the season is in doing ordinary activities, but adding a little extra “special-ness” to them to make them extraordinary. So much of Christmas is about magic and child-like wonder. Movie nights are fine…. BUT, announcing a fun movie night with snacks, “special” drinks, new Christmas pajamas and all the fixings? THAT is what my childhood dreams were made of. (Ok, and my adult dreams, too 😉 )

elegant-living-room-in-silver-gold-and-white-for-christmas

Here’s how to quickly create the most memorable nights of the season. Load up a bar cart/table/stand/chair (anywhere you can stage goodies) with all the activity essentials. If you are planning a night of driving around, looking at lights, some fun new cups, pajamas, Christmas tunes, blankets, snacks, etc. can be arranged as the “announcement”. A movie night in? Prep a favorite movie, game, snacks, takeout menus. blankets, etc. You’ve seen YouTube videos of the creative ways parents tell their children they are going to Disney World, right? Taking a bit of that effort into announcing/surprising your loved ones with a simply planned holiday evening can be just as fun. Ok, almost as fun 😉

bar-cart-in-front-of-christmas-tree-with-cozy-pillows

This cozy cart holds all the goodies for a mid-afternoon Hallmark Christmas movie marathon- a few of our 12 Days of Christmas cards have indicated something involving lounging and watching movies – clearly, we both were begging for some R&R haha.

bar-cart-with-blankets-and-pillows

gold-bar-cart-with-christmas-essentials

You can plan ahead for fresh baked goodies and favorite snacks, but, if the activity is impromptu, it’s totally ok to raid your pantry to see what you have on hand. Simply distributing snacks and arranging them in bowls like a little snack bar will make all the difference.

gold-asher-bar-cart-with-christmas-trees

christmas-snacks-in-living-room-on-bar-cart

gold-bar-cart-with-christmas-snacks

gold-bar-cart-with-hot-chocolate-and-goodies

peppermint-rock-candy-in-hot-chocolate

christmas-styled-bar-cart

bar-cart-in-front-of-christmas-tree

shop-the-post-text-collage

living-room-christmas-bar-cart

And when night falls, there is no place I would rather be than under the twinkling lights in our own home. I grew up creating special memories underneath the Christmas tree specifically.

christmas-home-at-night-with-twinkling-lights-16-of-6

We had a dedicated evening each season where we would have festive “special” drinks (mine was usually a variety of Shirley Temple, complete with Maraschino cherries), with no distractions – only Christmas music and each other. It’s where we would recount our blessings and wrap our gifts. It’s where I would lay out a blanket to nap and where I would look forward to seeing the latest additions of my mom’s impeccably wrapped gifts.

christmas-home-at-night-with-twinkling-lights-18-of-6

We have already driven around to look at lights a few times and will continue to throughout this week. We are fortunate that our neighborhood is filled with gorgeous displays – there is something touching about the effort people make in their exterior decor to bring enjoyment to others.

christmas-home-at-night-with-twinkling-lights-19-of-6

Our home is simple- traditional greenery with red bows and white lights on the front porch (complete with a woodland, flocked Christmas tree), but she still holds her own 😉 If you have brought a festive touch to the outside of your home, pour some hot chocolate, grab some blankets, put on some Christmas music, walk outside, and ENJOY it.

christmas-home-at-night-with-twinkling-lights-20-of-6

My husband is plotting to go Clark Griswold next year; I may support a “half-Clark” 😉 To see our entire home during the day, you can check out our Christmas Home Tour HERE.

shop-the-post-text-collage

christmas-home-at-night-with-twinkling-lights-21-of-6

I’ll be back on Thursday sharing my favorite cookie recipe, just in time for Christmas. Wishing you a beautiful, magical week – I challenge you to do something to make your days just a little more whimsical.

source-text

GREAT ROOM

Bar Cart | Thatcher Wing Back Chairs | Table Lamp | Garden Stool | Blanket BasketQuatrefoil Mirrors Between Windows | Gold Foil Texas & Georgia State Art Prints | White Lidded Urn | Mercury Glass Candle Hurricanes | Tree Art | Round Mirrors: World Market – no longer available (SIMILAR) | Wooden Tray: Pottery Barn – no longer available (SIMILAR| Coasters | Volcano Candle | Mirrored Console Table: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Log Carrier: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Sheepskin (SIMILAR) | Silver Rimmed Hurricane: Pottery Barn – no longer available (SIMILAR) | Console Table Lamps: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Oversized Tray | ZGallerie Palais Side Table (IDENTICAL) | ZGallerie Palais  Coffee Table (IDENTICAL) | Rug: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Alarm Clock | Pitcher: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Sofa: La-Z-Boy Aspen Collection | Fan: Progressive Lighting | Pillows | Fur Throw: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Gray Afghan: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Striped Throw: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Paint: Versatile Gray by Sherwin Williams | Trim: Creamy by Sherwin Williams | Flooring: Nottaway Hickory in Weathered Saddle

*Post contains affiliate links*

Share this:
Kelley Nan headshot

FOLLOW KN ON SOCIAL

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

12 Comments

  1. 12.20.16
    Haneen said:

    Kelley! Obsessed with that bar car and all of the beautiful ways I’ve seen you style it! Those night shots are EXQUISITE!

    • 12.21.16

      Haneen, thank you! It has become my main life accessory! haha

  2. 12.20.16
    Wendy said:

    What a beautiful way to celebrate the season and make memories. Love your barcart all dressed up for Christmas, stunning.

    • 12.21.16

      Wendy, thank you! We have a full week of it. Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

  3. 12.20.16
    lyn said:

    absolutely stunning! just found you awhile ago and you definitely inspire. ty
    love the plumb white pillows. The source or did i miss it???

    • 12.21.16

      Lyn, thank you!! I believe I found those at HomeGoods a while back… Pottery Barn and West Elm are great places to find fur pillows, though. Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

  4. 12.21.16
    Gretchen Thomas said:

    I love all of these special plans for new traditions and the remembrances of times in the past. Your pics are gorgeous! I would love to “cozy up” to that cozy cart!

    • 12.22.16

      Nan, thank you! I wish you were here; we would do a “Nannin'” version 😉

  5. 1.3.17
    Josselyn said:

    Love to look at your inspiring, creative ways you use your bar cart. Where did you get the white coffee mugs…..too cute!? Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

    • 1.4.17

      Josselyn, thank you! I found those at a local And That for about $1/each.

      • 1.4.17
        Josselyn said:

        Girl, you scored! Too cute!