A Homemade Christmas : Holiday Home Tour

It's true the holidays are a magical time. Spending time with loved ones, entertaining, decorating and gift giving. It's also true that they can be a stressful time too. I love going all out to decorate every year, but don't love the overwhelmed feeling I've often ended up with when I drive all over trying to find key elements. This sometimes delays other tasks too, like gift purchases.
This year I decided I would be far more thoughtful in my holiday prep. I had recently partnered with Southcentre Mall to share some fun ideas for Halloween and came to love this mall as a destination to shop at.
So rather than making multiple trips to various spots all over the city, I made one list and tackled the majority of it at Southcentre all in one stop.
I came up with a theme this year, that I'm calling a homemade Christmas largely from things that are made with love... if not by me than by someone else. I wanted a more simple, maybe slightly less formal feel, that welcomed family near and far to truly relax and make themselves at home.
I left out the white tree in favour of this amazing natural looking green fir I happened to find. From there I layered in these great cable knit pieces and raw wood trivets (from Crate and Barrel). The gold candles I used throughout the space added a sense of sparkle and glam elevating the rustic feel of the knits and wood (Restoration Hardware). I love the combo of the three.
Making the holidays less stressful is also easy when you're able to pick up many of your gifts in one spot as well. I was fortunate to have Luke along with me and we tackled everything in one afternoon.
It made the whole decorating process a little more light hearted to know in the back of my mind that most of my shopping list was tackled too.
For my other needs I emailed ahead of time and placed orders at both Crave Cupcakes for the season's baking goods and Amborella Floral for my garlands and holiday arrangements. These items also have a homemade feel but the expertise and hard work was done by someone else. Both destinations are within a relatively small loop of the mall too, so my driving was limited. (of note however, they both deliver!)
I started with set up and was able to finish everything in one day.

Garland Amborella Floral Studio | Juju Hat | Black Tray | Hammered Gold Vase | Gold Candle | The Coveteur Book | Birch Logs | Glass Votive Candles in Fireplace |  Leather Chair | Moroccan Style Area Rug

 Cake Crave Cupcakes | Cake Stand | Branches Amborella Floral | Pottery Vase | Gold Candle | Wine Sandhill Cabernet Merlot | Edge Wine Glasses | Acacia Wood Tray | Acacia Tree Slice | Christmas Tree

The cable knit table runner adds a nice touch and my friend Lexie from Amborella Floral Studio did the lettering on these slate place card markers. (they make me SOOO happy) I love the acacia wood slice trivets underneath each plate as well. The great thing is that they can be used throughout the year and not necessarily feel holiday-ish. 

Slate Place Holder With Soapstone Chalk | Cable Knit Table Runner | Acacia Tree Slice | Copper Flatware | Dinner Plate | Napkins | Flicker Candles | Eucalyptus & Bud Vases Amborella Floral 

Thanks as always for popping by to read. xo e

This post was sponsored by Southcentre Mall, Amborella Floral and Crave Cupcakes. All styling, advice and opinions are my own.

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