Nostalgic Christmas Decorations: Cozy Home Tour

Take a cozy tour of our small townhouse, filled with nostalgic Christmas decorations—bright colors and treasured memories throughout.

Hello, dear friends—come on in! After a gloomy week of rain, the sky cleared and the sunshine felt like the perfect invitation to photograph our little townhouse all dressed for Christmas. I wanted to share the photos and the stories behind them, since seasonal decorating ideas are something many of you enjoy, and because taking these pictures has become one of our own holiday traditions.

Each year I photograph the decorations to capture how the season evolves in our home. Looking back at past posts shows what changes and what stays the same, and it always brings back warm memories. I’ve also gathered ideas over the years—like decorating the Christmas tree and budget-friendly holiday tips—that help shape each season.

This year I combined two traditions: a home tour and a family Christmas card update. It’s an easy way to share what’s new with friends and family without the yearly scramble to get a letter mailed to everyone.

Nostalgic Christmas Decorations in the Living Room

Close up of Christmas decorations in the living room

Cozy holiday vignette in the living room

When my husband and I were newly engaged, we received so much relationship advice from couples who had walked the years ahead of us. One piece of wisdom that stuck was: prepare emotionally for the empty nest before you have children. Someday it will be just the two of you, and you’ll want to still enjoy being together. That simple counsel has shaped how we build our home life—and now, three decades later, we’re approaching our first truly “empty nest” Christmas together.

We had a joyful summer visiting our children and cherishing time with our granddaughter, so even though the house will be quieter this season, we’re not planning to sit idle. Instead, we’re making new traditions, savoring the season, and filling our home with things that make us smile.

Christmas Decorations for Bookshelves

Billy Bookcase with Christmas decorations in it — Christmas angels and a kissing Santa and Mrs. Claus—pieces that remind me of my childhood.

Billy Bookcase decorated with Christmas decorations — The tiny Christmas mice belonged to my mother and the delicate china came from my grandmother.

Television showing holiday art — You can make a TV look like framed art by displaying seasonal videos or digital artwork.

Books stacked to resemble a Christmas tree — Stacking old books into a tree shape is a simple, charming display idea.

This year’s theme is nostalgic and cheerful. We dug out favorite ornaments and decor we’ve collected over the years and arranged them where they feel happiest. The result is warm, personal, and a touch of that coastal grandmother style many of us love—layers of soft, familiar pieces that tell a story.

Christmas in the Dining Room

Christmas tree beside an antique buffet — Our little faux tree is dressed in cheerful red, white, and gold ornaments.

Antique buffet with shelves above with decorations for Christmas — The shelves above the buffet make a sweet spot for a little Christmas village.

Our townhouse has one main living area, so the tree shares duty between living and dining spaces. This year I was delighted to bring back Grandma’s angel chimes—now that I’ve found the right candles to fit, they’re chiming again and filling the house with gentle movement and soft sounds.

Watch our Holiday Home Tour

I put together a short video tour of our holiday home and shared a little family update too. If you’d like to see more of the decorations and hear a few behind-the-scenes stories, there’s a video available that walks through the house and the memories behind many of the pieces.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours—wishing you warmth, simple pleasures, and joyful memories this season.