The halls are decked {a christmas decor tour} Part 3-kitchen

Oh my goodness!  I am so excited Christmas is right around the corner!!!  Although Natalie may be a tad more excited then me. ;-) She was excited last year but this year is a whole new ball game.  It's okay that I didn't get to finishing my advent this year because everyday she lets us know how many days until Santa's here!  Experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes...there is nothing like it!

So I showed you guys our tree and living room and now I'm going to show you our kitchen.  I really had fun decorating the kitchen this year.  Usually this room is an afterthought, a place to put the decorations that I didn't want in the living room.  This year I really wanted to make an effort and make it festive.  I had tons of inspiration across the blogosphere, so much that I have a list of projects to complete for next year!  But that is an entirely different post!

OK on with the tour.  I will show you my favorite part first.

Here's a close up of one side of the shelf.  I just placed ornaments in and around my already existing decor.  The yarn tree I made using leftover yarn from a yarn wreath I made.  The cone is cardboard and comes from one of those large spools of cotton yarn.  My mom asked me if I wanted them when she was here in September.  I immediately thought Christmas trees!

And an even closer close up.  I got those cute egg cups at goodwill for 50 cents each.

Here's the other side.  Some vintage/antique bottles from a local antique store surrounded by ornaments.

These are the same chip board letters as the BELIEVE sign in the living room.  I actually did these first.  I used scrapbook paper that I modge podged on then I used some gloss enamel paint in a pearl color over the top...sorry can't remember the name and I would go get it but it's in the really, really cold garage. :-) Then I added some clear glitter to the edges.  For whatever reason the picture makes the letters look like they are different colors but they aren't.

Below this shelf is our microwave.   This is where the gingerbread house sits every year.  And this year I added my cloche filled with ornaments and a little jar to hold clothespins for my Christmas card holder.

 Natalie was a big help in decorating the gingerbread house!

Here's my Christmas card holder.  Chair backing nailed with furniture tacks to the top of our powder room door.  I use clothespins to hang up the cards.  I got the idea from Pink and Polka Dot.  This picture was taken at the beginning of the season but now it is overflowing with cards!

Here is my candy wreath.  I used some satin ribbon and hung it in the middle of our kitchen window.

On our little breakfast table I put this little tinsel tree that I bought for half off at Hobby Lobby (LOVE that store!)  I found this garland at the dollar store.  I love the little pom poms, seems very vintage to me.  I decorated the tree with red, white, and green ornaments.

On my counter sits our Christmas cookie jar.  I've had this for at least 5 years.  I love the jingle bell on top.

And here are my Christmas towels...mittens again. Love the colors of these.  

On the back of the stove are two little votive holders with jiggly arms.

And that's pretty much it!  I hope you enjoyed my Christmas decor tour.  You can check out Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Well I'm off to make more cookies for Santa!