Today is Part 3 and the final stop on the Heights House Christmas Tour! Make sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 first in case you missed it…
Yesterday we put the finishing touches on our exterior, just in time to snap a few photos at dusk. This year we hung our own lights for the very first time (we meaning Lucas, and we both agreed to hire it out next year…)
After many hours of research I settled on these warm white LED C9 bulbs for the house & walkway, and these LED twinkle lights for the bushes (everything is on a timer through this outdoor smart switch).
I also bought these remote control window candles (one for each window in the house). These can also be set on a timer and they flicker like a real flame—one of my favorite new finds this season!
Several weeks ago I ordered a 25′ live cedar garland from Costco.com (thanks to a few recommendations on Instagram!) and we’ve been keeping it wet since it was delivered last week. I’m hopeful it will last until Christmas here in central Florida…
We attached it around the door trim using three screws (in anchors) wrapped with floral wire, then I cut the excess off the bottom and used the extra branches to make it a bit thicker. This garland is already so lush and beautiful though, I think we’ll be ordering one every year!
I also took a few extra clippings and wrapped it in a bow with bells to make a swag.
Love!
On each window I hung a 20″ faux cedar wreath (unfortunately discontinued) with this pretty taupe satin ribbon (hoping it will last outdoors, our weather is really mild in winter!)
We also removed the dead plants from our window boxes and stuffed them with leftover faux pine branches. At least those won’t die 😉
Finally, I thought it would be fun to hang some large ornaments on our tangerine tree…
We also strung these really cool blinking lights, which I’ll be sharing a video of tonight on Instagram!
This is the first time we’ve really decorated our exterior for Christmas, and while it may not look like a professional job, I think it’s still pretty charming!
Now if only we could have a Christmas miracle and wake up to snow…
Ha! That would be something. Actually, this past week it dropped below 50º for the first time and that meant I finally got to dress my baby in this cute outfit…
I mean… come on…
Okay, these might actually be my favorite Christmas photos from this tour…
Here’s a photo at dusk—the candles glowing in the window are my favorite.
Who wants to see the house all lit up at night? Tonight I’m sharing a video tour of the exterior & interior after dark in my Instagram stories. It’s a completely different perspective than I’ve ever shared and you won’t want to miss it. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram and tune in to watch!
Sarah says
Wondering if you can share your top roofline and gutter trim color that looks like a dark brown/black?
Jenna Sue says
Hi Sarah! That’s just the standard dark brown gutter/fascia color you can buy at big box stores — it isn’t painted 🙂
violet says
what is the style of your house considered as? by the way this is my dream house!! so beautiful !
ANNALICIA says
Hello! I am new to your blog and love it all!! May I ask where you got the bells and black ribbon for your wreaths? Also, how did you keep garland alive. I hear some people soak in water before putting it up. Is that what u did or hose it?
Jenna Sue says
Hi Annalicia, welcome! The bells were part of a garland from Hobby Lobby that I painted gold, and the black ribbon is from Amazon (linked in this post): https://www.jennasuedesign.com/2020/11/warm-woodland-christmas-decor-finds/
Unfortunately our garland didn’t last a week, even though we soaked and watered it!
Jessi says
I think you’re my spirit animal.
Look at your perfect little Swedish Christmas elf! Her standing at the door in that outfit is just too much! ?