Our Christmas was Covid-impacted like everyone else’s, but it ended up being just lovely, with most of our time spent with my brother and brother-in-law in Salem eating, drinking, playing bad board games and watching movies. We went up to York Harbor for Boxing Day with my parents, but we’re not going down to New Jersey to see my husband’s family, so this is a rare holiday season without long-distance travel for me (with the exception of last year, of course), and I’m enjoying lounging around. Because we knew we would be primarily stationary on Christmas weekend, we snuck in a quick trip down to Newport to see the decorated mansions (the Elms, Marble House, and the Breakers) as well as the streets and streets of colonial houses of every color. So all in all, a convivial, colorful, and (so-far) Covid-free holiday! I feel very fortunate.
Christmas at Home (with swans this year—and lots of cats, our Trinity & Tuck, and my brother’s Clementine).
Newport! I really prefer the smaller colonial houses, but when you’re in Newport you’ve got to see some mansions, especially at Christmas time. We had a lovely dinner at the White Horse tavern, and just walked by and through so many houses. Perfect little break. I think I have the many, many Christmas trees and mantles in order of their location—-first The Elms, then Marble House, then the Breakers—but there were just so MANY I might have mixed some up.
The Elms, 1901.
Marble House, 1888-1892.
The Breakers, 1895.
As glittering as they are at this time of year in particular, these mansions are a bit over the top, so I’m ending with the simple themed trees in the basement kitchen of the Breakers (hedgehogs & mushrooms! I’ve been wanting to do those Christmas themes myself) above and my very favorite Newport house and the First Parish Church in my hometown of York, below. Happiest of holidays to everyone.
December 27th, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Such opulence! Beautiful, surely, but I, too, am drawn to the smaller and simpler…Your home decor is quite lovely, Donna, and your Christmas sounds memorable, albeit different…and we can’t all do for a change every now and then, as long as everyone remains well!
Happy New Year!
December 27th, 2021 at 5:41 pm
I meant to say, “…and can’t we all do for a change every now and then…”
My, word order is imperative to meaning!!
December 27th, 2021 at 7:05 pm
Hi Donna, I agree with your comment about the Newport mansions. They are already so overly glittery and opulent that additional decoration can seem out of place.
December 27th, 2021 at 7:10 pm
Stunning photos! Absolutely enjoyed the beauty of these places. Happy New Year!
December 27th, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Great photos from the mansions. Incredible Christmas decorating efforts. It’s not my style but I appreciate the opulence. Only in Newport!
December 27th, 2021 at 8:46 pm
I’m with you!
December 28th, 2021 at 12:25 pm
What a visual pleasure, both over-the-top and simple ones. I especially liked the cat photos. Thanks for posting all these. Happy New Year!
December 28th, 2021 at 3:23 pm
So, out of sociological curiosity, what board games were you playing? I ask, because we also had a restricted holiday, and ended up playing three-handed cribbage . . . a game that’s long out of style, but that I learned only about 2 years ago!
December 28th, 2021 at 5:09 pm
NOT Classic ones. A Horrible one about 80s trivia.
December 30th, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Rather specific. Sorry it was a disappointment.
December 29th, 2021 at 4:42 am
Your cats are as beautiful as ever! Wishing you and family all the best in 2022.
December 30th, 2021 at 7:56 am
Beautiful!
Thank you for the Christmas tour of these elegant colonial homes, many times unreachable from here in Michigan.
As for the décor, I think I liked yours the best!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!