I did something a little different this year. I created a Christmas theme around the main character of my first novel, House in Bloom (Fall 2025). The book is Nancy Meyers meets HGTV, with the setting and characters having an East Coast sensibility. Oh, and did I mention my presenter, Dahlia Newberry, who is also Li’l Prescott’s niece? Hence the term coastal daughter’s Christmas. You can read more about the style I coined here. But the short version is that she’s nostalgic and sporty, prefers old over new, dogs over people, handmade over store-bought, and thinks perfection is overrated. And it’s a little weird, which I like because aren’t we all in one way or another?
Biggest thanks to Jennifer Rizzo for hosting our annual Holiday Housewalk. If you’re coming from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, welcome! I adore Kristin and her traditional California way of life. And her vacation style is no exception.
My shelf is a top priority when considering a Christmas theme each year. This nautical print is from Etsy and fits the coastal niece theme. I downloaded it and then uploaded it to Canvasdiscount.com. I like their quality and price. Use discount code CITYFARMHOUSE20 to get 20% off at checkout. They also have great holiday gifts too!
Flameless candles are always a big hit. Love it every year, I have to replace the batteries. And they are safe around pets and small children.
Brynn’s swivel chairs are still going strong. I recently had it steam cleaned, and the results were great! You can see my swivel chairs here.
In keeping with my niece’s coastal theme, I made a dried fruit wreath. This time I used dried tangerines. The trick is to cut them into thin slices and dry them well. I applied two layers of wreath and installed the finishing touches on the nutcrackers.
To get a vintage look on the raw wood nutcrackers, I used brown paint and drumstick, please… cinnamon. Yes, you read correctly! While the paint was still wet, I sprinkled cinnamon on top, and scattered it. You can see how I made the suede ornaments If you need a visual.
The only thing I bought this year were two pillowcases, blue plaid and brown botanical. It was a great value on Amazon. You can shop my holiday store here.
I also found this Christmas printable on Etsy. I loved the bluesy pop music and the nostalgic feel.
These two pillars were the deal of the century!!! I saved $200 on this terrain trick. These from Amazon are 8 for $40!
Snowshoes are a vintage find, and rattan trees seamlessly complement the organic coastal vibe.
I’ve been seeing a lot of bows this season, so this inspired me to take a leftover piece of fabric and make a bow on top of the Christmas tree. This year is all about using what I have, so I was excited with how it turned out.
Since Coastal Niece is all about embracing the past, she’s used ornaments over the years. This tree is not intended to serve as a show stop but to evoke nostalgia within the home. You know the way it used to be.
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Giant Clam Shell Candle You can here.
Here are some sneak peeks at my outdoor spaces, like the porch and patio.
In another Instagram clip, I said that this backyard was inspired by The Holiday. Amanda Woods’ California aesthetic meets Iris’s cozy home vibe. You can find all the backyard details, including the hot tub, here.
Head over to Jennifer’s house from Clean & Sensible to continue her Christmas tour. I guarantee you’ll find some great holiday ideas!
Have a nice day, friend!
