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Snapshots of a home relaxed and ready for holiday guests, because it is good to come home for Christmas.

Mismatched bowls were filled with the fragrant meal and we all sat down around that worn wooden table, a gathering place for anyone coming home that day or lucky visitors who might stop by. There was fresh rye bread, that Bellis’ Dad had made using his own ground rye. The table was filled with chatter as we got to know one another.

Bellis’ Dad shared how he had been raised on a family farm just down the road… And then there was Jaime, a Spanish student who had come to stay on the farm as he daydreamed about pursuing life with his hands ever plunged into the soil… and another quiet Danish girl who did not say much but had come just to find a moment of peace and rest in such a peaceful place.

Bellis boasted that the table was full every year and always with a few different faces, but always with the spirit of community, friendship and family.

It made us smile sitting again at that worn wooden table on our farm that had seen many come and go, yet was always there. Always eager to bring everyone together again. It was like a dream. The kind of place one slips away to when the world is too noisy and the soul needs to be soothed by the gentle rhythm of a slower pace and familiar faces.

Tis the season to go home.

Styling and Photography by Tina Fussell for A Subtle Revelry, The Holiday Issue.

This post is my last sponsored post of the season. I’ve had a few more than normal this month and am so thankful for your support of my site and sponsors. Thanks. xoxo

Last week I shared a group of easy party printable labels from HP, and today I have one more to share with you. I am in the final rush before Christmas – baking, prepping, and wrapping like a crazy woman today. Are you all done with your holiday preparations? If so, I’d love to know your trick! If not, join me in finishing off those last wrapping projects with ease, using these bright red printable labels. They would look great over brown butcher paper, and a grouping of them will coordinate multiple wrapping jobs into one cohesive look. Find the labels and more free holiday party printables right here.

This holiday season, let loved ones know how much you care.  Use your favorite photos to create something personalized and unique for everyone on your list.  Make it memorable.  Make it meaningful.  Make it matter.  Go to hp.com/holiday for inspiration and ideas.

Compensation was provided for this project by HP. The opinions presented are all mine and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of HP.

A paper lantern instillation is a festive and calming way to decorate this season. Make it now and enjoy the glow all winter long as it becomes a permanent decor piece to brighten up your home.

To design your own paper lantern instillation you will need – cardboard inner from a toilet or kitchen roll, double sided tape, white thick paper, white rice or tissue paper, hole punch, cord, toothpick and flickering tea lights.

Measure the height of the flickering tea light, and use the same height to cut the toilet roll, approximately 2cm, this will be used as the bottom. Cut the top, height, +/- 1 cm. Measure the circumference of the toilet roll. You can choose the height of the rice paper, make it +/- 1cm wider than your measurement.

Glue the 2 pieces of toilet roll, wrap your rice paper around, glue the vertical edge of your rice paper and secure. You have created the inner of your lantern.

Measure and cut a piece of white thick paper that is +/-2cm taller and +/-1cm wider than your rice paper. Draw and cut series of slits that are approximately 1cm apart and stop about 1,5cm from the edges. Put pieces of doubles sided tape along bottom and top and wrap the white thick paper around the inner, lining up bottom and top.

Punch holes at the top and put a wooden stick through it so you can hang up the lanterns. Insert a flickering tea light at the bottom (the toilet roll has the same circumference as a tea light).

Make a big round out of a cardboard, punch holes in it and start to hang up your lanterns at different heights to install the instillation. It looks beautiful for the holiday season and all year long. Make the lanterns in multiples to line a reception, adorn a bridal shower, or hang a set permanently above a cozy reading nook to enjoy all year long.

Project by V. Senorans Osorio for A Subtle Revelry, The Holiday Issue.

I am so pleased that Ashley agreed to hand illustrate these Christmas gift tags. Her pen is the prettiest I know! Download the PDF set of three right here and enjoy an easy wrapping season.

Hand illustration by Ashley Rodriguez for A Subtle Revelry, The Holiday Issue.

Pretty painted garland in a loopy formation adds a special, sweet touch to holiday décor. Like a string of jewels for the mantel or tree.

Make this simple project by; painting small craft beads using acrylic paint. Each loop on the garland uses 25 beads and extends 4″ in length. Helpful hint: When painting, string the beads onto a wooden skewer and paint each color at a time. Let dry.

Once all of the beads are painted, string 20 beads onto a jewelry wire. Mark the sixth bead in your line and thread the end of the wire through that bead. This creates a loop. Once the loop has been created, string 5 more beads onto the wire to finish your first loop.

Repeat this process with the next color by stringing 20 beads onto the wire, threading the wire back through the sixth bead to make a loop and adding 5 more beads, finishing the second loop. Continue this process until the garland reaches a desired length.

Project Styling by Laura Parke for A Subtle Revelry, The Holiday Issue.