Decking the House for Christmas – A Creative Journey of Home & Heart - Nov 2024
Every year, the long, lazy weekend after Thanksgiving becomes my sacred creative ritual — the moment I officially begin transforming the house for Christmas. It’s a tradition I’ve kept for as long as I can remember: multiple trees, layers of garland, warm lights, handmade touches, and little vignettes tucked into corners so every room feels dressed for the season.
Our Rustic Tree
Decorating isn’t just a task for me. It’s one of my favorite creative outlets — a chance to make the house feel magical, inviting, and full of story.
A Home Filled With Trees and Light
Over the years, my Christmas décor has grown from a single family tree into a whole-house experience. Each tree has its own mood, its own palette, its own personality:
A rustic themed tree in the living room, a silver and white tree that matches my kitchen decor, small accent trees tucked into bedrooms or reading nooks, garlands on the banister and mantels. It all layers together into a warm, sparkling atmosphere that makes the house feel alive.
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling each bin from storage, unwrapping familiar ornaments, and choosing where everything belongs this year. It’s creative, meditative, nostalgic — and joyful.
This Year Was Special: Bailey’s First Christmas With Us
This season carried an extra layer of meaning: Bailey’s first Christmas with our family. I wanted the house to feel especially warm and beautiful for her — not just decorated, but welcoming in a way that made her feel part of our traditions. So I took extra care in adding cozy touches, and making each room feel festive and photo-ready. There is something incredibly touching about preparing a home not just for the holidays, but for the people you love stepping into those memories for the first time. Watching Bailey experience our version of Christmas — the trees, the lights, the gatherings, the warmth — made all the effort feel even more worthwhile.
The Joy of Slow Decorating
I never rush this weekend. I let the process unfold slowly with Christmas music playing in the background, Coffee or spiced tea in hand, Moving ornaments around until they feel just right and pausing often to simply enjoy the glow of the house coming alive. It’s a creative journey that has nothing to do with perfection and everything to do with atmosphere, intention, and heart.
For me, decorating the house is more than a hobby, it’s how I express hospitality, tradition, and beauty, it’s how I mark the seasons and create a sense of sanctuary — not just for myself, but for everyone who walks through the door.
