So, today is the kick-off to my holiday season. Yep, I know, it’s Halloween and Halloween IS a part of my holiday season. Genuinely, I love this time between Halloween and January 2nd. It’s everything I love about life: family-focused, fun, a bit nostalgic, cozy and – if the magic is right – it feels like time stands still. There has only been one other time in my life when I’ve wanted time to stand still: my wedding day. And perhaps the feeling was so much more strong on that particular day. Yet, each year, I hope for the same. That time winds slowly and kindly during the holiday season.
This year, we have reason to both celebrate and be concerned. On the positive side, my sister is healthy and my niece and her husband are moving home. On the negative side, there is a bit of job stress all around this year. And while I may not be experiencing it, I’m hoping that those who are get the reprieve that only the holiday season truly brings so they can enjoy it as fully as the rest of us.
And that brings me full circle to today: it’s the holidays. I’m just going to let that sink in a bit.
This year, my approach to the holidays is a bit different. First, I just laid down the law around here. (Okay, I asked nicely. I’d like to think I’m a “lay down the law” kind of person but those people intimidate me.) Anyway, here’s my deal: no renovations during the holidays that take longer than a day to complete and nothing on the first floor that would disturb my holiday decorations. If something is already torn up, it can continue. But otherwise, we clean up, decorate and enjoy the “all is calm” part of the holidays.
The second approach? In years past, I’ve struggled to create the “themes” I want for the holidays in my house. Too much Pinterest, too much Pottery Barn and too much time on my hands has meant that I spent ridiculous amounts of time and money decorating. I don’t necessarily mind the time; the money seems frivolous. So this year? I’m challenging myself to be a bit more austere and instead of buying new, I’m using what I have. Honestly? I’m excited for this challenge. Over the years, I’ve collected things that really mean a lot to me and with my downstairs done, putting it together with the rest of our things has the potential of being downright awesome. So, this year, it’s about nostalgia and simplicity. I’m staying out of the stores and focusing on what we already have.
And then the final approach: warmth. I’ve done lots of themes in my house over the years. There was the all-white Christmas, the traditional red-and-green Christmas, the blue tartan and bronze Christmas, the silver and purple and the silver and gold Christmas. Yep… I spend too much time on Pinterest. This year? It’s less about a specific color theme and more about a feeling. I want the house to feel warm. I want the house to be that perfect escape from your busy workday or that crappy snowy day outside. Particularly when it gets dark so early, I want the house to feel like you can walk in, come sit by the fire, enjoy the soft glow of the candle and low lights and take in all of the comforts of home: soft pillows, rugs and throws, festive lights, warm colors mixed with the light hardwood floors… . I want home to feel like you never want to leave.
Before I get the Thanksgiving crusaders who say, “what about Thanksgiving?! You’re completely skipping over it,” I have a point of clarification: I’m almost always the Thanksgiving host. So, instead of it being all about Christmas, I am decorating for warmth, not a specific holiday. I’ve never been a “Santa Claus threw up in here” kinda girl. But more, I like the feeling of festive but not too much. So, between tomorrow (the pumpkins need to come down first) and Thanksgiving, the decorations turn over slowly. The fake fur throws and dark pillows come out, along with the flameless candles (asthma!). The pine cones and the carved tree branch wine holder join the party on the buffet. Wood gets neatly stacked where garden supplies were for a fire on a chilly night. More candles – I can’t help myself. The darker, sturdier linens on the table. All warm, all cozy and all-holiday, in many respects. Then, the day after Thanksgiving, the next transition begins. More reds, greens and gold get added to the navy blues, dark browns and shades of white and gray. The big fluffy blue tartan comforter gets added to the guest bedroom bed (the cats LOVE it). The flannel sheets turn over to the pinecone flannel sheets. The tree collection – a set of natural wood and pinecone trees that adorn my dining table – take center stage. As Christmas gets closer, pillows will turn over to more reds and throws will reflect more holiday plaids. Linens change a bit as well as more lights – particularly from the tree – get added to the mix.
My approach to decorating throughout the season is to layer in and freshen up. There is no hard change between Halloween and Christmas. Instead, certain things go away and certain things get added. Most times, I do make bigger changes at signal points – such as the day after Halloween or Thanksgiving – but generally, it’s just a subtle change once a week or so that keeps the look fresh and inviting. That way, I never get tired of the decorations. It used to be that I did an en masse setup. The problem was that in a few weeks, I’d be tired of the decorations. Now, the slow gradual decorating allows me to stay in the moment with the feeling I’m trying to evoke. It also keeps the house looking fresh and fully decorated. The key is to layer in as you take away. That way, each iteration is a full version of itself. Nothing feels half-completed but it also doesn’t get stale.
And that’s it, folks. This is the time of year I have been waiting for all year. Time to shut the back door, come inside, stretch out on the leather sofa and enjoy the crackle of a fire and a nice glass of red wine while taking in all of the nostalgic, warm holiday memories. Welcome to the season! Let’s do this thing!
The Yuppie Homesteader 