Comfort & Joy - Decorating the House for the Holidays

Where does one begin? How does one begin? Is there a right way to begin? When does one begin? 

Well let me just say I begin with a few basics, I stay flexible and I want the house to feel cozy and comfortable and festive when the decorating is complete. I will admit that through the years a few things have stayed the course and for various reasons some things have changed. From the time of being a young married couple in a city apartment, to moving into the first little house with small children, then into a larger home with a growing family, before becoming empty-nesters and downsizing when the kids all moved on decorating for Christmas was a must!  Each brought different holiday decorating situations.  Don’t be afraid to change things around or scale back. You heard that saying ... "been there, done that"!  Some of those"must-do's" can move aside, it is OK!

The holiday decorating usually began the day after Thanksgiving. The long weekend seemed to be perfect to getting the decorations up. For many years we followed a tradition of having a live Christmas tree that usually went up around my December birthday. Many years we as a family would venture out to tree farms around our area to cut our own tree. It was not an easy decision to move away from the “real thing” to “life like”. The Christmas tree will always be the centerpiece of the holiday season. Let it fit your style! My style right now is a tree lit with clear lights and simple snowflake ornaments. There have be different looks in the past. 

An Older Version

Garlands with clear lights are the first things to go up every year. They are hung in archways, above doorways, over large expanses of windows and on bannisters. With so many choices of decorative holiday LED lights, use them where possible around the house. The tiny clear lights add a touch of coziness and warmth.  I find these a help in making the house look like the holidays. 

Artificial greens and seasonal sprays add another layer of a holiday feel, use them in any variety of containers. Just a sprig tucked in somehow can be just the thing. Tying red ribbons onto handles of baskets, candles and containers also add a simple holiday touch. 

It became important for me to keep decorations simple and more seasonal. Snowflakes and icicles and pine ones are easy elements to use for winter holiday and seasonal decor. Add books or magazines, old and new, related to the season in strategic locations. 

Bottle brush trees of all types, sizes and colors are another decorative element that can ce used in simple ways in a variety places.  I began collecting them a while ago and find them a nice addition almost anywhere. Pillow covers sewn from seasonal fabrics, seasonal throws placed over arms or backs of furniture add softness and cozy warmth without much fuss. Even towels embellished with a seasonal design add very simple splash of "holidays"!

If you’re lucky enough to have a mantle, create a scene or fill it with favorite things. Of course it makes the perfect place to hang stockings. 

From Another Year

Add tose other special handmade or "keepsake" holiday decorations in areas for visibility. Now ... Enjoy!

***** Use a section in your Comfort & Joy journal to jot down ideas you want to remember to try. Make sketches or diagrams, paste in images of ideas to try or make. It could be very helpful to also take a snapshot to save as a reminder.