Here it is.
November 30th and I’m publishing my first Christmas post.
I’ve been reading about Christmas online and in magazines for weeks now so I feel a bit like I’m late to the party.
You’ll still let me join you though, right? 🙂
Growing up, it was my family’s tradition to always decorate for Christmas during Thanksgiving weekend. I can remember so often people wondering why we decorated “so early”.
How times have changed.
These days, waiting until Thanksgiving almost feels too late.
Even though the rest of the world seems to be jumping straight from Halloween to Christmas (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, if that’s your thing!), I will probably always keep my family’s tradition of waiting until after Thanksgiving to deck the halls – I think part of what makes this season so magical is how briefly we get to enjoy it.
But oh how I love having the house decorated for Christmas.
The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.
The cozy pillows and throws.
The fresh smell of pine that hits your nose as soon as you enter the door.
Gingerbread baking in the oven (see my favorite recipe here).
Christmas carols humming in the background.
I often have to force myself to turn off the lights of the tree and head upstairs to bed at night – I think I could sit and stare at that tree for hours.
But as lovely and magical and merry as this time of year is – it can also be filled with stress and expectations.
So I have made the decision for a stress-free, no-expectation, enjoyable holiday season.
I kept my holiday decorating simple – I had way too many hooks and holes in the walls last year. It’s surprisingly just as cozy and ended up being half the work. I hope to get pictures taken this weekend to share with you early next week.
Most of my shopping has already been taken care of online. This is a first for me, as I typically prefer to do my shopping out in the stores. I love being in the stores this time of year – everything is so festive! – but I do feel a huge weight lifted at knowing most things will be delivered straight to my door.
And I won’t feel bad if I say no to a holiday invitation or two. I’m a homebody, so having commitments too many nights after work during the week stresses me out.
Which also means that I may be hit or miss on posting here on the blog for the next few weeks. As much as I love blogging with you guys, it can be tough to juggle with a full time work schedule – let alone when there are cards to write and presents to wrap and awesome/awful (and so addicting) Christmas movies to watch on the Hallmark channel. 😉
I have a couple gift guides coming up to hopefully help with some of that holiday shopping, and of course a little Christmas decorating to share – it ended up being a cozy/country/lodge-y vibe this year (similar to what you see here, but not).
Until then, I hope you enjoyed a little look back at last year’s decorating.
Cheers to a beautiful holiday season this year.
Happy Holidays, sweet friends. 🙂
That tree is gorgeous… the simplicity of everything so peaceful….
I love it when people do their own thing in their own time…..Christmas is about so many things.. but rushing to keep up with others shouldn’t be one of them.
I’m a turn off all the lights and stare at the Christmas tree person, too! My boys and I used to do it all the time while they were still at home…. often ending with my husband and I carrying them up to their rooms because they would fall asleep. Good times!
A good friend long ago said something that’s stuck with me ever since. “Make memories.” And my dad recently gave me a bracelet that says, “Cherish people, not things.” Christmas decor and shopping and seasonal obligations come and go.. but it’s the quality time we spend with the people we love that remains forever….
Couldn’t have said it better, Cindy! Merry Christmas!! 😀
Your house always looks so beautiful. I can’t wait to see how you decorate it this year. And I am 100% with you about that decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving debate. I want to be able to enjoy each season and holiday and not be ready for Christmas to be over long before it even gets here. I hope that your holiday is filled with many happy memories my friend!
Thanks Jamie! As much as I love Christmas – and I totally do – by the time the big day gets here I usually find myself ready for “less” around the house. If I decorated any sooner I don’t know if I’d make it until Christmas lol!
Love, love, love your decorated home. It looks so warm & cozy. Merry Christmas!
Pat in Chicago
Thanks Pat! Merry Christmas!! 😀
I have raised four children and have done Christmas big for a lot of years. I really enjoyed it when they were small. When they grew up and left home I gave up doing Christmas gifts for me, and for them! My gifts are food and homemade gifts, small and made by me. They are not stressed over gifts and neither am I. Since I have done that I have stress free Christmas and they have been so much better. Without the gifts it gets us back to the real reason for the season. It works, try it next year and you will see!
It is true that we sometimes get caught up in all the “stuff” that comes with Christmas and forget about what and why we’re truly celebrating. I will admit that I love picking out gifts for my loved ones though! 🙂
Hey Tonya, I agree with you…The rush to decorate for Christmas kills me. We also have the tradition of decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. I will also be sticking with that. It’s definitely worth the wait! What a fun time of year! I’m hoping to take some tips from you and have a stress free holiday too. Have a Merry Christmas! Can’t wait to see your decorations!
Diane
Thanks so much Diane! I have my fingers crossed for sunshine on picture day this weekend. And I’m with you – I feel like poor little Thanksgiving gets left our earlier and earlier every year – and I love Thanksgiving. Christmas will just have to wait lol! 😀
Absolutely stunning Tonya! I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and adore your style. I hope you enjoy this Christmas season and that it remains stress free.
Aww thank you so much Renee! That means so much coming from someone with such a great sense of style as yourself. Cheers to a stress free holiday season! 😀
I agree, I’m still in the thick of decorating and feel so behind. Your house looks gorgeous!!
Thanks Londen! Don’t stress – we still have plenty of time girl! 😀
I love the simplicity!!! I’m paring down this year too. I love your mantel with just the white candles and greenery!!!! WalMart, here i come for some candles!!!! Is your greenery real?? If so, how do you make it last thru the season??
Hi Bonnie! It was indeed real. I had the same cedar garland hanging over our mantel, on the staircase, and over a doorway – it all went up about a week after Christmas and held on for the most part straight thru until New Year’s Day. I kept water in a spray bottle and gave them all a little mist every day – I have no idea if this helped or not, but that’s all I really did. The garland over the mantel and door looked great the whole time although it started to get pretty crunchy toward the end – and I should mention we had a very mild December and never had a fire going so that probably helped keep it looking nice. The garland on the stairs didn’t stay as fresh looking and I think it’s because there is a vent not too far away so the extra blast of heat must have dried it out, but it still looked ok. Beware it made a terrible mess the day it all came down!! 😉
Even though you are not next door I feel like we are neighbors and bff. I retired (police officer) this year and moved into a log cabin on 6 tree’d acres with a farm pond. I’m in heaven and love the sharing and decorating I get here on your blog. Thank you and let’s celebrate home and keeping it simple and from the heart.
Awww Susan! You have just given me the sweetest of compliments and brightened my day – thank you so much! Congratulations on your retirement and new home – it sounds absolutely heavenly! I can just imagine how cozy and beautiful it will be with your tree lights on and the snow falling down over that pond. Celebrate and enjoy!!
Tonya,
Take it from me who has stressed myself for more Christmas holidays then I choose to remember, we put so much stress on ourselves to keep up and this has only bumped up a notch with the introduction of blogs and Pinterest.
Follow your heart and do what feels right for you and enjoy the season, making your home comfortable and your haven at the end of the day is all that really matters.
Here’s to the folks who have decided to say enough is enough, putting our priorities where they really should be, enjoying the season with the people who mean the most to us.
Deb
Agreed Deb! It’s easy to feel as if we’re “failing” at Christmas if we’re not getting everything done or done to perfection – I’m totally over that. Not to mention Christmas holds the very best of memories for me growing up – and while our house always looked nice and festive, it was never magazine worthy that I can remember. It’s the traditions with loved ones that stick in your heart. 🙂