Six Fix:
Christmas Edition
It’s beginning to look a LOT like Christmas! Whether you love it or hate it… Christmas season has begun! And, truth be told, I hope you love this season as much as I do! Is it stressful? YES! Is it expensive? YES! But, it is what you make of it, so MAKE IT MAGICAL. Crank up the Christmas music and GET YOUR JINGLE ON!
Here are SIX of our favorite ways to FIX up your home for Christmas!
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Decorating for Christmas always proves to be a LOT of work, but it always proves to be well worth the time and effort. In my opinion, there is nothing quite like the first night after you are finished decorating. It is so calm and serene and quite breathtaking. Our lit tree never sleeps alone the first night in our house. There is always at least two of us that sleep on the couch to welcome and honor its beauty. When Christmas is over, I am more than ready to take down all the holiday decor… EXCEPT the tree. I am always sad to see it go. We connected. We bonded. Our home always feels a bit empty without it. I feel a bit empty without it.
Trees don’t have to be intimidating. I switch mine up quite often - never having a sentimental attachment to any ornament stash we have ever had. If I get inspired or see something I like, I go for it. It’s okay to try something new! You never know… you just might like it!
1. Christmas Tree
Both Jackie and I have small Christmas trees in the kids’ bedrooms. Not only does it bring some Christmas cheer to their spaces, but it gives the kiddos a place to hang all of the fun ornaments that they have collected throughout the years. It’s so fun watching them take a trip down memory lane every year as they unwrap their ornaments.
That also gives us an excuse to decorate the big tree in whatever way we want without feeling guilty about using their ornaments. #winwin
Here are a few ways you can add style to any tree!
TOPPER
There are so many fun ways to top your tree. Try using sprigs of greenery, berries, or even pompoms. Or use a cute sign, word cutouts, or ribbon. All of those can be super cute. Or… keep it simple and don’t put anything on top!
SOURCES: plantation box / rope tree collar / basket / galvanized tub
ornaments
Keeping ornaments within the same color palette allows you to have many different styles of ornaments while keeping a cohesive look. This applies to everything you are using to decorate your tree - ribbon, garland, sticks, picks, etc. If you are one that likes to decorate with an eclectic mix of nostalgic ornaments you have collected over the years, try buying a set (or a few sets!) of simple, round ball ornaments that are all the same color. This will not only add color, but it will give some consistency to the tree and actually make your unique assortment of ornaments stand out even more!
2. Wreaths
Whether you get a fresh wreath, a faux wreath or decide to make your own… whether you have one, two, or ten… we want them ALLLLL!
Wreaths can add a lot of punch depending on where they are placed. They are not just for doors. Wreaths can adorn windows, dining chairs, walls, pictures, mantels, railings, etc. They can be inside and/or outside. They can be found in a multitude of designs and price levels. My favorite wreaths this year are from the Target ($3) dollar section! They look beautiful on the backs of my dining room chairs and they were perfect for the ol’ budget!
3. Pillows
For Christmas pillows, I gravitate towards a more winter feel rather than Christmas. That way I can leave them up the entire winter season!
Pillows! Whose husband hates the amount of throw pillows you have in your home? MINE! Ha! As the years go by, the pillows just keep getting better! Pillows are a great way to add warmth and texture to your home. Jackie tends to gravitate towards pillow covers for easier storage (and they are more environmentally friendly). I love that idea, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. Pillows tend to jump in my cart… I swear! Decorate your tree first to set the color scheme for your room and then decide on pillows. Warm, cuddly pillows in neutral colors can stay out all winter long… but don’t be afraid to pop in a couple fun Christmas ones as well.
4. Fireplace
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…” should probably have been written, “The stockings and the garland and the candles and the logs and the pillows and the baskets were all placed by the chimney with care… in hopes that Santa would just stop and STARE!” Ha! Ha!
Aside from the Christmas tree, the fireplace is one of the main focal points in a room. One search on Pinterest and you will find darn near every possible way to decorate your fireplace for the holidays. From greenery to beaded garlands to stockings to candles to baskets of pillows… the list never ends! If you like to decorate, the fireplace leaves so much room for creativity. If you don’t, keep it simple and hang some stockings that make you smile. Done.
5. Use What You Already Have
Shop your own house before you head out to the stores! Those baskets and lanterns you used this summer can be repurposed and used for holiday decorating!
I would say the biggest trend right now is finding ways to make non-traditional Christmas decor part of your Christmas decor. Baskets, lanterns, greenery, logs, branches, etc. seem to work seamlessly for holiday decorating. Often times, you can take decor already adorning your house and use it in a new Christmas-y way. Think outside the box!
6. Packaging
Surrounding your tree with beautifully wrapped gifts is like the icing on the cake. It makes everything complete. This is another great way to put a creative spin on the holiday season.
Last but not least… presents. Wrapping usually tends to be last on my list, which is a bummer because it adds so much beauty to the tree. Keep in mind that Christmas wrapping paper is not your only choice - nor are typical bows and gift tags. Try solid color paper with non-traditional gift tags. Use yarn, raffia, twine, or baker’s twine to decorate the packages. Layer more than one kind of paper. Whatever you do… put a Christmas movie on while you wrap, grab some hot coca, and enjoy the process!
There you have it - six ideas to kick your Christmas decorating up a notch or two. Although it is so fun to write this post and to think of new ideas… please know that our true love of Christmas goes far beyond decorating. It is SO much more. It is family, friends, and gathering together. It is giving in as many ways as we can. It is spreading goodness during the hustle and bustle. It is embracing the good in people.
We wish you the very merriest of everything this season!
Cheers,
Jen + Jackie
