How a Professional Organizer Decks the Halls
I love the Christmas season and everything that comes with it, I always have. And when it comes to Christmas décor, I’m very much a traditionalist: I like simple, homey touches in red and gold. It’s a literal and obvious style, especially given the current trend toward subtle holiday decorations in muted tones, but it feels more welcoming and cozy to me. And if I want my home to be one thing, welcoming is it!
On the left, my dream advent calendar: a solid wood replica of Fortnum & Mason, schlepped back to the US by my doting sister and sister in law!
So, I’ve accumulated my collection of ornaments, nutcrackers, figures, and other festive items over the years, rather than trying to create a total look from scratch. I did buy large boxes of inexpensive red and gold ball ornaments before our first married Christmas just to tie everything together, and there were so many that I now use them as vase filler and even made a garland for our family room fireplace with them! That is literally the only DIY you will see in my house, I promise. I am so not a crafty person!
In foreground, a traditional German Christmas pyramid I picked out in Berlin, with a bakery theme instead of the traditional nativity!
I keep it simple with the greenery, too. Costco has everything but the tree that I need, and I’m there once every couple of weeks anyway: cedar boughs for the hearths, a fresh wreath for the front door, and ribbon to add a little extra zing to said wreath. Some years I get poinsettia plants, but I still haven’t figured out the best place to deploy them in the new house.
We always get our tree from Delancey Street - great service, and their trees are always fresh and beautiful!
The centerpiece, of course, is the tree. To me, the tree has to be real, and it has to be a Noble fir. The smell of the tree takes me back to childhood, when I would literally stand among and branches, stick my nose into the tree, and sniff… I was kind of a weird kid. I also love to have an eclectic tree filled with memories, rather than a pristine themed tree, so every ornament we have ever been given goes up. It all started in 2009, when one of my mom’s best friends threw us a Christmas ornament shower. Plus, my mom signed me up for an annual silver bell ornament – they’re a beautiful addition and a sentimental record of our Christmases together. And then there’s my husband’s best friend, who makes it a point to give us a so-ridiculously-ugly-it’s-awesome ornament every year!
Sad photobombing dog in cone is confused about why I'm standing outside in my slippers in 49 degree weather.
Finally, I love adding some lights to the outside of our house. I am uncoordinated at best so I’m not about to be climbing on ladders to trim our doors and windows, but we do have a little magnolia tree next to our front door that can accommodate a few oversized ornaments and light garlands. I’ve always loved these lighted balls for outdoors, and found them this year at Costco – brilliant!
If your holiday decor is taking over your home… and not just during the holidays… I can help! Schedule your home organizing consultation with me and we can organize your holiday style so that it’s a source of joy rather than stress in the coming years.
This evening, we’re going to light a fire in the fireplace and kick back in the glow of the Christmas tree. I hope you find similar peaceful moments during this holiday week!
LMW
