'TIS THE SEASON
It is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year, not only because the children are home, visitors abound, the air is crisper and horizon bluer, but I absolutely love decorating our home while the sweet aroma of cloves, cinnamon and ginger penetrate the air.
As a designer obsessed with creating beauty, the aftermath of ribbons, needles, flour, paper, tinsel, tape, and all the trimmings of the season can easily become a source of mayhem. Still, year after year, with a prevailing scent of Thanksgiving still floating through the air, we pile into the family car in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Dusty boxes which haven't seen the light of day for eleven months emerge while the children argue about who gets to put the angel on the tree, apple cider simmering in the distance.
Changing up the decor can easily spark an interesting conversation, but I love items that can stand up to the test of time, not to mention the joy that unfolds as we open an old box and unravel the tissue paper within to reveal seasonal gems. This year we added a few new pieces to our Christmas treasure trove like a sculpture we have had for fifteen years which I decided to decorate with winter white feathers.
When our youngest pleaded for us to buy Christmas stockings last year, a tradition our family hadn't embraced as my husband and I grew up with mangers in our childhood homes, one look at her beaming smile was all it took for me to welcome her proposal. I found these beautiful stockings at Anthropologie (which are 50% off this year) which I personalized with accessories from my local craft store.
The key to holiday decor lies in personalization. Regardless of what it is that you fall in love with, give it a personal touch, even something as slight as a ribbon or color scheme can have a profound effect on the collective feel.
And as the celebrations continue, I must sign off but not before wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays.
