I am finally allowing the Christmas season to creep in and nudge out November. Darn it.
Am I the only person who doesn’t love Christmas? I cannot possibly be.
But in the spirit of festivity, I like to do “Christmas Lite.” What’s the commercial? Great taste, less filling? Yes, that’s what I’m going for here. Something to chew on, but not getting overwhelmed with the season.
For several years, I have not given in to the pressure of a Hallmark movie home décor, purchasing lots of gifts, baking food nobody on Earth needs to be eating.
So this post is my attempt to reset my home and prepare for a calmer, lower-stress Christmas.
Here’s what I’m doing.
Mini Declutter
Using up just under an hour, and not a full day, I did a mini autumn declutter.
The pumpkins went back into their storage bin along with all the fall stems and moody candles.
Next to go will be autumn throw blankets and pillows. I’ll replace some of the pillow covers with holiday patterns.
It’s time to bring out the cozy, fuzzy throw blankets too.
As part of my mini declutter, the fridge and pantry have been addressed and I’ve made room for Thanksgiving meal groceries.
Swap Fall Décor for a Soft Holiday Transition
This is a gentle little shift and not full-on Christmas decorating. In addition, we are leaving bright and early the Friday after Thanksgiving, so we won’t be around to enjoy any big Christmas décor.
And, oh, yeah. I don’t really have any Christmas stuff. In one of my summer purging frenzies, I donated almost everything. Yep, I really did.
It was all pretty old, tired and some of it was downright shabby.
So, in addition to a few throw pillows and blankets, I might make a run to Hobby Lobby and get a few faux evergreen arrangements to carry me through the holidays and maybe even into the New Year.
Can you even believe I said “New Year”? What?! I know!
The entryway, dining area and living room are all decluttered and ready for just a tiny bit of winter décor.
Add Cozy Habits
There are no two ways about it. I am a morning person and the shorter days are pretty hard on me. I still want to be up with the birds, but the owls are still hooting now when I get up.
And by 6 p.m. it’s so dark, I want to brush my teeth and go to bed.
So instead of getting dragged down by it, I’m adding some cozy habits for the winter.
I turn on the candle warmer first thing in the morning while I’m brewing my coffee.
I’ve treated myself to a tin of chocolate mint tea and no-sugar-added cocoa. So nights when I am cozied up with my latest Colter Shaw book, I’m sipping on pure happiness.
The restaurant adjoining the gym is all decorated sparkly, so in the dark morning before I look at those heavy weights, I take a little walk through the hallway and enjoy what someone has created.
Totally spontaneously, Barb invited me on a short road trip to Cottonwood this week. It was one of our days this week without rain.
The weather was a bit different from our visit in August where it was over 100° every day.
Since Cottonwood is a bit higher in elevation, they are in full fledged fall.
If you squint really hard, the downtown main street looks a little like a Hallmark town.
What I’m Not Doing
Again this year, I’m not sending out cards. I’m not baking oodles of cookies. I’m not putting up a tree.
And since we’ll be gone the first two weeks of December, we are already missing a couple of holiday events.
That actually disappoints me, but just less on the calendar.
Giving myself permission to skip these things was the best thing I ever did to better enjoy the season.
Wrap Up
Back to Thanksgiving for just a moment, please.
Chris shared pics of her holiday tablescape. Like us, she will be serving Thanksgiving dinner for three.
Her home is so beautiful and I think her table looks perfect.
I hope you agree with me that this is a perfect time for a mini refresh. When December hits like a hurricane, it will be less stressful.
Thank you for taking time to ease into this season with me and may God bless you and yours.