Counting Down To Christmas

In 47 days it will be Christmas! A few nights ago twenty ladies and one very special little guest - I’ll save the surprise for you to see in the video - gathered together to kick off the season.

We made two pretty Christmas crafts while enjoying hot chocolate and marshmallows, with Carols playing in the background of our chatter and laughter. The main craft was a Christmas mason jar lantern - so pretty.

I shared a teaching session about how to decorate our homes for the season, and we ended our night with each attendee lighting their Christmas candle craft we made earlier while wishing us a Merry Christmas. You really don’t want to miss the video!

For those of you who couldn’t be with us, I thought I’d high-light a few tips that were shared, and for all of you, please enjoy a little Christmas gift from me with this free Christmas Planner download.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING PLAN 

It’s alway good to have a plan and then work that plan to get a successful end result. Here are some quick tips for starting your Christmas decorating.

What Are Your Christmas Theme Ideas For 2019?

Choose your theme based on colour and your decor style. Red, green, gold, silver are classics that never go out of style. Every year the colours for each holiday season have a trend. The 2019 Christmas colour is blue. Pair with silver and frosted white for a beautiful look.

Is your home contemporary, traditional, rustic, minimalist or whimsical? Keep your decor style in mind when putting your ornaments and arrangements together for a pulled together, professional look.

Gather Your Christmas Storage Containers

Time to visit your storage room/garage and  get out the Christmas totes and boxes. Bring everything together and get reacquainted with what you have.  

Purge Christmas Decorations

Now is the time to be ruthless and toss those worn and slightly ratty looking decorations that you’ve been holding on to.

Maybe it’s time to redo your decorations to match your new home decor. I just found the perfect teal Christmas ornaments for a client in need of a tree overhaul after we completed her new living room a few weeks ago.

Having only what we really need in an organized manner means way less stress and more efficiency. Consider donating what you don’t need to local charities, shelters, seniors homes etc

Memorable Photos

Frame up favourite Christmas photos to display and enjoy for the season. Print them in black and white and use common frames for a polished look. Adding Christmas signs is a fun touch too.

Layout

Take your time and do a walkthrough of your home, starting with your entry and continuing right through your space. Jot down spaces you’d like to add some Christmas touches to, recording your decoration ideas as you move from room to room. A great time to try out your free printable Christmas Room Planner.

Garlands go on doorways, banisters, railings, mantels and tables.

Wreaths are great for doors, on kitchen and living area windows, to replace powder room art or hung over favourite towels.

Make an inviting entry at your front door and porch, decorate your entrance table top and bench, change up artwork for seasonal prints, add greenery swags to mirror tops, tray up festive displays for the kitchen countertop etc 

Think outside the box by repurposing common items you already own. Pine cones or ornaments in glass vases with white fairy lights can display almost anywhere.

Christmas Decoration Shopping

Once you have your plan, make a list and have a fun shopping day gathering supplies and added touches to create your vignettes throughout your home. Having that list will keep you on track. The store shelves are so full, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and to overspend. Work your plan. 

How To Beat Holiday Stress?

In the next several weeks the demands will increase, as they always do over the holidays. Things can turn stressful if we let them. And that’s just it; if we let them. It’s okay to say no to an invitation or two or three, to have take out for dinner, to not have everything picture perfect, to not bake every single traditional goodie for family and friends.

You get what I’m saying. Be good to yourself, relax, watch lots of Netflix Christmas movies, have a jammies day, go for nice long walks and reconnect with nature, and foremost remember the reason we celebrate this Holy time of year.