instagram pic of my new settee ….still with tags!
Did I scare you or are you excited? Nine weeks until Christmas — can you believe it? I’m definitely in a holiday nesting mood. Even with projects going on around the house, I’m really looking forward to the season and planning how to make it the best possible holiday I can. It’s been a while since we enjoyed a truly relaxed holiday — one without moving, remodeling, or scrambling to keep up. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Although I hoped to have everything finished before Thanksgiving and Christmas, this year we’ll probably still be mid-project. Not surprising — I may have overestimated what could be done or simply added too many new tasks to the list. Or maybe I’m just a little bit crazy. Probably a combination of all three. Never a dull moment!
Still, my enthusiasm isn’t going to derail holiday plans. I can plan ahead enough to create a relaxed, enjoyable season, even if the house isn’t 100% complete. Letting go of the unrealistic picture of perfection and focusing on what truly matters keeps us from running around like a frazzled gingerbread mom. When the host is calm, everyone else enjoys themselves more.
Lowering expectations about how much we can accomplish and increasing creativity and flexibility makes the season more pleasant. In that spirit, I’ve already set up my Thanksgiving centerpiece (yes, I’m excited) and I’m thinking about where the Christmas tree will go. I may have ordered a few new holiday pieces to motivate me to decorate and I’m planning which rooms to arrange now for the most comfortable gatherings.
I’m also working on a few long-awaited updates to our living-room-turned-gathering-room to make it extra cozy for both holiday gatherings and everyday life. I’ve been rearranging furniture, bringing in some new affordable pieces to better suit our needs, and adding warm reddish-orangish tones with pillows and throws for the season. Each small change makes the space feel more comfortable and used — it almost feels like we added extra square footage without actually doing so.
I’ll share more details about the recent updates and plans for this room in a future post, but you can see a preview here. I’m excited to finish this space since it’s the first room guests see and where family naturally gathers.
instagram pic of Jack lounging on our new settee
(settee, pillow and throw from Pier One)
If you don’t like animals on furniture, look away now. Jack usually wanders through this room under supervision — he still has puppy tendencies so he doesn’t have full, unsupervised run of the house — but he wanted to test the new settee for comfort. We found him curled up under the throw. Spoiled? Maybe. But he looks pretty cute lounging there.
For me, holiday nesting isn’t about creating a magazine-perfect, most-pinteresting display. It’s about making a warm, welcoming environment for friends and family, having fun, and creating memories. Everyone interprets holiday nesting differently, and that’s the joy of having your own space — you can create your own special seasonal atmosphere.
Holiday nesting might mean decluttering, rearranging furniture, getting carpets cleaned, mapping out gift lists, or making homemade ornaments. Whatever helps you prepare and enjoy the season, start now. Small, thoughtful steps make the holidays easier and more meaningful.
I’m excited to see your holiday nesting — whether you’re working on Halloween details or planning Thanksgiving and Christmas. Share your ideas and projects and let’s inspire each other for the holidays!
Nine weeks ’til Christmas. Ready? Or not?
