Christmas Decorating Ideas to Start This Season Right

II’m getting ready for Christmas and planning a virtual world-wide Christmas open house. Did you see the announcement? I hope you’ll join in. No matter where you are, let’s open our doors and share holiday decorations.

We’re not one of those families who puts up the tree the day after Thanksgiving, but I like to start decorating as soon as I can. For me, seasonal decorating is a gradual process rather than a single-day event.

We were even painting the entryway the week of Thanksgiving (I’ll share progress photos soon), and had guests visiting before and after the holiday. We finished the week by assembling care packages for people experiencing homelessness at our church — a meaningful reminder of what matters after a week of indulgence. It was a busy, full week and I enjoyed every moment.

This week I’m easing into my holiday decorating. It doesn’t take much for me to get started; I just need a simple, classic touch to set the tone.

To kick things off, I began with poinsettias. These plants are gorgeous and perfect when you want a natural, fuss-free decoration. I haven’t even unpacked my holiday boxes yet, so poinsettias are a lovely way to ease into decorating.

Poinsettias are easy to use in holiday displays thanks to their dramatic leaves and blooms — they say “Christmas” without a lot of effort. I place them around the house in different pots or on stands to give them a little prominence. Contrary to an old rumor, poinsettias are not poisonous and are safe around children and pets, which is important in a house where little hands explore constantly.

Three cheers for the arrival of poinsettias — Christmas, I’m on my way!

Reminder: You’re invited to my virtual Christmas open house on December 12th. You can link up your own photos that day. Linking up means posting photos of your decorated space online — on a blog, a public photo album, or a similar platform — and then adding the link to the party list. If this is new to you, it will make sense when you see it in action on the 12th.

img 24045 5

Don’t worry about having a picture-perfect house. You don’t need a large or charming home to join the party. Share a favorite corner, your tree, a decorated shelf, or a mantel — whatever you love. Take photos and be ready to welcome visitors. Or simply stop by to browse and enjoy the inspiration.

Note: These poinsettias were generously delivered by a friend I met online, who brought them all the way from Canada. I was delighted to introduce her to other bloggers who love poinsettias as much as I do. While this post and the plants were sponsored, my affection for poinsettias is sincere.

Keep an eye out for holiday decorating and poinsettia posts from other bloggers.

What do you usually start with when you begin decorating for Christmas?