I’m getting ready for Christmas and planning a virtual world-wide Christmas open house. Did you see the announcement over the weekend? I hope you’ll join in. Wherever you are, let’s open our doors—virtually—and share our decorations.
We don’t always put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, but I like to begin decorating as early as I can. My seasonal decorating usually happens gradually rather than all at once, so I ease into it over several days.
The week of Thanksgiving was busy here—we painted our entry and had guests visiting before and after the holiday. We wrapped up the week by assembling care packages for people experiencing homelessness at our church. That felt like the perfect way to end a week of indulgence: a meaningful reminder of what matters most. It was a full, hectic week, but I enjoyed it.
This week I’m easing into my Christmas decorating. It doesn’t take much to get started; once I begin, the rest follows. Here’s how I kicked things off.
To start simply and classically, I brought in poinsettias. These plants are beautiful and ready to decorate on their own. I haven’t even opened my holiday boxes yet, so poinsettias were the perfect, low-effort way to ease into the season.
One reason I love poinsettias is how easily they blend into any decor. Their vibrant bracts and leaves say “Christmas” without a lot of fuss. I place them around the house—on side tables, mantels, or set on a small pedestal to give them prominence. They’re a reliable go-to every year.
There’s an old rumor that poinsettias are poisonous, but that’s not true; they are safe around children and pets when used reasonably. That’s important in our house, where small hands and curious toddlers often explore everything within reach. I’ll still be cautious with ornaments this year, but the plants themselves give me peace of mind.
Three cheers for the arrival of poinsettias—Christmas, I’m on my way!
Reminder: You’re invited to the virtual Christmas open house on December 12th. You can link up your holiday photos—whether that’s a full house tour or a few snapshots of a decorated corner. To participate, post photos of your decorated space somewhere public (a blog or a public album) and add the link to the “linky” on the event day. If you’re new to this, it will be easy to follow along on December 12th.
Don’t worry if your house isn’t perfectly styled—everyone is welcome. You don’t need a large, charming home to join. Share a favorite corner, a tree, a mantel, or simply come by to visit and enjoy everyone else’s efforts.
Note: These poinsettias were kindly delivered by a new online friend and Darvonda Nurseries. She drove them to make sure they arrived safely—such thoughtful service. I’m grateful to her and to the blogging friends who joined in celebrating poinsettias. While this post included sponsored plants, my affection for poinsettias is genuine.
Watch for holiday decorating and poinsettia posts from fellow bloggers participating in this challenge.
What is the first thing you usually start with for Christmas decorating?