HHello! I hope you’re feeling the Christmas spirit. I’m enjoying the final touches of my holiday decorating, and as usual I’m keeping things simple. Last year’s décor was understated, and this year I’ve followed the same path because simplicity is what I enjoy most.
At one point I tried to add more greenery to the entry table, console and mantel. It looked pretty, but it didn’t feel right, so I tore it down. I realized that when I imagined doing “more” I didn’t mean piling extra decorations on every surface. I meant adding a touch of Christmas to more rooms. Excess clutter makes me uncomfortable, so I gathered the extra garlands (all leftover from our tree) and took them outside. It felt like a relief.
I’m grateful that simple décor is what comes naturally to me. If I felt pressured to style my home for a perfect photo shoot, I’d be stressed, but keeping things authentic keeps blogging enjoyable. I don’t rearrange furniture or force elaborate styling just for images—I prefer to decorate the way I would if I weren’t sharing it online. That keeps the process real and sustainable.
If you feel pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday, pause and ask whether it’s what you truly want this year. Sometimes pulling out every bin of decorations only creates stress. That’s okay—this season may call for a quieter approach. And if you’re in a phase where you love the sparkle and all the ornaments, embrace it. The important thing is to be true to yourself and your family’s needs rather than following someone else’s expectations.
Although I’ll be sharing our home in the Holiday Home Tours on Monday, I avoid unnecessary stress by decorating for my family first. I aim to keep traditions alive within the limits of my time and energy. Authenticity matters more to me than curated images; I want to live with and love the spaces I create, not just photograph them.
Preparing for the holidays has been rewarding because I remind myself I don’t have to create a show home—I want to make memories. For our family that means a real tree we cut down together. Last year we chose a huge tree and enjoyed it without stressing over every ornament. My son Luke loves that tradition, and I treasure keeping it alive while he’s still at home.
We chose the tree together this year, even though we have several faux trees in tubs that would have photographed well. The hour spent loading up the dogs and going to the tree farm was time well spent. My son is fourteen, and these family moments feel especially precious. He cares less about cookies or which ornaments I use and more about the experience of cutting down a tree together.
What truly matters to your family? The experiences we remember—those shared moments—are the heart of the season. If we pressure ourselves to meet holiday expectations, we risk losing sight of what’s important. It’s better to focus on the traditions that mean something to your household and let go of the rest.
No matter your decorating style—full-on festive or beautifully simple—remember the goal is to create lasting memories, not to maintain a show house. Seek a balance: don’t make Christmas so minimal that it lacks wonder, and don’t make it so complicated that it becomes exhausting. It’s easy to get swept up in décor, baking and gifts and miss the deeper reasons we celebrate.
Let go of guilt about what you don’t have to do this weekend. Instead, find simple ways to build memories your family will cherish. Even if you’re alone in your home this year, give yourself the gift of a meaningful Christmas.