I spent a delightful afternoon decorating for Christmas this week. Even though we haven’t opened any boxes or set up our tree yet (we plan to get it this weekend when the kids are here), I still enjoyed getting started with what I already had.
I especially liked not having to dig through storage—at least not yet. Beginning with a few simple touches made the house feel festive right away.
I love decorating with pieces I already own and mixing in items that feel festive without being classic, over-the-top Christmas decor. This year I added a strand of fresh garland and a new set of small holiday plates and polka-dot napkins to the table. Most of my dishes are white, but I enjoy sprinkling in a few special holiday pieces to make the table feel warm and inviting. I’ll take more photos once the table and mantel are fully finished—so far I’m happy with how it’s coming together using mostly what I already had.
Here is Jack. Looking all innocent right before “the garland incident.”
What’s making decorating especially memorable this year is my family—particularly my son and his big, fluffy dog Jack. Jack is a six-month-old Goldendoodle who has never experienced Christmas before. He was completely fascinated by the fresh-smelling garland on the stairs.
He got so excited he kept sneaking around the other side of the railing while I worked, untying the string so the garland would fall, and then chewing it like a tasty green salad. I’d dash around to stop him, which turned into a silly game of chase. Then he would grab one of the little starfish ornaments and bolt, and I’d have to catch him to retrieve it. He thinks games like that are great—my patience, not so much.
Here he is, nonchalantly looking around to see if the coast is clear before he chomped the garland and made a run for it.
Jack keeps us entertained all day long. He’s constantly curious and playful—never neglected, always with toys and attention, but still getting into mischief. Sometimes I think he could star in his own funny little movie.
Caught in the kitchen with the starfish.
Aside from rescuing ornaments from Jack, the best moment of the afternoon was when my son came home from school. His face lit up when he saw the garland on the stairs, the decorated mantel, and the festive dining table. He started listing off the Christmas traditions he loves and asked where we’d put the tree this year. He remembered last year’s tree decisions and the trip to the tree farm in vivid detail—those memories made my heart melt.
His excitement reminded me how much our family traditions and holiday decorations mean to the kids. As the youngest, he still experiences that sense of wonder, and it’s easy for me, as a parent juggling so much, to forget to view the season through their eyes. Even when life gets hard—whether due to moves, financial strain, or busy schedules—holding on to a few meaningful traditions can make a big difference.
Of course, Christmas isn’t only about decorations. It’s important to teach children what really matters and to be intentional about how we use our time. Simplifying can be good, but simplifying too much can mean losing little traditions that mean the world to kids. My older daughters often remind me to keep traditions alive for their brother, and I love that they look out for him.
Even when time is short or money is tight, it’s worth preserving a few simple traditions that create lasting memories. Setting up a beloved display or spending a bit of extra effort to maintain a ritual can lift everyone’s spirits more than you might expect. Watching my son’s joy—and Jack’s exuberance—brought back for me the wonder of childhood. They’re young for such a brief time, and those moments are worth preserving.
Sniff. I’m making this year count.
How is your decorating coming along? Here was my first step in holiday decorating! I hope you are having as much fun as I am 🙂 …