We’ve experienced a lot of change in our life and home over the past year and a half. Those transitions have made me long for the comforting feeling of being truly home for the holidays. With the stress of moving and remodeling mostly behind us and the light at the end of the renovation tunnel beginning to glow, we are finally starting to feel settled and more like we belong here.
Change can disrupt daily rhythms and leave you off balance for a while as you adjust to a new normal. During those seasons it’s easy to lose the childlike wonder that makes Christmas feel magical. I’ve learned to hold on to that sense of wonder deliberately, even while managing the responsibilities of adult life.
I remember one Christmas years ago when I felt a gentle nudge to keep the holiday special through my youngest child’s eyes.
There’s a funny and moving story from 2011 about trying to decorate our home while our puppy Jack was six months old and what my then eleven-year-old son said after coming home from school. What he said tugged at my heart and inspired me to keep Christmas magical and childlike, even when adult responsibilities are in full swing and the kids no longer wake at dawn on Christmas morning.
Ottoman source / Velvet stockings
A few years ago we began collecting whimsical woodland animals as part of our holiday decor. Our family loves a touch of humor, and these pieces brought personality to our tree. Over time our decorating evolved into what we now call a “forest & sea” approach: a mix of fresh and faux greenery, forest animals, and coastal elements. I don’t really think of it as a strict theme so much as a personal reflection of our story and the places we love.
We’ve lived in several homes, but our children’s childhood houses and our beach house have all been in the Pacific Northwest—nestled between dense forests and the sea. Our forest and sea Christmas celebrates those landscapes and memories. The combination of quirky, collected pieces helps keep the holiday feeling playful and full of wonder.
Do you have special family memories or ornaments that shape how you decorate for Christmas? Those personal touches are what make a season feel like home.
Click to shop my favorite Christmas decor: stockings, ornaments, lights, trees, and more.
