We closed on our previous home a little over seven weeks ago and moved into this house. I’m grateful we had time to get somewhat settled before Christmas. There are still projects to tackle and boxes to unpack, but for now I’m focused on making the house cozy and festive for the season.
This holiday feels different from past years. With our move, our son living independently and both of our daughters in other cities, we’re adjusting to empty-nester life. That said, change can be refreshing, and we’re enjoying discovering how this home will feel for our family.
We’ve had fun decorating the porches, mantel and staircase railing with lights and greenery. I shared a simple Thanksgiving mantel recently, and after that I was inspired to add more greenery and light. I prefer a simple approach to holiday decor: I want the warmth and wonder of Christmas to show through without feeling overwhelmed by clutter. That balance is especially important in a smaller home.
I’ll show our updated mantel in a future post. Today I’m sharing our cozy entryway, which came together quickly and feels inviting.
For the stair railing I chose faux cedar garland so it would last all season and stay mess-free. The garland I found this fall is soft, lightweight and easy to shape, and it stores nicely after the holidays. I tied the garland to the railing with simple string and added a black-and-white ribbon for contrast, then layered a wired metal star garland for a whimsical touch. The result fits our cottage aesthetic—festive but understated.
There are many ways to hang garland, and this minimal, handcrafted look felt right for our home. I enjoyed the creative possibilities and look forward to decorating the staircase in new ways in coming years.
We also have cedar trees in the backyard, so I cut fresh sprigs to tuck into a door basket and a few other vignettes around the house. I ordered fresh cedar garland for the porch as well—the scent is lovely and adds a natural holiday element alongside the faux pieces.
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll share more of our Christmas decorations in upcoming posts as we continue to settle in and add finishing touches to the house.
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