Well, my friends, Christmas has come and gone, but Winter is here in full force!
When the entire country was under a blizzard-watch, we did receive some snow, though not as much as predicted. The temperatures and the wind-chill were below zero before, during and after Christmas day. In a few days, it’ll be above freezing which will feel like a heat wave, so at that time, I’ll remove the Christmas decor on the front porch.
FIRST THINGS FIRST…
What’s the first area you decorate as you prepare for a holiday, or a seasonal change in decor?
Personally, I always start with the front door, then the exterior of my home before I do anything inside.
Who knows why?
Probably for the “curb appeal”, I have a long past of fixing and flipping homes, so yes, …”looks do matter”! I know I sound so “shallow”, but it’s not a joke when it comes to your home.
My first, have-to-refresh, is my front door and the area around it.
I don’t design or decorate around “current” trends, instead I will mix new “favorites” in with my seasonal decor, for a fresh take on a classic look.
I decorate simply, preferring items of nature associated with the current season, which are timeless in their appeal. My Winter’s decor, after Christmas, consists of pine branches, pinecones, white birch logs and cut firewood in a basket, copper pot, a wood box, urn or a large crock.
Next, I add lanterns with white pillar candles, classic in style. A flickering candle in the dark is always welcoming, next, I add an all-weather rug in a fun pattern to catch all of the dirty, melting snow before it comes inside.
NOW, if I’m feeling “fancy”, I’ll coordinate a large bow on the wreath with the patterns or colors of the rug!
So, number two, would be what’s “behind” the front door…
You have ONE chance to make a “first impression” of your home, your style, and yourself, am I right?
Yep.
This year, every family member that came to my home was either recovering from a violent flu, or unknowingly spreading one around….
So, needless to say, the days after Christmas, I spent in bed recovering, not worried in the least bit about my decor.
Better now! so, I’ve started pulling out all of the red berries, red bows, anything red, all things Santa, all things that say,” Merry and Bright”, and even the little manger went back into its box.
Three=Tree…
This little tree is my kitchen tree, decorated with old-fashioned kitchen utensils, old cookie molds, biscuit cutters, a small rolling pin, and wooly and bright pompoms!
You can see that this girl makes her own trends!!
My living room has a 9′ tree, covered with antique German ornaments, as does our mantle. I can’t tell you how many ornaments I dropped, because it was late at night when I decided to decorate, and they do NOT bounce!
Obviously, poor judgement on my part!
On both of my trees, I’ll keep the white twinkling lights only, probably through January 2023, and then I’ll box everything up, and call it a year! I have garland on a stairway to the basement family room, and that will be removed as well.
That’s it! Easy as 1-2-3, Three easy ways to “delete” Christmas as we go into a brand new year…
which reminds me,
What are you’ all doing for New Year’s Eve?
Drop a comment, I need some fun suggestions, my friends!
Because,
right now, I really am just thinking about taking a nap!
Love to all,
I usually have Christmas boxed and stored by the 10th of January. Not this year-Pneumonia has kept me in bed since Dec 28th. However, I hope to de-Christmas next week-Lord willing.
Love reading your blog, Beth. xo Diana
Diana, I’m sorry to hear you’ve had pneumonia, that’s such a lengthy process back to health. Glad you’ve been reading along, makes me very happy! Thanks so much, will pray for your health restored. Beth