This week I just want to be indulgent and talk about how much I love getting the house ready for Christmas and how it feels me with joy.
As an adult and not having children around, it can be hard sometimes to really get into the spirit of Christmas. But I have to say that I still love Christmas, probably more the buildup than the day. I can’t deny that I do get excited about decorating the house.
I already love my house, but then at Christmas having the opportunity to make it even more cosy and magical, makes me love it even more. It’s the beginning of December and my tree and decorations are all up.
I don’t really have many traditional that I must keep year on year. My main tradition I would say is centred around my tree, where I decorate it with Christmas decorations and ornaments that I have collected from around the world and given by special friends. I love looking at them each time they come out of the box, bringing back the special memory of where I was when I bought them or who bought me them.
I do love a candle or two, too. I will generally light candles every day in my house, so you can imagine what adding more at this time of years feels like. Plus creating a smell of Christmas cinnamon or spice from candles or I like to use wax melts, just enhances the Christmas feel of the house for me.
Over the years and depending on where I am living, having moved quite a bit, I have reduced the decorations that I will have out. Making each ornament, candle or light seem more special by strategically placing them in their perfect place.
It’s important to me that my home feels warm and inviting, firstly for me when I walk through the door, but that it’s also cosy and inviting for guests. So, for me by decorating my home for me, adding warmth and cosiness, selecting the perfect places for lights and ornaments that enhance the overall aesthetic of each room, I know my guest feel it too.
I always have a real tree, and if I’m honest I choose it based on how I think my decorations will look on it, rather than will it best fit in the space, although obviously that is a consideration. I have to move furniture around, anyway, so why not make sue it will look nice.
Despite the several trips to the loft to bring down the boxes, light etc. I do get a feeling of great satisfaction when the house is decorated and I’m ready to sit down, light the fire, have a snowball cocktail, and watch the holiday. Total bliss!
Do you agree that there’s just something so lovely about the process of preparing for Christmas, you may have your own little rituals or certain places for favourite ornaments?
Share your own holiday decorating traditions and spread the Christmas cheer in the comments.