The Zen Of Holiday Decorating

My holiday decorating begins at Thanksgiving. I always have what seems like three lives going at once, so my philosophy is "go with the flow."

To stay collected, I have adopted a no pressure method that works well for me.

When my children were young, rather than a "holiday," Christmas felt more like seasonal work.

There were many joyous moments and beautiful traditions, alongside all night marathons.

But I just wanted a basic NICE and PRETTY holiday like everybody else. And, like everybody else, not all of my holidays have been nice and pretty.

Life happens every month of the year. Some years the holidays are bliss, and others too busy and stressful.

But after many holiday seasons I've learned that "no assignment" decorating is fun, spontaneous, frugal, creative, and best of all, pressure free.

I have decorating ideas, but never "plans." I don't devote time for the process. Whatever happens, happens.

One year we had only white lights. That was a far as we got with trimming the tree. But it was probably my all time favorite look.

Another year I grabbed all the unsold red vintage balls from my shop on Christmas Eve and popped them onto the tree because I hadn't even pulled out my own ornaments from storage yet. Probably the most fun I've ever had decorating a tree.

My decorating evolves day to day the way the weather does through the season. One day I tweak my sideboard, the next pick up a wreath or flowers. The cards gather in an artful pile, or get tacked up somewhere. Vignettes pop up left and right sourced from some found object, opened box, or what is already at hand.

I'm also always remembering that what goes up must come down. It may sound a little joyless, but on the contrary, it's a way for me to put the "joy" INTO enjoying the holidays.