Seasonal Decorations
It’s that time of year. We have a bunch of holidays ahead of us, each with it’s own vibe. Halloween is spooky, Thanksgiving is harvest, Hanukkah is sparkly and Christmas is festive. If decorating for the holidays brings you joy, this can be a lot of fun, but also can bring a lot of things into your home that are used for very short periods of time. That is unless you are decorating for these holidays in line with the retail calendar. Thankfully, I haven’t seen any friends decorate for Halloween in July - yet.
What are some ways we can continue to enjoy celebrating without cursing at the overflowing boxes in the basement the rest of the year?
Decide on your Vision. Do you like traditional or quirky? Colorful or neutral? Keep this in mind when putting out decor for each season, and especially before buying anything new.
Multi-Use is your Friend. Consider accessories that can be used for multiple holidays. Many harvest-y Thanksgiving things can be used for Halloween, for example. Similar colors, similar pumpkin/gourd usage, etc. Instead of a jack-o-lantern candy dish, use a pumpkin candy dish. Instead of red and green Christmas candles, consider neutrals like white and gold that can be used on more occasions. You get the idea. A neutral grapevine wreath can be switched out season to season with different ribbon or accoutrements.
Take this practice into wrapping as well. Most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable, so I have been using up what I already had and stopped buying more. Instead, I use brown or white craft paper for all my wrapping needs. Colorful ribbon gives it that holiday-specific flair!
Use things that Rot. Haha, but seriously! You aren’t going to store a real pumpkin or Christmas tree in the basement. They are beautiful and serve their purpose, but when you are done with them, they go back to the earth.
Don’t Keep what you Don’t Use. If you pull out your bin of Halloween decorations and decide not to put out Mr. Bones the skeleton, he can probably go to another home to bring them joy. Your Thanksgiving table runner and fake cornucopia might be more of a nuisance than a delight. Even traditions like your Christmas dinnerware can lose their spark. It’s okay to let go of things that are beyond their time.
Smart Storage. Use sturdy and clearly labeled storage containers. Combine holidays when it makes sense - I keep Easter, Valentine’s Day and July 4th all in one bin since I only have a little of each. In these bins I also include the holiday books for the kids so they aren’t taking up precious space on their bookcase in the off-season. Our winter/snow books go in the Christmas bins so they get pulled out just as the snow is starting to fall (which feels later every year). Other holiday-specific items that could be included in these bins include ugly sweaters, holiday music, extra kids’ Valentine’s, etc. Do what makes the most sense for you!
Remember what Matters Most. Decorating for Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be stressful. If it is, don’t do it. (I certainly don’t). The retail world thrives on us feeling like we should. Your home is your home and doesn’t need a “Live, Laugh, Love or Blessed” sign on the mantle to prove it. On the other hand, if more is more for you and you absolutely adore walking into a home with a festive vibe, then decorate with pride! As you add to your collection, let go of anything that doesn’t give you all the feels anymore. Your tastes are sure to change, so honor that change.
Do you decorate for each season? How does it make you feel? I hope these tips help you enjoy these celebrations a little more.