I gave myself a super duper fantabulous early Christmas gift this year.
The interesting about this particular gift though, is that I didn’t even actually get to enjoy it until after Christmas.
Because, this year I gave myself the gift of easing into the new year. Actually, what I gave myself was the gift of time.
Back in November when I began decorating the house for the holidays, I decided that I was going to make the transition from Christmas-y to Winter-y as easy and simple as possible.
So, as I tackled areas like mantels and tabletops, I kept that goal in mind. I don’t know about you, but by the time I get everything dismantled and packed away after Christmas, I feel as though every ounce of creative energy has been drained from me. And every year I would see those empty surfaces and not only feel totally stumped as to how to decorate them but also, just not really care a whole lot.
But, not this year!
This year, I went about decorating my home in a way that I knew would get me all the way through winter.
When I decorated the mantel in our living room, I knew that all I was going to have to do was simply remove the garland and it would go from this…
…to this!
And the same was true for our family room mantel which went from this…
…to this!
The glittery pine cones, candles and vintage bottles are so perfect for winter.
In the dining room, simplicity continued to reign supreme.
A centerpiece of greenery, antlers and cinnamon sticks has been on this table since November and isn’t changing anytime soon.
My sweet girl was sooooo happy that the deer were going to hang out here just a bit longer.
You know, I always feel so mixed at Christmas-time. On the one hand, I absolutely LOVE everything about it! I love all of the special-ness of it.
On the other hand, I find that I begin to crave our everyday life. Frankly, my family just does better with routine.
So, when it’s time to un-decorate, I’m usually torn. I feel sad that it’s all over, but I look forward to the return to ‘normal’.
This gift I gave myself this year really helped to bridge the gap between those two emotions.
In fact, as I sit here typing, the candles are flickering on the mantel and reflecting off of the vintage glass bottles.
And I think that by keeping some continuity between my pre-Christmas decor and my post-Christmas decor, everything still feels…well…special.
It’s all of the coziness of winter without any of the craziness of the holidays.
And from where I’m sitting, it feels like perfection. 🙂 
This post is partying here: Wow Us Wednesday
that’s the same way i approached the holiday decorating this year, a plan that wouldn’t involve more time, complication and smooth transtion…..which you have also done very well.
Beautifully done Vanessa!! I love love love your family room mantel with all the small bottles and candles and the gold containers filled with pinecones…so pretty! Love the urn filled with the greenery and metal sphere too! Such a beautiful winter look!
What a wonderful plan. For the last few years I have made notes on my iPad of things I would change or want to remember for the next Christmas. I’m going to write this plan. How relaxing to get a 2 for 1. Thanks.
How brilliant to plan for the transition! Your home definitely has a cozy feel. This year I’ve given myself the gift of not decorating at all after Christmas.I’m enjoying the clean, bare surfaces for just a while.
It’s beautiful; and a wonderful gift to yourself.
Vanessa: You could have not said it better. I am looking at a dining room table piled high with “stuff” to pack away, and yet surfaces look soooo bare. I, too, will leave some pine cones, candles and antlers out for a while to enjoy them a little longer. I also love those teeny battery lights that seem to be embedded right into the wire to stick into an arrangement. (K.P Primitives has them in their new catalog for about $10.00.) Enjoy your blog!
{{HUGS}}
Joy at theoldefarmhouse.blogspot.com recently posted…”Joy’s Toys.”
Thank you so much Joy! 🙂
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing, ‘putting away Christmas is always so hard and this makes it less so
Love this idea, Vanessa…..definitely something I will incorporate next Christmas. Jane
Absolutely love your site. Great ideas and thoughts. Can’t wait to implement some of these in my home next year.
thanks for sharing.
Lynn F
Thanks so much Lynn!!
Perfect transition! I love all of the greens in January with all of the pinecones and a few antlers tucked in too! Looks beautiful.
these rooms look gorgeous. just a nice touch of winter outside brought inside.