A few years ago I decided to give myself an early Christmas present and it’s honestly one gift that I never get tired of receiving. As I begin to plan out my Christmas decorating, I intentionally think ahead to when it’s all going to have to be undecorated and I get really, really strategic. With every plastic storage bin that is opened, I’m thinking about how much work is going to take place on the other side of the season; how much will have to be undecorated.
Because, let’s face it, the undecorating part is the absolute worst, am I right?
What I’ve realized is that if I’m thoughtful about the process, I can give myself the gifts of time and less stress as I head back into our family’s regularly scheduled programming post-Christmas.
This year, after taking down my mantel decorations, I simply placed these four frosted trees on either side so that it would still reflect the winter season. Plus, they are pre-lit and I still get to enjoy some twinkling lights on these cold, dark days.
Thanks to my strategic thinking, my entryway looks almost identical to how it looked for Christmas.
The only thing I had to do was to remove the mercury glass ornaments I had hung on this little tree. Doesn’t it look so real?!
Cinnamon sticks in this transferware pitcher are a subtle nod to the winter season and they have actually been here since October so I think I’m killing it when it comes to doing as little as possible when it comes to seasonal decorating, don’t you? 😉
In my dining room, my buffet table decor required only the removal of a garland and lights to transition it from Christmas to Winter.
Similarly, my living room mantel got a super quick makeover when I removed the garland and lights.
The vintage corbels, candles and pinecones were there for the holiday season already and I simply added in a bit of greenery to soften it all.
And, of course, our hot cocoa station has stayed the same except for the removal of a wreath that was hanging on the mirror. Other than that, the only thing I’ve had to ‘update’ is the constant restocking of cocoa and marshmallows!
We’ve had a really long stretch of dark, rainy days that have made me so grateful for a home that still feels cozy and warm even as I’m longing for Spring.
There is just something about keeping out a few twinkling lights, the glow of candles (both real and battery powered) and soft blankets to snuggle in that help to offset what can often be a tough month to get through.
And how about you? Do you do any winter decorating in your home or do you take down your Christmas decor and put it all back to the way it is for the rest of the year? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for meeting me here today friend,
Hi Vanessa! This is my first time leaving a comment! Just last year I started decorating for winter. Unlike you I take down almost all of my Christmas decorations and replace with winter things. And I am ok with that! In my kitchen I have snowmen with red accents. Very cheery! I have snowflakes, pinecones (natural and white!), winter angels and all different sorts of trees. I really got into trees last Christmas. I love bottle brush trees!!!!! I have a display at the top of my stairs with glittery silver, rose gold and bronze bottle brush trees. Not Christmas colors but still sparkly! JOY is one of my favorite words and I have that displayed in 3 separate vignettes. AND, our Christmas tree is still up and will be until the end of January, beginning of February! I love our Christmas tree!
Hi Kim!! I’m SO excited that you left a comment!! I think your winter decorations sound absolutely beautiful! I love bottle brush trees too but had never incorporated them into my decor much until this year when I added them to a dining room table centerpiece. They really are so sweet! Sparkly for winter is the best for sure and I can’t think of a better word to have on display in your home than ‘JOY’. I love that your Christmas tree is still up too!!
Thank you for commenting and for being apart of our community here! Much love, Vanessa
I tried to think about Jan while decorating for Christmas this year. Lots of faux candles,fairy lights and simple greens with pinecones. Removed the garlands and wreaths on Epithany but the candles,fairy lights and pinecones with some fresh white flowers and lots of houseplants This decor will remain till March when hopefully spring will be arriving here in N.C.
Love it….pretty & cozy.
Thank you Marilyn!
My husband is pretty much house bound so I u se lots of lights, Mercury glass and things that perk him up. He is slowly getting better now that we found that part of his problem was 2 medicines that made him pass out and have some bad falls. We are both in our 80’s and live in a true farm house with no neighbors. How long I don’t know. God is good and we hold on to that.
Carol I am SO sorry about your husband’s health issues! He is blessed to have you taking care of him but that sounds like a lot to have on your shoulders. I will be praying that God will give you both strength and that you will have a community that will come around you and offer support. I think your decorations sound so lovely and cheerful! Much love to you, Vanessa
I transitioned from Christmas to snow for winter, I have a white tree that I now have decorated with snowflakes and all white ornaments, beautiful. The mantel has snowflake lanterns and picks that look like snowballs, my hutch in the dining room is decorated with all kinds of snowflakes from beaded to wood! I’m loving the winter decorations and will soon transition to Valentine’s Day decorations, then St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, 4th of July….you get the idea! That white tree comes in handy…
Debbie your decorations sound just lovely! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!
I love your ideas! I display my snowman collection on a chest bordered with red berry garland and star lights. I keep the display there through winter. It gives me such joy to see it every day!
Your snowman collection sounds so festive and cheerful! I think having things like that to bring us joy is essential!
First time leaving a comment, but I have enjoyed your blog for awhile now. I also love your book and bought one for myself and my sister! I just started leaving out some winter decor this year because, like you, I couldn’t bear to take it all down when January is usually so dark and depressing. I think it’s definitely made me feel better and January has seemed to pass faster. I left a lit tree that has bare white branches on my front porch along with lights in my windows, which definitely makes me happy when I come home after dark. I used a boxwood type garland on the mantle this year instead of cedar, so I left that up with fairy lights strung in it. I also got a salt lamp and left out lots of candles and blankets. I like your idea of a hot chocolate bar!