holiday inspo

pompoms / tapered candle display / paper chains on ceiling / archway / garland / cardboard stars / jewel toned stairway / paper chains and dried oranges / tablescape and bookcases / ribbon garland

I’ve collected a ton of images on pinterest to help me decide what I really like about holiday decor. I then like to make collages of my favorite images to see what connects them and what I want to do to recreate the feeling of my pinterest board.

Because (and this will be controversial) I’m not putting up the christmas tree this year. I do like my tree and I like most of the ornaments I’ve collected over the years (a christmas decor declutter should probably happen this season), but I was reading a grief pamphlet recently and it said you don’t have to go through the motions if you’re not feeling it. And you know what? Even when you’re not actively grieving that should probably be true too. I realized my tree is a pain in the ass to put up and is too big for my space and I just switched out a light fixture it would totally block and I need time to enjoy that. So the tree is staying in pieces in its giant red bag in the cellar and that’s okay.

Instead I bought more garland. Turns out you can just throw some bows and small ornaments in the garland and get the same effect. I got some from a rummage sale earlier this year but it wasn’t enough so I did end up buying some new online. Womp womp. I try to be green and do secondhand or natural route but I’m a big proponent of real greens outside and fake stuff inside. The real stuff dries out so quickly and I don’t need more fire hazards in my home, I can’t be trusted.

So after that I just need pompoms and paper chains and ribbons and I bet I can get calming holiday vibes just fine without a tree. I may even sell my tree, but I haven’t gotten to that point yet. I got that monstrosity for free from my in laws in like 3 different trash bags that they had gotten from their friends. It was covered in leaves and spiderwebs and I cleaned that bad boy off and set it up like a damn Charlie Brown christmas special. But that’s okay. Goodbye tree, you served us well. xx