Making Our Home Merry & Bright: My Fave Holiday Decorating Tips (No Stress, Just Sparkle!)

Okay, you guys know I live for this time of year!! The twinkly lights, the cozy vibes, the smell of pine... it just makes my heart so happy. Every year, as soon as Halloween is over (sometimes even a little before, don't tell Tanner hahah), I start dreaming of all things Christmas. It's just such a magical time, especially with the girls. Seeing Stella, Ozzy, and now little Cherry's eyes light up when they see the tree or the decorations... it's truly the best. I wanted to share some of my go-to's for making our home feel extra special for the holidays without totally losing my mind, bc let's be real, mom life is already a lot hahah. It's all about creating those warm, fuzzy memories, right? Not about perfect decor, ngl, sometimes my house looks like a glitter bomb went off, but that's part of the charm! I hope this gives you some fun ideas to bring that holiday spirit into your own space. ❤

Starting with the Heart of the Home: The Tree!

Okay, so the Christmas tree is obviously the star of the show. For us, it's usually the first thing we put up. We have a fake tree, and honestly, it's a lifesaver. No needles everywhere, no watering, just pop it up and go! I used to think I needed a real one for the 'smell' but then I discovered pine-scented candles and diffusers and it's like, problem solved! hahah. We have a whole ritual around putting up the tree. Tanner usually handles the heavy lifting (he's the best hype man, always down for my crazy ideas), and then the girls and I go to town with the ornaments. We have a mix of sentimental ones – the ones Stella and Ozzy made in preschool, the 'baby's first Christmas' ones, ornaments from our travels – and then some pretty ones I've collected over the years. I love that mix. It tells our story. My biggest tip for the tree? Don't overthink it! Let it be a little messy, let it be full of memories. It's not about being Pinterest perfect, it's about being yours. And always, always, always put on Christmas music while you're decorating. It's non-negotiable for me! Michael Bublé is usually on repeat in our house this time of year. :,)

Twinkle, Twinkle: All About the Lights

If there's one thing I can't get enough of during the holidays, it's lights. Seriously, I'd probably live in a house made of twinkle lights if I could. They just make everything feel so magical and cozy. We have them everywhere – on the tree, strung across the mantel, draped over shelves, even in the girls' rooms. I love the warm white lights the most, they just give off such a soft, inviting glow. We also have some outdoor lights, nothing too crazy, but enough to make our house feel festive when you drive up. Tanner is usually in charge of the outside lights, bc I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little scared of ladders hahah. My mom always had lights up when I was growing up, even when things were tough, she always made sure we had that little bit of magic, and I think that's why I love them so much. It's such a simple thing, but it makes such a huge difference in the whole vibe of the house. Don't be afraid to go a little overboard with them, I say! You can never have too many twinkle lights, am I right?

Cozy Corners & Festive Touches: Decorating Beyond the Tree

Okay, so once the tree is up and sparkling, I like to spread that holiday cheer throughout the rest of the house. I don't go crazy in every single room, but I like to add little touches here and there to make it feel cohesive and festive. My go-to's are:

• Mantel Magic: Our fireplace mantel is another big focal point. I usually drape some garland (sometimes real, sometimes fake, depends on my mood!), add some fairy lights, a few candles, and then our stockings. The stockings are so cute, each with their name on it, and now we have one for Cherry too! I love seeing them all lined up.
• Kitchen Cheer: The kitchen is where we spend so much time, especially during the holidays with all the baking and cooking. I keep it simple here – maybe a festive hand towel, a cute holiday mug display, and definitely some holiday-scented soaps. Sometimes I'll put a small wreath on the pantry door or a little bowl of ornaments on the counter.
• Entryway Welcome: This is the first impression when people walk in! A simple wreath on the front door, a festive doormat, and maybe a little console table with a small tree or some holiday greenery. It just sets the tone immediately.
• Bedroom Bliss: I love adding a little bit of holiday magic to the girls' rooms. Nothing too wild, but maybe a string of fairy lights around their bed, a cute holiday throw pillow, or a small tabletop tree. It makes bedtime feel extra special and cozy. For our room, I usually just add a festive candle and maybe swap out some throw pillows for more cozy, wintery textures.

It's all about those little details that make the house feel warm and inviting. You don't have to buy a ton of new stuff every year, either. I love mixing in pieces I've had for ages with a few new finds. Sometimes just moving things around or adding a new ribbon can make something old feel fresh again!

Scents & Sounds: The Full Sensory Experience

Decorating isn't just about what you see, right? It's also about what you smell and hear! For me, holiday scents are a HUGE part of the experience. I love burning candles that smell like pine, cinnamon, gingerbread, or peppermint. We also use essential oil diffusers with festive blends. Walking into a house that smells like Christmas just instantly puts you in a good mood. And like I mentioned before, Christmas music is on repeat in our house from November until January. It's just the best background for everything – decorating, baking, playing with the girls, even just chilling on the couch. It truly transforms the atmosphere and makes everything feel more festive. I couldn't imagine the holidays without it, ngl. It's like a warm hug for your ears and nose! hahah.

Making it a Family Affair: The Best Part!

Honestly, the best part of decorating for the holidays is doing it with my family. It's not just about the end result, it's about the process and the memories we make together. Tanner is always so good about helping me bring down all the bins from storage (bless his heart, there are a lot!) and he's always so patient when I'm trying to figure out where everything should go. The girls love helping with the ornaments, even if it means half of them end up on one branch hahah. And now with Cherry, I can't wait for her to get a little older and join in on the fun too. We usually make a whole day of it – put on the music, make some hot cocoa, and just enjoy the process. It's one of our favorite family traditions. I think that's the real secret to holiday decorating – making it about connection and joy, not about perfection. So, light those candles, crank up the carols, and just enjoy making your home feel merry and bright with the people you love most. Happy holidays, everyone! I love you all sm!! ❤