It's that time again. The holiday season comes around faster each year, it seems. Americans are so busy, we rarely slow down and really think about what we want out of this special time.This summer, Traditional Home Magazine asked me to reflect on my holiday traditions. It was a fun exercise, and it really made me think about how I wanted to carve out special and memorable moments for those most important to me.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, now is the time to think about your holiday traditions. If you don't have any, there is no time like the present to start a few new ones.
My interiors are fresh and current, but I am an old-fashioned, traditionalist at heart. When it comes to my holiday practices, I love to embrace many traditions that have been around for hundreds of years. Whether it is with decorations, gift giving, or holiday entertaining, I love to have themes and traditions infused at every turn.
One of my favorite traditions is my holiday decorating process. Each year, the weekend after Thanksgiving, I begin the task of decorating. My first step is to create an atmosphere. I light a fire, turn on some holiday tunes, mull some cider on the stove and get to work. Fresh garlands are my choice — though faux is great too — and they adorn my front door, stair banister and the mantle, often covered in fresh and nature-inspired elements, like fruit, bird nests and grapevine. Garlands set the stage for my holiday entertaining.
Next up is the tree. For me, an artificial tree works best. I have hundreds of ornaments collected over the years, and artificial branches support the weight of my collectibles perfectly.
Typically my tree is not themed, though I do alter the color palette a bit each year to keep things interesting. Themed trees can be fantastic, like my parents’ great Santa-inspired tree. Collecting Santa ornaments to create this masterpiece has become a favorite tradition in their lives.
Speaking of collections, they make great holiday traditions too. Whether nutcrackers, holiday village pieces or other holiday collectibles, collections can add much joy for families to purchase and display. Display these items in groups. It makes the collection more obvious, more impressive and more fun to admire.
Gift wrapping is another of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I collect ornaments, gorgeous ribbons, beautiful papers and other special items throughout the year to adorn each gift. As a designer, I make sure each present looks wonderful, but I also take great care to make sure the gift wrap is a perfect match for each recipient and a little prelude to the special treat inside. Holiday entertaining is my most favorite tradition of all! I love to create themed events, like Breakfast with Santa or cookie exchanges, for kids to enjoy. I also love hosting stylish, intimate dinner parties. Our annual New Year's Eve-Eve cocktail party each December 30th is a hit with friends in the neighborhood.
A few of my other cherished holiday traditions include baking special treats with my mother and daughter; displaying the gorgeous holiday cards we receive in a large basket on the hearth; hanging stockings on the mantle and shopping for the perfect stuffers; and attending a Christmas-eve candlelight service with all the family in tow.
This Holiday season, I hope you will really think about your traditions. If you don't have any, start some! They are what this special time of year is all about.
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