I had the opportunity to interview Ellen of Ellen Frances Designs for my podcast and discuss the Holidays and how to get the most out of them during the time of Corona and beyond! Following is an excerpt from our interview.
Janet: What are some of the mistakes we make when it comes to decorating our homes for the holidays?
Ellen: The Holidays and winter are coming and whether you decorate strictly for the holidays or for the winter season, this is the time when having a few guidelines can make for a more memorable and visually pleasing holiday décor and help to avoid common mistakes. Sometimes we can do too much or too little. Creating simple balance can make things easier and much more decorative. Find comfort in traditions you’ve developed along the way or some that you want to start.
Lights are a great place to start and then bring it together with the colors and other decorations that make you and your family feel festive. Remembering that the whole idea around decorating for the holidays or the winter season is to have that comforting and welcoming feeling for you as well as all who enter or pass your home. Getting your family and a few friends involved can help. And don’t be afraid to hire help to pull it all together for you. It will still be your ideas and vision but because our plates are full with home-schooling and working-from-home, we can’t do it all. So, whether you do keep it simple or your house is that house that can be seen from the sky, make sure it’s a balance that you feel works. Add things, step back, take away or add more. If you want consistency in colors, keep it pleasing, it does not have to ‘match’, when it comes to colors, blending can be just as appealing as an exact color scheme. This will make it look more comfortably intentional and not forced. Most of all have fun with it, that is the number one mistake we make… not having fun and dreading it later.
Janet: What should we do to prepare our home for the holidays?
Ellen: When it comes to preparing your home for the holidays, there are the basics, which are to clean, sanitize and clear the clutter, think about what the holidays mean to you and your family. This year has had such a profound effect on us all that the holidays may or may not have more meaning. So, first of all, being in tune with not throwing caution to the wind, have plenty of extra masks, hand sanitizers and room for ‘social-distancing. That being said… the important thing is to consider how you want to spend the holidays because staying in due to Corona as well as the cold, means that having space to comfortably entertain many people at once or in stages is vital to a good time being had by all… especially the host! If there are things such as lights that need to be located, sorted through, tested and dusted off, or new decor to buy, start now. If you include the outdoors in your celebrations, take care of that. Clear the yard of wilted summer foliage. Make sure there’s enough seating, tables, maybe blankets, etc. I know when it comes to the holidays, I love having space for folks to go outside for conversations and air. I continue to use the grill adding cocktails or hot chocolate by the grill or drinks around the fire pits
Janet: Are there trends or traditions we need to be aware of when it comes to the upcoming holiday season?
Ellen: Trends and traditions can be a tricky thing when it comes to the ‘Holiday Season’, which is the politically correct term these days because we are a multi-cultural and multi religious society which means being as neutral as you feel you need to be, to be inclusive of all. Start with the things that you remember about your holidays of the past. Include personal items, family heirlooms, etc. So, what does that mean and how do you balance the two? I say be as comfortable as you feel you need to be for your friends and family. Get sentimental. If you want a tree, have at it. If you want to be more neutral and have it all, a tree, a menorah, a kwanza candelabra and other types of rituals that go along with all faiths and reasons for the seasons, than be sure to make it work. The most important thing is to not become overwhelmed but by all means jazz things up. I’m not a proponent of bringing out the ‘good stuff’ just for holidays, but if that’s what you do, then bring things out now and keep them out for yourself and all your entertaining. If you have impromptu visits, make a special effort to use that china and those great ‘Olivia Pope’ wine glasses. Keep your bar and fridge stocked with refreshments you love to serve. Make those recipes that say the holidays for you. Have a cookie making night, a theme party to break things up a bit. I don’t suggest going the paper plate, plastic utensils and red cup route if you don’t have to. Even with the kids, let them learn to appreciate the special things in life all the time. If we have learned anything this year it’s that time is valuable, life is short, what are you saving the ‘good stuff’ for?
If not now, when?
So, it’s here, Happy Holidays starting with Halloween, Thanksgiving and all the other special high holidays that occur around this time. Put up the lights, bring out the wreaths, put out the pumpkins and all the plants that represent the season for you. Be that person who really, really enjoys the time they have with friends and family. The one whose house folks will remember going to and want to come back to and ask, ‘how’d you do that’ or ‘how’d you think of that’? One of the old-school things I did for the holiday season when I purchased my first home was I had a ‘trim-the-tree’ party. It was so much fun, I made special cocktails, tried new recipes and family favorites that are now my tradition. But most of all I received the best tree ornaments ever. It was fun seeing what my friends and family chose to place on my little tree. And even though some years I don’t have a tree, I still hang them on a wreath or the greenery and lights I string everywhere. I also have an end of the week ritual in the winter that I absolutely love. I light candles on the deck or the terrace to give a kind of glow around the outside of my house that sets the tone for welcoming the calm and comfort for the start of the weekend.
Peace and joy!
If you need ideas or assistance in adding more comfort and joy especially during the holidays to your home reach out to Ellen Frances Designs.
Has this blog or the podcast inspired you to organize your home before the holidays? If so I would love for you to share, please leave a comment below. If you feel overwhelmed with managing your home organizing project schedule a FREE 15 Minute Virtual Session with me.
