LIFE SPACES
By Traci McBride
Creating eye candy for holiday décor is my jam. I like to reinvent the ways I use my ornaments each year. While I adore holiday trees, I rarely do ours with traditional colors or themes.
Drama and color is my dressing, decorating and gift-giving style. As my husband and I downsized our homes, I needed to refine the decor I’d accumulated. I let go of ornaments after three moves in six years–not because I didn’t enjoy them–but because my style had evolved.
Old & New
I lean into a theme with tree toppers, inspired by life events. Years ago, on a solo trip to Paris, I became enamored by everything Paris and focused on a Parisian tree, using miniature Eiffel towers, leopard silk fabric, copper ribbons and glass ornaments, plus mini ornate frames that held photos I had taken on my travels. The tree was personal, sentimental and unique. I used that theme for a few years but then switched it up yearly with other items and fresh colors. Adapting to the stages of our lives and doing what brings us joy is a gift to ourselves.
When I grew up, my mother worked full-time and baked and cooked up a frenzy of traditional recipes for an army of relatives, friends and anyone who needed a place to go for the holidays. She made enough food for a sit-down meal and then packed up the leftovers for guests to eat a second meal at home. It made her happy to feed others.
As time marched on, relatives passed away, and kids grew up to create their own family traditions. Mom adjusted. She downsized and eventually had space for just her adult kids and grandkids. She was tired, and the elaborate cooking and shopping took a toll on her energy and budget. We brought casseroles so Mom didn’t have to do everything herself. My sister and I decorated for her, or she wouldn’t have bothered with the tree. Mom adjusted to her stage in life.
We later moved the holidays to my larger home nearby, and my husband took over the bulk of the cooking so Mom could relax and enjoy. Mom handed off the baton, and we happily took it. As families change, we must permit ourselves to adapt.
Nowadays, I twist things up by decorating with grandchildren-friendly, unbreakable ornaments and keeping precious items up high. The grandkids can’t resist the colorful decorations and rearrange them when they visit; the bonus is I get to redecorate every week when they leave.
Traditions with a Twist: Holiday Style
Switch up your tradition:
- Entertain outside of your home at a restaurant
- Meet up at a local happy hour with family and friends
- Host a potluck and provide a charcuterie board & wine
Let Someone Else Cook
- Heinen’s: heinens.com/2022-heinens-catering-guide/
- Bob Evans: bobevans.com/farmhouse
- Omaha: omahasteaks.com/buy/Meals-Sides-and-Desserts/Thanksgiving-Dinner
- Cracker Barrel: crackerbarrel.com/catering/heat-n-serve
- Cleveland Vegan Catering: clevelandvegan.com
Take a Break
- Ask family members or friends to decorate using your decorations. Half the battle is dragging boxes out of storage.
- Host a Christmas tree decorating party with charcuterie and soup.
- Still love outdoor lights? Hire a company to do it for you: holidayhangersllc.com/.
- De-stress and hire a cleaning service: Do a Facebook or Google search in your area or ask friends for referrals.
Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash
