Welcome to our November Journal! With the holidays right around the corner and our little one getting closer and closer to walking, we’ve been giving some thought to how we want to decorate for the season. Last year, our baby was just a couple of weeks old and hardly a threat to the holiday decor. This year, however, will be an entirely different story!
That said, we’re not willing to sacrifice the magic of the season. We still want to create meaningful traditions, embrace a little whimsy, and, most importantly, make our home a beautiful place for our family of three to enjoy.
This month, we’re sharing some of our favorite ideas, suggestions, and practical tips for keeping the holiday magic alive (and our sanity intact) when decorating with little ones around.
When it comes to the Christmas tree, we’re planning to scale back on the decorations in favor of a look that feels a little more understated and simple. But simple certainly doesn’t have to mean boring! Rather than decorating only the top half of the tree (which, let’s be honest, can leave a little to be desired), consider incorporating paper or felt ornaments, bows, and star garlands throughout. We want our little one to experience the joy of decorating and admiring the tree without having to worry about broken heirlooms, sharp edges, or anything else that might pose a safety concern. Think of it as an opportunity to introduce a few new, toddler-friendly traditions while keeping the tree just as charming as ever.
We also plan to swap our traditional tree skirt for a decorative tree collar. Not only does it offer a cleaner, more tailored look, but it also helps keep little hands away from the tree stand and water (if you have a real tree) and eliminates the temptation to tug on loose fabric.
And because we can never pass up a good garland moment, we’ll simply be rethinking where we place them this year. Keeping garland accents up and out of reach doesn’t mean sacrificing the whimsy! Draping greenery above hutches, along cabinetry, or over doorways can make just as much of an impact. For an extra festive touch, consider incorporating dried oranges or apples, paper garlands, or other lightweight accents. They’re a sweet way to bring in natural texture and a little holiday charm while keeping decorations better suited to life with little ones.
We’ll report back on how these considerations work out and what we might do differently next holiday season!
