Transitioning from Autumn to a Cozy, Christmas Home

And so it begins…my quest to have a beautifully decorated home so I can simply enjoy the season once it’s here! I’ve pretty much got that down to a science but it took me a good 40 years to get to this place! Transitioning from Autumn to Christmas is just so much fun with the right tools.

I talk a lot about choosing decorating elements that can move easily from one season to the next. That becomes even more important in a busy season like this one!

In this house, there have always been five seasons. Winter, spring, summer, and fall, of course, but I have always felt that Christmas is a season all on its own. It is also the one we love most of all. As a result, I tend to bring a little bit of Christmas to every room. My husband would be rolling his eyes right now reading that statement. So….ok…more than a little bit but my point is, it’s a season!

Before I really get going, there are always few changes that I make using those transitional elements. A few changes here and there put me in the mood to tackle the big stuff.

Tiered Trays with Christmas Decor

Perhaps the easiest of all to transition are the tiered trays that are ever present in my kitchen. My tiered fruit bowl is always a favorite. What held pumpkins and gourds through the fall season, now is filled with evergreen boughs, berries, pine cones and cinnamon sticks. Transitioning from autumn to Christmas here took mere minutes!

I spent a little more time on this one. I am not a big Rae Dunn collector simply because you can only have so many collections but I couldn’t resist a few pieces. This one with the santa hat is so cute! Since my kitchen is mostly buffalo checked, I wanted to stick with that. So many wonderful buffalo checked Christmas decorations this year!

My Christmas mouse had to have a place here so he is peeking out from behind the mug. I was thrilled to find the Santa and snowman wearing buffalo checked hats and knew they had to be included as well. The little tree was the perfect size and with a strand of battery operated lights, it added so much to the overall look. I love my tiered trays and they are the perfect place to start transitioning from autumn to Christmas.

Transitioning a Decorative Ladder

My ladder is another of those elements that is so easy to change from one season to the next. Letting go of the pretty, vibrant, colors that are such a vital part of autumn is always the hardest part. Therefore, when I’m redoing the ladder for Christmas, I like to make sure it’s colorful as well.

Replacing the eucalyptus with a balsam fir garland immediately changes the vibe. Being such a lantern fanatic of course it needs those as well. The color comes from the teddy bears wearing pretty Christmas sweaters.

Being a teddy bear collector, I tend to use them as part of my decor most of the year. Granted, a good part of the time they are relegated to an old trunk in the corner of my family room but for the Christmas season, they are front and center everywhere. The bears that are out all year are joined by the many Christmas bears that only come to visit this time of year. The smallest ones are perfect to add to the ladder.

Lanterns for the Season

Last but not least, are the lanterns. I will be doing several different ones and they deserve a post of their own. But for the moment, I chose this one to make my point. Changing the bow would have really been enough I think. However, the overall theme for me this time of year is teddy bears so adding one just seems like the right thing to do!

Teddy Bears are just the best!!! I think he needed the red candle too!

Christmas Memorial Lanterns

Speaking of lanterns and on a much sadder note, I wanted to share a post I did for Christmas in July. Because of this terrible virus, so many people will be missing family and friends this year.

Our family suffered losses a few years ago of some very special people and the first Christmas without them is so significant. I made several memorial lanterns to honor them that I shared in the post Christmas in July Memorial Lanterns. The post will show you how to put one together and contains several links to the things you will need to do so. I sincerely hope you have no reason to view it. But if you do, I hope you will find some comfort in the poem attached.

Also because of the virus, we have made the tough decision to keep Thanksgiving a quiet one with just the three of us this year. Our state recommends no get togethers with people outside of your household and we will abide by that. I will miss a big family gathering but I am grateful that we are safe and healthy.

To compensate, I have started my Christmas decorating earlier than normal. In fact, I am quite decked out at this moment. I will be sharing pictures in the newsletter next week and throughout the season. If you haven’t subscribed yet you can sign up below. I’ll keep you up to date with the latest in holiday decor and you will have immediate access to the printable library. I am hoping to have my Christmas printables uploaded early next week so be sure to check back often! Bring on Christmas! I am so ready!!!