Somewhere between the endless Pintrest ideas, the calendar limits of this time, and the real magic of the season, us creative types give ourselves permission to go a little crazy. “It won’t be out all year, so it’s OK to lay it on thick, right?”

It’s a recipe for madness . . . in more ways than you might realize.

Environment is incredibly powerful. Brain scans reveal how different surroundings affect us—the positive and the negative. If someone living in your home is an introvert, has ADD, or is under significant stress (just a few examples), their brains are even more sensitive to excess sights and sounds.

What does that have to do with Christmas decorating?

It suggests that for all that we add to our homes and work places for Christmas, we might need to also remove some things.

Tip #3: Take Something Away

Maintaining this visual balance keeps our environments from becoming overwhelmed with visual stimuli.

Initially, this means the obvious: removing the everyday decor that is living in the spot your holiday decor replaces–ie. a table’s usual centerpiece is removed for a Christmas one or a chair is relocated to another room so the Christmas tree has a spot to land. (I put displaced items in the holiday boxes I’ve just unloaded. They’re out of the way but ready for reinstatement at the end of the season.)

A step further increases the impact: remove a few things that are now visually or functionally “extra” with your added holiday decor. This year, I removed a few pictures, some floral arrangements, and general “tchotchkes” for visual breathing room. This steps removes distraction and the “more–ness” of it all so that your Christmas elements have room to shine.

If you’re creative, you’re mantra (acknowledged or not) is often “More is more!” While that’s true in a few areas (friends, health, money?), when it comes to things that go “Blinky, blinky!” and “Look at me!” the old adage wins out:

Seasonal Inspiration

Meaningful Thanksgiving Activities

November 19, 2019November 8, 2023 Lisa

That won’t scare away your guests!

Oh, Thanksgiving—quickly becoming the speed bump holiday before Christmas. But we still need you!

How fitting that we focus on gratitude as the year draws to a close (and looming Christmas lists threaten even the most-balanced person’s sanity).

Gratitude requires some intention to draw it out; it requires purpose, planning, and preparation. However, it’s tricky to present people with something meaningful, without it feeling forced. So, I’ve gathered four activities that are simple to prepare and easy to engage in. Check out my YouTube video for details.

Meaningful Thanksgiving Activities (That won’t scare off your guests!)

Caution: Consider one, or, at the most, two possibilities. Your guests shouldn’t feel held hostage by your plan. Evoking gratitude in others is about presenting the opportunity and then leading the way, which means some flexibility and “holding loosely” is important. I speak from hard-won experience!

And while we’re talking about thanks—Thank You for reading and watching!

Autumn, Seasonal Inspiration

A Spookilicious Halloween

October 30, 2019 Lisa

Happy Halloween!

Halloween has such potential for bringing out the kid in us. Join in the fun with these ideas:

1. Spider Parade: This creepy trail of spiders startled my own family (even though I’ve done this before) So, that was a dollar well spent!

2. Add some eerie to existing elements: Most of the year, Beethoven adds some dignity to the family bookshelf. With the addition of some funky glasses, he becomes “vintage spooky.”

The versatile apothecary dish joins the haunted fun when filled with plastic bones and moss. This display is mostly filled with year-round accessories, like the large book and various candle holders. The strictly Halloween-themed additions are few, small (ie. requires little storage), and inexpensive choices. If you like the spooky globes, find the tutorial from Flamingo Toes here.