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Monday, December 6, 2010

The Zen Of Holiday Decorating




My holiday decorating begins at Thanksgiving. I always have what seems like three lives going at once, so my philosophy is "go with the flow."



To stay collected, I have adopted a no pressure method that works well for me.



When my children were young, rather than a "holiday," Christmas felt more like seasonal work.



There were many joyous moments and beautiful traditions, alongside all night marathons.



But I just wanted a basic NICE and PRETTY holiday like everybody else. And, like everybody else, not all of my holidays have been nice and pretty.



Life happens every month of the year. Some years the holidays are bliss, and others too busy and stressful.



But after many holiday seasons I've learned that "no assignment" decorating is fun, spontaneous, frugal, creative, and best of all, pressure free.



I have decorating ideas, but never "plans." I don't devote time for the process. Whatever happens, happens.



One year we had only white lights. That was a far as we got with trimming the tree. But it was probably my all time favorite look.



Another year I grabbed all the unsold red vintage balls from my shop on Christmas Eve and popped them onto the tree because I hadn't even pulled out my own ornaments from storage yet. Probably the most fun I've ever had decorating a tree.



My decorating evolves day to day the way the weather does through the season. One day I tweak my sideboard, the next pick up a wreath or flowers. The cards gather in an artful pile, or get tacked up somewhere. Vignettes pop up left and right sourced from some found object, opened box, or what is already at hand.



I'm also always remembering that what goes up must come down. It may sound a little joyless, but on the contrary, it's a way for me to put the "joy" INTO enjoying the holidays.
















Wishing you joy! Thanks for stopping by!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Linked to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday


13 comments:

  1. Beautiful posting, Jacqueline! Your photography is exquisite, and your sentiment..its equal! Happy holidays.

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  2. Lovely post, Jacqueline, resonates totally with me! Your pics are gorgeous, wish I had the gift! A bountiful Monday to you!

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  3. I would say you have perfected the zen of decorating.
    I love all your transferware dishes and the pretty vignettes you do.
    I didn't know that you too have raised a large family.
    Carolyn

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  4. I love your philosophy Jacqueline and sometimes call it 'fly by the seat of your pants' for myself.
    Life is about what works best for each of us, we're all living in different circumstances.
    Your photos today are beautiful as usual.

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  5. Very good decorating advice. I love the sideboard.

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  6. Hi! I just found your blog and I really enjoyed looking at your pictures...very pretty, I love your dishes!! I'm now a new follower!

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  7. I love the easy touches that make your home look like Christmas. We are all busy these days.

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  8. Beautiful Jacqueline! That bowl with the mistletoe and holly is just too cute!
    Sherry

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  9. What a beautifully written post. This year, I'm giving myself permission to do some of the very things you mention.

    I love the subtlety of your colors and small wintery elements that bring in the holiday touch.

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  10. I love all of your decorating!! It is so pretty!!!
    Thank you for the lovely post
    Happy Holiday

    Suzann

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  11. Beautiful pictures and a beautiful attitude. With our new kitty, we are doing the same thing, if it goes up, it goes up if not,,, then it wasn't meant to be. I love your decorating style, every bit of it.

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  12. How beautiful and elegant. Everything is so lovely! Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures with us. I like your subtle Christmas touches in your kitchen. Very nice!

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  13. Jacqueline, You are my kinda gal. I never have a plan for my holiday decor either. Just follow whatever I feel like doing, whenever I have time to do it. I never was one who could pull everything up from the basement and get it all done in a day. It's a little by little every other day or so process for me. All your pictures are so dang pretty!

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