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This holiday home post is sponsored by Airwick. All opinions are my own.
I love to give you a look at our holiday home each year but this year is a bit different. I’m really simplifying. I’m instead putting my energy into daily fun, relaxation and activities that bring joy.
Our home is less perfect than last year. It’s also way more fun. :)
We are creating memories this holiday season with hot cocoa as a family and loads and loads of marshmallows.
We are singing holiday songs and dancing by the Christmas tree. We light Airwick holiday scented candles and have our fireplace burning in the evenings.
We have plaid everywhere. Plaid stools, plaid blankets, plaid throw pillows and even plaid wrapping paper. Plaid is an easy way to give your home a holiday feel without committing to red and green.
We are even loving plaid napkins, a plaid pitcher and plaid wrapping paper.
We are enjoying each other and this beautiful season. My decor is more simple. Candles in glass jars and metallic holders on our fireplace are an easy way to add the scents and sites of the season. We have an artificial tree because of our two cats who would climb and eat a real tree. I love using Airwick’s Emerald Woodland candles to add the scent of real trees to our home. It’s a tiny touch that is incredibly comforting and reminds me of my childhood.
We are creating a cozy, safe and happy home, and it’s imperfect.
It’s hard to let go of perfection. It really is. But it’s also wonderful. Instead of two perfect Christmas trees, a perfect mantel and perfect outdoor decor, I bought two pre-made spruce tip baskets and stuck them right in our planters. We will hang a wreath, but I’m not sure we’ll get much more than that done this year. I’m ok with it.
Last year, this was our second tree. This year, the kids are hanging all of the ornaments on this tree which means they are lower (we’re actually finishing this tree tonight) and less spaced out. Less perfect but way better!
We’re doing our advent calendar again, but nothing more. We’re trying to help teach our children about the spirit and meaning of this season rather than simply loading them up with gifts and treats.
We’re in the process of deciding where we will give gifts and money this year. We always donate to an organization we love called Casa de Esperanza and will again this year. We are including Bodhi in these discussions. We will have him help us wrap the gifts and even deliver them if we can.
Making gift-wrapping a fun family activity is really something I love. Ezra is too young to be helpful (and frankly, he is kind of destructive with the paper ;)) but Bodhi is definitely at a great age for it.
Giveaway!
Leave a comment by Dec. 6 at midnight with your favorite activity of the holiday season and you will be entered to win two Airwick Emerald Woodland scented candles and two Apple Crumble scented candles sent straight to you.
Most photos by Melissa Oholendt Photography.
This post was sponsored by Airwick. Thank you for supporting the cozy brands that make Live the Fancy Life possible.
Gorgeous, as always! I’m usually all geared up to transform our home for the holidays, but this year has felt different, as well…we are focusing on the “experiences” rather than perfection in getting it ALL done! I still can remember being a little girl and what it felt like to have nothing but the Christmas tree lights on at night…simply magical…I still find time to soak in those moments :)
Imperfect is perfect!! :) My favorite activity is our town’s tractor parade. It was Sutton’s first time last year, but I think this year he will really get a kick out of it! We cannot wait to celebrate a wedding on New Years Eve…Sutton is a dancing machine and cannot wait to see his cousins!!
I love getting hot cocoa from starbucks and driving around listening to christmas music and looking at all of the pretty lights with my hubby. It’s our Christmas eve tradition <3
I love this. It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the “look” of Christmas with retailers and buying lots of gifts. But it’s the memories we make that we will remember. Every year we do a “random acts of kindness” advent calendar. It’s hard to teach little kids about giving when all they can think about is presents and santa, but it’s so important! I can relate and take a lot away from this, thanks for sharing Jessica!
Absolutely lovely! I love Airwick’s candles!!! Thanks for sharing! XOOX
Your home and family moments seem so lovely!
My favorite family tradition is Christmas Eve. We have a formal meal on Christmas Day but the night before we take the night off. All my local family gathers and we grill burgers and have milkshakes picnic style on the floor in front of the tree. It’s so special to see the youngest and the oldest talking about their favorite Christmas memories all huddled on cozy blankets.
My favorite activity of the holiday season is decorating the Christmas tree. Thank you for the giveaway & Happy Holidays!
I LOVE this post! Such great ideas for pairing down and really enjoy family time during the holiday season!
As a family, we love baking cookies, pies, and other treats together every year. We have a lot of fun and listen to Christmas music and dance together in the kitchen while we bake.
Beautiful! Holidays with young kids is so fun!
I always look forward to baking cookies and listening to Christmas music :)
What a simply lovely post! My favorite holiday activity is taking in the live nativity in our church on Christmas Eve. The sounds (and smells) of the real animals, coupled with the rustic, yet majestic accents are so fabulous. The candlelit service really is tearful for young and old.
Making holiday memories is what matters, and it’s nice to keep it simple sometimes :) I enjoy baking and gingerbread house decorating!
I am using the theme; want, need, wear and read for my kids this year! I enjoy spending time with family and friends during the holidays!