🎄 A Season of Light: Christmas in a Home Still Becoming

December arrived quietly. No snow, no grand reveal, just a shift in light, a softness in the air, and the quiet hum of anticipation.
Our home wasn’t finished. The walls still held the scent of fresh paint, and the hallway echoed with the absence of rugs. But Christmas doesn’t wait for completion. It arrives anyway, with candlelight, cinnamon, and the gentle insistence that joy belongs here.

Designing for Emotion, Not Perfection

We didn’t style for a magazine spread. We styled for memory. The tree’s, yes “trees” went up, slightly crooked, but radiant. We don’t just do one tree in our home, we do 2 (sometimes three). One glows in gold, warm, classic, and rich with nostalgia. The other sparkles in silver and white, cooler in tone but equally sentimental. Each ornament has a story, handblown glass from Dubai, carved wood from Canada, delicate lace from a tiny shop in Seattle. They’ve been collected over years of travel, tucked into suitcases and wrapped in tissue, waiting for their December debut.

These trees aren’t always coordinated, they’re curated. Not perfect, but deeply personal. Because for us, Christmas is about meaning as well as style.

We layer textures, velvet ribbons, dried orange slices, and ornaments that told our story. Seattle snowflakes, London landmarks, and handprints from Christmases long past.

Garlands draped over mantels still waiting for art. Candles flickered beside stacks of books. The house felt imperfect, but alive.

Rituals That Root Us

Some traditions came with us:

• Stockings hung with care (stockings i had made when the kids were babies and were bigger than them for a long time)
• Matching pyjamas folded on the beds
• Our Christmas Eve diner dinner, once an American diner and now our local pub!

Others were born here:

• Wandering through London’s festive streets
• Visiting markets with mulled wine in hand
• Adding ornaments that reflect this new chapter

We didn’t force joy, we invited it. And it came.

The Architecture of Celebration

Christmas, in a house still becoming, is an act of faith. It’s styling around missing furniture. It’s choosing beauty in the midst of the unfinished. It’s saying, “This matters,” even when the curtains aren’t hung and the bathroom light still flickers.

We didn’t wait for the perfect moment. We made the moment perfect by showing up, with garlands on the stairs, with laughter, with love.

Tips & Tricks for Decorating Your Home at Christmas

Christmas decorating isn’t just about filling a space with sparkle, it’s about creating warmth, memory, and a touch of magic. Here are some timeless yet creative ways to elevate your holiday home this season:

Velvet Ribbons: The Luxe Touch

• Swap standard bows for velvet ribbons in deep jewel tones (emerald, burgundy, navy).
• Tie them around wreaths, candle holders, or even napkin rings for a soft, elegant finish.
• Layer different widths of ribbon on your tree for depth and texture, it’s a designer’s secret to making a tree look full and rich.
  

Cozy Pillows & Throws

• Rotate your everyday cushions with seasonal pillows in plaid, velvet, or metallic embroidery.
• Mix textures: a chunky knit throw beside a velvet cushion instantly feels festive.
• Don’t shy away from oversized pillows, they invite guests to sink in and stay awhile.
  

Centerpieces That Spark Conversation

• Go beyond flowers: use clusters of pillar candles, pinecones, and sprigs of eucalyptus on your dining table.
• Add height with tapered candles in brass holders, then weave velvet ribbon through the arrangement for continuity.
• For a modern twist, place ornaments in a glass cloche or scatter them along the runner.
  

Fireplace Mantels: The Heart of the Home

• Layer greenery (real or faux) across the mantel, then tuck in fairy lights for a soft glow.
• Hang stockings with velvet ribbon loops instead of hooks for a bespoke look.
• Balance symmetry with personality, a pair of candlesticks on either side, but a quirky ornament or framed photo in the middle.
  

Garlands on Stairs: A Festive Welcome

• Drape garlands along the banister, securing them with velvet bows at intervals.
• Intertwine fairy lights or even strands of cranberries for a traditional feel.
• Add small hanging ornaments or bells, they’ll catch the light and add a playful jingle as guests arrive.
  

Final Top: Layer, Don't Overload

The secret to a beautifully decorated home is layering textures and tones rather than piling on décor. Velvet against greenery, candlelight against metallics, and personal touches (like handwritten tags or family ornaments) make your home feel curated yet heartfelt.

Final Thought

This year, Christmas wasn’t about reclaiming what we had. It was about creating what we need.