Christmas Decorating and Sunday Morning Coffee

Every year when the holidays roll around, I feel that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation. Christmas decorating is one of my absolute favorite things to do.

It’s creative, joyful, and always feels a bit magical. But as much as I love it, I’m going to be honest about something I struggle with this time of year: the pressure to make it different.

Season 5 Volume 43

Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

About Me

As a content creator, I’ve built a rhythm around sharing new ideas, fresh inspiration, and creative ways to make each season feel special. And while that’s something I genuinely enjoy, it also means that every November, I start to feel an internal tug, a quiet voice whispering, ‘What’s your new theme going to be this year?’ How will you make it different from last time?

This year, my theme is A Cozy Christmas, and my color palette is centered around sage green and warm white, evoking a soft, natural, and calming ambiance. It feels like the peaceful version of Christmas that I’ve been craving. I want this season to be less about grandeur and more about comfort.

But I also want to be transparent about the fact that I don’t have a brand-new collection of decorations. In fact, almost everything I’m using this year has been part of my holiday decor for years.

What I’m doing differently is how I’m approaching it. Instead of rushing out to buy new ornaments or ribbon, I’m taking time to reimagine what I already have. I’ve been pulling out boxes and rediscovering favorite pieces, mixing them in new ways, and finding joy in the process of creating warmth and beauty with what’s already here.

I’m layering textures, swapping a few things between rooms, and letting the cozy tones of sage and cream carry through the entire house. It feels authentic, intentional, and, honestly, refreshing.

Still, the struggle is real. The online world moves so quickly. There’s a constant stream of new ideas, new products, new trends, and sometimes it’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind if you don’t reinvent everything each year.

But the truth is, most of us don’t live that way. Our homes are built around memories, collections, and traditions that evolve over time. And that’s something worth celebrating.

So this year, my goal is to lean into that philosophy and to find creativity in what’s familiar, to honor the pieces that have been part of our family’s story, and to remind myself (and maybe you, too) that “new” doesn’t always mean “better.” Sometimes, it’s the way we style, arrange, or experience things that brings the magic back.

A Cozy Christmas, for me, isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating spaces that invite people in, make them want to stay awhile, and remind them of what the holidays are really about: connection, warmth, and gratitude. And maybe a few twinkling lights and soft green ribbons, too.

So yes, I’m struggling a bit, but in the best possible way. Because this year, my challenge isn’t to make Christmas look new. It’s to make it feel real.

I love writing my Sunday Morning Coffee posts. Every week, I sit down with my cup of coffee and reflect on the days behind me and the ones ahead. It’s become a rhythm I truly treasure—part journaling, part connection, and a way to slow down and share what’s really happening in my life.

But lately, I’ve been thinking it might be time to get a bit more real. Less fluff, more truth. Because as much as I love my home, my family, and all the creative projects I share, not every week is picture-perfect.

This past week was one of those times when life wasn’t exactly cooperating. I spent most of it fairly immobilized thanks to an injury. One that, honestly, is a little embarrassing to admit. I wish I could say I hurt my neck skiing down a black diamond run or rock climbing in the mountains. However, my story is far less glamorous. I hurt it sitting through eighteen innings of a Dodger baseball game.

At about the sixteenth inning, I jumped up to cheer for my team—because how could I not?—and something in my neck felt… off. Not just a twinge, but a definite pull. I brushed it off, thinking it was nothing a little ice and rest couldn’t fix. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

The next few days were uncomfortable but manageable—until I flew home from Richmond, Virginia. Between dragging my carry-on through the airport, lifting it into the overhead bin, and doing all the little things that travel requires, my neck decided it had had enough. The pain went from bothersome to nearly unbearable. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the kind of pain that makes you want to cry, or throw up, or both.

For five long days, I tried everything. Heat, ice, rest, stretching, over-the-counter medication, even a few internet “miracle fixes.” Nothing worked. Finally, my sweet husband Dave came to the rescue with a simple but lifesaving purchase: a neck brace. And let me tell you, it changed everything. It wasn’t glamorous, and it certainly didn’t pair well with my favorite cozy sweaters, but it gave me enough relief to finally start feeling human again.

So yes, this week was rough. I was still crafting, cooking, and decorating. Even though I wasn’t even moving much. But I did a lot of thinking. About how easy it is to gloss over the not-so-pretty parts of life, especially online. And about how sometimes, the best thing we can do is admit that things are hard. That we’re not always at our best. That sometimes the wins are small—like finding comfort in a neck brace and a good cup of coffee.

I’m feeling better now, thankfully, and I’m sure I’ll be back to my usual pace soon. However, I wanted to share this little slice of reality because it’s part of life too … the messy, imperfect, human part. And honestly, that’s what makes these Sunday mornings and this community so special.

My Latest Project

Even though this week was filled with neck braces and heating pads, I was determined to get our house decorated for Christmas. I know, it sounds crazy, but you know me! Once I set my mind on something, it’s happening. Every year I say I’m going to take my time, and every year I end up diving in headfirst, surrounded by ornaments, faux snow, and pine-scented everything. But this year, I had to be realistic. I couldn’t lift, bend, or carry a single thing, so I decided to call in some help.

For the past two years, I’ve had the same excellent TaskRabbit helper come to assist with Christmas decorating. He’s become part of my unofficial holiday team, so I sent him a message a few weeks ago, hoping he was available. Thankfully, he was, and I can honestly say he was a lifesaver.

Since I couldn’t even think about lifting anything or climbing in the attic eaves, he tackled that job for me. He ventured into the eaves on the third floor (where all of the Christmas decor lives) and pulled out every single box I needed. Then he carried them down carefully, one by one, and set them in their proper places throughout the house.

We make quite the team. While he assembled all seven of my Christmas trees (yes, seven!), I got to work decorating. I perched myself on the couch between spurts of energy, taking lots of breaks but still managing to make steady progress.

There’s something about unwrapping each ornament, garland, and ribbon that feels so comforting and nostalgic. It’s like revisiting old friends as each one has a story, a memory, a bit of sparkle that ties together the years of celebrations we’ve shared as a family.

The living room trees came together first, glowing in their soft greens and creams. The family tree, my traditional showstopper, was next, with its layered ribbons, personal and handmade ornaments, and twinkle lights that make the whole space feel magical. In the entryway, the tall red and silver tree added a cozy glow that feels so peaceful at night. I even added a few small trees in unexpected places, like the kitchen counter and the family room nook, just because I couldn’t resist.

By the time the last ornament was hung and the garlands were fluffed, I was exhausted, but my heart was full. My TaskRabbit hero then carried all of the empty bins back upstairs, neatly stowing them away in the eaves next to the fall decor. I can’t tell you how grateful I was to have his help. Without him, there’s no way this house would look as merry and bright as it does now.

Oh, and one more thing … the dining room is still dressed in fall. I’m hosting Friendsgiving a week from today, and as much as I love Christmas, I couldn’t bring myself to mix the two. The square fall table, with its warm tones and textured layers, still feels perfect for this in-between season. And the table is so large that the tree won’t fit in the dining room anyway. Once Friendsgiving wraps up, I’ll swap out the pumpkins for pinecones, and that final transformation will happen tomorrow.

Even with a sore neck and lots of rest stops along the way, the house is almost ready for the holidays. And as I look around at the trees glowing softly and the garlands draped across the mantels, I can’t help but smile. Sometimes it takes a little help. and a lot of determination, but Christmas magic always finds its way in.

Stay tuned for the next few weeks as I share all of my new Christmas decor.

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• Finish the last bit of Christmas decorating.
• Plan the menu and schedule for Friendsgiving, which we are hosting a week from today.

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And what a week it was!

• 
  To Die For Christmas Cookie Recipes
  There’s nothing quite like baking Christmas cookie recipes that fill your home with the smell of butter, sugar, and pure holiday joy. Every December, I find myself searching for new treats to share at our family gatherings and parties, cookies that…
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  The holiday season is magical, but let’s face it, it can also be stressful, especially if you’re hosting Christmas. Between planning meals, decorating your home, and ensuring everyone has a wonderful time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, you can reduce…
• 
  Christmas Living Room Decor
  Every year, when December arrives, our living room decor becomes the heart of our home. It’s where we gather, unwind, sip cocoa, admire the lights, and reflect on the memories tucked into every ornament and garland. And this year, continuing my…
• 
  The Best DIY Christmas Pillow
  This is one of my favorite Christmas craft DIYs: my Christmas Tree Pillow. It’s easy to make and looks store-bought, but it’s handmade. Shapes and colors are the key to this easy DIY Christmas pillow. Are you ready to see just…
• 
  Christmas Decor in the Family Room and Sunday Morning Coffee
  What a week it’s been! Between adding Christmas decor to our family room, a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, and attending a beautiful wedding in Georgia, my heart feels full. I love weeks like this, the kind where your calendar is busy, but…
• 
  DIY Velvet Christmas Ornaments – A Handmade Christmas
  It’s hard to believe we’ve reached week thirteen of my A Handmade Christmas series! Here are my handmade velvet ornaments. Every week, I look forward to creating this series: sixteen weeks of handmade holiday projects designed to bring creativity, warmth, and…

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• A Fun Wreath – A Handmade Christmas
• How to Tie a Bow with Ribbon

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