The Holiday Season is Coming and Sunday Morning Coffee

It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season is almost here! And with it comes lots of holiday content.

Every year around this time, I feel that familiar spark of excitement, the kind that comes with twinkling lights, cozy evenings by the fire, and endless inspiration for creating a warm, festive home. I cannot believe that time will be here this week! Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee today.

A smiling woman in a blue sweater sits on a couch and holds a young child wearing red Spiderman pajamas.

Season 5 Volume 41

Collage with a cozy interior featuring a dining area, kitchen, and coffee-themed text: "Sunday Morning Coffee.

About Me

A Christmas table set in cranberry and rose gold colors with a DIY tree, cranberry and white plates, amber and clear glasses, rose gold chargers, and wrapped packages.

The Holiday Season is Coming!

I always start sharing my holiday content on November 1st because it’s truly the best time to begin dreaming, planning, and gathering ideas. The early days of November are that sweet spot between fall’s golden glow and Christmas magic, and I love helping you make that transition as inspiring and joyful as possible.

A Christmas tree with red ornaments stands by a staircase decorated with garland in a warmly lit hallway.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. There’s something about the creativity, the nostalgia, and the togetherness that fills my heart every single season. From crafting handmade ornaments and baking cookies to decorating our homes with fresh greenery and warm twinkle lights, the holidays are about making memories—one beautiful detail at a time.

My goal each year is to inspire you to do just that. Whether it’s a simple DIY project, a festive recipe, or a new way to style your holiday table, I want to fill your feed and inbox with ideas that bring joy, creativity, and a touch of handmade charm to your home.

Five ceramic house-shaped ornaments labeled with different family names and surrounded by green and gold Christmas ornaments and miniature trees on a light wood surface.

A clear glass ornament with pressed white and yellow flowers inside hangs from a white ribbon, with green pine needles above it.

This year has already felt a little different for me because I kicked off the season even earlier than usual! On September 1st, I launched my brand-new series, A Handmade Christmas. Each Friday, I’ve been sharing a new holiday craft project, everything from air-dry clay ornaments to handmade gift ideas, napkin rings, gift tags, and decor inspired by my favorite stores like Anthropologie and Pottery Barn. I

A hand uses white icing to decorate a brown, house-shaped cookie with windows, a door, a circle, and candy cane shapes on parchment paper.

t’s been so much fun creating these projects and seeing how many of you are already following along and crafting right alongside me. It’s truly the heart of what I love to do … bringing a little creativity into your home and showing how meaningful handmade can be.

Five unfinished, white clay napkin rings with different textures and designs are arranged on a white surface near a glass dish and a piece of brown paper.

And while A Handmade Christmas has been such a joy, I have to admit that I’m beyond excited to dive all in with the holidays next week. That means Christmas trees, cozy home tours, festive tablescapes, new recipes, and plenty of DIY inspiration.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that this time of year brings out my most creative side. I’ll share ideas for decorating every room in your home, from the kitchen and dining room to the family room and even the porch. I’ve been gathering inspiration for weeks, and I can’t wait to bring it all to life.

A festive wreath-shaped appetizer made with greens and cherry tomatoes, with a blurred Christmas tree in the background.

So consider this your friendly reminder: the holiday season is coming—and I’m so ready to celebrate it with you! Whether you’re a planner who loves to start decorating early or someone who waits until after Thanksgiving, I promise there will be plenty of inspiration for everyone. From handmade gifts and cozy holiday decor to delicious recipes and family traditions, I’ll be sharing it all.

Let’s make this the most magical, creative, and heartwarming holiday season yet—together.

A ceramic plate shaped like a Christmas tree, brown in color with white dots and wavy white lines as decoration.

Creative Co-Op Gingerbread Tree Shaped Platter

Four green cloth napkins with a white floral and bird print, arranged in a staggered stack with a botanical pattern visible on each.

CPC Cloth Napkins 100% Cotton

A beige ceramic plate with botanical illustrations of holly, mistletoe, and red berries in the center.

Creative Co-Op Debossed Stoneware Bowl with Seasonal Botanicals

A rectangular white plate features illustrations of four festive cocktails and a bottle labeled "Cheers," decorated with holiday greenery and berries.

Creative Co-Op Stoneware Platter

Three white ceramic mugs with festive handles: one with a Christmas tree, one with a gingerbread man, and one with a snowman.

Creative Co-Op Stoneware Mugs with Holiday Icon

A round, white glass ornament with faint brownish swirl and leaf patterns, suspended by a thin string attached to a black cap at the top.

Creative Co-Op 6″ Round Mercury Glass Ornament

My Latest Project

Cozy living room with a lit Christmas tree, white couch with green pillows, a fireplace, and decorative items including potted plants and a bowl of pastel ornaments.

Getting Ready to Decorate for the Holidays (a Little Early This Year!)

A festive dining table set with crystal candlesticks, floral arrangements, glassware, and wreath decorations in a room with a decorated Christmas tree and large window.

Usually, I wait until the day after Thanksgiving to decorate our home for Christmas. Since I host Thanksgiving every year, I’ve always liked to keep the house filled with warm autumn colors, pumpkins, and cozy fall touches right up until that last slice of pie is served. Mixing holiday decor too early feels confusing—my family might not know whether to expect turkey or tinsel!

But this year, things are a little different, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. We’ll be spending both Thanksgiving and Christmas up north because we’ll be welcoming our new granddaughter!

It’s such a special time for our family, and I already know this holiday season will be one we’ll remember forever. Since we won’t be home for the holidays, I decided there’s no reason to wait. I’m decorating next week!

That means it’s time to start the big job of transforming our home into a festive wonderland. And if you’ve ever seen my holiday decor before, you know it’s no small task. It involves bringing down a lot of boxes from the third floor filled with trees, ornaments, garlands, and all the treasures I’ve collected over the years. I can already picture the house buzzing with Christmas music, twinkle lights, and the scent of fresh greenery.

I have a feeling starting early will make the season feel even more magical this year. It’s a chance to enjoy the decor a little longer and soak up all the joy it brings. On November 3rd, the transformation begins, and I can’t wait to take you along as I deck the halls, one box at a time!

A cozy living and dining space decorated for Christmas, featuring a table set with pink dishware, a tree with ornaments, festive wreaths, and pink and red accents throughout.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A white fireplace with an electric fire, decorated with a green garland, air dry clay ornaments, and three brass candle holders with lit candles on the mantel.

6FT Christmas Norfolk Pine Garland

A wire star sculpture with multiple points sits atop a wooden log base, accompanied by delicate glass ornaments, displayed against a plain white background.

Creative Co-Op Multidimensional Metal Star

Wooden house-shaped advent calendar with numbered drawers from 1 to 24, each with a small round handle.

Creative Co-Op Wood House Advent Calendar

A small artificial Christmas tree with pine cones and snow-dusted branches is decorated with yellow lights, placed in a metal bucket.

Mini Christmas Tree Pre-lit

Four decorative plates crafted from air dry clay with holiday-themed designs: two feature festive bows, and two depict winter village scenes with houses, trees, and handwritten holiday messages.

Creative Co-Op Round Stoneware Plate with Holiday Pattern

A slim, artificial, pre-lit Christmas tree stands in a bright room with white walls and a large window.

Best Choice Products Pre-Lit Sparse Christmas Tree

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

A bright, airy living space featuring white furniture, a modern kitchen area, and large windows that allow natural light to fill the room.

Last year, Dave and I spent about 50% of our time in Ventura at our home. This year, we had planned to spend more.

So far, not so good.

Between a lot of travel, cataract surgery, golf commitments (for Dave), and parties and dinner plans in Pasadena, we just haven’t made it to the beach house as much as we thought.

Which means, we aren’t getting enough biking. And that makes me so sad!

MY plan for 2026 is to book time in our calendar every month for Ventura time. And invite friends! That should help.

A bright sunlit living room with large windows overlooking a beach. The room includes two white armchairs, a glass coffee table, and decorative items such as a pillow, trays, and a small bottle on the table.

Loloi II Heidi Collection Sage/Multi 8′-6″ x 11′-6″ Area Rug

Farmhouse Buffalo Plaid Check Throw Pillow Covers

Glass Apothecary Jars, Set of 3

Finalize the Christmas decor palette for this year.
Plan Christmas decor for the house!
Order new holiday decor items.

A bright living room with white walls, dark wood floors, a green velvet armchair, modern chandelier, and large windows separated by white trim.

Is Your Open-Concept Floor Plan Not Working For You Anymore? Here Are 4 Ways On How to Fix It

A fluffy yellow omelette garnished with grated cheese and dried herbs sits on a beige plate.

I Tried Chef José Andrés’ Clever 1-Minute Egg Recipe, and Then Made It for Breakfast and Lunch in the Same Day

Slices of garlic bread topped with melted cheese and herbs on a marble surface, with a bowl of shredded cheese on the side.

A Beautiful Mess shared this yummy Garlic Toast.

A collage of Halloween mummy-themed crafts and treats, including a pastry, cupcakes, chocolate-dipped snacks, and a pillow, with the text “25+ Halloween Mummy Crafts and Treats.”.

I love these Easy Mummy Treats and Crafts for a Spooky Halloween Party.

Crispy seed crackers with sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds are scattered on a piece of parchment paper.

Have your ever tried Seed Crackers before? They are gluten free!

Rectangular pink baking dish with handles on both sides, shown empty against a white background—perfect for festive treats during the holiday season. — Our Place Griddle Pan

Three bamboo trays shaped as the letters "B" and "O," filled with assorted snacks, fruits, and desserts. Perfect for the holiday season, these trays spell out "BOO" and are displayed with and without food. — 3pcs Halloween Charcuterie Board, BOO

Set of four white plates with black illustrations: a chandelier with bats, a raven on a stone, vintage potion bottles, and a candelabra on stacked books—perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your holiday season gatherings. — Lenox Dinnerware Set, Vintage Halloween

And what a week it was!

Baked Brie with Jam
Baked brie with jam is a classic and elegant crowd-pleaser appetizer. Today, I am sharing my favorite ways to bake brie. Cheese lovers have enjoyed baked brie with jam for centuries. This dish has many variations which result in a warm,…
A View From Above and Sunday Morning Coffee
It’s been one of the busiest weeks ever, and I am happy to be back in my craft room. Did you see my latest addition, which I am calling A View From Above? Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee….
How to Make Beautiful Air Dry Clay Flower Frogs
Flower arranging is an art; having the right tools makes all the difference. If you love fresh flowers in your home but struggle to keep them in place, you’ll love these DIY air-dry clay flower frogs! I recently made a set…
A Spring Flower Pillow DIY – A Handmade Spring
Today, I am sharing a brand-new flower pillow project in my A Handmade Spring series, combining painting, embroidery, and a touch of creative innovation in my craft room. This Spring Flower Pillow is one of those projects that feels special because…
Valentine’s Day Dining Room Table Decor
I love setting tables, and my favorite is the dining room table decor I created for Valentine’s Day! Here is a beautiful neutral table. Valentine’s Day, dedicated to celebrating love and affection, provides the perfect opportunity to transform your dining room…
Seven Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas for Your Home
Enhancing your home with romantic, festive touches is so much fun. Today, I am sharing how to add last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas to your home. This includes using flowers, candles, hearts, colors, decor items, special touches, and baking. It’s not too…