
DECORATING AND GIFTING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Some of my favorite things, for the Season.

Things that I love and I am really into this Season.
Hello, Everyone.
Hope all is well, that you are doing great, and that you are healthy and enthusiastic about the Holidays. I know this year has been tough, but I believe that if we focus on celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of a new one, if we envision the 365 new opportunities and beautiful days that await us and focus on the positives in our personal lives, that is where the joy which we are all ultimately after resides. I am in no way minimizing the hardships some have suffered through all this, nor the impact these changes have had on kids and teens unable to attend school and be with friends. I know how imperative socializing is to kid’s development. I know how difficult it must be for those in industries that have been horribly impacted such as the Restaurant business, and worse yet their employees.
I am not suggesting that you ignore reality, but not giving energy to the somber parts of this year and/or one’s life, but instead remembering that #Energygoeswhereattentionflows. I suggest not thinking about 2020’s comments from social media postings or from fear-based news/media. Instead, let’s collectively focus our energy on how good you are going to feel when
X happens__________________ (fill in the blank). What can you think about, right where you are at, that brings you joy?
When I am feeling unmotivated or in need of a distraction from running a business, being a mom/wife and when I have unexciting chores… like right now needing to organize and purge closets and cupboards, close out my 2020 business, plan and set intentions for the new year, while also devoting some time to plan the four new quarters ahead for 2021…. What I try to do when my “chore” list seems daunting, I find the most appealing and exciting thing on my list of to dos, and I do that item first. I admit, sometimes I tend to select preferred chores a little more often than I should, but if I choose one out of my list, instead of focusing on the whole list- then… I ease into whatever it was I was avoiding, and it feels so much better. Try it, and let me know if it works for you.
Right now I am focusing on Holiday Décor, Christmas Tree Decorations, editing the card list, designing the cards online, browsing online for things to decorate with and gift giving ideas, ordering those gift items and wrapping them. I spend time admiring fall colors or beautiful snowy sceneries, and if I am feeling especially resistant, I often go for the #tasksthatbringsmejoy for a little while.
I practice reaching for the BEST FEELING THOUGHT and focus my thoughts on neutral thoughts when I feel that negativity is gaining momentum.
Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of mornings I eat the frog first thing. But this refocusing or mindset training alleviates all the negative feelings, and it focuses my energy where I want to direct my attention. If nothing else, it puts me in a neutral frame of mind where I am less likely to give the negative, boring stuff any more momentum than it already has.
Does this make sense?
Here are some images of Christmas Décor, Tree decorations and gift ideas
I like right now.
I want to call them, My Favorite Things this Season.

Season Favorites
CHRISTMAS DECORATION STYLE
My current style is for a simpler and more organic “look”. For a tree such as the one I selected for this #SomeOfMyFavoriteThings blog post, I would choose ornaments that are also organic, simplistic in subtle colors as opposed to the traditional red, green and gold.
THE TREE
Let me say this tree looks very realistic. I love this tree by Balsam Hill. I love it because it is sparse, a bit rustic, it is very realistic and it is a pre-lit Christmas tree. I love this Tree also because, there is space between the branches which allows for each decoration to be seen and stand out.
*Source for the Tree: Alpine Balsam Fir. They carry both lit and un-lit trees of different sizes, some of which have sold out. HTTPS://WWW.BALSAMHILL.COM/. @BALSAMHILL.
The basket is also perfect for the tree base because it is also rustic and a more organic texture as opposed to the more traditional tree skirts. When #decoratingfortheholidays choose items that correlate to your interior style and décor.
TREE DECORATIONS
(SEE GRAPHIC ABOVE FOR REFERENCE)
1- These Ornaments are from @Target and I loved them for their subtle color and simplicity, yet they are still sort of chic. Wooden Ornaments 3 count – Sugar Paper.
2– The Star Ornaments are also organic and simple and are made of birch from terrain (www.shopterrain.com). Birch wood Star Ornaments Set of 12.
3– These wooden ornaments are so perfect and go so well with the other ornaments from @Target. Notice the different shapes and how the raw wood color, texture, and the shapes complement each other. With this pre-lit sparse branches, each ornament will be able to shine and be seen. These are from @HearthstoneAndGrace a cute shop on Etsy-browse their page and see what else they have that you might love.
4– I love that these ornaments are Black and White and some are wood- this is one of my favorite “Blank Canvas” situations that applies to interior style, and fashion style. Imagine this attire, black pants, with a white sweater and suede camel color boots, it’s a great chic look and you could style it with accessories to be more formal with wool coat or scarf. Or down play it with a casual necklace and great earrings- always earrings. So for the tree and the other ornaments I have on that graphic (above) these ornaments are going to really stand out and give the Style of the Tree a more casual modern look.
5– Finally, ornamental grasses and Pampas are one of my favorites. How great would it be to have just two or three different kinds of ornaments on this pre-lit Christmas Tree and be able to insert some dry grasses on some of the branches to add a soft and natural texture? I would also suggest, adding twinkle lights in addition to the existing the tree already has- you can never have too many twinkle lights which help give the pampas a great subtle glow. A few of these inserted randomly…
ADDING GREENERY
Christmas garlands and other greenery that look organic and casually formed, handmade, or more naturally put together are probably is my favorite ways to decorate for the Holidays.
I don’t like the sort of greenery that looks factory made with neat and evenly placed plastic branches. I tend to dislike the ready-made ones unless I find one that looks realistic enough and it’s loosely gathered that will allow me to insert some other branches such as dried flowers, grasses, and fresh greenery like pine. I also like to use other natural elements such as sliced and dried citrus, fresh herbs such as Rosemary, and perhaps some wooden ornaments. Another idea would be to add cinnamon sticks for fragrance.
I love the idea of adding Eucalyptus everywhere. But using it on the metal wreaths with a touch of greenery attached on one area (as in the picture above) it is pretty and something that could be year-round depending on the greenery or flowers you choose to add.
PRO-TIP
When using fresh greenery in your garlands or as part of your décor time it well, these will wilt and you may need to refresh it. When I use herbs and Eucalyptus they tend to last quiet a bit. If you decided to use pine branches you can add the little plastic vessel with water, but it will be daunting if you have too many. I spray with water the garlands and branches I use to make them last a bit longer.
- Eucalyptus & Greenery
- Modern Wreaths
- Mixed Garland
I don’t have a specific source to direct you to, but when I searched for garland on Google, Etsy, @Cb2 or @Pottery Barn, there were a lot of options. If you do not find what you are looking for, perhaps you can be crafty and create your own. Both Michael’s and Hobby Lobby have a wide variety of parts and pieces you could use to create your own garland. Your local @TraderJoe’s often carries fresh Eucalyptus, Bunny tails (dried blooms), and even live Pine leaves. Live and/or varied greenery that could be used as additions to your garland or wreaths. What you add to your starter garland, or one that you create from scratch will give it that personal touch, organic and natural appearance while also providing fragrance that is pleasing and relaxing and will get you into the Season.
STYLING WITH GREENERY TO GIVE LIFE TO ANY SPACE.
Here is an example of how I used greenery to style my front stoop and door year round but it is flexible. I have an exceedingly small entryway to my condo and the exterior colors are a given- nothing I can do about those. The door on the outside is an interesting brown – sort of a cinnamon color which challenged me at first to come up with colors and textures that would complement the door color, but that would be a good transition to my plan for the entryway (inside). When I did the Spring 2020 #ONEROOMCHALLENGE, I worked on the entryway both inside and outside. Ultimately, it was the inside that drove the colors, textures, and overall design- off-white with gray/beige undertones, black and white oak wood tones, black and green (an incredibly special, self-mixed color) for a little entryway table.
Eucalyptus green (the color and texture) was the perfect solution for the front door. This shade of silverish green contrasts nicely with the outside and inside colors. The versatility of the Eucalyptus wreath allows me to add ornaments/ decorations for each season.
For Fall, I added contrasting color pumpkins. For Halloween, I added a few glamorous, sequenced spiders and glittery black cats. Removing and replacing these decorations has been so easy and fun. Let’s see what Christmas decorations I find to add to my “Eucalyptus” wreath.
- ENTRYWAY MAKEOVER @ONEROOMCHALLENGE
- DOOR WITH EUCALYPTUS WREATH

Gift ideas for women
Some of my favorite gift ideas for women… These graphics will be repurposed as my wish list!

Some of my favorite gift ideas for women.
Where to start? so many lovely things…
Ok … #1 it is…
GIFT IDEAS FOR WOMEN
1- When searching for a tunic-length ribbed mock-necked pullover sweater, I found the black cropped sweater… it is so cute, but not for me. If you don’t mind the cropped style, then this is a great gift for yourself or for someone else. I love it but sadly for my body type is not suitable, but it is a very cute.
2- The rust oversized sweater is a dreamy sweater from @Freepeople, and it is such a slouchy, comfy sweater I can’t resist with the perfect Season color. Search “Easy Street Tunic” once on the website.
3- Adroitly named the Glove Boot from @Everlane, I thought this color was very appropriate for the Season. It is a very chic style bootie that will go great with jeans and a sweater or even a dress. I would call this color “Sensible” because it won’t stain as quickly as the off-white colored ones.
4- I would wear these “Chic” colored bootie with a rust color crew neck sweater, a beautiful cashmere caramel color long coat and a fabulous purse (also, from @Everlane).
5- Then we have the quintessential UGG short length boot that is also super comfortable and good for more casual wear.
6- A lovely stoneware mug, some accessories for the home, a soft hat and scarf set from @Target, her favorite wine, candles, and pampering items are all great gift ideas for women to feel special and are definitely, Some of my Favorite things.
Don’t forget to make your gifts stand out with unique wrappings. I hope you have enjoyed the images as well as some of the sources for these goodies and ideas.
Hope your Christmas and Holiday Season is filled with joy, health, love, and family- even if it is at a safe distance.
Beautiful!
I love your ideas. ❤️
I can relate to the never ending to do list and the tendency to pick off the more appealing tasks first! Such a pretty selection of favorites here! Happy Holidays to you!
I totally agree and love the idea of envisioning the 365 new opportunities and beautiful days that await us! Thank you for that image!
Beautiful selections! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.
I love this list of favorite things. Thanks for sharing.