Amid the cool winter air, the home often becomes a place of refuge, fostering not just warmth and comfort but also a sense of belonging. And it doesn’t take much to make yours such a pleasurable retreat—the key is simply creating an environment that speaks to the soul. Using the suggestions in this guide, you can transform your abode into a wonderland that welcomes both you and your guests during this joyous time of year.
It all begins at the front door, which sets the tone as soon as people pull up to the curb. Add some personality to it with a seasonal wreath, potted plants, or a colorful doormat. You could even give it a new coat of paint, if you’re feeling inclined. And for those arriving in the evening, soft lighting can add extra ambience, whether it’s a well-placed lantern on the porch or a lamppost emitting a golden glow.
Once your guests step inside, allow the sights and smells to surround them. Layer textures by draping a chunky knit blanket over a smooth linen sofa or stacking a woven basket with soft throws, which will create both visual and tactile comfort. And focus on warm fabrics; rich velvets, wools, and faux furs all call for cozy memories to be made.
In addition, one of the most effective ways to make a space inviting is by adding a distinct scent. Subtlety is important—choose a diffuser featuring an essential oil like calming lavender or refreshing citrus to arouse emotions of joy and peace. You could also go for the homey aroma of freshly made cookies or spiced cider simmering in a pot on the stove. Or if you’re looking for something more classically festive, try using a pine- or cranberry-scented candle to accentuate the holiday cheer without overwhelming the senses.
Strategic lighting becomes even more important as the days get shorter. Since harsh overhead types have been found in studies to affect mood and sleep quality, add floor lamps to living spaces and bedrooms, which can provide adequate light without being too bright. Many light fixtures also offer dimmers for varying brightness, putting the ability to adjust the mood for small gatherings or peaceful evenings at home right at your fingertips. In addition, opt for soft LED or classic-style filament bulbs to produce a warm glow that enhances the comfort of your living areas.
If you’re looking to set up an even more intimate gathering, consider placing a variety of pillar candles on tables or mantels throughout your spaces. You can find classic styles in many home-good stores or more creative ones on sites like Etsy.
A house that truly welcomes guests is one that tells a story, and nothing takes people down memory lane like personal and heirloom items. So don’t be afraid to show off trinkets that are valuable to yourself and your family, such as handmade ornaments, old photographs, or beloved artwork. They will make your home feel more cozy and lived in and may inspire conversation as you and your guests reminisce about days of the past.
While your home may already have places for guests to sit, it’s important to set up areas meant specifically for socializing. To create the perfect hangout spot, arrange chairs in a cluster around a coffee table stocked with books or board games. Also ensure that your dining area is set up for the holidays by adding in its middle leaf as applicable, bringing in more seating, and acquiring enough matching seasonal linens and tableware for everyone. These planned-out spaces are sure to make your guests feel relaxed as they mingle and enjoy each other’s company.
Serene surroundings are key to crafting an inviting atmosphere, so as you decorate for the holidays, take care to make selections that complement your interior design. For instance, choose soft neutrals enhanced with metallic colors, which can accentuate a variety of color schemes. Pine cones, evergreen branches, and seasonal flowers will also add a little freshness and elegance without being garish. Most importantly, make sure your home is free from clutter so your guests can enjoy the vibes without the distraction of any messiness.
No holiday gathering is complete without a good spread. To keep your guests satiated, whip up traditional dishes that are sure to be a hit, such as a roast chicken dinner and a wholesome pumpkin pie. If you want to turn it up a notch, put out a hot beverage station including teas, coffees, and hot chocolates to greet visitors as they enter. And don’t overlook the snacks; for anyone feeling peckish before the big meal, arrange seasonal fruits and nuts in decorative bowls, which will stave off hunger pangs without filling them up.
An inviting household is about more than just appearances—it requires creating warmth, comfort, and a sense of belonging for your holiday guests, making it a place where everyone feels at ease, cozy, and happy.
Magic abounds in the crisp December air: twinkling lights fill the night sky, carolers sing in local parks, and homes smell like warm spices and pine needles. Such traditions are part of what makes the season feel truly special, providing a comforting sense of familiarity and serving as anchors in the always shifting flow of life. More than that, they help build connections between loved ones, who come together for them to celebrate, enjoy shared experiences, and create cherished memories.
Odds are, you already have at least a few well-established customs with family and friends, but if not, it’s never too late to start. Here are a few different ways to create new holiday traditions or even enhance existing ones during this festive time of year.
From elaborate decorative displays to jaunty tunes to scrumptious meals and desserts, the holidays are a feast for the senses, so why not lean into it? Try these ideas for incorporating each of the five primary elements into your celebrations to give you and your loved ones a memorable experience.
Sight
There’s nothing like a soft glow to provide a comforting ambience or colorful bulbs to elicit holiday cheer. If your decor includes strands of lights, make an event of hanging them up around entryways, window frames, and more; the “wow” factor of turning them all on for the first time is the perfect way to mark the beginning of the season. For a lower-effort variation on this tradition, plan a family outing to a nearby light show. Whether in a local garden or neighborhood, you’re sure to stumble across a display that will inspire wonder in young and old alike.
Smell
This sense may be the one most closely linked to emotion, so it’s no surprise that scents like gingerbread or sugar cookie can immediately spark joy for many. But rather than simply lighting a candle, begin a custom of baking treats with loved ones to get a natural aroma while enjoying time together. Let the sweet smell fill your house, then use creative cookie decorations to turn the activity into a friendly competition or family art project.
Sound
The holidays feature many traditional sounds—ringing bells, classic holiday ditties, and crackling fireplaces, to name a few. Personalize this element by making your own playlist comprising vintage songs, classical music, or unusual family favorites. Whether you want to belt out lyrics with loved ones while cooking or have soft background instrumental tunes playing while opening presents, this is an easy tradition to integrate into just about any activity.
Taste
Food often takes center stage during family get-togethers this time of year. In addition to the usual dishes, consider adding some new-to-you delicacies, perhaps looking at other customs from around the world for inspiration. For instance, you could indulge in spiced hot chocolate, a Peruvian tradition, or make a batch of saffron buns, sweet breads featuring currants and raisins served on Saint Lucy’s Day in Sweden.
Touch
There are many ways to incorporate this element, but one unique approach is distributing handcrafted gifts to loved ones or those in need. Depending on your skills, you could make a warm knitted blanket or mittens to help stave off the chill of the season. Or if you prefer sending sentiments over knitting, try writing sincere cards by hand, each one a declaration of love and thankfulness. You can get extra crafty with this idea by adding a variety of ribbons and other embellishments to make the cards truly unique.
The holidays are a time for giving, but that doesn’t have to be limited to within your family and friend groups. Volunteering together would allow everyone to not only assist those in need but also experience compassion in action. Such an experience may, in turn, provide a mental health boost, give a sense of purpose, teach positive skills, and encourage stronger bonds. And the benefits may be even more impactful for children. For instance, according to U.S. News & World Report, adolescents who volunteer have been shown to have improved grades, engage in drug abstinence, and have higher self-esteem than those who don’t.
Some top organizations seeking volunteers this season include shelters, soup kitchens, food banks or pantries, and animal shelters. You can also look into supporting a toy drive. Take your family shopping together, and have your kids select the toys to encourage social responsibility and foster their empathy skills.
If you’re trying to figure out what your New Year’s resolutions might be, why not make it a group event? Gather family or friends for a night of music and snacks while you discuss your dreams for the months ahead. You could even make vision boards, a popular way to establish goals; in fact, they’ve even been argued to be more effective than basic list making. Once the ideas get flowing, you may find yourself with goals you never would have discovered on your own.
Finally, make sure to capture the memories to ensure that they live on for generations. Begin a scrapbook or memory box by loading it with pictures, handwritten recipes, tickets from holiday celebrations, and little handcrafted decorations. Or you could create a PowerPoint or short film using pictures and videos from your festivities, adding celebratory music and narration to the mix. This can be a great way to not only save the memories digitally but also share them with friends and relatives who couldn’t make it in person. Whatever your approach, this record will serve as a treasured collection of shared laughter and special memories you can look back on with fondness.
This holiday season, honor your loved ones by slowing down, enjoying each moment to the fullest, and starting traditions to carry on for years to come. Embrace the true meaning of togetherness, and your home will turn into a haven of warmth and connection filled with a lifetime of memories.
Holiday meals can be incredibly filling, featuring hearty dishes and sides that leave everyone feeling satiated—but that doesn’t mean your guests won’t anticipate dessert. Help them satisfy their sweet tooths without overdoing it by serving up these small yet delightful goodies.
Spiced with cinnamon and cardamom, these fluffy pastries offer a delicious alternative to traditional apple pie.
These morsels combine chocolate with fresh almonds, walnuts, and dates to make a tasty treat and healthy snack rolled up into one.
Delectably crispy and topped with a sweet glaze, these apple treats are perfectly indulgent and surprisingly simple to pull together—you’ll want to make them for every gathering!
Makes 12 large or 24 small fritters
These sweet, nutty morsels offer an irresistible combination of peppermint and chocolate, making it almost impossible to eat just one—we dare you to try!
Makes 12 to 16 balls
Valerie Cady, founder of Winnow and Spruce Organizing, discusses how she got started as a professional organizer along with the key steps to decluttering your home, whether for a move or simply to open up your spaces.
Tell us about yourself:
I double majored in recreational therapy and psychology in college, and I’ve worked in psychiatry, chemical dependency, outdoor recreation, and direct sales and as the head of a private school. With that final position, I realized I wasn’t cut out for management, so I quit and took a year to rest and reflect on what I wanted to do. During that time, I read a lot of books, one of which was Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Her methods resonated with me because I had been organizing my workplaces and homes my entire life. I wondered if it was possible to have an organizing business and, after some googling, realized not only that the answer was yes but also that there was an entire industry around it.
I spent the rest of the year downsizing my house by working through different rooms and sorting everything I had. While doing so, I timed myself so I could know how long it would take and paid attention to the different emotions I experienced throughout the process; I knew my future clients would likely have a multitude of feelings when going through their things, and I wanted to be as prepared for that as possible. I opened my business in May 2015 and, three days later, had my first client.
You downsized from a 2,800-square-foot home to a 200-square-foot studio. What were some of your biggest takeaways?
I was surprised by the memories—both good and bad—that came back from merely holding an item in my hands. It was tough to let go of gifts from my family even if I wasn’t using them, and I felt sad about expensive clothing that no longer fit or was out of style. I was also taken aback by how long it took to gather similar items in one place; I kept coming across different pens or photos in various spots around my home.
Additionally, taking the whole year to downsize my home was incredibly helpful. I highly recommend having a large period of time to work at it, if possible, rather than rushing through the process. And having all my supplies, such as boxes, garbage bags, and a label maker, at hand certainly made the process faster and simpler.
What are the main steps to decluttering and organizing?
I’ve learned that there are three key ones: planning, scheduling time, and lining up resources. The first involves deciding what items will stay and which will go. Everything in the house belongs in a category: clothing, tools, kitchen supplies, lamps, candles, office supplies, paperwork, and so on. If you’re moving to a smaller space, I always suggest calculating the difference in square footage to determine the ideal percentage you’ll have to get rid of in each category. For instance, if there’s a 30 percent difference in size, then at least three of every ten items will need to go.
Next comes scheduling. I recommend blocking out time for organizing and decluttering on your calendar just like you would for any other important appointment. Consistency over time yields the best results, so aim for the same time every week for no more than two hours at once, at least to start. This can help you get your system in place and practice making decisions about your belongings.
Finally, seek out essential resources to assist in the process. For instance, you can ask family and friends to help with tasks like gathering materials, hauling donations, and selling items on Facebook. Having someone else involved will also provide accountability and motivation and make the whole experience more fun.
As you go through these steps, keep in mind that like with any organizing or decluttering process, it’s going to get messier before it gets better. Because of this, it’s important to keep one room tidy so you have a place to rest in. Plus, this can help with your mental health and allow you to fight any fatigue you may have.
How do you help your clients decide what to keep and what to get rid of?
It ultimately comes down to what each individual values most. During the initial consultation, I have clients state and write down their vision. Sometimes we’ll post it on the wall in the room we are working in as a reminder of what we want to accomplish. We then set criteria for what items will support that vision. I’ll ask questions like “When was the last time you used this?” or “Do you love it?” to help them think through whether to keep different pieces, encouraging them to talk aloud while going through their things. Most people who aren’t sure what to get rid of really just need practice. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made, but the more they do it, the easier it gets.
The whole process can also evoke unresolved feelings of loss, grief, trauma, anger, and joy, leading to a reliving of the past. That’s why I work to provide a safe place for my clients to process their thoughts, but I’m always mindful to redirect since I’m not a therapist. I stage the different categories of items we have to go through in an order that I believe is best suited to each client’s needs, and I’ll encourage them to take breaks to give their brain and body time to rest and recover. I don’t want them to feel worn down because it can be a long process. Instead, it’s just about taking it one small step at a time.
For more info, visit winnowandspruceorganizing.com
