The holiday season is something we look forward to every year?and not just for the food, gifts, and time spent with loved ones. It's also an opportunity to make our homes festive and cozy, bringing all of those holiday sights and smells indoors.
No matter how you holiday, we are chock-full of
tips for making your most festive home yet
. From some simple mistakes to avoid when hanging your stockings to some must-read trends experts are loving for hosting this year, continue reading to get inspiration for new traditions. We're sure they'll last this year and beyond.
The Spruce / Melissa Epifano Varley
Our writer thought she was immune to nostalgia and sentimentality. That was until she started celebrating winter holidays away from her family and realized how special her childhood traditions were. She began missing the special touches that her mom would infuse into her life, so she took a
holiday tradition
that her mom created and has continued it herself each year.
Read her story of embracing childhood holiday joy as an adult and keeping the magic of the holiday season.
BONNINSTUDIO / Stocksy
As you prepare to decorate your home for the winter holidays, keep in mind that there are a few common mistakes that interior designers witness year after year, and urge you to avoid at all costs. Four designers chime in with insights on five common pitfalls that you will want to steer clear of as you deck the halls.
Melanie DeFazio / Stocksy
While plenty of people appreciate
experiential gifts
this time of year, there’s something to be said for showering
your favorite homebody
with the things they love most: small, home comforts that make daily life more luxurious.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a solid list of
great gift ideas
for the coziest members of your crew, all from Amazon and all for under $100. Scroll on for some great gift options that are sure to please the homebodies in your life.
The Spruce / Illustration by Kailey Whitman
Design by
Blythe Interiors
/ Photo by Natalia Robert
The
holiday season
is here, and chances are, your calendar is already filling up. If you’re hosting any get-togethers, your to-do list is probably just as packed.
Fortunately, we connected with some incredible party planners who looped us in on all the top holiday hosting trends for this year. Touching on everything from
tablescapes to lighting tips
, here’s what they had to say.
Emily Henderson Design
/ Photo by Tessa Neustadt
Though we love a lush green Christmas tree, we're obsessed with its bright white,
artificial counterpart
, too. White
Christmas trees
add a refreshing element to any decked-out home for a stunning visual that allows colorful ornaments to shine.
Using white Christmas trees to accompany your mantel, table, or bathroom seasonal setup is a playful way to sneak this design into multiple areas of the home. Plus, white Christmas trees come in an array of sizes so there's always free space to fill.
Thinking of switching up your branched staple this holiday season? We share some white Christmas tree ideas sure to leave a dazzling impression in your home this year.
The Spruce / Illustration by Kailey Whitman
Design and Photo by
Rebekah Lowin
When it comes to celebrating Hanukkah, around the table is often where you make the most memories, and a beautiful, symbolic setting can truly magnify the meaning of the holiday. We've gathered 13 inspiring ideas to help you curate a stunning table setting to gather around during the Festival of Lights.
The Spruce / Dylan Chandler
The
holiday season
is right around the corner, with Thanksgiving marking the beginning of the festivities through to
New Year’s celebrations
. For some folks, this period also means prepping for one eventful week after Christmas: the week of Kwanzaa.
If you aren’t familiar, Kwanzaa is a secular holiday that honors the culture, history, and harvest traditions of the African-American community. Lasting from December 26th to January 1st, each day is centered around a guiding principle. To commemorate, families and friends continue the spirit of gift-giving and reflection, capped with a big feast, traditional music, and dancing.?
Whether you prefer simple and understated or bold and flamboyant, we're sharing some Kwanzaa decor ideas that guarantee something for everyone.
The Spruce / Illustration by Kailey Whitman
Design by
@beeline_design
/ Photo by
@gemmola
/ Instagram
'Tis the season of holiday hosting! Christmas parties can take on many forms, from intimate dinners to open-house-style gatherings with large guest lists. Regardless of party size or form, the goal is to have a Christmas party that your guests are begging you to host again next year on their way out the door. We've curated a collection of 50 festive Christmas party ideas you'll want to steal, no matter what type of party you're hosting.