consider me your holiday decor scout.
stuck for fresh holiday decor ideas with a nostalgic vibe? i've done a hole lot of scouting for you — and i'm sharing a few cherished holiday traditions, too.
christmas memories — i have an abundance of really sweet ones. every household has its own very personal holiday rituals, and our family had a few that we never, ever veered from. my mum came from a british ancestry, so our christmas dinner usually consisted of prime rib, mashed potatoes and gravy, rutabagas, green peas, and my father’s famous yorkshire pudding (if you know, you know). christmas crackers were mandatory, which resulted in everyone at the table sharing their weird little toy or puzzle and adorning a colorful paper crown — i loved it and still do. there’s nothing to ridicule the day like paper crowns for everyone. we were never allowed to open prezzies christmas eve, so the evening would consist of early chinese take-out, and then my brother and me hollering from bed ‘is it time yet?’ all night long and swearing we’d seen santa fly across the sky. morning meant an early, early morning mayhem of gift openings, piles of discarded paper and ribbon, and then breakfast. and at every-single-christmas-morning-breakfast somewhere midway in the meal, my father would shout, ‘wait, wait! didn’t i hear santa in this closet?’ and off he’d go, returning with that coveted gift we had really wanted but wasn’t under the tree. think barbies, g.i. joe’s, a timex cinderella watch, tonka trucks — you get the idea. the item at the top of our wish lists. we knew dad’s tricky little game was coming, but still, the excitement was almost overwhelming, and the thought and kindness behind my dad’s gestures have never been forgotten. i hope you have some beautiful traditions you carry on with or are making some new ones of your own. happy holidays, everyone. here are a few ideas to make your home holiday celebration-worthy and ready for saint nick’s annual visit. x, v.
each row, l to r:
row 1: diy wrapping idea with miniatures via buzzfeed; target 6" pink hue bottle brush christmas trees from cody foster; cocktails with bitters via cordial organics; anthropologie silver disco ball ornament.
row 2: vintage red wine via jerici cat; terrain velvet mushrooms on grassy knoll; trim & twine raw-edged gold velvet ribbon; madre linen napkins in moss from reliquary.
row 3: meri meri striped christmas side plates; meri meri gold tinsel fringe garland; rebecca gardner house & parties red & white striped dinner napkins; set of 5 diy christmas paper ornaments from kalapetka weddings.
row 4: heirloom mart red stripe linen tablecloth; a cottage in the city hand-painted paper mache ball ornaments; meri meri mixed fun christmas crackers; target red plaid melamine christmas dinner plates.
row 5: three bluebirds nordic hearts swedish dishcloth; negroni recipe via panda gin; world market white tree trunk winter mushroom cake stand; mandy nelson free printable gift tags.
each row, l to r:
row 1: jello mold — a christmas do or don’t?; schoolhouse set of 4 scallop trim napkins; world market set of 4 retro santa stoneware plates; terrain pre-lit bottle brush trees on wood base.
row 2: schoolhouse set of 4 scallop trim napkins; crate & barrel set of 4 simone marbleized green stoneware salad plates; celina mancurti handmade linen stocking with monogram option; cabana speckled dessert plate.
row 3: nicrohome 5-piece christmas party decorations; retro cocktail, anyone?; maisonette square scalloped napkins; catherine martin set of 4 tarry night coupe glasses.
row 4: suzanne saroff glassware inspiration; meri meri set of 4 assorted fabric napkins; the danes red & white bakers twine; cabana righe green & white striped dessert plate.
row 5: wine stems from la maison de bacchus; madre linens signature tablecloth; good housekeeping diy felt ornaments; dream loom sisal snow frost tabletop trees.
each row, l to r:
row 1: a cottage in the city set of 4 red & cream wool felt swiss cross coasters; schoolhouse set of 4 folkloric garland napkins; mosser jade glass 12" footed cake plate; meri meri christmas characters garland.
row 2: schoolhouse pine incense; meri meri set of 6 striped velvet christmas crackers; martini via grubstreet; casafina set of 4 pacifica holiday tree appetizer plates.
row 3: cultured occasions set of 8 dear santa postcard-shaped paper plates; michael’s mini mushrooms by make market; the conran shop candy stripe scallop table runner; not on the high street three sheets of hand marbled christmas wrapping paper.
row 4: grandin road classic christmas light strand; meri meri merry christmas fringe garland; crate & barrel green aperitif glasses; cocktail via @fayrouzneid.
row 5: handmade red paper decorations from kalapetka weddings; connected goods heavyweight table napkins with lace detail; jayson home astier de villatte marbled serving platter; assorted christmas ric-rac napkins from trouva.
• photography credits: holiday decor ideas are linked above and a few earn a small affiliate commission; top banner images: jello mold by autoriai; christmas table by zara home; vintage santa claus; cocktails via virago.
Maybe this post will help me feel like decorating a tree! This year has felt heavier than most to me and I find myself thinking about Christmas pasts in a more longing way, particularly missing my younger brother (who died suddenly when we were in our early 20s) and not having a “friend group” to share the holidays with like I did so often in my 20s and 30s. That friend group thing what I was thinking about most when I shared that friendship article we chatted about. I miss feeling festive! xo
Thank you Victoria!! Gingham on the cloth napkins was EXACTLY what I needed..👌🏽😍