SETTING THE MOOD FOR TRIMMING THE TREE
DECOR
Styling Series
SETTING THE MOOD FOR TRIMMING THE TREE
Trimming the tree has always been one of my favourite parts of the holiday season. We all have our own traditions but today I am sharing some of the ways I like to set the mood for the occasion and the whole season.
If you feel like getting into the spirit while you read this post, feel free to pause, pour yourself a glass of wine or a warm cup of hot chocolate or whatever your go-to festive drink may be, curl up under a blanket, switch the fire on and read on.
pre-light the tree
Before the whole family gathers together to decorate the tree, get your lights in the tree if you’re tree isn’t a pre-lit tree. This is usually a one person job so it’s nice to get it out of the way before the big event.
set an evening aside
Mark the date in your calendar to ensure you and your loved ones can all be available for the occasion. Decorating the tree has always been a family affair in my household. If you live away from family and wish you could be together, they’re just a zoom call away.
Ideally wait until dark so the lights are twinkling and a weekend is always preferable because you have nothing to do but sit back and relax once the tree decorating is done.
music
Music of course is absolutely crucial, my family and I have certain songs that are extra special to us like Rita MacNeil’s ‘Now the Bell’s Ring’ which reminds us of the days we lived in Ontario and used to journey up to Niagara on the lake. The Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack also has a very special place in our hearts, not only is it our favourite Christmas special, but it reminds us of my brother when he used to skip his hockey practices if the special was on tv live. He re-fuses to this day to watch a recorded version, it must be live.
If you have songs that are special to you start a playlist that you can add to each year. If you don’t, you’re welcome to borrow mine (available here). I love vintage Christmas tracks. Personally, I think they’re the bees knees.
DIM THE LIGHTS AND LIGHT SOME CANDLES
Lighting is kind of everything to me. If you’ve got dimmers, turn them down to the lowest setting. If you have a fireplace, I mean come on…it’s mandatory to turn it on and if you don’t have one, have you ever heard of the yule log? They always have one available on Netflix.
Lastly candles are a must in my household. I like to distribute them around the house. I personally I love votives and vanilla scented tea lights from ikea.
I also have a variety of candles I’ve collected over the years from anthropologie. Once they’ve been used up, I pop the empty jars in the oven to melt and remove the wax and then place tea lights in them (tutorial on how to do this available here). That way you can keep on using your jars for years to come.
SIPS AND SNACKS
Make sure to have something festive to drink on hand, whether that be hot chocolate, a London fog, a holiday latte, a glass of wine, coffee and baileys, blueberry tea or whatever tickles your fancy.
I love to have little bowls of mixed nuts around and my mom always has the traditional holiday treats on platters around the room like ferrero rocher, turtles, christmas m&m’s (my dad’s personal favourite) and William Sonoma’s peppermint bark.
The bowls I am currently using are distressed gold bowls from creative co-op that I bought at west coast gardens in here in Vancouver. I will link them if I can source them online. I also think it’s super cute to use vintage tea cups and silverware dishes.
Some of my favourite local stores to find little bowls and trays for this are;
The living room (they have incredible smelling tea lights here and larger candles)
This is it gifts (a cute little home store I stumbled upon in Langley)
All the antique shops in Fort Langley. I bought a beautiful antique silver tray from the largest antique store a few years ago that’s great for displaying christmas cookies and Ferraro Rocher’s.
ON THE SCREEN
I love to play an old black and white Christmas movie on the living room tv screen on mute. It’s a wonderful life, A Christmas Carol, whatever you prefer.
I hope you have a wonderful time trimming your tree this year.
All my best,
Lauren
shop
The Oatmeal cookie candle is one of the best smelling candles I’ve ever owned. I love the angel food cake one too.
RECOMMENDED
