Does the thought of holiday decorating make you feel overwhelmed? It’s a month filled with celebrations but also with many commitments over & above our already busy schedules.

I used to feel fretful as the month of December approached. Not only do I decorate for the holidays in my own home but also in some of my clients homes.

In addition to the holiday celebrations, my birthday, my daughters birthday & now, my granddaughters birthday are all packed in the month of December.

In order to enJOY all of these wonderful celebrations I have learned to make my holiday decorating something to look forward to. I’m excited to share my secrets for transforming your dread into joy.

holiday decorating itself should be a celebration.

Here are my tips for making your holiday decorating joyful…

start with the music…

I used to turn on the radio or stick in a CD. That’s okay & does get you in the mood to get started. However, you’re bound to hear a song that strikes a sad chord or bad chord.

For me, one of those is Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. It was irritating to hear when it first came out all those years ago & then someone decided it was a classic. Yuk. Maybe you love that song, but when I became a grandma myself in 2017 I really started to resent it. As Marie Kondo would say It doesn’t spark Joy.

That’s when I decided it was best to create my own playlist, filled with my favorite holiday songs. Here are my top contenders. Take them or leave them but it’s a great start to getting you in the mood.

The Christmas Song sung by Nat King Cole Happy Christmas sung by John Lennon

White Christmas sung by Bing Crosby Last Christmas sung by Wham (George Michael)

I Believe sung by Frank Sinatra Mary Did You Know sung by Hayley Westenar

O Holy Night sung by Josh Groban I Can’t Wait for Christmas sung by Mindi Abair

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree sung by Brenda Lee What Child is This sung by Johnny Mathis

Christmas in Dixie sung by Alabama I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm sung by Dean Martin

Baby, it’s Cold Outside sung by Dean Martin Sleigh Ride performed by The Boston Pops Orchestra

My Favorite Things sung by Tony Bennett Have Yourself a Merry Christmas sung by Frank Sinatra

The Little Drummer Boy sung by Harry Simeon Chorale Santa Baby sung by Eartha Kitt

It’s so easy to create your own playlist on Itunes or Spotify. I created this one in 30 minutes but now I have it for a lifetime. It helps me pick up the pace & adds joy to my holiday decorating.

Focus on one area at a time…

It might be tempting to pull out all your holiday containers from your attic, basement or storage area all at once… but I’m here to tell you DON’T DO IT! It certainly seems like a sensible idea especially when you have your significant other involved. But, it’s a quick way to turn what has the potential of being a joyful project into moving day.

Nobody loves moving day!

So start with what you plan to get done in the time you have allotted for today. For me, I always start with my main tree in my formal living room the day after Thanksgiving. I only pull out the containers that pertain to the tree, nothing else. It keeps me focused on my task, never overwhelmed & rockin around my Christmas tree to my favorite music. That’s the goal, right?

If time allows, I add in the living room holiday decorations but if not, it’s on my list for the following day.

By 5 PM I’m done & focus on dinner. Sometimes that’s already roasting in the oven & sometimes it’s an order away. Mike & I kick back & sit in the living room to enjoy the progress. He’s already been working on the outside lights & decor so we enjoy our progress together.

watch my video on these tips

Holiday Decorating should be Joyful and not Overwhelming. Here are a few tips for Joyful Holiday Decorating.

you don’t have to use everything you own…

Just because you have it, doesn’t mean you have to use it this year. Give yourself permission to choose what holiday decorations you’re in the mood for.

I’ve decorated as many as 4 trees within my own home. One 7ft, fresh tree & 3 table top trees with various themes. Then there is my holiday decor that gets intermingled throughout.

One year, I was having scheduled surgery a few days after Christmas. I knew I would still be recovering through January so I decided to limit my holiday decor to 2 tabletop trees & my favorite holiday accents. It wasn’t an easy decision for me especially since we always host Christmas. The funny thing is that no one really noticed that I had scaled back. To my children, siblings, Mom & nieces & nephews it was the festive home they always enjoyed on Christmas.

Since then, I’ve decided to be more selective with what I put out giving myself more opportunity to change up the look. Making your holiday decorating joyful comes naturally when you don’t over-commit.

Make it fun to decorate as a team…

This year I plan to decorate a 6’ fresh tree filled with felt ornaments with my granddaughter, Sloane. This is a tradition I started last year on my birthday which is December 7th. Sloane’s birthday is on December 3rd so it’s a way to celebrate our birthdays together. She’ll be 3 this year. The felt ornaments are great because it doesn’t matter if she drops them. I even resist the temptation to move them after she leaves. LOL

It’s a time to connect, teach & discover. When my kids were young I discovered that they both had a great eye for placing the ornaments on the tree. Mike is great with setting up the tree & adding the lights. Each person has a talent for something. Help them find it & be patient while they learn.

Decorating with loved ones is a great way to bond, creating strong connections & fun memories that last a lifetime.

Donate what you no longer use…

If you find that you no longer enjoy certain holiday decor, it’s time to donate it. As the saying goes, someone’s trash is someone’s treasure. Take pleasure in knowing that someone else can enjoy what you no longer utilize. It’s possible that might be your grown children but unless they’re very sentimental chances are they don’t want it either. I know this from experience. Don’t burden them with what you don’t want. Let someone choose it by choice from your local Goodwill store.

Giving brings Joy to the giver & receiver

My tips for making your holiday decorating joyful are… play your favorite holiday music, Focus on one thing at a time, you don’t need to use everything you own, decorate as a team, & donate what you no longer use.

Happy Holidays!

I look forward to your questions & comments below & hope you “like” this blogpost.

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