I was supposed to be in Jamaica this weekend for a destination wedding — dress alterations complete, accessories curated, perfumes selected with intention — the whole thing! But Hurricane Melissa had other plans, and with all the devastation, the celebration was understandably postponed.
So here I was: still off from work, still in “vacation mindset,” and suddenly… home. Hello staycation.
And since I wasn’t wearing any of my fully planned-out guest attire, something needed to get dressed up. Enter: my living room.
I put my tree up early — not because I needed content, not because everyone else was doing it, but because I needed joy. And sparkle. Sparkling joy.
I have a small space, so I like to (and can) do it all in one day. It’s very me to turn this into a ritual: cozy clothes, a holiday movie queued up in the background, and an entire vibe curated inside my apartment for absolutely no reason other than “because it felt good.”
First, there’s Grandma’s classic ceramic tree — you know the old-school one with the tiny light-up bulbs — except she made hers in a ceramics class back in the day. Everyone in the family has one, but mine is hers. Then there are her Christmas Hummel figurines too, little pieces that feel like she’s here with me no matter where I live.
Finally, my trusty tree is a 5-foot faux pre-lit beauty (a QVC steal from back in the day, of course) with both a foot pedal and a remote… because I’m nothing if not a woman of convenience. The lights can be set to either multicolor, white, or twinkle between both. What more is there to ask for?
This year, I was fully committed to a new theme: pink, gold, champagne, and sparkle. Ultra-feminine, a little whimsical (blame the Wicked commercials), and very “soft holiday glam.” Marshalls and Home Goods absolutely delivered — ornaments, ribbon, tree clips — plus a pink-and-gold faux fur tree skirt that tied it all together.
By the end, my space looked festive, warm, and a little magical… like Glinda floated through and said, ‘Pink. But make it holiday.’
There’s something about decorating early that gently resets you — like telling yourself, “yes, things shifted and plans changed… but joy can still live here.” And should!
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to bring some light and comfort into your home, consider this it. Go set something up. Put something out. Light something. Hang something. Even if it feels small it can shift the whole mood.
It worked for me. And honestly? I needed it.
