Traditions. They seem to get the best of us at the holidays. Special meals. Sentimental Ornaments. Specific treasures. It’s a lot of work, I get it, and so much a part of the magic that makes darling little ones giggle with joy and encourages homesick young adults to rush to town.
“Christmas magic is silent,” shares Kevin Alan Milner, author of The Paper Bag Christmas. “You don’t hear it — you feel it. You know it. You believe it.”
Most often, I get phone calls that spin around needs for a new house … a baby is on the way, or the youngest baby has flown the coop. Growing broods needing bigger spaces juxtaposed with empty-nesters ready for less to clean.
What about the ones in-between … the ones, like me, that are not likely to expand the family, yet not quite to the point of going to visit grands vs having college kids or newlywed kids crash on the couch to open their gifts with the kids still living at home?
We have needs, too. Maybe not a need for a new home, yet our current home need refreshing to better suit the styles of the day and the maturity of people.
It’s a necessary transition. In my own home, simple changes to three rooms have easily updated a house suited for toddlers into a destination for young adults, without blowing the bank.
Kids bedrooms: As a mom, I never want my child to feel the place they grew up in is no longer “theirs”, however, the décor that fit my toddler princess (butterfly bedding, pastel paints and hairbow trees) or my 13 year old son (sports logos on the wall plus mounted helmets from corner to corner) are no longer inviting to the residents. A quick trip to Lowes followed by a few dedicated hours of painting, minimizing trophy displays along with fresh bedding moved two rooms from 2009 to 2023.
Dining room: Tables with benches gained a lot of popularity with the yesteryear farmhouse movement of Chip & Joanna Gaines. However, the reality is this set-up is best suited for 2 grown-up tushes plus a few children, not a household of adult sized backsides. Investing in either a full surround of single seats or coupling one bench with more mobile chairs will make dining more comfortable.
Family room: When my clan was smaller, both in number and size, floor-seating was preferred for gift distribution and opening. The kids were wiggly with excitement and wanted to literally be in the middle of everything. Now, not only do they want to sleep later, they also want to be cozy and comfy tucked up on the couch. Throw blankets add color and warmth to the room as well as to the teen wrapped up with morning cocoa.
The holiday season is packed with treats … from turkey on Thanksgiving to champagne on New Years … treat yourself and your home to a few simple updates this holiday that will make it able to serve your family for more years to come.