After thirty years on this planet, twenty-nine of which included a Christmas celebration, you would expect anyone to prepare accordingly for this season. Any normal human being would have created some sort of habitual pattern and learnt from their mistakes in previous years. Any normally functioning human being would also make sure to do things in such a way that allows for full enjoyment… Well, any human except me, that is. After twenty-nine Christmases, I still commit the following Christmas decorating mistakes each year.
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I don’t buy my decorations in advance
You may be wondering why this is even on my list of Christmas decorating mistakes because December is a season when all stores seem to only sell decorations. Even the grocery stores seem to stock up quicker on tassels than chicken. But the strange truth is that every single year without fail, I struggle to find nice decorations. And the main reason for this is because I leave it to the very last minute.
Last year, none of the stores had plain red baubles. I searched high and low and even offered to buy some off of the display tree for double the price… But the store wouldn’t part with their gems. I checked in the high-end stores and even went to China mall… Nowhere, and I mean nowhere had the baubles I wanted.
This year, I was clever enough to pick up the baubles. But now I have a semi-naked tree because there is literally nothing else on it!
Leave the gifts till the very last minute
You may be wondering if gifts should even be listed as a part of Christmas decor… And in my house, the simple answer is yes. You see, I’m a very lazy person when it comes to keeping up with the decorating game – clearly – so having wrapped boxes under my tree adds that little touch of je ne sais quois that makes my home feel like the holidays.
Every year without fail, I find myself rushing to the malls on the 24th to find something that my people can unwrap at midnight. Great for them because they still get the presents. However, as far as holiday decor goes, the metal legs of my naked Christmas tree get to expose themselves for all but a few hours.
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One of my biggest Christmas decorating mistakes: Not pleasing the nose
When you walk into certain places, even the faintest hint of cookies or spices makes you think of home. Of course, that is only if your home offered homemade food.
What I love about the holidays are the aromas that seem to travel throughout the city, wafting from door to door. The sad thing is that these aromas skip my house and move on to the next one. If anything, my home smells more like detergent and day old takeout.
While aromas aren’t quite a part of holiday decor, they play an important role in triggering a certain memory in your brain. So if you are anything like me and forget this important factor year after year, correct your ways, please.
Not involving the whole family
When I lived with my dad, he made sure to have us around when the tree went up. From mounting all the pieces together to finding ways to make sure every single decoration we had was on display, we laughed and danced throughout the process. And as hideous as the tree looked afterward, it was always so nice to step back and look at our work.
Now that I live with my own family, I find it hard to get everyone involved in the process. It’s probably because the process involves putting up a skinny, bland tree – but that is beside the point! Part of the beauty of decorating for the holidays is doing it with the ones you love. If each person adds their own touch, things tend to feel more special.
Not decorating the table
Every year, I spend hours on Pinterest looking for the best dinner table decor ideas. I’m not sure what it is about seeing such a beautifully set table that makes me feel warm inside, but it does. Unfortunately, that feeling isn’t strong enough to make me pull through. And as a result, no one in my household actually sits at the dinner table. Well, no one sits there to eat at least, and that is because it just isn’t inviting.
Keeping some pretty place mats and a centre piece is such a simple way to make your home feel like the holidays. It also makes people wonder what exciting and delicious food is to come, so please don’t be like me and make this mistake!
Related: Portuguese desserts to try out this season
What are some Christmas decorating mistakes you commit each year?
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I always associate aroma to my memories. I understand what you mean. I can feel aroma of childhood, aroma of winter, aroma of holidays and so on. Many people do not understand what I mean. I am very happy to found someone like me.
Oh heck yeah! Aromas are so important and it’s scientifically proven to trigger your brain to recall certain memories. Anyone who says that they don’t know what you mean is not telling the truth… new house smell, new car smell, mom’s cooking, etc. They all trigger memories.
Haha 😄 this was a interesting read about your semi naked Christmas trees 🌲 🤣
But out of all these points…you always manage to make things go right..even if it includes last minute rush…
So maybe you invented “last min sprint” as your Christmas tradition 🤔 😉
Hahaha Vani you should def work in sales! I do tend to make it work, but I really wish I learnt from my mistakes and had at least one perfect Christmas season… Maybe next year! lol
I used to buy last minute gifts! It depleted my soul so I stopped lol I started doing it earlier and making detailed lists!
Depleted your soul? LOL that’s an extreme way to put it!
Yep lol I was an empty shell ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚
Ooh yes to the smell of spices when you walk in! I made ginger snaps the other day and my house smelled SO GOOD, but now it’s gone away. I really need some candles or an air freshener.
Yes yes yes, get some candles! They are such an easy way to get your house smelling really good, and also create such a lovely ambiance 🙂
This is such a clever post!! I’m guilty of decorating so late that I don’t get to enjoy it for long, but this year I committed to decorating before or by 12/1 and I’ve so enjoyed having the tree up. Last minute shopping could be a fun tradition, right?
Do you switch up your tree decorations yearly?
Thanks Leigh Ann! I don’t switch them up yearly, I tend to just add on to what I have when I remember, so it goes from a skinny lifeless tree to one with a tassel, then I buy another tassel lol
And yes, if that’s the intention, then definitely a fun tradition~ but how expensive is it to get gifts in December?! 😫
Ugh, so true!!! Even though I try to spread out the spend, still the biggest hit to December 😩 I’m sure your tree is beautiful!!