Pssst: the magic is in what you already have

I’ve been pulling out the Christmas bins this week, getting the house ready for the Holiday Market and House Tour, and honestly, it always feels a little like a treasure hunt 🤗

Every year when I pull out my Christmas decor, it feels like opening a treasure chest of memories. I start digging through the bins, and suddenly I’m holding things that bring back the sweetest moments from past Christmases, some good, some crazy!

Were you around for the year my tree fell over and took years of collected Christopher Radko ornaments with it? That was a doozy. And then there’s the little Santa I couldn’t wait to put on the mantel when I was a girl. The handmade ornaments from my childhood… and the ones my kids made with their tiny hands… those get me every time.

I love those moments, the small surprises that remind me how much heart and history live in a home when it’s been built slowly, layer by layer. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the season. And yes… it takes me forever, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Somewhere along the way, we started thinking our homes had to feel current to feel beautiful. And all the Instagram algorithms with today’s trends and insanely-early black Friday sales really don’t help the temptation to buy a whole lot of new things. 

But I really believe the most inspiring homes (especially at Christmas) are the ones that tell a story. The ones that mix old and new, handmade and imperfect, with little touches that make you stop and smile.

You know I’m a big believer that decorating isn’t something that happens all at once, and the holiday season is such a good reminder of that. 

I’m not sure who needs to hear this, but it’s okay for things to shift and change as we do. Some pieces stay, some move around, some get tucked away until they feel right again.

And when I do go looking for something “new,” my favorite place to start is always the antique store, especially at this time of year! Vendors have been putting out all their holiday pieces lately, and it’s so fun to wander through and imagine where those treasures once lived, on someone else’s mantel or tucked into a cozy corner, and now I get to carry them into mine.

That’s what keeps it special for me. Little layers, old and “new”. ❤️

So if you’re pulling out the bins too, here’s your gentle reminder: you don’t need to buy all new things or make it look like anyone else’s. Start with what you love, and let the rest unfold.

Reply to this email and tell me: what is one Christmas decoration you love pulling out every year? The one that instantly makes it feel like the holidays. I’d love to hear.

💌 XO - Lucy 

P.S. If this idea of slow decorating speaks to you, I put together a free Slow Decorating Guide to help you get started! Whether you’re refreshing a room or decorating for the holidays, it’s full of easy, creative ideas for making your space feel more you.

Download the Slow Decorating Guide Here!

And if you’d like to see my holiday decorating in real life (+ shop from some incredible local vendors), come to my Holiday Market & House Tour in Birmingham on Saturday, December 6! I’d love to welcome you! 🎄 Grab your ticket here!