Keeping the Holidays Around

Jill Hosking-Cartland of Hosking Interiors (someone I admire both personally and professionally) posted a tip on Facebook that is helping me face my post-holiday doldrums. She suggested keeping up those Christmas decorations if they have more of a winter feel . . . and I think those are words to live by!

Apartment Therapy

The tree should probably go. But that doesn't necessarily mean all the lights. Maybe the lights-on-the-fake-tree is a little old. But what about putting them on bare branches or limbs brought in from the yard? Or lining the doors of the china cabinet to reflect the crystal inside.

And just because the tree is gone doesn't mean greens can't stay. Wreaths still work, especially if they are smaller and can be placed strategically. These add color, texture, interest, and life to the bookshelves - without feeling like Christmas. Even the ornaments look nice and not too Christmas-y because of their colors.

And despite their color, pine cones and nuts in their shells can add texture and interest to your decor, especially when placed in pretty or unusual containers. If it looks a little dark, a touch of bittersweet or holly berries can add color.

Yes, it's a long time before we see color and light outside our windows. So keeping a bit of the holiday in our  homes might just be the tonic we need.