6 Little Ways I'm Romanticizing Every Part of My Holiday Routine
After moving from Florida to Tennessee two and a half years ago, I can confidently say one of the things I like most about my new hometown is experiencing the changing of the seasons. As soon as fall hits — and the temps actually drop — I immediately anticipate the winter holidays.
I’m a homebody through and through, and the thought of the days ahead meant for staying cozy in the house with loved ones thrills me. I think I’m made for winters.
As magical as winter can be, though, we still have work and family life responsibilities. Sure, holiday decorations around the home can remind you of this special time of year, but that doesn’t change the fact that you have to do chores, wash dishes, etc.
To make sure I add a little joy to every day — and capture the cheerfulness of the season — I make small tweaks to my daily routine to romanticize what’s already on my calendar.
1. Store baked goods in a pretty cake stand.
Displaying cookies and muffins (or your treat of choice) in a pretty cake stand on the counter creates a cozy kitchen and can make any moment sweeter — literally! I have a cake stand from IKEA that I pull out of storage. (The dome keeps everything fresh.)
Having accessible treats, homemade or not, gives everyone in the home an opportunity to make a simple thing like grabbing a snack a bit more special. Pulling up the dome to choose the beautifully displayed sweets makes you feel like you’re in a winter bake shop, adding a touch of whimsy to what would’ve been a pretty mundane moment.
2. Listen to audiobooks with winter settings while doing chores.
Even though I now get to experience colder weather in November and December than I used to in Florida, it still doesn’t snow much where I live in Tennessee. Listening to an audiobook with a winter wonderland setting (such as a Louise Penny mystery novel set in Quebec) transports me to the snow, twinkle lights, and fires roaring in the hearth.
This makes doing chores like dusting or vacuuming far more enjoyable — and there are plenty of chores to do during the holidays.
3. Light candlesticks during dinner.
You have to eat dinner every night, so why not set yourself up with a little seasonal ambiance? Tapered candles in holders lend a festive atmosphere to even a simple weekday dinner, a reminder to cherish time together with loved ones.
I especially enjoy lighting candles during the colder months because they cast a warm hygge glow as we enjoy the comfort of the holiday season at home.
4. Turn on an air freshener with a seasonal scent to ~relax~.
After a long day, I always make time (even if it’s just a few minutes) to relax. Adding a holiday scent to the room puts me in a chill holiday mood. I love pumpkin vanilla and balsam fir scents best.
Whether I’m settling down to watch a movie or read a book, plugging in the air freshener first imbues the space with a pleasant fragrance that reminds me it’s a special time of year — even if most of my day was ordinary.
5. Hang twinkle lights over the sink in the kitchen.
Between regular cooking and holiday baking, I use my kitchen more than ever during the festive season. I love to put up string lights over the sink to add some holiday sparkle and magic to all the dishwashing that needs to be done.
They put me instantly back into the holiday spirit, reminding me that the bustle of cooking and cleaning makes my family’s holidays brighter. And even if I really don’t want to be doing dishes, at least I can look at something pretty!
6. Play holiday music around the house every evening.
Every night during the holiday season, I like to set my speakers throughout the common areas of our home to turn on holiday music around dusk, when we do our Power 10 cleanup. (My favorite is “The Nutcracker Suite” — especially because my daughter is dancing in The Nutcracker this year!)
The music not only sets a seasonal tone, but also puts the entire family in a good mood, reminding us how nice it is to spend this time together.
Further Reading
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See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
