Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Like many, every year, I’d dive headfirst into creating a brand-new theme. First, let me admit something: I love a theme. Creating an atmosphere is something i truly enjoy! Over the years, this passion for decorating has led to an impressive—and honestly overwhelming—collection of holiday decor. From switching up color schemes to completely reinventing themes, I’ve been there and done it all.
But this year, I decided to shake things up.
For the past two years, I’ve been hyper-vigilant about overconsumption. I’ve asked myself hard questions before buying anything and embraced the idea of using what I already have.
This Christmas, I took it a step further: no new decorations= No buy! Not a single shiny bauble, glittering garland, or irresistible festive find made its way into my cart.
Instead, I challenged myself to use everything I already owned—even if it didn’t “match” or fit a theme. Why? Because every piece I’ve collected over the years marks a moment in my family’s life, tied to memories of Christmases past.
Here’s what I learned during my little experiment:
1. Walking into stores became stress-free
Over the past few weeks, I strolled through festive aisles without the urge to buy a single thing. I gave myself permission to window shop, admire what was new, and simply leave empty-handed. No FOMO. No buyer’s remorse. I reminded myself, You already have a version of that—or better yet, you don’t need it at all.
2. Creativity thrives when you work with what you have
Digging through my bins of decorations, I discovered treasures I forgot I owned—some still in their original packaging! This forced me to get creative, using items in ways I’d never considered before. I repurposed pieces, rearranged ornaments, and found joy in seeing old favorites in new settings.
3. I already had more than enough
As I worked through my collection, I realized I had an abundance. Not just “enough,” but more than I could possibly use. It was a humbling reminder that the need to buy more often stems from outside pressure, not actual necessity.
4. The stress melted away
Here’s a truth bomb: No one is coming to photograph my home. The only people who will see it are my family and friends—the ones who love me, mismatched ornaments and all. Letting go of the pressure to create a “perfect” Instagram-worthy display freed me to simply enjoy the process.
Speaking of Instagram, I took a two-month break from the platform, which is a story for another day, but wow, what a difference it made! Being disconnected allowed me to move at my own pace, without the constant buzz of comparison in my head.
5. Memories matter more than trends
My tree this year isn’t trendy. It’s filled to the brim with every piece of decor we own, and I love it. Every ornament tells a story—a snapshot of our lives. My daughters even rediscovered some of their handmade ornaments from years ago. Watching their excitement as they added them to the tree brought more joy than any store-bought decoration ever could.
This season, I’ve learned that peace and joy look different for everyone. For me, it meant taking control—real control—of my home, my choices, and my holiday spirit. No more “doing it for the ‘gram.”
So, tell me: How did you decorate for this Christmas season? Are you a theme person, or did you embrace the beauty of what you already have? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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