How To Winter-ize Your Home Decor

I hear people saying, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house!” But I wonder, did the house transform into the winter season before the halls got decked with Christmas trees and holiday decor?

I’ve shared several posts with you about Myquillyn Smith’s book, The Cozy Minimalist and how it’s changed the way I look at decorating my home, but another lesson she’s taught me is to “winterize” before you “Christmas-ize.” I love this philosophy because when Christmas is over and the holiday decor is put away, it can still look like winter in our homes. It won’t have that bare, undecorated sadness that usually prevails in early January! Let me explain what this would look, smell and feel like…

All the senses need to see, smell, hear, touch and taste winter.

• Fresh, Green boughs on the mantles, complete with the red berries that are on the bushes outside.
• Logs in the fireplace.
• A warm fire burning.
• Thick, warm throws adorn the couch or chairs.
• Throw pillows have thicker covers over them, adding warm colors and textures.
• Candle scents are winter smells – citrus, evergreen or pine, and cinnamon.
• Flickering candle light adorn the tables.
• Tablecloths or placemats are heavier. Runners added are winter fabrics.
• Serve soups, stews and chowders. Cups steam with coffee or hot chocolate.
• Cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on brown pieces of toast, Snickerdoodles and Cinnamon Rolls baking in the oven.

It’s kind of like changing the clothes out in your wardrobe. In winter we wear heavier layers; the same goes for textures in our home. Add layers of texture, scents and vision that warm up the space. That’s what it means to Winter-ize!

If you need a lovely scent for your winter smells, here’s a potpourri that will make your home smell wonderful! This recipe is from my dear friend, Vickie Stykes.

Christmas Fragrance Simmering Potpourri

Ingredients:
5-6 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 TBSP. lemon peel
½ cup whole cloves
¼ cup whole allspice
1 TBSP. orange peel
1 TBSP. nutmeg
1 TBSP. bay leaf pieces
2 slices apples, optional
½ orange, cut into quarters, leave peel on, optional

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and place in a simmer stove pot or in a crock pot. Cover with hot water, turn on high to bubbly, then on low to enjoy simmering scent. May be placed in refrigerator and reused several times. Just add more ingredients if scent loses aroma.

Have you winter-ized your home? Does this idea make sense to you?

Refresh your home with winter,