HYD Blog
thoughts on dwelling
Tradition
Let’s face it, the calendar can easily fill up with holiday events and before you know it you are running from one to the next trying to keep up. Instead of saying yes to all of it, sit down with your family and take an honest look at the calendar. Prioritize the events or gatherings that are most important, create margin, and leave room for unexpected fun to pop up. Our scruffy city has SO many seasonal events going on, if you are looking to add a new tradition to your holiday season - check this out. Honor the season you are in by remembering traditions from your childhood and implementing new ones that fit your current season. Some people you may want to include in new traditions: elderly neighbors, classmates, co-workers, members of a social group you are a part of.
2022 Ornament Exchange.
Idea from Jess- Invite friends over for a white elephant ornament exchange! Our friends look forward to this every year, it never disappoints. Early December, pick a night and grab a couple bottles of wine & some simple dessert. The host will provide matching gift bags & tissue paper for as many guests are coming. As each person arrives, they place their unwrapped ornament in a bag and put it under the tree. Draw numbers for the order of choosing & opening a gift. Allow each ornament to be stolen up to 3x before it is frozen, but the person who drew # 1 gets a chance to steal any opened (unfrozen) ornament at the end. It’s so fun and everyone leaves with a new ornament!
Decoration
There is no need to buy an entire array of new holiday decor every year. It’s fun to incorporate a new accent or special item every season, but your collection and taste will grow and be refined as the years go by. You may want to use more kid friendly decor while you have littles in the home, and if your household is more mature you can venture into the land of breakables and beautiful collectibles. Bringing the outside in can create a natural winter-y feel to your tablescape or mantle. If you enjoy crafting, make a simple yet festive holiday paper chain to add some whimsy to your living space.
Idea from Katie- I follow a handful of artists who create and sell hand painted ornaments each year. I anticipate the release of these collections each year, watching my email and social media for alerts becuase they often sell out quickly. This is a way to support small businesses and independent artists while slowly adding unique and meaningful pieces to my ornament collection over the years. A few I love are hand painted ceramic ornaments from artists: Cocoshalom and Lucy Reiser. Bradley’s usually carries hand painted ornaments made by Milk Moon House each year, Gather and Finch sell ornaments created by Jenny Parkhurst Designs.
Mindset
While the holidays are a time of joy & festivities, they can also bring a sadness of loved ones who are no longer present, seasons of life that are behind us, and the yearnings of our heart not yet realized. Laugh with your family and friends about memories from Christmases past and take a stroll down memory lane by looking through old photos. Be gentle to yourself and those around you - the holidays can bring a dynamic mix of emotions and memories. Take a walk, step outside, light a candle, do what you need to do to slow down in the midst of the hustle & bustle.
Idea from Taryn- Before anyone else in her house is awake, Taryn finds a spot to enjoy an Advent reading. Beginning the day in this way helps keep her heart and mind centered on what matters most. It is an act of rebellion against jumping into task mode first thing in the morning. The rest of the day may be chaotic or busy, but these quiet moments in the dark of the morning are full of stillness and calm. Advent resources to note: Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr., Advent Blocks for kids from Good Kind, The Advent Book- Heirloom Edition by Jack & Kathy Stockman, and Winter Fire: Christmas with G.K. Chesterson.
Another way to keep a healthy and grounded mindset is to focus on the needs of others. Here’s a few ways you could do that:
Participate in Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program
Give to the Empty Stocking Fund
Provide gifts to the Helen Ross McNabb Dear Santa Program
Choose from opportunities to serve seniors with the CAC Office on Aging
Valid for any of our services, including:
home/workplace organizing
moving services
packing, unpacking, day of move coordination
senior moves
holiday & event prep
Hosting can be stressful. The familiar worries always seem to creep in: "Do I have enough food? Is the table set perfectly? Have I accommodated everyone? Is everyone having fun? Am I even having fun??"
The list of worries seems never-ending, and if you've ever played the role of the host, you've likely felt the nagging sense of worry that threatens to overshadow the joy of being surrounded by our loved ones. Well I am here to remind you, a shared meal or any gathering for that matter doesn't need to be fancy or stressful – It's about connecting, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories.
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The key to an enjoyable gathering lies in simplifying the process. You don't need to strive for perfection or overwhelm yourself with the details. Instead, focus on the privilege of being able to gather with loved ones, an experience that should never be taken for granted.
Space Planning:
Before you start setting the table and sending out invitations, begin with a practical task that will ease the overall process. Take the time to declutter and organize your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Clear out expired snacks and consider using those bags of frozen veggies to create a hearty stew or use the frozen fruit in your holiday pie. By freeing up this space, you'll not only make the day of your gathering less stressful but also ensure there's plenty of room to store leftovers!
Help You Dwell - Organize
At a recent project, our team had the pleasure of working with a client who frequently hosts and caters to large groups. Our goal was to set up this space to streamline her collection of baking & cooking supplies within her pantry. We were able to optimize this space ensuring that everything is accessible and thoughtfully arranged, just in time for the holiday season!
Embrace what you have:
You don't need excessive decor or an elaborate tablescape to impress your guests. When it comes to holiday decor, less is often more. Start by choosing a simple and cohesive 'scheme' for your decorations. This can be as simple as selecting a color palette or a specific theme that resonates with the holiday spirit you wish to convey.
Skip the clutter! Avoid the temptation to clutter your space with unnecessary decorations. Overloading your home with seasonal decor can not only be overwhelming to the eye but can also make hosting more complicated. My favorite simple way to decorate your holiday tablescape is to take a step outside and scavenge for wildflowers, branches or dried leaves!
Whether you collect a few branches of evergreen, arrange acorns in a glass jar, or create a centerpiece with dried leaves, the simplicity of nature can be beautiful. These elements can be easily collected, and when the festivities are over, they can be returned to the great outdoors - now that’s an easy clean up! Remember: the key to a memorable holiday gathering lies in the warmth of your hospitality and the joy of your company. Simplify your decor, relax, and enjoy the festivities.
Let your friends help you:
Don't bear the full weight of hosting on your shoulders. Instead, invite your guests to participate and share in the responsibilities. After all, everyone has a favorite dish, and every good guest wants to contribute in some way. As the host, it's perfectly acceptable to delegate tasks!
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By involving your guests in this way, you not only reduce your personal burden but also enhance the sense of togetherness and shared accomplishment. Hosting a memorable gathering becomes a collective effort, making the experience more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved.
Hosting should be a joyous and heartwarming experience, not a daunting or overwhelming one. By focusing on what truly matters – the connections we forge and the love we share – you can create a gathering that everyone will treasure. So, release the burden of perfection and enjoy the journey of hosting, a privilege that brings people closer and creates beautiful memories to cherish for years to come.
The holiday hustle and bustle can sometimes get the best of us, but having a plan and keeping things simple can bring calm to the chaos of holiday party planning. If you need someone to help bring it all together, Help You Dwell would love to assist you in preparing your home for your next event.
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We’ve still got availability on our calendar to schedule your holiday prep + takedown services this year.
Let us Help You Dwell this holiday season.
We want to wish you all holiday season full of comfort & joy. For those of you celebrating Christmas, we hope it’s one full of peace & celebration. Enjoy this beautiful Christmas poem from Madeleine L’Engle…
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace
He came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
We want to encourage you to be mindful as you approach gift giving this holiday season. With fewer parties and events taking over our calendars, we can choose to be more intentional about the gifts we give this year. Make time to think about those loved ones and friends on your list, and consider some new ideas…
This week, Taryn stopped by one of our favorite local shops to get the scoop on their holiday collection. Jenny and her team at the Back Porch Mercantile have created an intentional and magical winter wonderland in the shop. The classic sentiment, “I’ll be home for Christmas” has never been more true. With less events and travel this year, people are focusing on creating a cozy and intentional place for family in their own homes.
