Pruning with Purpose

During the holiday season, there are some things that I DO . . . only because I feel some sense of obligation.  But there are other things . . . that I really LOVE doing.  Decorating my house, for example.  I love that!  But, over the years, things have gotten a bit out of hand when it comes to my decorating.

Like . . . I've amassed a quite overwhelming inventory of decor items over the years.

And . . . It typically takes me days to convert my house into a Christmas Wonderland.

Sure . . . It's a bit overwhelming.  And kind of stressful.

But . . .  It always looks great when I'm finished.  And it's do-able. (Because I put the same things in the same places every.single.year.)  (And how hard can that be?  Right????)

Then . . . this year . . . I asked myself WHY????  And decided to rethink my holiday decor plan.  (Just because it's DO-able, it doesn't mean you have to DO it.)  (Or that you can't DO it . . . differently.)

I decided a little PRUNING was in order.

First, I pruned my decor items themselves.  I went from five crates of decor . . . to one.  And it was easy.  I just applied KonMari principles:  I unwrapped each item and held it.  I asked, "Do you bring me joy?"  And . . . for the most part . . . I found that, No.  You don't bring me joy.  (Although you did at one time.  And for that I am grateful.)

Then, I went outside and did some actual pruning.  I walked through my garden and pruned things to use inside for decorating.  Red-twig dogwood.  Cedar branches.  Boxwood.  Mugo pine. Beauty berry.

Then . . . the real fun began!

I used boxwood clippings to create little window swags. 

And I used cedar clippings on mantle and in a small arrangement on the hearth.

And I created several arrangements using various pieces of my garden.

It's much more . . . low-key . . . in my house this holiday season.  But you know what?  I'm really happy.  It's simple and festive and lovely . . . in a way that reflects my style -- inside and out.

I love a little . . . pruning with purpose!

 

 

Comments

[Carole]

I think it looks great. I have a problem with letting go of my snow man collection. Most of them just don't bring me joy anymore but I feel guilty thinking about getting rid of them. So I put them out every year. Sigh.

[Patty]

It all looks beautiful! So natural and festive. I had a little chuckle with the "do you bring me joy"...can you KonMari people? :-) Happy Monday!

[margene]

I love that you're bringing the natural world inside. The decode is elegantly simple, low-key, very you! Every year can be created anew, can be the same but different, depending on what you grow and prune. You're really onto something that can evolve wonderfully!

[Baclancy]

I'm going to try and do this as well. But it might have to be more when things are put away, since I didn't really think about it before I got started this year ... :-)

Your decorations look wonderful!

[Sandy]

What a great idea!! I love the look of all the natural elements, too. You have me very inspired to rethink my Christmas decor-THANKS!!

[Vicki]

Oh my goodness, it's all so WONDERFUL!! I love that you were able to use things from your own garden/yarn -- that in itself makes it more meaningful. And then you were able to use your arranging skills. Brava!! Less is more... and each piece more delightful.

[Mary]

I LOVE it! everything looks warm and inviting and real. just like you, my friend. (and un-decorating won't be much of a chore either - you should be able to leave the greenery up until it fades, right...February maybe?!)

[Linda]

This is lovely! And fresh - and different - and creative - and festive...
and did I say lovely?
Because it is!

Linda in VA

[kmkat]

Your house looks lovely and festive and welcoming!

[Julia in KW]

We did the same thing with Christmas decorations a year or two ago....I mean how many can you really put on a tree? We asked ourselves do we love it or does it have sufficient emotional attachment that it must be out, then it was kept...but a lot went...and we enjoy decorating so much more now!

[Lynn]

So Inspiring- I seem to wait till the last minute to do any decorating I think because what Im really craving at the Holidays is something simple and quiet.

[Manise]

I love how your inside pruning was replaced with ones from the outside! So festive and simply beautiful. Kudos.

[Susan]

Such a good idea and one I have been attempting (no, truthfully, THINKING about) the last two years. I think I will start seriously while putting things away this year. Your home does look lovely- serene & relaxing.