A Cedar Bungalow Christmas
A traditional Christmas story and the growing pains of change that happen during the holidays in the cedar bungalow home of Debbe Daley. Read how to adjust to a simpler way of decorating for Christmas.
As I get older, the years seem to go by so fast. It’s Christmas again in one week, and I have not done any shopping this year. I have items in my Amazon shopping cart but haven’t pulled the trigger. For some reason, I am feeling a bit empty and without the holiday spirit.
Maybe it’s because our celebrations will be happening elsewhere this year. And that means there is no need to decorate our cedar bungalow the way I am used to. All my efforts have been focused on finishing client projects before the holidays. This isn’t anything new. I ask myself, how did I get it all done in past years?
Change of Tradition
Between my sister and I, our daughters have taken the reins of hosting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Of course, I will make all the Greek signature dishes for transport. This year I decided to take our cedar bungalow decorating to the lighter side and less heavy. Our mantel was still decorated with stockings and embellished with candlesticks, gold ornaments, red magnolia florals, and a few gold ribbons and fillers. To add to the width of the mantel were white led lit birch trees that added just the right amount of festive glow.
Another grouping of 5 white-lit trees was placed by the windows. In years past, I would decorate these trees with all the seashell ornaments my daughter and I would make when she was a little girl. This year she is in her first home and celebrating with her first tree. She asked if she could take our treasured little bauble shell ornaments to begin a new tradition on her tree. I was delighted that she wanted to use them.
As an alternative, I always wanted to use my childhood ornaments and the ones my mother had for her first tree. There weren’t as many as I remembered, but I still wanted to make it special with the nostalgic glass bulbs. I also added our childhood elves to the tree. We always had our own little elf to hang on the tree and still had that smell of an old Christmas past. That wonderful smell of old basement Christmas boxes stored away with the scent of pine brought back fun tree-decorating visions as I hung these memories on the tree. Another added touch was the little cardinals and snowy owls. My soon-to-be mother-in-law gave me them, and they added just the right sparkle.
Time for Reflection in Our Cedar Bungalow
Our cedar bungalow on the coast has seen many holidays and changes as our family have grown. Holiday changes have come, and hosting changes will continue. The best gift I have received from these changes is the reflection and memories of childhood and of times spent in our cedar bungalow. The Amazon cart can wait. I’ll be scurrying around last minute for sure. Taking the time to reflect on special family moments at this time of year is necessary for me.
About Debbe Daley
Debbe Daley is New England’s leading interior design expert in the design, decorating, and styling of interior spaces. She is a professional speaker, educator, influencer, and business coach. Debbe also educates creative interior design and home decor enthusiasts and change-of-career-minded individuals at her School of Interiors through courses, mentoring, and hands-on training. Debbe is currently an installed Design Services member for the Boston Design Center.
Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.
