All is Calm

December 9, 2024

Christmas is a time of warmth, both in our hearts and our homes. While frost nips the air and in some (lucky!) places snow blankets the ground, hearts soften to the true meaning of Christmas. Cozy homes bedecked with glittering ornaments and evergreen boughs welcome friends and family.

Today I would like to share a few touches of Christmas that I have brought to my home. I like to keep Christmas décor very simple in my home. My home is not large, so a little decorating goes a long way. When I first got married, I put out every single Christmas item that I owned which makes me laugh when I think about that. Now, I’ve grown in wisdom and only put out a few touches here and there.

I used to set out fresh greens and homemade garlands, but I need life to be as simple as possible to be successful. With homeschool and other responsibilities, I need easy. Plus I don’t want to clean up the mess of real greens. So this year I invested in some new trimmings that I hope will bring holiday cheer without too much stress.

I have never spent much money on Christmas décor and have always used hand-me-downs or clearance items. About 6 years ago I purchased a tree from Walmart on clearance for $10 and set a goal to use it for 5 years bringing the yearly price to $2 a year. We met that goal! Yes, I’m crazy like that sometimes. But that frugal mindset has helped us reached specific financial goals.

I have a word of encouragement for anyone starting out, starting over, or just in a tight spot financially. It takes time to build a family’s finances. My husband and I choose to keep Christmas simple both in décor and gifts. We are not going into debt over things. For our family, the focus of this time of year is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and spending thousands of dollars just doesn’t line up with our belief in the simplicity of the true Christmas account.

May I encourage you? Use what you have and make it cheerful. It’s not worth going into debt trying to keep up with other people.

Recently, my husband and I met a personal financial goal, and so I felt the freedom to update some of our Christmas décor. Most of the décor is from Walmart and Aldi, both inexpensive places to shop. I purchased items that are classic and understated with the hopes that they will transcend current styles for many years.

Here are a few items that I bought this year. I bought an $85 pre-lit tree from Walmart (I was kicking myself for not buying one on clearance last year, but alas…). I also bought a 9 foot garland for about $17. I also bought several natural bead strands from Walmart and also Aldi to use on the actual Christmas tree and on the garlands.

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I’d like to share a  few ideas for keeping Christmas decorating simple.

First, I decide on a look or theme and then stick with it. I used to pull out every single Christmas item I owned and set it around my home. The look was mismatched to say the least, and it was tiresome setting out every item and then putting it all away. By choosing a simple look, what I put out is streamlined, and setting up and tearing down are so much simpler.

Second, I worked in pockets of time available to me to decorate. Our Thanksgiving week was very busy, and we were gone from our home almost every day. I used a few minutes in the morning here, a few minutes in the evening after we got home there, and slowly the decorating was accomplished.

Third, I let my kids help. They now have their own tree in their zone, and other that setting up the tree and stringing the lights, they did everything else. We all love how festive their zone looks!

I hope this post was an encouragement to you. I apologize that it did not come out sooner to possibly be a greater help to you in decorating for Christmas. Thank you to each and every person who reads my posts, shares them with others, and takes time to comment. You are a blessing to me!

I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas! I hope that all is calm, all is bright in your home this season.

-Ashley

Personal Disclosure

As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.

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