From the Front Porch: Stress Free Holiday Prep

Hello from the front porch, sweet friends and welcome to the Stress Free Holiday Prep Edition of this weekly series.

We’re excited to have you here.

Thanks so much for making us a part of your day.

How has your week been?

Recently, I was on a call with some of my favorite bloggers.

We were finalizing the details for an upcoming blog hop and chatting about how early everyone seems ready to decorate the Christmas this year.

Truly, the turnaround on social media from Halloween to Christmas was wild!

Much like last year, our holiday schedule is totally bananas this year.

While I’m excited for all the good things coming our way this season, I freely admit, decorating for the holidays can feel a bit overwhelming even under the best of circumstances.

So, over the years, I’ve learned to make it an event with a seasonal menu, drinks, music and a festive sweater or cozy pajamas.

If you go all out, get a plan together, enlist a team of helpers, and take it one room at a time until you’re finished.

If you’re in a season where you want things to feel merry without a lot of fuss, decorate the spaces that make you the happiest such as the most commonly used areas.

If you have little to no energy to decorate or will be traveling during the holidays, consider adding a few simple seasonal vignettes around the house, creating a fun hot drinks station you’ll use every day, hanging a fabulous wreath on the front door to welcome you home, or attending special events like a tree lighting, Christmas concert, themed dinners, tour of homes and cookie exchanges.

No matter how you celebrate, decide in advance what matters most to you.

It will help guide you to create the kind of Christmas you truly want to have.

A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:

• This Minneapolis new build via House Beautiful is really charming.
• Speaking of Minnesota, have you seen this gorgeous home by O’Hara Interiors yet?
• What about this stunning farmhouse from Kristina Crestin Design?
• It’s hard to believe this Historic Farmhouse via Home & Garden UK is in Pennsylvania.

Seasonal Inspiration:

• TIG has always been one of my favorite blogs and at the beginning of every holiday season, I revisit this post, Christmastime in London and Christmas in Paris from the always fabulous My French Country Home.
• This post from Maison de Cinq is filled with amazing natural Christmas decor inspiration.
• I love these 23 French Country Christmas Decor Ideas from Brocante, Ma Jolie too.
• Hoping I have time to make this beautiful star anise wreath that Cindy from Cloches and Lavender shared.
• I could get lost in Larissa’s Christmas Archives and French Country Cottage’s Christmas Archives for hours!

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• How to Make Weekends Feel Longer (via Evermuse on Substack)
• How to Calm Anxiety (via Mindful Journal on Substack)
• 16 Healthy Freezer Meals via Pinch of Yum to help you save time before the hustle and bustle of the holidays begin.

Makeup, Style and Travel Inspiration:

• How to Dry Brush Your Body (via Glamour)
• 11 Popular Pinterest Outfits to Recreate Without Buying Anything New (via My Chic Obsession-love these)
• 7 Things That Are Probably Taking Up Too Much Space in Your Closet (via Who What Wear)
• How to Spend Christmas in Paris (via CN Traveler)

Encouraging Words…

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or on The Blog Lately, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…

12 Ways to Ease Into the Holiday Season

25 Special Ways to Make the Holidays Merry and Bright

Blush and Champagne Christmas Tree

33 Simple DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

Our Best Holiday Gift Guides

Shopping Notes: Easy Stocking Stuffer Ideas…

(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

• Eye Masks (eye glow trios in a gift set)
• Liquid IV (watermelon is my favorite and we stash these everywhere including my purse)
• Mask (I use this on my reset days and wake up with dewy skin)
• Weighted Eye Mask (have and love in the pink, the pressure is light but soothing)
• Glowy Trio (I wear the starglow but I love that you can try all 3 minis)
• Brush (looking for a new brush and found this one. It’s highly rated and budget friendly)
• Toner Pads (have, love and use daily)
• Pill Organizer (I have the brown one in my purse and am frequently asked about it)
• Nail Concealer (have, love and wear the pink. I usually get around 2 weeks without chipping)
• Mascara (people ask me if my lashes are fake, but it’s this mascara. I wear the black)
• Lip Balm (recently saw this on a Top 100 list and I’m excited to try it now)
• Matcha (part of my daily routine, the packets make them travel friendly)
• Caster Oil (these products have been everywhere this year, so curious if they work)
• Fairy Trailor Polish Set (have, love and super easy to wear)
• Shadow Stick (have and love these sticks in so many colors. They’re wildly simple to use if you’re on the go, just be sure to keep them in a cool dry space.)
• Travel Kit (these kits are great for travel but the mini size makes them easy to try out, I have the 62)

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo