By Lesley Myrick

Let’s start with a little confession. This might surprise you because I’m an interior designer, but there are three design-related things I straight-up won’t do: party planning, tablescaping and holiday decorating.
I love the holidays, and I love to decorate, so what gives? Why am I such a Scrooge about having a house full of tiny Santas?
For many people, the holiday season is the singular time of year they actually get excited about putting some effort into their home decor. They unbox wreaths and wrapping paper, tinsel and tree skirts. They deck the halls — quite literally — and create a seasonal wonderland in their living rooms. And, admittedly, I do enjoy the festive feeling that all this effort results in — when it’s in someone else’s home.
As a general rule of thumb, I lean toward minimalism in my decor. Not in an extreme way; I never want my home to feel like a museum. (And let’s be real, even if I was into that aesthetic it wouldn’t be possible with two young kids around!)
I strongly believe interior designer WIlliam Morris had it right when he famously quoted, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Boxes of holiday decorations collecting dust in my attic for 11 months of the year aren’t terribly useful to me, and often I find the sheer volume of bits and bobs inside more annoying than alluring. I need a spiked eggnog just to get started.
There are a lot of real costs to the Pinterest-worthy holiday decorating we feel pressured to emulate. Consider how much time and effort goes into it; I know that it’s a huge undertaking to overhaul your home decor just for a short season. The need to purchase storage boxes (and find somewhere to store those bulky boxes for the rest of the year) has obvious financial implications. For me, the visual clutter of decorations adds stress to an already busy season and, honestly, gives me a little anxiety.
I’m not saying you swing the pendulum completely in the other direction and forgo holiday decorating altogether, but if decking the halls is majorly stressing you out, there is another way.
What are we really after when we decorate for the holidays? We want to experience magic. We want to capture the playfulness and joy we remember from childhood. We want it to feel like the holidays.
There’s another way to capture all the holiday feels without installing reindeer inflatables on your front lawn. You don’t need Rudolph to get you in the Christmas spirit! Rather than throwing together a holiday-themed assault on the senses, focus on decorating with items that bring warmth, sparkle, coziness and connection to your home.
Creating a festive ambiance for your family relies on more than just visuals; it involves all five senses. Let the sounds, smells, touches and tastes of the season wrap up you and your loved ones like a holiday hug.
What do the holidays sound like to you? Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé might be able to help with that. My personal favorite holiday sounds are from Mannheim Steamroller’s 1984 album, aptly titled “Christmas.” The first chord of “Deck the Halls” instantly transports me back to childhood. Digital Christmas music doesn’t take up any space on your mantel, and undeniably makes it feel like you’re living in a Hallmark movie.
How about holiday smells and tastes? Pine, wood-burning fires and pumpkin pie feel like a cozy December evening to me, so I like to introduce those scents by burning candles, diffusing essential oils and baking pies with my kids. If baking isn’t your thing, a mug of warm apple cider or a simple splash of peppermint mocha creamer in your morning coffee can evoke serious holiday nostalgia.
What materials make you feel all cozy and cuddly? Chunky knit blankets, faux-fur pillows and fabrics with a hint of sparkle bring the hygge vibes for sure. Drape a festive blanket over the back of your sofa and add a seasonal throw pillow for a mini room makeover that won’t take up much storage space the rest of the year.
And don’t underestimate the power of lighting to evoke a little holiday magic. Simple plug-in dimmers for your table lamps transform them from merely functional to moody and magical. Flickering candles are always welcome, and nobody hates the warm glow of a fireplace.
Combine all of the above — holiday tunes, something yummy to snack on, a warm blanket to wrap around you and ambient lighting — and I’m pretty sure you won’t be missing the clutter of your coffee table nativity scene or the headache of untangling miles of Christmas lights.
There’s no right or wrong way to decorate for the holiday season, but if it feels like a burden instead of a benefit, choosing simple sensory pleasures over the frenzy of holiday decorating might be the key to capturing the feel of the season you’ve been longing for.

Lesley Myrick is an adventurous, organized and enthusiastic interior designer who helps high-achieving moms bust out of boring homes. Contact her at lesleymyrick.com.