November can be a tough month to decorate for. I think we all can agree that we’re ready for the twinkling trees and garland and the magic of Christmas, but some of us might not be ready to let go of our pumpkins quite yet. It’s hard to know exactly when is the right timing to transition everything. Some say fall goes away as soon as November 1st rolls around, and others wait until after Thanksgiving to pull out the Christmas decor. There’s no right or wrong timing either way, and honestly I hope you’re doing whatever brings you the most joy and peace. BUT rarely do I see people decorate for both. Let’s talk about this!
I personally like the challenge of mixing both fall and winter seasons together during this month. Putting together a bundle of winter greens in a vase with heirloom pumpkins scattered below sounds so unique and pretty. How about a winter garland with a touch of fall leaves mixed in? So lovely! I find my inspiration for mixing both simply in the landscape happening all around us outside. Although the calendar says otherwise, the seasons change gradually and are perfectly intertwined as we say goodbye to fall and enter into winter. So that’s what I try to accomplish in my home during this month as well.
I do understand that it can be difficult to decorate for both if you aren’t a super creative or visual person. Some of us need tangible ways to accomplish this idea. So here’s what I say do – keep your dining room table and front porch fall/thanksgiving, while decorating everything else for winter. As we get closer to December, you can slowly begin to add in your Christmas touches, but my suggestion is to keep everything very winter-seasonal, and then as Thanksgiving passes you can finish everything off with your Christmas holiday decor.
Here are some examples
- Put up your tree and lights, but try adding fall inspired ribbon and a family “give thanks” activity on it instead (add the Christmas ornaments after Thanksgiving).
- Hang garland on your mantle, but wait to hang the stockings.
- Add winter greenery to your coffee table or entryway table, and include little white pumpkins around it.
- Decorate your banister with greenery and garland, but add the lights and ribbon and bells after Thanksgiving.
Like I mentioned above, there’s no right or wrong way to decorate for this month. I hope you do whatever brings you joy and makes the most sense for your family, but these are just a few ways I like to decorate for both!
