My holiday decorating style has changed a little bit since my kids have grown up and left the house… but not a lot. 

I often talk with friends and family about why I still decorate so much when it’s just me and my spouse at home. I. Will. Always. Decorate. It’s fun! Why not do it if you have the time, energy, and resources? It makes me happy, puts me in a good mood for the upcoming season, and gives me a chance to move my body (I keep my decorations a few flights of stairs away). Decorating as an empty nester might mean minimizing the amount of boxes you bring down from the attic but typically I say there are never too many boxes to bring down! In past years I’ve tried to recruit my kids to help bring down the Christmas boxes (all 27!), but have learned that they will run and hide at the first mention of the attic. Oh well. I’ll try again next year!

I love having the kids home over the holidays and it brings me such joy to see them come inside and recognize some of the decorations that we’ve had since their childhood. Even my hubby will come home at the end of a work day and will get a smile on his face seeing the house in a whole new way!

There’s nothing like being home for the holidays. If it makes you happy, I encourage you to decorate your space for the next season and see what new life it breathes into your space.

Here are some pictures of how I decorated for fall this year. Stay tuned for Christmas!