Black and white illustration of two Christmas bells with a bow and evergreen branches.

The New Nostalgia: A Guide to Holiday Decorating

by Dianne O'Connor

Our holiday décor is centered around the new nostalgia, a collection designed to deliver the intersection of heirloom quality and modern life. We intend for it to spark sentimental affection for the past while delivering modern functionality in a season  we deck the halls, enhance the feasting table, and inspire children's imaginations. The tips in this guide are shared to help make it easy to enjoy the season and have your home filled with intention, meaning, and heart.

Decorate with Heart

Each holiday season, we look at the ornaments that we’ve collected over a half century and use some of them to create festive decor in the rooms where we will be spending the most time together. One of the simplest things, and one that makes a big impact, is to use beautiful handmade in Vermont Simon Pearce hand blown glass or Italian made MATCH Pewter bowls and fill them with an assortment of ornaments and place them on the mantle, the coffee table, or as centerpieces on the dining table. This is such an easy way to bring that festive holiday decor to many rooms in your home and have it mean something for those present and those who we want to remember during the holiday season.

GIF image of rotating holiday ornaments.
Christmas ornament of a fireplace with stockings on a decorated tree.

Each year, I add a new ornament to the tree or mantel from the Wilhelm Schweizer Pewter holiday collection. Each hand painted ornament is made in Germany, and is part of a Bavarian tradition that dates back to 1796. When I add a piece, I almost always choose an ornament that will delight a particular person in my family. I cherish these ornaments delight in knowing that they will be enjoyed by my children and future grand children.

Set of three Christmas ornaments featuring a child on skis, a child on a sled with a fox, and Santa Claus with a dog.

A Few of Our Favorite

William Schweitzer Ornaments

A storyteller angel that reminds me of my animal loving daughter.

A skier that reminds me of many years headed north to the Green Mountains with five kids and their ski gear.

A Santa with a puppy that had one of my children wondering why our dogs don’t bark when Santa comes down the chimney.

Smell Like Christmas

The sense of smell is closely linked to memory. Holiday decor would be incomplete without scents of the season. From luxury Trudon candles hand poured by a company that provided King Louis XIV candles to scent Versailles, to our vintage wrapping paper inspired candles, to classic Voyage et Cie seasonal scents that bring the glorious scents of evergreens and holiday baking inside, discover scents that will enhance your holiday decor and make it part of your holiday signature.

Decorative candle with gold emblem on a surface with antlers and other objects in the background

Smell Like Christmas

The sense of smell is closely linked to memory. Holiday decor would be incomplete without scents of the season. From luxury Trudon candles hand poured by a company that provided King Louis XIV candles to scent Versailles, to our vintage wrapping paper inspired candles, to classic Voyage et Cie seasonal scents that bring the glorious scents of evergreens and holiday baking inside, discover scents that will enhance your holiday decor and make it part of your holiday signature.

Collection of decorative snow globes and a red lantern on a white background

Embrace Nostalgia

A little bit of kitsch goes a long way. Every family has those fun sentimental items that we decorate with that bring us back to our childhood. In my family it is the Retro Holiday Lantern - both the kids and adults love it defines nostalgia: a wintery wonderland that functions as a light and a snowglobe. We hang them in different rooms and on the covered porch to welcome guests. Snow globes, for many a collectible, are magical.

Celebrate Traditions

Traditions ground us and are worth celebrating and passing down to the next generation. My family knows when I get out the Royal Stewart tartan linens and Sabre Paris tartan flatware, that Christmas is just around the corner, and that it is time to transform the house: the smells, the colors, the decorations all root our family in the ways we have gathered to celebrate this special time of year. 

Celebrate Traditions

Traditions ground us and are worth celebrating and passing down to the next generation. My family knows when I get out the Royal Stewart tartan linens and Sabre Paris tartan flatware, that Christmas is just around the corner, and that it is time to transform the house: the smells, the colors, the decorations all root our family in the ways we have gathered to celebrate this special time of year. 

Collection of plaid items including a blanket, pillow, and stockings with decorative bunting.

Seasonal Accents

Plaid has a way of making every space feel like home. From the table to the throw, these timeless patterns invite comfort, warmth, and a touch of tradition. Hand-embroidered pillows from Coral and Tusk and knit stockings bring whimsy and warmth to holiday décor. Whether you’re curling up on the couch, enjoying a lazy morning, or wrapped up by the fireplace, our winter blankets and throws bring comfort and style to every corner.

'Tis the Season to Flora and Fauna

When I decorate for the holidays, I want to stimulate all the senses and evoke a feeling. One of the ways I do that is by bringing the outdoors in and using seasonal items collected from nature to supplement my holiday decorations. A show stopping piece for the Christmas table, the mantel, or console table is the Reindeer Pewter Sleigh Centerpiece is our best selling luxury two-piece exquisitely detailed vessel for flowers, sweets, or forest treasures such as pinecones, acorns, or evergreen cuttings.

Reindeer Sleigh Pewter Centerpiece Weston Table
Decorative table setting with a reindeer centerpiece, red roses, and greenery on a wooden table.

Let the decorating begin.

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