I’m not Decorating for Christmas, but if I was…

Behold, the 8th of December! If you’re from a fairly traditional Irish Catholic family like I am, today is the day the Christmas season really begins. What was once reserved as a Holy Day of Obligation- The Feast of the Immaculate Conception- became “Culchie Day”, where thousands of country folk would flock to Dublin for their big Christmas shop. My fellow writers at The Journal.ie have had fun with the 8th of December tropes over the years. Growing up, I was absolutely one such person.

Well, now, I hate crowds and I’m not religious. Nonetheless, the 8th of December still feels like a significant day for me as it’s always been the day my family put up our Christmas tree. And this year, for the first time in a long time, I’m home for it. And even though I’ve been home since spring, I still have most of my belongings boxed up.

Try as I might, I understand that the “creative direction” of decorating in this house should probably be reserved for the people who actually paid the mortgage…*sigh*. So my rustic, homemade, bohemian decorations that include brass Indian bells and stuff that looks straight outta Amish country won’t be making much of an appearance. Instead, my mother’s glitzier, more traditional ornaments shall deck our halls. Red and gold. Sequins. Cheerfulness.

Part of me- a BIG part- wants to do a total power grab and revamp this entire house, but I think that’s probably something most adult-kids feel when they move home (particularly those obsessed with interior design). So, instead of actually decorating, I’m just populating my snowy, cosy, { w i n t e r } wonderland Pinterest board. Is it the same? Nah. Is it nice anyway? Absolutely. And so while I’m not decorating the way I would like, I figured I’d share some of my favourite Christmas decor pics anyway, to give you an idea of what I would do if I could.

On a serious note, whether you’re decorating or not, celebrating or not, spending this time with family or separated by Covid restrictions, I hope you are are looking after yourself. This has been an incredibly difficult and lonely year for many of us. Financial struggles and family conflict can really become apparent at this time, and the strain of this year has already permeated them to the surface for many. Recognise that you need to do whatever works for you. And that just as Christmas decorating styles differ, so too can our approaches to celebrating the season.

Main image by House of Jade.