9 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE FEEL HOMEY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Once you grow up and become (kind of) an adult, it’s not unusual to move away from home. Whether you move for college, work, or your partner, moving away from home can be difficult. During the holiday season, the feeling of missing home can be accentuated. Surprisingly, you miss your dad singing dorky carols, baking Christmas cookies with your mom, decorating the house with your siblings, and make ugly Christmas sweaters with your friends. Home can sometimes feel way too far away. While there really is no place like home, there are ways to make it not feel so far away. 

1. Nostalgic decor

If you’re feeling a lil’ sad and missing your folk more than usual, it’s time to relive your childhood and bring back that 90s decor. Giant colorful turkey? Check. Ugly snowman? Check. Scary looking nutcracker? Check, check, check. And while you’re at it, find the best nostalgic decor here.

2. Declutter your house

Detoxing and cleaning can give you a sense of control and peace amongst the chaos. Having a clean home can almost make you feel like your mom cleaned it for you… just like the good ‘ol days!

3. Countdown to Christmas calendar

Did you ever have a countdown to Christmas as a family? If not, Christmas is always the biggest topic of conversation for at least two months in advance. Especially if you’re going home for the holidays, a countdown to Christmas calendar can get you excited to see your family again. If you’re a chocolate lover, find our most delicious one here and if you’re a wine lover, check this one out. 

4. Pictures of your family

You’ll miss your family a little less if you have pictures of them around the house. Get creative and find cute prints like these to decorate a wall with. Or utilize fridge space and order picture magnets to remind you of the people you miss. Pictures are a great way to remind you of fond memories and of the people you love!

5. Host a holiday party

Even though you may not be able to be around the people who know you best, hosting a holiday party is a great way to get in a festive spirit and invest in the community that is close to you. If you need some help figuring out logistics, we’ve written about Friendsgiving in our blog here.

6. Don’t be afraid to start new traditions

New place, new you! Growing up means that it’s time to start creating traditions of your own. Don’t be afraid to veer off the beaten path and do the things that bring you joy. Your tradition could be as simple as grabbing a hot chocolate and enjoying Christmas decor at the mall, or it could be choosing to buy a real tree instead of fake and decorating it in a special way.

7. Candles/pine boughs

Perhaps the thing that promotes the most homey feeling is walking through the door to a good + familiar scent. Check out these amazing candles that will give you a whiff of home. And, since winter is rolling through, gather pine boughs from trees outside and decorate your bathroom, mantlepiece, stairwell, and bedroom with these sweet smelling branches!

8. Make a family recipe and invite your friends to join

What’s more like home than walking through the door and smelling the scent of freshly baked cookies? Or that first bite of grandma’s delicious chicken soup? Bring home to you by making a family recipe. Have some friends bring one of their families most delicious recipes and enjoy a taste of home together.

9. Find an event specific to the place you live

Embrace the area you live in and find a production specific to the place you live. If you grew up in a small town, but now live in the city, find a showing of A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker! Many towns also host events like a candle lit walk, neighborhood Christmas lights, or an ice sculpting contest.

What have you done to make your new house feel like home? Share this with a friend or two who needs some love. <3