Goodbye December Hello January (Decor and More)
Hello friends and Happy New Year! Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, where each week, I like to highlight a different theme or topic to inspire you. Yes, it’s that time of year where we’re looking back on our accomplishments and looking ahead to the future. If you’re like me, you probably already have a list of goals…for yourself and your home. Today, I’m sharing some of my ideas. Join me, as we say Goodbye December, Hello January!
*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Goodbye December Hello January:
From Merry Christmas to Happy New Year…
Like many of you, the end of December was a whirlwind for me. Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities, shopping, decorating and all the family time, I felt like I was going non-stop! Since I didn’t get to share a few things, I’ll share them now.
December Entertaining…
Before Christmas, I hosted some friends for cocktails and made this cute Christmas tree pinwheel appetizer! Though, I can’t take the credit for creating it. At the last minute, I was searching for a Christmas appetizer and this one conveniently popped up in my Facebook feed! If you want the recipe for next Christmas, head over to my friend, Jen’s blog – Midwest Life and Style.
December Travel…
If you follow me, you know that we head up to Vermont as much as we can. In mid-December, I spent a couple days skiing with my older son in Killington and visiting Woodstock. Even though there was plenty of snow on the mountain, there wasn’t much left in the towns. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Woodstock, Vermont at Christmas time!
From the iconic Woodstock Inn to the cute shops in town, Woodstock was bursting with Christmas cheer!
And a trip to Woodstock, Vermont is not complete without a shopping trip to Farmhouse Pottery!
If you want to see more pictures and videos from this Vermont visit, head over to my Instagram reels and enjoy!
December Decorating Ideas that Didn’t Make the Blog…
Since my trip to Vermont threw off my decorating and blogging schedule, I didn’t finish sharing the rest of my Christmas decor. Here are a couple shots that didn’t make my Christmas Home Tour.
This year, I didn’t put a tree up in my foyer…just my dining room and living room. Sometimes, I get motivated to add the 3rd one but it didn’t happen this year. I must say, cleanup went a lot faster without it!
Speaking of Christmas trees, for the first time EVER, we didn’t get a real tree for our living room! Between the trip to Vermont and several rainy days when I returned, it just never happened. At first, I was happy to just put up a fake tree but then I felt sad afterwards. Normally, “tree day” is a family tradition and it made me realize how much I love our traditions! Oh well! Next year, I’ll have to plan more efficiently!
Before We Say Goodbye December, Hello January, Let’s Look Back at 2023…
Last week, I did a review of my blog analytics and shared my Top 10 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2023! Each year, I find it interesting to see which blog posts are popular with readers. Plus, looking back helps me plan my content for the new year.
Besides reader favorites, I always enjoy sharing my favorites for the year. This week, stop by the blog to see what projects I enjoyed sharing most in 2023!
Goodbye December Hello January Decorating:
Simple decorating for the winter months…
Once you put away all the Christmas decorations, your house can feel a little bare. I know mine does. So, each year I like to decorate with some simple accessories. Recently, I found this snow scene art on sale at Target. For winter decorating, I thought it was perfect so I styled my mantel around it. Unfortunately, that exact art print is already sold out but I found all these black and white alternatives.
For more winter decorating ideas, read – Winter White Decorating Ideas to Start the New Year.
Hello January – Book Goals for the New Year:
If reading more is one of your New Year’s resolutions, here are some ideas…
Occassionally, on my blog and Instagram, I share book recommendations. Sometimes, I write a whole review and other times I mention on social media what I’m currently reading.
Just this week on my Instagram stories, I shared this photo of my latest stack of books. Over the next few months, I plan to read all of them. As always, I like a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. When I surveyed my Instagram followers, the most popular books from my pile were The Nightingale and The Things We Cannot Say. Are any of these books on your reading list for the new year? Please feel free to leave me a comment on any!
The Second Mrs. Astor / The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Colin Powell – It Worked for Me / The Nightingale / The Five-Star Weekend / The Things We Cannot Say / Limitless / Malibu Rising
January Shopping Finds:
After a month of buying gifts for others, buy something for yourself…or your home…
Isn’t it exciting when new products start showing up online? Since I love decorating with white pitchers, this new white pitcher caught my eye!
The basket weave is so classic and would look gorgeous on a spring table!
If pantry organization is on your list of January goals, I recommend these inexpensive plastic bins which also have a woven design. Not only do they come in a variety of sizes but they can be wiped down, unlike natural woven baskets.
If you want to see how I use them in my home, read – Storage Bins to Keep You Organized.
If you want to start adding color into your home, this pretty blue and white pillow is a great place to start!
For even more ways to say Goodbye December, Hello January, here are some finds from around the internet:
- If you’d like to learn about design trends for 2024, watch this Instagram reel!
- For a fun winter craft idea, make these faux snowballs!
- To start planning the new year, here is a free printable watercolor calendar!
- After you pack away your Christmas decor, decorate with these winter ideas!
- If eating healthy is one of your New Year goals, here is a list of super foods for 2024!
As always, I hope we inspired you with all these creative projects and ideas for 2024! Cheers to the New Year!
Here are a few more ways to decorate your home for the new year…
- January Home Decor Ideas
- Winter Decorating with Pine Cones and Candles
- Simple and Cozy Winter Tablescape
- January Decorating Inspiration (Simple & Cozy Ideas)
How do you plan to welcome January?
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Your trip to Vermont sounds amazing! And you took such beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing my faux snowball post. It is currently snowing buckets in Nebraska so the faux snowballs have some company!
Thanks Missy! Your snowball idea is adorable… Enjoy the snowstorm today!
Happy New Year Shelley! You have lots of great ideas to explore. I took a little blogging break, but I’m ready now to get into winter!
Thanks Michelle! Time to start fresh in the new year! Welcome back!
Happy New Year, Shelley! I hope it’s off to a good start. Thank you so much for sharing my pinwheel appetizer. I’m so glad it was a hit!
Thanks Jen! Like I said, it was perfect timing when I found your recipe! Loved it! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Shelley! That little town looks SO quaint and cute! So many fun ideas in this post!!
Thanks Rachel! Yes, Woodstock is a must see on a trip to Vermont!
Oh my goodness – I love Farmhouse Pottery. I could spend a pretty penny in that store. Thank you for sharing your post with the Home Imagined Link Party.
Thanks Anna! Yeah, the store is pretty amazing!