Cultivating Happiness at Home Through the Holidays

The holiday season is a magical time filled with family gatherings, festive cheer, and cherished traditions. Yet, for many, it can also bring about stress, overwhelming to-do lists, and a sense of losing oneself in the hustle and bustle. The key to truly enjoying the holidays lies in finding peace—outwardly and within yourself. When you cultivate inner calm, you become a source of light and joy for those around you.

Let’s explore how you can create peace, nurture joy, and inspire calm in your life and home this holiday season.

1. Be at Peace with Yourself

The foundation of holiday peace begins with self-acceptance and gratitude. This is a time to reflect on all you’ve accomplished, the lessons you’ve learned, and the love you’ve given and received throughout the year.

  • Practice Self-Compassion: Release the need for perfection. It’s okay if the turkey isn’t Instagram-worthy or you didn’t get through every item on your gift list. People will remember the warmth you bring to your gatherings.

  • Daily Mindfulness: Start your mornings with quiet reflection. Light a candle, like the Luxe Noir or Élégant candle, to set the tone for your day. Let its soothing scent remind you to breathe deeply and center yourself.

  • Gratitude Journaling: Write down three things you’re grateful for every day-something I have been practicing to keep my inner peace. Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s meaningful.

Being at Peace and having gratiude

2. Be a Positive Light to Others

When you radiate positivity, you uplift everyone around you. The holidays are the perfect time to share your light with kindness and thoughtfulness.

  • Offer Simple Acts of Kindness: Send a heartfelt note to a friend, pay for the person behind you in line at the coffee shop, or bake cookies for a neighbor. Small gestures create ripple effects of joy.

  • Be Present: Instead of worrying about what’s next, truly engage with those around you. Listen intently, laugh deeply, and cherish the moment.

  • Create Comforting Spaces for Connection: Set the mood for your gatherings with intentional decor and warm lighting. My candles, like those in the Mini Discovery Candle Set, are a simple way to make any space feel welcoming and serene.

3. Find Peace, Joy, and Calm in Your Surroundings

Your environment plays a vital role in how you feel. By creating a sanctuary at home, you’ll have a place to recharge and escape from holiday chaos.

  • Declutter and Simplify: A clutter-free home helps clear your mind. Donate items you no longer need and embrace simplicity in your decor.

  • Incorporate Calming Scents: The right fragrance can transform your space. The soothing blend of bergamot and matcha or vetiver and vanilla from The Belfong Candle Collection can evoke feelings of calm and relaxation, making your home a true haven.

  • Celebrate Your Uniqueness: Add personal touches to your holiday decor that reflect your story, whether it’s heirloom ornaments, handmade wreaths, or photos of loved ones. These elements make your house a home.

4. Inspire Others by Living Authentically

Peace begins with embracing who you were created to be. When you live authentically, you inspire others to do the same. This holiday season, use your creativity to design a life and home that reflect your uniqueness.

  • Host with Intention: Instead of worrying about impressing guests, focus on making them feel at ease. A thoughtfully curated tablescape, soft music in the background, or the cozy glow of candles can create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

  • Express Yourself Through Design: Your home is a canvas for your personality. Whether it’s a vibrant pop of color or a serene monochrome palette, let your decor choices reflect your essence.

  • Celebrate Community: Invite friends and family to join you in simple, meaningful traditions. Share your holiday playlist, enjoy a candlelit dinner, or cozy up for a movie night with hot cocoa.

Embracing the Gift of Peace

The holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about connection, gratitude, and joy. By cultivating inner peace, being a beacon of positivity, and creating a serene space to call home, you’ll find the true magic of the season.

This year, let’s make peace the greatest gift we give ourselves and others. Let the gentle glow of a candle remind you that no matter how busy life gets, calm and joy are always within reach.

From my home to yours, I wish you a holiday season filled with love, light, and peace.

Are you using these 15 tips to bring the Christmas spirit into your home?

1. Tie your throw pillows with holiday ribbon to resemble a gift for Christmas decor.

2. Hang up a string and clothespin your greeting cards along the line all month long.

3. Place white ornaments and silver metallic votives on top of red doilies to create a dramatic effect.

Christmas ornaments on table

4. Place a bunch of candy canes in a clear vase for a cute and easy decoration.

5. Have any neat branches outside? Pick them and spray paint them silver and gold for elegant and vintage reminiscent decor.

6. Don’t have Christmas stockings? Buy some large sized holiday socks to hang from the mantel!

7. Fill a vase with cranberries and water for an elegant centerpiece.

8. Use wrapping paper as holiday art in simple frames.

9. Take a bunch of old wine bottle and spray paint them in holiday colors and fill them with twigs for a stunning mantel display.

10. Fill clear vases with water you tint with food coloring in holiday colors and float a votive! Great centerpiece!

11. Wrap your front door to look like a Christmas present!

12. For your dining table centerpiece, try a runner with round glass ornaments spread down the length. Quick & Easy!

13. Instead of nametags for guests at the table, create cookies and write their names in icing to place at their setting!

holiday cookies

14. Add garland to your staircase with lights and ornaments!

15. Use candelabras and place decorative round ball ornaments on top in a cluster for a great centerpiece. 

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Master The Art Of Christmas Mantle Decor With These 5 Tips

If you have a fireplace you know it is an architectural feature and is one of the focal points to your room. It should also be a focal point to your Christmas decorations, however there is no need to go overboard on decorations. Keep these tips in mind when you are decorating your fireplace mantel for Christmas.

1. Create a Theme or Style. If you are trying to achieve a modern Christmas look keep it simple with a few statement pieces. For example, you can get 3 or 5 clear, round glass jars filled with ornaments and spread them across your mantle by placing the tallest jars on the ends. 

Red_Christmas_Ornaments

If you are going for a more classic, traditional Christmas decor use items that are timeless and ornate. For example you can drape fresh, pine garland across the length of your mantle wrapped with white Christmas lights or a decorated wreath above your mantle to achieve an elegant and festive look.

Christmas Mantle

2. Add Personalization. The beauty of decorating your mantle is that it allows you to add your personal touch. Personalize your mantle with monogram stockings or add 1-2 festive picture frames of your family.

3. Use Variation. For visual interest use items that vary in height, color, or texture. For example, if you are using candles choose 3 or 5 candles with different heights. If you are placing green garland across your mantle, accent it with small ornaments that hang down or tie fabric ribbons for contrast.

4. Use Odd Numbers. A rule of thumb when you are accessorizing is to use odd numbers to add appeal. Place one statement piece in the middle of your mantle or use groupings of 3 or 5 objects for visual interest. 

5. Be Consistent.  Decorating and designing is like telling a story. Your fireplace mantle decorations have to flow with the Christmas decor throughout your home, make sure there is a connection. For example, if your Christmas tree is decorated with white lights and all red ornaments be sure to add at least 1 or 2 red colored items to your mantle.


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