There’s something you must know about me: I turn into Buddy the Elf at Christmastime. Especially in recent years ’round these parts, fall has become this confusing season full of 80 degree days that immediately give way to ridiculously cold winters. There doesn’t seem to be any time to enjoy an actual autumn, so I say we just skip it and get right to the good stuff!

When we had kids, Christmas became an even more special time, and my husband and I try to make it as special for them (and us!) as possible. Although there are dozens of things we can and used to do to celebrate, the sad truth is there aren’t enough hours in the day. Our three kids are super busy which means our impromptu drives to look at lights while leisurely sipping hot cocoa aren’t as easy to pull off these days. So instead of trips and stuff, I’ve turned my attention making our home as cozy as possible. It’s that feeling of safety, security, warmth, and joy that our kids will take with them wherever they go in the future, and that makes all the work worth it for me. Here are some things I do to make our home cozy at Christmas. 

 

Decorate Together 

Yes, I force everyone to help. Yes, the teenage people tire of it quicker than they should because they’re lame. But also yes, everyone still stumbles into the heart of the home once everything is done and there’s a quiet joy that washes over us. Or maybe it’s exhaustion? At any rate, we unbox those adorable homemade ornaments they made in preschool and take a stroll down memory lane. We always do the tree together–it’s one of my favorite traditions! We deck the halls, hang mistletoe that my son avoids because BOYS, and blast Christmas music for hours. 

 

Invest In Blankets And Cushions 

Nothing says cozy quite like a big pile of soft blankets and plush cushions, and they’re a great way to invite the kids to stay in the living room instead of holed up in their bedrooms. Throw on your family’s favorite Christmas movies for kids to watch and relax and enjoy one another. Pro tip: bake something, they’ll stay longer. And let’s be honest, it’s just fun glancing over at the sofa throughout the day and seeing festive patterns…on the floor because children are physically incapable of keeping pillows and blankets on the furniture. I don’t understand it, but it’s science.

 

Create A Hot Drink Station

The winter cold and I are NOT friends. Enter: hot drinks. Drink stations are just good fun, and super easy to pull off. Grab those festive-looking mugs you only use one month out of the year, and stock the place with all the ingredients they’ll need. For kids, hot chocolate or spiced ciders with whipped cream, marshmallows, or bits of chocolate. For adults, mulled wine or a hot toddy with a cinnamon stick or served in a rimmed glass mug. Not only is it cozy, but the drinks make your home smell super Christmassy! Speaking of which…

 

Ditch the Scented Candles

You don’t have to spend a bunch of money on candles. Get yourself a simmer pot and fill the house with amazing smells for a fraction of the price! Boil cinnamon, vanilla, lemons, oranges, cloves, and so many other combinations. Not only does it smell divine, but it warms the house and puts humidity back in the air which my old lady skin appreciates.