DesignNJ-Dec23Jan24-Digital Issue

PHOTO BY COURTNEY ALLISON
Inspired by a set of old wooden toy ornaments the author’s grandmother gave her
when she got married, this wee tree is covered in little toy ornaments and retro
baubles. The Santa topper also belonged to her grandmother.
Lights cast a warm glow in a holiday village set in the opening of an unused fireplace.
PHOTO BY COURTNEY ALLISON
few highlights: In September, place orders for any gifts that need personalization.
In October, choose charitable causes to support. In November,
start to give gifts to neighbors around Thanksgiving rather than waiting
until the final busy weeks of the season. In December, “be mindful, be
present, focus on the people, smile, enjoy.”
If you’ve ever wanted fresh ideas on how to decorate your Christmas
tree, you’ll find plenty of them in a chapter titled “25 Inspiring Trees,”
featuring full size and detail photos ranging from sophisticated to rustic,
blown glass to floral, traditional to modern and everything in between.
In the chapter “All Through the House,” Allison encourages readers to
spread Christmas throughout their homes, but not necessarily with a tree
in every room. “It might be a sprig of pine tied to the sconces or a small
wreath or bit of garland draped over a mirror,” she writes. “It is more
about keeping that feeling of Christmas throughout the house so that, as
you walk through, the feeling continues beyond the main living space.”
When entertaining for the holidays, ambience is as important as the
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