Seasonal Sentiments December 2025 Rewind

How did we get here already?

It feels like we were just welcoming this year, and somehow we’re already standing at the finish line.

The months flew by in the way they always do—full of busy days, meaningful moments, and plenty of little details that made 2025 one to remember.

Before we officially turn the page and jump into a brand-new year, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for being here, for reading along, and for welcoming us into your home every week.

We want you to know how excited we are to start 2026 with you by our sides!

But, before we do,

I have some exciting news to share!

I submitted pictures of our living room tree in the Cottages and Bungalows magazine tree contest.

And we made it into the top 24!

The tree with the most votes will be featured in their 2026 Christmas print issue!

Being published in a magazine would be a dream come true, and you could help make it a reality!

Please click this link to visit the voting page and cast a vote for us!

Thank you so much!

Now, let’s rewind December!

Here are a few highlights from our home and behind the scenes.

WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN December

Half Bath remodel update

We made some great progress on the half bath just in time for Christmas!

Before our family arrived, Rich tackled a lot—he added the crown molding, painted the space, and installed the new cabinet, counter, sink, faucet, light fixture, and mirror.

While it’s definitely not finished (or pretty) yet, it was at least fully functional for guests, which felt like a huge win.

And yes… the toilet paper is sitting on the counter.

That’s not a bold new design trend—it’s simply because we still need to add the picture frame molding, and I refused to let Rich install the toilet paper holder until that’s done.

One step at a time, right?

Prepared for Christmas

While Rich was squeezing in bathroom work whenever he had a spare minute, I was busy preparing our home to host family for Christmas—and let’s just say it was a full-on festive operation.

There was a lot of decorating (five full trees, one half tree hanging on the wall, and two small tabletop trees… because apparently that’s a perfectly reasonable number), along with cleaning, wrapping gifts, meal planning, and all the other behind-the-scenes details that come with hosting.

Here are some spaces we didn’t have time to share on the blog.

The eat-in kitchen is decorated in a gingerbread theme.

The foyer mirror showcases the monogram I bought at Renninger’s in November (I spray-painted it white).

Here’s our family tree with all of our favorite and sentimental ornaments and a fun topper!

All of it was done with Christmas music playing on repeat, of course.

And in the middle of the hustle, Griffin and Harrison squeezed in a fun family tradition—decorating gingerbread houses… or should I say a log cabin and a castle.

Enjoyed Family Time

Having family here for Christmas was truly the best part of the season.

It meant so much to have my dad, brother, oldest son, and youngest son (who’s been here since Thanksgiving) all together under one roof.

One highlight was a park day at Hollywood Studios with Rich and the boys.

The weather could not have been more perfect, and we had such a great time soaking it all in.

Taking them to Oga’s Cantina was a definite win—especially since they’re all big Star Wars fans.

Another treat was giving myself one night off from cooking and taking everyone to dinner at ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort (highly recommend for feeding a hungry crew!).

And on the drive home, we got to view lots of amazing Christmas light displays!

The rest of the week was filled with cooking everyone’s favorite meals, baking cookies, playing board and video games, and settling in to watch all the Christmas movies we love.

It was a really special week… minus the minor detail that I came down with a cold and am now battling a sinus infection.

Thank goodness no one else got it!

WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN December

December was a little quieter on the blog than usual—and honestly, that was by design.

We took some time off to enjoy the holidays and be fully present with family, which felt really good.

Here are the posts we shared, in case you missed any.

DIY

• We shared how to dry orange slices and used them to decorate the house for Christmas. If you missed it, check this out because you can use them to make a simmer pot or potpourri for any time of the year!

Decor

• Looking for a budget-friendly way to decorate? Learn how to repurpose the same wreath every year!
• If you adore burgundy as much as I do, you have to see the Christmas decor in our dining room!
• We set up a hot chocolate bar for Christmas week, but we enjoyed it so much that we’re leaving it out for winter!
• Having guests over tonight? It’s not too late to incorporate some of our New Year’s Eve decor ideas!

Organization

• There weren’t any organization posts in December, but we’ll definitely be getting back to that in the new year. January always feels like the perfect time for fresh starts and simple resets, and I can’t wait to dive back into all things organization with you.

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB

I enjoy sharing things that caught my eye online this month.

I hope they are helpful to you!.

These are the kinds of links that make you stop scrolling, spark a little inspiration, or get you thinking about the year ahead—from organizing ideas and decorating trends to habits we’re all hoping to stick with a little longer this time around.

• Have you ever wondered when most people take down their Christmas decorations? Click here to find out what most people actually do!
• One of my goals for this year is to read more books! (I read all the time but tend to read the books I love over and over again, and I want to change that.) So I’m starting with this book list from my friend!
• 5 Storage New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Stick to in 2026
• The 14 Interior Trends We’ll All Be Decorating With in 2026 – Expect More Color, More Print, and Plenty More Personality
• 14 Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Last All Year, According to Experts

FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS

With a new year arriving tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to start sprinkling in a little seasonal cheer again—and Valentine’s Day is the perfect place to start.

I’ve been spotting so many cute Valentine’s decor pieces at Target this year.

Think simple pops of pink and red that feel cheerful without taking over your whole home.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Heart Serving Platter | Bow Candle Holder | Bow Wine Stopper

Bow Cocktail Napkins | Hearts Name Card Holder | Glass Decanter with Red Dots

Marble Heart Cheese Board | Espresso Cup | Heart Dip Bowl

Scallop Table Runner | Bow Cheese Tool Set | Scallop Cake Stand

Weekly tasks to organize your home this year

I wanted to take a minute to share a little update about how we’ll be approaching home organization this year.

You won’t be seeing our usual seasonal home-organization challenge posts anymore—and that’s simply because I’ve organized every space in our home already!

Moving forward, I’ll be tweaking those systems as real life changes and sharing what’s working (and what I’ve adjusted) along the way.

This year, the bigger focus will be on DIY home improvement projects, but don’t worry—organization isn’t going anywhere.

I’m considering writing posts that share pictures of how other people organize their homes, rather than just showing you ours!

If you have thoughts you want to share, email me. I’d love to hear them!

Each month in our rewind newsletter, I’ll continue to share simple weekly organization tasks you can tackle at your own pace.

No pressure, no overwhelm—just one small area at a time.

During the winter months, we focus on the working spaces of our home, and January is all about the kitchen and laundry rooms.

Here’s how we’ll break it down:

• Week 1- Countertops and Appliances
• Week 2- Refrigerator/Freezer
• Week 3- Cabinets and Drawers
• Week 4- Pantry
• Week 5- Laundry Room

POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES

If you’re easing out of the holidays and looking for a little fresh inspiration, these are a few favorites from the blog archives that feel especially fitting this time of year.

Whether you’re ready to refresh your decor, try a simple DIY, or reset some routines, these posts are worth a look.

Decor

Winter Decor Ideas that don’t look like Christmas– Simple ways to keep your home cozy and seasonal without all the red and green.

DIY

Simple reversible DIY clay heart garland– An easy DIY that works for Valentine’s Day and beyond (because we love decor that can do double duty).

Organize

Organize Your Life to be Healthy and Happy– Gentle, practical tips to help you create routines that support both your home and your well-being.

Closing Thoughts

As we step into 2026, we want you to know how thankful we are that you’re here and choosing to join us for another year.

It truly means more than you know.

We’re so excited for what’s ahead—new ideas, new projects, and lots of simple ways to love your home a little more.

Thank you for being part of this community, and here’s to a happy, healthy, and inspired year together.

Cheers to 2026!

Blessings, Donna and Rich