Making the transition from having four young children at home to eventually having no children in the house during the holiday season is challenging! It takes the empty nest to a heightened new level.
I have boxes of decorations that hold memories of the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child. But with no childlike wonder in the air, I don’t see the need to bring out the Santas and other festive collections for display. However Christmas is still a big deal in our home and my adult kids expect a festive feeling when they walk through the door.
So I balance a more sophisticated approach to the décor with a touch of whimsy by scattering elves on shelves and hanging stockings with a more decorative flair. My holiday decorating incorporates woodsy elements with colourful accents, and mixing traditional pieces with up-todate influences brought in by local florist Virginia Vince, from Bloomfields Flowers. She helps to transition my home into an enchanting space for entertaining adults with a childlike fondness for Christmases past.
Mary Taggart
