I love this time of year. There is just a special kind of quiet magic in this season of cozy holiday preparations. It slips in when you are fluffing a wreath, lighting a candle, or tying a ribbon that you hope will make someone smile the moment they walk through your front door. I always say that holiday hosting is not about perfection or performance. It is about layering simple touches that whisper welcome and warmth. A Beautymaker knows that the heart of hosting is not in the grandeur but in the gentle details that say you were thought of. A simple sprig of green clipped from your evergreen shrub outside your front door can make you pause and exhale. We at Interior Delights hope that this blog post inspires you to create an intentionally cozy and inviting home, so you can welcome people in at the drop of a hat.
When I think about it, each season I find myself returning to the same ritual. I put on my favorite Christmas playlist, make a warm drink and walk around the house looking for the places where a little beauty could settle in. Sometimes all it takes is a ribbon, a candle, or a moment of intention to transform a room from everyday to magical. And this year, I want to share one of the easiest and most charming details you can add to your home for the holidays: wreaths hung with velvet ribbon on your kitchen or hutch cabinets.
I get asked constantly how I attach my ribbons so neatly. Here is how I do it. Start by choosing a 2” wide red velvet ribbon and cut a piece about twice the length of your arm. Slip one end through the wire frame on the back of your wreath. Bring the ends of the ribbon together and tie a simple knot at the very top. This knot is your anchor. Open your cabinet door and place the knot at the top edge, then gently close the door so the ribbon is secure between the cabinet and the frame. If you open this cabinet frequently, add a small tack on the inside top of the door and loop the knot over it so nothing comes tumbling down mid-recipe. Once the wreath is hanging, take a second piece of ribbon that is shorter than the first and tie a full soft bow around the hanging ribbon. Let the ends trail down freely. Velvet always falls gracefully and makes even the simplest wreath feel luxurious. Make a cup of tea, step back and admire the way one small detail has created a moment of holiday charm.
Once I start adding ribbons to the cabinets I always find myself inspired to continue adding small touches throughout the home. These little moments of beauty are what make guests feel something when they walk in. They may not comment on each detail, but they will feel the warmth they create.
One of my favorite holiday hosting secrets is placing flameless candles around the house on timers. As soon as dusk settles in the candles begin to glow, giving each room that soft peaceful shimmer without me having to run around turning switches or worrying about flames. They flicker so realistically that people often ask if they can blow them out. When I use remote flameless candles, especially on shelves or in wreaths, I can create a magical ambiance with almost no effort. The beauty happens for me and I simply get to enjoy it. Hosting should feel like that. It should feel peaceful enough for the hostess too.
Another small touch that makes gatherings feel thoughtful is layering textures. Cozy blankets draped over chairs, woven baskets filled with greenery, or a doughbowl of shiny ornament balls placed casually on the coffee table can all bring seasonal charm without clutter. One of my favorite tricks is filling a bowl with red berry sprays and tucking a flameless tea light inside. The glow through the berries looks like something out of a storybook and it takes less than two minutes to create.
If you love the idea of making guests feel special, think about the spaces they move through first. The entryway, the powder room, and the kitchen island are usually where people stop, freshen up, or congregate. A small wreath tied with velvet ribbon on the powder room mirror, a tiny red and white striped vase with greenery next to the soap pump, or a flameless candle on a tray beside the hand towels makes even utilitarian spaces feel tended to. These are the details no one expects but everyone remembers.
This year I added a tradition that my children love. Before each gathering I place a bowl of chocolate bon bons on the coffee table with a tiny card that reads, “Enjoy a sweet, my sweet”. Beauty does not have to be serious. It can be playful and cozy and lighthearted too.
When you are preparing for holiday hosting remember that a Beautymaker does not aim for a perfect home. A Beautymaker aims for a loved home. A home where people can relax, breathe deeper, and feel welcomed the moment they step inside. Use what you already have. Add one special new thing if it makes you happy. Put a candle where the light catches. There is no right way to create a home that feels beautiful at Christmas. There is only your way.
On the day of your gathering, give yourself an hour to prepare the house and ten minutes to prepare your heart. Turn on the candles, fluff the pillows, straighten the ribbon tails and then pause. Light an actual candle if you wish and whisper a small prayer over your home. I always hope that whoever enters my door will feel rest and joy in their spirit. And I hope that in the busyness of the season I never miss the beauty that is already here.
Holiday hosting is simply the art of taking what you have and adding a touch of warmth. It is handing someone a mug of cocoa before they ask. It is tying a bow even when you are tired because it will make someone smile tomorrow morning. It is remembering that beauty made with intention can soften the world in ways we may never know.
My wish for you this season is that your home feels like a haven. That you will create beauty not to impress but to bless. And that every ribbon you tie and every candle you set out will remind you that you are crafting something meaningful. You are a Beautymaker and the world needs more of what you bring to it!
