Blending the Old + New

Tradition

Let’s face it, the calendar can easily fill up with holiday events and before you know it you are running from one to the next trying to keep up. Instead of saying yes to all of it, sit down with your family and take an honest look at the calendar. Prioritize the events or gatherings that are most important, create margin, and leave room for unexpected fun to pop up. Our scruffy city has SO many seasonal events going on, if you are looking to add a new tradition to your holiday season - check this out. Honor the season you are in by remembering traditions from your childhood and implementing new ones that fit your current season. Some people you may want to include in new traditions: elderly neighbors, classmates, co-workers, members of a social group you are a part of.

2022 Ornament Exchange.

Idea from Jess- Invite friends over for a white elephant ornament exchange! Our friends look forward to this every year, it never disappoints. Early December, pick a night and grab a couple bottles of wine & some simple dessert. The host will provide matching gift bags & tissue paper for as many guests are coming. As each person arrives, they place their unwrapped ornament in a bag and put it under the tree. Draw numbers for the order of choosing & opening a gift. Allow each ornament to be stolen up to 3x before it is frozen, but the person who drew # 1 gets a chance to steal any opened (unfrozen) ornament at the end. It’s so fun and everyone leaves with a new ornament!

Decoration

There is no need to buy an entire array of new holiday decor every year. It’s fun to incorporate a new accent or special item every season, but your collection and taste will grow and be refined as the years go by. You may want to use more kid friendly decor while you have littles in the home, and if your household is more mature you can venture into the land of breakables and beautiful collectibles. Bringing the outside in can create a natural winter-y feel to your tablescape or mantle. If you enjoy crafting, make a simple yet festive holiday paper chain to add some whimsy to your living space.

Idea from Katie- I follow a handful of artists who create and sell hand painted ornaments each year. I anticipate the release of these collections each year, watching my email and social media for alerts becuase they often sell out quickly. This is a way to support small businesses and independent artists while slowly adding unique and meaningful pieces to my ornament collection over the years. A few I love are hand painted ceramic ornaments from artists: Cocoshalom and Lucy Reiser. Bradley’s usually carries hand painted ornaments made by Milk Moon House each year, Gather and Finch sell ornaments created by Jenny Parkhurst Designs.

Lucy Reiser Fine Art

Milk Moon House @ Bradley's

Cocoshalom Ornaments

Jenny Parkhurst Designs

Mindset

While the holidays are a time of joy & festivities, they can also bring a sadness of loved ones who are no longer present, seasons of life that are behind us, and the yearnings of our heart not yet realized. Laugh with your family and friends about memories from Christmases past and take a stroll down memory lane by looking through old photos. Be gentle to yourself and those around you - the holidays can bring a dynamic mix of emotions and memories. Take a walk, step outside, light a candle, do what you need to do to slow down in the midst of the hustle & bustle.

Idea from Taryn- Before anyone else in her house is awake, Taryn finds a spot to enjoy an Advent reading. Beginning the day in this way helps keep her heart and mind centered on what matters most. It is an act of rebellion against jumping into task mode first thing in the morning. The rest of the day may be chaotic or busy, but these quiet moments in the dark of the morning are full of stillness and calm. Advent resources to note: Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr., Advent Blocks for kids from Good Kind, The Advent Book- Heirloom Edition by Jack & Kathy Stockman, and Winter Fire: Christmas with G.K. Chesterson.

Another way to keep a healthy and grounded mindset is to focus on the needs of others. Here’s a few ways you could do that:

• Participate in Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program

• Give to the Empty Stocking Fund

• Provide gifts to the Helen Ross McNabb Dear Santa Program

• Choose from opportunities to serve seniors with the CAC Office on Aging

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Valid for any of our services, including:

• home/workplace organizing

• moving services

  • packing, unpacking, day of move coordination

• senior moves

• holiday & event prep

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Savoring the Season: Simplify Your Celebration

Hosting can be stressful. The familiar worries always seem to creep in: "Do I have enough food? Is the table set perfectly? Have I accommodated everyone? Is everyone having fun? Am I even having fun??" 

The list of worries seems never-ending, and if you've ever played the role of the host, you've likely felt the nagging sense of worry that threatens to overshadow the joy of being surrounded by our loved ones. Well I am here to remind you, a shared meal or any gathering for that matter doesn't need to be fancy or stressful – It's about connecting, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories.

Image - Texture Photo

The key to an enjoyable gathering lies in simplifying the process. You don't need to strive for perfection or overwhelm yourself with the details. Instead, focus on the privilege of being able to gather with loved ones, an experience that should never be taken for granted.

Space Planning: 

Before you start setting the table and sending out invitations, begin with a practical task that will ease the overall process. Take the time to declutter and organize your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Clear out expired snacks and consider using those bags of frozen veggies to create a hearty stew or use the frozen fruit in your holiday pie. By freeing up this space, you'll not only make the day of your gathering less stressful but also ensure there's plenty of room to store leftovers!

Help You Dwell - Organize

At a recent project, our team had the pleasure of working with a client who frequently hosts and caters to large groups. Our goal was to set up this space to streamline her collection of baking & cooking supplies within her pantry. We were able to optimize this space ensuring that everything is accessible and thoughtfully arranged, just in time for the holiday season!

Embrace what you have: 

You don't need excessive decor or an elaborate tablescape to impress your guests. When it comes to holiday decor, less is often more. Start by choosing a simple and cohesive 'scheme' for your decorations. This can be as simple as selecting a color palette or a specific theme that resonates with the holiday spirit you wish to convey.

Skip the clutter! Avoid the temptation to clutter your space with unnecessary decorations. Overloading your home with seasonal decor can not only be overwhelming to the eye but can also make hosting more complicated. My favorite simple way to decorate your holiday tablescape is to take a step outside and scavenge for wildflowers, branches or dried leaves!

Whether you collect a few branches of evergreen, arrange acorns in a glass jar, or create a centerpiece with dried leaves, the simplicity of nature can be beautiful. These elements can be easily collected, and when the festivities are over, they can be returned to the great outdoors - now that’s an easy clean up! Remember: the key to a memorable holiday gathering lies in the warmth of your hospitality and the joy of your company. Simplify your decor, relax, and enjoy the festivities.

Let your friends help you:

Don't bear the full weight of hosting on your shoulders. Instead, invite your guests to participate and share in the responsibilities. After all, everyone has a favorite dish, and every good guest wants to contribute in some way. As the host, it's perfectly acceptable to delegate tasks!

Image - Texture Photo

By involving your guests in this way, you not only reduce your personal burden but also enhance the sense of togetherness and shared accomplishment. Hosting a memorable gathering becomes a collective effort, making the experience more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved.

Hosting should be a joyous and heartwarming experience, not a daunting or overwhelming one. By focusing on what truly matters – the connections we forge and the love we share – you can create a gathering that everyone will treasure. So, release the burden of perfection and enjoy the journey of hosting, a privilege that brings people closer and creates beautiful memories to cherish for years to come.

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The holiday hustle and bustle can sometimes get the best of us, but having a plan and keeping things simple can bring calm to the chaos of holiday party planning. If you need someone to help bring it all together, Help You Dwell would love to assist you in preparing your home for your next event.

Image - Texture Photo

We’ve still got availability on our calendar to schedule your holiday prep + takedown services this year. 

Let us Help You Dwell this holiday season.

Glad Tidings

We want to wish you all holiday season full of comfort & joy. For those of you celebrating Christmas, we hope it’s one full of peace & celebration. Enjoy this beautiful Christmas poem from Madeleine L’Engle…

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace
He came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out. 

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

*Happy* New Year Refresh!

Pistils Nursery

If you’re anything like me, the holidays were a beautiful blur for a number of reasons. Family and friends gathering (which means that space behind the toilets finally got clean), endless dishes piled up in the kitchen, and a horde of gifts brought home in piles waiting to be put away. It was also a season of emotion; the joy and wildness of children, the fun of giving gifts; but also the grief of those who are no longer with us or the unmet longings that can surface greatly this time of year. And then, it’s all over. January begins, and everyone seems to have moved on to resolutions, dreams of new goals, bodies, projects, and of course…spaces. In some ways, I think we are all ready for a reset by January, a fresh start to help us move into a new season after what can feel like a funny time warp of the last 6 weeks.

And you might be thinking, I’m TIRED. In a good and full kind of way. How can I begin to refresh my home? One of the things I love most about what we do with Help You Dwell is coming into a space and making new what is already there. Sometimes we don’t need fancy new containers (although we do love them!) or a total home makeover. We just need fresh eyes and simple steps to bring some new life!

1. Change Position

A simple change can go a long way, even within the same room. Bring in a beloved piece of art from another room, exchange throw pillows from room to room, or rearrange the furniture to bring a change of perspective. 

Brooke Phillips Designs

2. Let Go

With the tree and garland gone, now is a great time to see your living room afresh! Break down those gift boxes from Christmas, put away new gifts and toys in a more permanent place, and get settled back to your usual living space. Take an inventory of your decor, pillows, and blankets and consider how they are serving you - and then let go of them if they’re not!

Photo: @houseofniina

3. Make Space

Clear off all of those counter tops that were the centerpiece for your holiday gatherings and meals. Tidying up your kitchen island, decluttering countertops, and clearing the dining table will help your home feel refreshed and ready for a new season.

Now sit back and enjoy your fresh space and a new year!  

Creating an ongoing wish list

I often find that when my birthday, Christmas, or Mother’s Day comes around, I have such a hard time thinking of things that I would like to receive as a gift. I’m not alone when it comes to having a hard time thinking of gift ideas on the spot— enter the ongoing wish list. Whether you create a Pinterest board, a registry, or simply a list on your phone, having a specific place to keep track of items that you would like at a variety of price ranges can come in super handy. In the same spirit—- we’ve found that keeping a running list of things to gift to others makes birthdays and holidays much easier. If you hear a loved one mention off hand that they would love to have something or if you have an idea for someone when it’s not close to a gift giving time, jot it down in a note so that you have quick ideas when the time comes. Pay attention when you are out with friends and family and notice what they consider buying or linger over in various stores. Keeping these ongoing lists will reduce the stress and scramble when you remember 3 days before a birthday that you need to get a present for someone you love.

What about you? Do you keep an ongoing wish list? Here are a few things on ours if you want to see…

1. These Linen and Cotton Bowl covers from Food 52. Double win— they are beautiful and help reduce single use plastic at the same time!

2. These awesome one of a kind wind chimes <3<3<3

3. Personalized address labels

4. Linen sheets!

5. These lovely watering cans from Terrain.

6. Waxed canvas lunch bags