The holiday season has a magical way of sneaking up on us. One minute we’re enjoying crisp fall evenings, and the next we’re knee-deep in tinsel and to-do lists. Between decking the halls, hosting gatherings and juggling everyday life, it’s easy to lose sight of the joy behind it all. To help bring back the wonder and make decorating both beautiful and manageable, I turned to three local tastemakers for their expert advice on creating festive homes that sparkle with meaning, not stress.
Interior designer Cindy McCord understands this balance better than anyone. As the season begins, she recommends starting with a purge of your decorations to keep things from becoming overwhelming. “I like to keep it clean and simple,” she says. “I put up the special decorations - things that I still love.” Her advice is to edit out items you’ve outgrown so your holiday décor feels intentional, not cluttered.
Cindy prefers a monochromatic theme to avoid tiring of her décor. She puts up her holiday fare early and leaves much of it out through January. On her screened-in porch, a pre-lit grapevine tree goes up before Thanksgiving and stays until February because she “likes to see it against the occasional snow in the backyard.”
She always displays her grandmother’s hand-painted tin can bells, which have been passed down through generations. Cindy cherishes the memories of those bells hanging in her grandmother’s and then her mother’s homes. She also recommends starting “a meaningful collection - not too many - but something that speaks to you.” Her own snowman collection, started 20 years ago, has become a family favorite.
Kevin Coble, floral designer and owner of Le Fleur, takes a different approach to keeping things manageable for busy households. His top tip is to develop a plan early. “Be observant at holiday gatherings,” he suggests. “Remember the designs you’ve seen at hotels or events; that always gives inspiration.” For parties, he recommends doing a mock-up of your vision ahead of time. “If you wait until the last minute, decorating becomes stressful and you end up doing the same old thing you did last year. You’ll be stuck in a rut.”
Kevin advises focusing on three or four focal areas: the front door, entry hall, dining table and especially the tree. Begin with your aesthetic, then gather what you need to achieve it. “You can use items from old collections,” he says, “but elevate the look with new ribbon or by spray-painting and glittering old things you might otherwise discard.” For Kevin, this is the season when more can be more, layering textures and sparkle for a look that feels lush and festive. “It’s the perfect season to branch out, especially if glitter isn’t usually your thing.” He also embraces a classic approach. “Antique silver is always a welcoming look for the holidays. Adding fresh foliage to silver chalices on your dining table creates instant elegance.” This look can carry you through the entire season with simple refreshing of flowers and greenery each week.
He also suggests experimenting with nontraditional colors, like corals and browns, which can help transition Thanksgiving décor into Christmas with just a few tweaks. “Build a tree of natural branches with magnolia leaves and bittersweet for Thanksgiving gatherings,” Kevin says. “Then transform it for Christmas by adding vibrant red Ilex berry stems and ornaments for a more festive look.”
Tree decorating, Kevin believes, is the perfect opportunity to experiment each year. “Trends are great for inspiration, but personal touches make your home special. There’s no right or wrong way, as long as it brings you joy and reflects your family’s personality.” For an outdoorsy family, he suggests a naturalistic forest vibe with moss, antlers, feathers and burlap ribbon. For a nostalgic look, mix vintage ornaments with a few modern pieces to add depth and interest.
JJ Keras, Today Show Entertaining and Lifestyle Expert and local tastemaker, keeps the season grounded in meaning with her favorite mantra: “presence, not presents.” She says, “Being truly present with loved ones is the greatest gift.” To celebrate connection, she displays holiday cards throughout the house - around doorways with garland, across the mantel, down the staircase or even on her kids’ bedroom doors. “Seeing loved ones’ faces all month is a great reminder of what presence truly means during the holidays.”
JJ also sets aside time for shared family moments: cooking together, organizing gifts under the tree or enjoying game night by the fire. “These are the little things that create memories,” she says.
Another of JJ’s favorite traditions is helping her children build their own ornament collections. Each child has a box for the ornaments they’ve collected over the years. Whenever they travel, they choose one special ornament to add. “Ornaments are small and easy to pack,” JJ notes. “When it’s time to decorate, they feel a sense of responsibility and connection to the tradition.”
As the season unfolds, these experts remind us that holiday decorating doesn’t have to be about perfection - it’s about connection. Whether you embrace simplicity, add a touch of sparkle or celebrate family traditions, the goal is to create a space that reflects your heart. By focusing on what brings joy and meaning, your home will shine with the true spirit of the holidays.
Trends are great for inspiration, but personal touches make your home special. There's no right or wrong way - as long as it brings you joy.