Made by Hand, Made with Heart: Welcoming the Holiday Season

By Theresa Bouchard

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like… November

The pumpkins have barely left the front steps, and already the twinkle lights are going up. Walk into almost any store right now and you'll find aisles glowing with ornaments, garland, wreaths and ribbon. Some neighbors have their trees lit before the Thanksgiving turkey is even thawed.

And honestly? Most of us are happy about it. Craft fairs are filling up weekend calendars, holiday playlists are back in rotation, and there's a lightness in the air that's hard to find any other time of year.

Why We Decorate Earlier (and Buy a Little More)

If it feels like the decorations come out sooner every year, you're not imagining it. Stores stock holiday goods early because shoppers are ready for them, and shoppers are ready because decorating simply makes people feel good. When life feels busy or uncertain, bringing out the lights and the familiar decorations offers comfort and a sense of something to look forward to.

There's a practical side, too. Putting up decorations in early November means you get to enjoy them longer. All the effort of hauling out bins and untangling lights pays off over eight weeks instead of three.

And then there's the fun of something new. A fresh color palette, a new wreath for the door or a few updated pieces for the mantle can make a familiar room feel brand new. As a home stager and designer, I see it every year: a few thoughtful touches can completely change how a space feels, and how the people in it feel, too.

The Joy of Making It Yourself

As fun as it is to shop, there's something extra special about decor you make with your own hands. More and more people are skipping the identical big-box ornaments and creating pieces that feel personal, meaningful and one of a kind.

Here in Maine, some of the best supplies are right outside the door. Fresh balsam and cedar boughs, pinecones, birch bark, red winterberry and a few sprigs of eucalyptus can become a wreath, a mantel garland or a table centerpiece that smells as good as it looks. Add a velvet ribbon or a few brass bells and you have something that rivals anything in a catalog.

If you'd rather work indoors, the ideas are endless. Garlands of dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks, hand-painted or salt-dough ornaments, felted snowmen, knitted mini stockings, beaded snowflakes, mason jar luminaries and simple wooden signs are all easy places to start. You don't need to be an expert. Half the charm of handmade decor is that it looks handmade.

Why Crafting Feels So Good

Crafting gives our hands something to do and our minds a chance to rest. Measuring ribbon, tying bows and arranging greens has a way of quieting the to-do list in your head. There's also real satisfaction in finishing something and seeing it hang on your own tree or front door.

It's even better with company. Gather the kids, grandkids or a few friends around the kitchen table with a glue gun, some ribbon and a pot of cocoa. Swap ideas, share supplies and laugh over the projects that didn't quite turn out. Some families make one new ornament together every year, and over time those pieces tell the story of who they are.

Handmade Pieces Become Heirlooms

Those homemade treasures are the ones we pull out year after year. Ask anyone about their favorite ornament, and chances are it's the lopsided one a child made in second grade, not the one with the fanciest price tag.

Handmade decor makes wonderful gifts, too. A wreath for a new neighbor, a personalized ornament for a teacher or a set of hand-sewn napkins for a host says "I made this for you" in a way nothing from a store can. And when you buy from a local maker, you're bringing home a piece of someone's creativity while supporting your own community.

Come Find Your Holiday Spark at The Merry Makers Craft Fair

If you love handmade holiday decor, or you're looking for one-of-a-kind gifts, join us for The Merry Makers Craft Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, at TS Staging & Design, 630 Roosevelt Trail, Unit 2, in Windham.

The fair is all about handcrafted holiday pieces made with care. It's the perfect way to kick off the season, pick up something special for your own home and support local makers. Please note that we accept cash and Venmo only.

So go ahead: hang the lights early, turn up the music and dust off the glue gun. The holidays have a way of making everything feel a little brighter, and we can't wait to celebrate the season with you.

If you’re preparing to sell your home or simply planning a refresh, TS Staging and Design is here to help. This year’s Eagle Choice Award winner for Interior Design/Home Staging, TS Staging and Design is located at 630 Roosevelt Trail, Unit 2, in Windham. Its local home staging and interior design team would be delighted to assist with any project that comes your way. We welcome the opportunity to bring out the best in your home and help you take the next step with confidence. Contact Theresa at 207-400-9393. <