The Perfect Christmas: When Holiday Decorating Becomes a Production

As the Christmas season approaches, a festive fever takes over my senses every year. My Pinterest feed and Instagram posts flood my mind with visions of frosted pinecones, perfect garlands, and color-coordinated ornaments that belong in a holiday magazine spread. It’s no wonder that by the time my tree stands tall in the living room, I’m mentally already in “holiday design mode,” arranging and rearranging ornaments until everything looks “just right.”

This year, I went all out. I chose a theme (silver and gold), found matching ribbons, and curated ornaments to create a cohesive, polished look. The lights were meticulously woven into the branches, each bauble placed with the precision of an interior decorator. When I stepped back, I couldn’t deny it: the tree was picture-perfect.

But as I admired my handiwork, my 17-year-old son made a simple statement that snapped me out of my holiday décor daze after I asked him if he liked the tree.

“Sort of. I mean, it’s nice, but it looks like a decorative tree in a store. What about the Christmas ornaments we made or the Lightening McQueen I got when I was 2 or 3.” Mom guilt for 1, please. My husband says I’m over the top with Christmas anyway. I started decorating the first weekend in November. We have three trees, and I’ve stopped mainly decorating them with our authentic ornaments over the years so that they look “tasteful.”

The Aesthetics Trap: Are We Losing Sight of the Spirit of the Season?

Getting swept up in the quest for the “perfect” holiday display is easy. In our social media-driven world, it feels like Christmas has become a performance art. We often find ourselves trying to outdo each other with extravagant decorations, striving for that flawless aesthetic. What used to be a simple joy—decorating the tree with loved ones—has transformed into a competition for perfection. We meticulously choose ornaments to fit color schemes, drape garlands with precision, and even wrap presents to match the room.

Scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest, I see that those beautifully decorated trees can make it hard not to feel pressured to create that “dream Christmas look” in our homes. But in my experience, that focus on aesthetics can overshadow the true meaning behind our decorations.

Each ornament and string of lights is more than just eye candy; they hold memories, little pieces of our past holidays and milestones. In our dash to craft a designer-worthy tree, we often overlook the most meaningful parts of our decorations—those ornaments that might not match but carry with them beautiful stories. Those little touches make our holiday celebrations unique, reminding us of shared moments and the love that fills our homes. Let’s not forget to celebrate those memories, allowing our decorations to reflect the warmth and joy of the season rather than just the trend.

Returning to the Heart of Christmas: Embracing the Imperfect Ornaments

When my son asked about his old ornaments, a lightbulb went off for me. I realized my beautifully coordinated tree wasn’t what he envisioned as “Christmas.” For him, the holidays were intertwined with the memories tied to each decoration, not the perfect aesthetics I had focused on.

Determined to make our tree reflect our family’s spirit, I revamped it over the weekend. We dove into the basement and found a treasure trove of his childhood ornaments and a few quirky baubles that brought back joyful memories and an angel I had cherished since childhood. Piece by piece, we adorned the tree with these mementos, letting go of the urge to conform to a flawless look. As a result, the tree became a wonderful blend of colors and styles. Our sentimental Christmas Tree became a beautiful representation of “us.”

With each ornament we hung, stories flowed. There were handmade pieces from his preschool days and the ones featuring my husband and me as kids, which never failed to elicit a laugh from our children. As we reminisced, I realized that those imperfect, mismatched ornaments represented more than just decorations; they were touchstones to our family history. They spoke of our shared laughter, love, and our journey together. At that moment, I understood that our tree—messy and full of life—was a true emblem of who we are as a family.

Why Nostalgia Matters More Than Aesthetics

Christmas embodies love, togetherness, and warmth at its core. While perfectly staged trees and meticulously arranged garlands can be visually stunning, they often lack the more profound significance found in decorations that tell our stories and evoke cherished memories.

As I adorned my tree with old ornaments this year, I realized that Christmas doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to feel magical. There’s an undeniable charm in the imperfections—those well-loved decorations that carry the weight of years gone by, the quirky touches that reflect our unique holiday traditions. It’s easy to be tempted by the allure of a flawlessly coordinated Christmas, but the meaningful memories and shared moments make this season special.

This year, I’m celebrating the beauty of an eclectic tree that may appear a bit mismatched but is filled with the warmth and nostalgia of our family’s Christmases. While it may not be Pinterest-worthy, to me, it’s the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had. As we gather around it this holiday season, I'm reminded that true joy comes not from perfection but from appreciating the memories that make our celebrations meaningful and distinct.

I’d love to hear about your holiday decorating style! Is your tree filled with sentimental ornaments, or did you choose a cohesive theme? Share what your tree looks like this year in the comments—I can’t wait to see how you’re making the season your own! And I understand that not everyone will agree with my perspective, which makes us all unique.🎄✨

Check out a video of both version of my tree:

If you opt to go full glam (or partially glam if you're decorating multiple trees), check out our guide to Sophisticated Decorating!