12 Days of Holiday Home Moments

This year, I wanted to bring together twelve little inspirations that make my home feel warm, festive, and full of heart. Consider this a hand curated collection of the simple things that bring me joy throughout the season, that may give you some of the same holiday spark in turn!

Day 1: My Go-To Winter Candle Scents

If you know me, you know I love a good candle—especially in winter. My two absolute favorites are Hearth and Holiday Sparkle which come from Jack Be Nimble, carried locally at @wildpetalsbend here in downtown Bend. Their scents feel clean, warm, and nostalgic without being overpowering.

Lighting one in the evening instantly makes my home feel festive.

Day 2: How I Style My Entryway for the Holidays

I always say the entryway sets the tone. In December, I like to keep things simple: a fresh wreath, a small dish for keys and ornaments, a pair of winter boots by the door, and a soft lamp that glows, no glares.

Nothing complicated, just welcoming.

Day 3: The Secret to Effortless Holiday Tabletops

My trick? Layers of natural elements and just one or two moments of sparkle. A linen runner, a bowl of winter citrus, a few clipped branches, and candlelight.

I never worry about perfection—the table should feel lived-in, warm, and ready to gather around.

Day 4: My Favorite Cozy Throws & Winter Textures

My beloved rosebud throw comes out every year, and I swear it gets cozier with age. Lucy (my four-legged design assistant) agrees—she claims it the second I set it down.

If you want to know where to find it, just DM me—happy to share all my favorite textures for the season.

Day 5: Decorating with Fresh vs. Faux Greenery

I love mixing the two. Fresh garlands smell incredible and bring that Pacific Northwest feeling inside, while faux greenery is perfect for mantels or spots where you want things to last.

The secret is blending textures so the whole home feels lush, layered, and natural.

Day 6: A Memory Tree

I’ve always loved a tree filled with eclectic ornaments—textures, colors, stories, and years of memories. One of my favorites is an ornament I gave to three of my closest high school friends. It represented what we jokingly considered one of the “four major food groups” in those days.

Even now, every December, I smile when I hang it. It’s amazing what a little ornament can hold.

Day 7: My Annual Ginger Cookies Tradition

These cookies are part of my holiday DNA. The recipe comes from Save the Flavor of Oregon, a Junior League cookbook that was given to me at my bridal shower in the ’90s. It's the most worn, splattered, loved cookbook on my shelf.

My rosemary cashews (from Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris) are another favorite—I’ve made them for years and often give them as gifts. They make the whole kitchen smell absolutely heavenly.

Day 8: Giftable Home Items Under $50

Some of the best gifts are simple:

• A warm cookbook

• A pine-scented candle

• A pretty pup

• A cozy mug

• A small framed print

• A textured throw

Thoughtful, useful, and always appreciated.

Day 9: A Winter Color Palette for Bend, OR

Our winter tones here are gorgeous—soft gray skies, sage greens, dusty junipers, deep forest shadows, warm woods, and snowy whites.

I love incorporating these colors into décor this time of year. It brings the landscape indoors in the most peaceful way.

Day 10: Shelf Styling for the Season

A few well-placed winter books, a sprig of greenery, a ceramic bowl, and maybe one quiet winter-themed piece—simple and refined.

Shelves just need a little seasonal whisper.

Day 11: How I Host Without Stress

My biggest secret? Prep early and let the house be imperfect. A pot of soup, a pretty table, a candle lit, and a relaxed mindset—people remember how it felt, not whether every napkin was perfectly folded.

Hosting should feel joyful, not pressured.

Day 12: My Hope for the New Year

Every year, my hope is the same: more connection, more creativity, more time with the people I love. I hope for a home that continues to be a soft place to land -warm, welcoming, and filled with memories yet to be made.

And I hope the same for you.

Wishing you the sweetest moments of the season,

- Suzanne