On My Mind: Avoiding ‘Big Light’ This Holiday Season
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
“Strategist Brain” is a series where staffers share the stores they’ve stopped into, stuff they’ve spotted, and extra tidbits from stories they’ve worked on. You’ll hear from a different writer every week.
It’s mid-November so that means I’m deep in holiday-party planning mode. Holiday decorating and hosting, for me, is like capturing then sharing those warm, awestruck feelings Christmastime brings. This’ll be my third year throwing a tree-trimming party, but it’s my first in my current apartment so I have several things to shop for. Much of what I’m considering is below. I like to buy things that last — i.e., real plates instead of disposable — so the stuff can show up at Christmas parties for years to come. It saves money over time and builds a bit of a tradition.
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve been on the hunt for holiday-themed appetizer plates for truly a year. I’ve watched the pricing on a cozy-looking set fromLenox, and they remained, for 365 days, very much out of my price range (I need about 30). Because I was bummed about that, I started thinking,Maybe I should get something simple(cheaper) …My taste will surely change over the years — don’t want to commit to something so on-the-nose Christmas …Anyway, I found these diner-looking plates with dark-green trim. I like them for Christmas. I like them for any party I want to throw.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nuptio Candle Stick Holder
In theBig Light Debate, I’m very seriously team “vibes over vision.” That position becomes even more entrenched when it comes to hosting. I need more light sources to keep the atmosphere festive. So I’m getting a few more of these candleholders. I’ll line the floor with them and put some on top of surfaces too.
New! You can now save this product for later.
I have one Fado already but thinking I need a couple more in order to avoid big lights all together. I’ve always loved this lamp. One of my colleagues bought it forThe Strategist Gifting Game, and it was a hit. The Fado feels more expensive than it is. It’s at home on the floor and on a tabletop and is vaguely holiday because of the shape. Hot tip: Do yourself a favor and get acolored smart bulbso you can adjust color and intensity of the light to whatever mood you’re trying to create. It’s the lighting solution for those of us who can’t get an entire fancy system.
New! You can now save this product for later.
On to the decorative stuff: I’m a Farmgirl Flowers fan. The designs are beautiful. And everything arrives fresh and bright and lasts over a week with proper care (you’ve gotta change that water every day). This’ll be my first time getting a garland from Farmgirl, but I trust it’ll be pretty. I don’t have a hearth, but I’m going to drape it over my door frame at the end of the foyer so it’s the first thing my guests see when they arrive.
New! You can now save this product for later.
I live in a prewar apartment so there’s not this abundance of outlets. I’m going to add battery-powered lights into the garland and also around the house where there’s no power source.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The rich tones of this bouquet and the Saint John’s wort berries say “holiday” without screaming it. Loads of other decorations in my apartment will be hollering “Christmaaaaaas” at the top of their lungs, so I need contrast and balance. This’ll likely go on the table where I have the food and cake.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Growing up, my mom really wanted all the art and characters in the house to be of Black folks — Santa first and foremost. When I saw these little walnut wood nutcrackers I thought they looked like little medium-brown Black people, like me. They look like something my mom would approve of. Warm childhood memories unlocked. Immediately add to cart.
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve used fake snow before. God only knows what the hell it was made of. This is made from corn, which makes me more comfortable.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Okay, this is extremely ambitious. But I plan to hang glass ornaments from the ceiling of the foyer. I’m going to buy a couple sets of these. If I can’t find the will to make this decorating project happen, Ikea’s return policy allows me to sit on these until basically next Christmas.
New! You can now save this product for later.
It’s a tree-trimming party, and I like to have a little DIY ornament-making table set up. I get a box or two of these clear glass ornaments. Set out some acrylic paint markers, glitter paint, and such and let my friends relive their kindergarten year.
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
