Romanticizing the Holidays With Intention

The Soft, Poetic Invitation of December

December has always felt like a poem: gilded edges, soft lights, and a gentle hush that settles over everything.

But the older I get, the more I realize something: the beauty of this season is far quieter than we often allow it to be.

We rush.

We plan.

We stack our calendars and sprint toward the finish line.

And in the process, we miss the soft, subtle magic that is patiently waiting for us.

This year, I’m choosing something different: a December that is slower, more intentional, and more human.

Not a checklist, but a rhythm.

Not perfection, but presence.

Because I believe your days should feel like art.

And the holidays, especially, are an invitation to create that art on purpose.

The December Rituals That Make Life Feel Beautiful

A beautiful December isn’t crafted from doing more. I believe it’s created through noticing more.

With small, grounding rituals that gently shift the tone of our days.

Here are a few I’ve been practicing. Things that have made the season feel fuller, softer, and far more sacred:

First-Light

Before a single lamp is switched on, I light a candle and sit with the glow of the Christmas tree. It’s a soft, quiet beginning, and a seasonal scent anchors me to the moment.

Handwritten Letters & Notes

When the world feels too digital and hurried, I return to paper and ink.

Handwriting seems to make time stretch. I like to brain dump my thoughts into a journal, and I send letters and cards to friends I'm thankful for.

Decorating Slowly, Like a Painting

Instead of rushing to style every corner in a single weekend, I’m letting my home evolve the way art does - one thoughtful stroke at a time.

A wreath one day.

A silk ribbon tied around a candlestick the next.

It’s less about decorating and more about participating in the season and seeing it evolve beautifully, all month long.

Bringing Out Vintage Pieces & Heirlooms

Old brass candlesticks.

A chipped but still beautiful dish.

A ribbon that’s been tied and untied a hundred times.

These are the pieces that hold stories worth keeping. Display them.

They remind us that beauty doesn’t have to be new to be meaningful, and that we are allowed to build traditions out of whatever brings us joy.

Creativity Without Rushing

December can be deeply creative, but only if we release the pressure to produce.

When I paint, sketch, or even arrange a small vignette, I’m learning to let it unfold slowly - with pauses, breath, and intention.

Creativity without rushing is simply another form of rest.

A December That Holds You Gently

Here’s to a December full of intention and wonder.

A month where beauty whispers instead of shouts.

A month where you choose presence over perfection.

Where you allow yourself to rest without guilt.

Where you move slowly, breathe deeply,and let your life feel artful again.

May this season hold you softly.

May it remind you of your tenderness.

May it make space for the beauty that’s already here.

If you’re longing for a December that feels soft, meaningful, and beautifully human,you’re in the right place. I’m glad you’re here.

xo, Chloé