Hello and warm holiday greetings, friends!
I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of a wonderful group of bloggers spreading Christmas cheer with a virtual open house—the 12 Days of Holiday Homes! This festive event is hosted by the talented Jenny from Evolution of Style and the lovely duo, Amy and Christy, from 11 Magnolia Lane.
It’s always such a joy to take a peek inside different homes and see how each one embraces the magic of the holiday season in a unique and beautiful way!
If you’re visiting Shine Your Light for the first time, welcome! I’m Donna, and I live in a charming little town in Massachusetts with my husband, Mark, and our three children—who somehow managed to grow up to be 18, 16, and 14 in the blink of an eye! With my oldest heading off to college next year, I’m especially treasuring this holiday season while we’re all together under one roof.
When it comes to decorating for Christmas, I love keeping things simple and natural, starting with fresh greenery at our front entrance.
Living in a home surrounded by towering pine trees is a blessing this time of year! I gather fresh clippings from our evergreens—pines, rhododendrons, cedars, and even my overgrown boxwoods. I also make use of the extra branches from our Christmas tree to bring the outdoors inside.
This year, I’m beyond grateful for Lynch Creek Farm, who has generously sponsored the 12 Days of Holiday Homes tour! From their beautiful collection, I selected the breathtaking “Three Cedars” wreath, and let me tell you—it is absolutely stunning!
For years, I’ve purchased standard evergreen wreaths without realizing what I was missing. This one is lush, full, and has such a lovely, natural drape thanks to the cedar branches. I went with the largest size, 32 inches, and I can’t help but admire it every time I pull into the driveway.
I may never go back to the basic wreaths again!
Fresh greenery is a staple inside my home during the holidays as well. I love tucking sprigs of pine and cedar in every corner, mixing them with twinkling white lights and the warm glow of candles.
My oldest, Peter, is feeling extra sentimental this year, knowing that next Christmas will look a little different with him away at college. He’s determined to squeeze in all our favorite family traditions, and I couldn’t agree more!
One of the sweetest moments this season was when Peter took the initiative to text everyone in the family, coordinating a time for us all to be home to decorate the Christmas tree together. When we realized that Saturday morning worked for everyone, I made sure to pick up some special treats—hello, Trader Joe’s chocolate croissants!—put on some classic holiday tunes (Pandora’s “Christmas Magic” station is our favorite), and set the table for a festive brunch.
Since updating our dining room with a new light fixture, I’ve been eagerly waiting for Christmas to arrive so I could dress it up with fresh greenery. This year, I found beautiful beaded snowflake ornaments at The Christmas Tree Shop for just $2.99 each! I used vinyl-coated picture hanging wire to suspend them from the light, adding a delicate, wintry touch to our holiday decor.
Little moments like these are what make the season so magical—cherished traditions, twinkling lights, the scent of fresh pine, and the warmth of family all around.
One of my favorite holiday decorating touches this year has been the little crystal pendants I added around the perimeter of our dining room light fixture. They may be acrylic, but you’d never know! When the sun streams through this room during the day, they catch the light just like glistening icicles, adding a magical sparkle to our holiday home.
To create this festive display, I started by hanging the crystal pendants and beaded snowflake ornaments. Then, using green-coated floral wire, I carefully attached fresh branches of pine and cedar, making sure to tuck in extra sprigs to conceal the wiring. The end result is a natural, elegant holiday centerpiece that brings warmth and charm to our space.
For the dining table, I kept the styling simple yet festive. A crisp white cotton table runner (because easy bleaching is a must in this house!) serves as the foundation. Over it, I layered a piece of evergreen garland, then placed hurricane lanterns filled with Epsom salt “snow” and flickering candles. To add even more holiday cheer, I included a few adorable mini evergreen trees from Trader Joe’s and wove a strand of battery-operated twinkle lights through the garland. Every evening at dinnertime, I turn on the lights, and the whole table glows with a soft, cozy ambiance.
For an extra touch of shimmer, I tucked crystal picks into the greenery, enhancing the sparkle without overwhelming the natural elements. One of the best things about decorating with fresh greens is that they can last for weeks—just a light spritz of water every few days keeps them looking lush and vibrant throughout the season.
A fun little find this year was a set of mini copper mule mugs I scored on clearance at Marshalls. Originally, I bought them to use as place card holders for our Christmas table setting (more on that soon!), but my kids quickly found their own use for them—drinking their orange juice and dramatically saying, “Hit me!” for a second round. It’s these small, silly traditions that bring the most joy to our home, and I have no doubt they’ll be the memories my children carry with them long after they’ve grown.
At the end of the day, it’s not about a perfectly styled holiday home—it’s about the moments we share. The laughter, the inside jokes, the debates over how to string the tree lights, the inevitable mess, and of course, the simple traditions that make the season feel special. Whether it’s lighting every candle, baking warm chocolate croissants, or just pausing to soak in the moment, these are the things that truly make a house feel like home during the holidays.
If this season feels busy and chaotic, I hope you’re still able to find little moments of peace and joy with the ones you love. Take a deep breath, sip something warm, and soak in the magic of this season.
Today is the final day of the 12 Days of Holiday Homes, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this space with some truly incredible bloggers. Be sure to visit Erin from Sunny Side Up and Heather from The Heathered Nest to see their stunning holiday homes!
And the fun doesn’t stop here—tomorrow (12/13) is the big Holiday Home Link Up, where YOU can share your own festive decor! I can’t wait to see how you’ve brought the Christmas spirit into your home.
Missed any of the 12 Days of Holiday Homes? Catch up on all the inspiration here:
- Jenny from Evolution of Style
- Amanda from Dixie Delights
- Christy from 11 Magnolia Lane
- Brenna from Domestic Charm
- Amy from 11 Magnolia Lane
- Amanda from The Tale of an Ugly House
- Kelly Elko
- Jen from Stylehouse Interiors
- Cyndy from The Creativity Exchange
- Cassie Bustamante
- Rachael from This is Our Bliss
- Heather from Southern State of Mind
- Erin & Tricia from The Suburban B’s
- Paige from The Pink Clutch
- Becky from This Is Happiness
- Vel from Life & Home at 2102
- Pam from Simple Details
- Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick
- Julie from Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
- Cindy from Rough Luxe Lifestyle
- Kris from Driven by Decor
- Heidi from Home by Heidi
- Shirley from Housepitality Designs
A special thank you to Jenny from Evolution of Style and Amy & Christy from 11 Magnolia Lane for bringing this incredible community of bloggers together!
And of course, a huge shoutout to Lynch Creek Farm for their generous sponsorship of this year’s 12 Days of Holiday Homes.
Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and very merry Christmas season!
(Affiliate links may be included for your convenience. Read more about them here.)
