A Very Midcentury Christmas + Easy Hostess Gift Ideas

It’s our first holiday season in our new {old} house, and while I was excited to decorate for Christmas, it came with a little hesitation. After all, we are still working on furnishing our home, so the idea of finding Christmas decor that would work for a house-in-transition was a bit intimidating.

Disclosure: Thanks to Value Village and Bartell Drugs for providing gift cards to use to create this post. All opinions are my own!

A Very Mid Century Christmas

Fortunately, I have a lifetime to decide on exactly what decor we do or don’t need, so this year I took it easy on the decor and tried to keep the pressure for finding the “perfect” things low. Call our house decor minimalist or maybe just a touch of festive cheer. Either way, I’m pleased with the small Christmas touches I made throughout the house. And if you’re like me and feeling overwhelmed with the idea of decorating a new-to-you house for Christmas, don’t worry. It will come together!

The first place I stopped for decor was my local Value Village. I wanted to keep the decor in a similar era (1960s) for our Home, which can be hard to do at traditional retailers. It did take a few trips to find what I was looking for, but I think it was worth it.

If you have a home that you try to keep consistent with the time period it was built in also, the best tip I can share is to shop in thrift stores in neighborhoods with similar house types to you. In Seattle, there are many mid-century pocket neighborhoods in North Seattle, so I had the most luck at the Crown Hill Store. I also hit up a few South Seattle stores as well, where mid-century neighborhoods are also fairly popular.

The other tip I would share is to not buy things just to buy things if you can help it. Obviously, sometimes you will have a specific need, like placemats, that can sometimes be hard to find a full set of that you actually like. However, I have some things I purchased for the condo previously that now I’ve realized I just don’t like anymore and probably never did. In situations like this, donating it to your local Value Village is a great way to give new life to Christmas decor that is no longer loved and used by you.

Quick & Easy Last-Minute Host and Hostess Gifts

Heading to a holiday party this year? You and me both! While I may be hosting our Christmas Brunch, we inevitably end up last minute getting invited to something at a friend or family members house. I always try to have a few things around the house to take with me (a bottle of wine, for instance) as a gift to the host or hostess.

If you’re stumped for what to pick up just a few days before Christmas, then here are a few suggestions that I know any homeowner (especially a newer one!) would appreciate:

– Seattle Cutting Board from Bartell Drugs, $20 (over 65 locations in the Seattle area, find the one closest to you here!)

– Cheese Knife Set from Williams-Sonoma, $30

– An assortment of chocolate from Bartell Drugs, $3-6 (My personal favorites are Chukar Cherries, Theo Chocolate Bars, Seattle Chocolates, and Joe’s Chocolates!)

– A seed subscription or gift set from Seattle Seed Co

– A bottle of local wine, price varies

– Amazon Prime Membership, $99

– Fiesta Entertaining Set, $70 (The bright colors will go with any palette!)

– Acacia Wood Serving Tray, $20

– Vitamix Blender, starting at $259 (A splurge but totally worth it!)

– Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, $20 (I love mine! No risk of them melting on the stove.)

– Costco Membership (What we’re getting for Christmas from my parents!)

From my house to yours, wishing you a very happy holiday season, no matter what you choose to celebrate! And, if like me you’re feeling the holiday overwhelm, take a deep breath, relax, and remember to enjoy the moments as they come. And then treat yourself to a spa day or special gift to yourself once it’s all said and done!

Do you go all out when it comes to decorating for Christmas? Do you have any holiday traditions that you do every year? Let me know in the comments below!