Project Xmas
Project Xmas
PASSION PROJECTS | Episode #3
There’s just something about the holidays that lights me up from the inside out. Maybe it’s because I was born in December. Maybe it’s because I became a mom in December. Or maybe it’s because this season has always been filled with the kind of magic you can feel in your bones — the hustle and bustle, the festive spirit, the glow of traditions old and new. I love holding on to the little rituals from my own childhood while building brand-new ones with my family. It’s the best blend of nostalgia and excitement. And honestly… what better time of year to dive headfirst into a few passion projects?
A Festive Home: My 4-Day Decorating Event
“There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays.” And with that thought in mind, I will admit I do go a little overboard with holiday decorating. As in…seven fully decorated trees (yes, with lights and ornaments), swapping every yellow accent in two rooms for festive red, and spending 3–4 days turning my house into a Hallmark movie set. Thankfully, my little elves help—otherwise I’d still be untangling lights well into January. To match the festive environment, only Christmas movies and holiday music allowed from Thanksgiving straight through New Year’s.
And of course, there’s a DIY décor project lurking around just about every corner. Last year’s highlight: fully repurposing a 70+ year-old heirloom table from my husband’s family, giving it new life just in time for our annual Christmas Day hosting extravaganza. Nothing says “holiday spirit” like sanding, painting, and sealing furniture while sipping peppermint mocha coffee.
Spreading Holiday Cheer — One Mailbox at a Time
For over a decade, I’ve made it my mission to celebrate the simple joys of the season — starting with the mailbox. Friends and family know that their Christmas card display is in for a little extra cheer, with festive designs surrounding our family photos that capture just how fast the kids are growing up. And at home, the holiday spirit extends to the lunchbox, where hand lettered, themed notes add a daily dose of magic and smiles throughout the season.
My love for sharing holiday greetings actually started long before kids. My first business, a custom stationery studio, is where I discovered how much I truly adore designing cheerful, personality-packed greetings. And after becoming a mom — six days before Christmas in 2013 — I couldn’t WAIT to start designing my own cards to show off my new little family. Every year since has been a cherished little creative challenge.
Gift Giving From the Heart
Being creative + gifting + holiday spirit = my perfect recipe for a thoughtful gift. If you’re a friend, neighbor, teacher, bus driver, or related to me in any way, chances are you’ve received a handmade Christmas gift at some point — and likely more than one.
Teacher gifts and classmate treats are always on my radar this time of year. Once I got a vinyl cutter (best Christmas gift ever), the game officially changed. With it came a new tradition: designing and making shirts for my family every Christmas. I even designed a custom logo sticker to seal each gift — because subtle has never really been my thing.
The projects that light up my heart the most are the ones created for the people I love most. Handmade gifts are my love language. There’s something incredibly special about dreaming up an idea, planning every detail, and crafting something with intention and care. And when Christmas morning arrives and I get to watch someone unwrap a gift made just for them? I get giddy — like a kid proudly holding up something they made with their whole heart.
Some of my favorite projects include:
Pet Portraits
For loved ones whose furry friends have crossed the rainbow bridge.
Surprise Room Makeover
A surprise Christmas gift for my daughter when she transitioned to her “big girl” bed — a project requiring enough planning to qualify as a covert mission. Full blog post in the queue for this project!
Dreamcatchers
Every trinket tells a chapter. A dreamcatcher woven with love, meaning, and a whole lot of heart.
Tattoo Design
Designed with love, worn with pride. Nothing cooler than seeing my art become a forever piece.
Mama Merch
Teachers, Tags, & Treats
Season’s Greetings & A Little Holiday Magic
As you soak in the season, I hope you find your own moments of magic — the cozy ones, the chaotic ones, the meaningful ones, and everything in between. May your days be creative, joyful, and full of the people and traditions that make your holidays uniquely yours.
Here’s to festive homes, heartfelt gifts, cherished traditions, and the inspiration that this season always seems to bring.
Wishing you warmth, wonder, and a little extra sparkle this Christmas.
Happy Holidays ✨💛
