We love the holidays, but all the extra “stuff”—gifts, decor, and clutter collecting on every surface—can quickly become overwhelming. This year we’re trying a different approach to protect the joy of the season while keeping things intentional and manageable. One of the questions we hear most often is, “Help me pinpoint my style—I’m all over the place!” In this episode we walk through how we narrow down a cohesive decorating direction when we feel pulled in multiple ways, which happens more than you might expect. Also included: Sherry revisits a strongly held opinion from last week, and John talks about setting stricter boundaries around screen time.
You can download the episode on major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or listen on your preferred podcast app. Use this page to find the links, notes, and photos we reference throughout the show. Note: If you’re viewing this post in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the site to access the audio player.
What’s New
- We’ll publish a full photo tour of our holiday decorations later this week. The image above is a good example of how we simplified our approach: a cohesive color palette, fewer pieces with more meaning, and a focus on texture rather than clutter. The faux magnolia garland Sherry picked up earlier this year, a few simple stockings, and a small garland repurposed into stocking tassels give the mantel seasonal flair without overwhelming the room.
- To keep phone use under control, I’ve been using the Moment app to track and limit screen time. The app makes it easy to identify quick pick-ups and long sessions, helping me recognize patterns so I can change behavior. I include a few screenshots in the episode notes that show my recent tracking and explain the timeline dots that represent quick phone pickups.
- If you prefer reading or listening rather than using an app, the “Bored & Brilliant” program we mention is also available as a book and as a podcast series. The material focuses on reclaiming boredom as a tool for creativity and reducing mindless phone use, and it pairs well with tracking apps for people who want structure.
Updates
- We revisit the topic of “lamping” in Episode 71, where we discuss its literal and slang meanings and the various ways people use the term when describing lighting choices.
- For listeners who want more context on our decision to pay off the mortgage, Episode 64 covers our strategy and the mindset behind that financial goal.
- Last week’s Episode 74 generated a lively conversation after Sherry made a case for preserving older houses and tempering fears about common foundation issues when house hunting. If you missed it, it’s worth a listen for anyone considering older homes.
We’re Digging
- The photo above shows our new smart speaker. I chose an Amazon Echo during Black Friday after receiving birthday gift cards, and I added a compact smart plug to automate a few holiday items. We used the smart plug on our Christmas tree so the lights can be scheduled or controlled by voice—an easy convenience during a busy season.
- We picked the Echo over other smart speakers mainly because we expected to use it for music frequently, and it offered a speaker quality and feature set that suited our needs. It has a longer track record of available “skills” and third-party integrations, which made setup and customization simple for our household routines.
- For anyone wanting to introduce kids to fun, nostalgic reading, inexpensive boxed sets of series like Goosebumps, The Boxcar Children, and The Babysitter’s Club make affordable gift options. They’re a nice way to encourage reading with familiar, engaging stories for younger readers.
If you’re trying to find something we’ve recommended in a past episode but don’t remember which show notes to click on, we maintain a master list of items we’ve been digging across all episodes so you can track down past recommendations quickly.
Finally, thanks to The Annie Selke Companies for sponsoring this episode. Use code YHL15 to save 15% on an order from AnnieSelke.com—applies to bedding, rugs, and home decor. It’s a helpful way to refresh textiles without overhauling an entire room.
Thanks for listening and following along as we try to keep the season joyful, simple, and intentional. If you’re feeling torn between multiple decorating directions, start by choosing one unifying element—color, texture, or a meaningful heirloom—and build around it. Small edits can preserve what you love about the holidays while eliminating the excess that makes the season feel overwhelming.
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