After hundreds of messages from readers around the world—from Australia to South Africa—we gathered some of the most delightful and inventive ways people decorate their homes for holidays. From vibrant Diwali rangolis in India to elaborate Nativity scenes in Colombia, listeners shared a wide range of meaningful traditions and surprising gift-bringers (Santa isn’t the only one!). While the customs differ, one clear theme connects many celebrations worldwide: a focus on community, ritual, and making home feel special. We also update you on a frustrating setback in our bathroom renovation, share why we have a bone to pick with Taylor Swift, and recommend a movie you should see immediately.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- Those narrow, curved back stairs at our beach house—mentioned in today’s episode—are deceptively tricky. You can see the thin, triangular steps around the curve; I actually slipped on one of the last two steps at the bottom, which is ironically the easiest part!
- We ordered transparent stair treads to improve safety and plan to install them this weekend. We’ll report back on how they hold up.
- If you missed our episode about taking a flexible timeline for the bathroom renovation—and other strategies to reduce stress during remodeling—catch up in Episode #156 for the full conversation.
Global Holiday Decorating Norms
- Many of you described traditions but couldn’t attach photos, so we looked up representative examples to illustrate some of the decorating styles discussed on the show.
- Diwali rangoli designs are spectacular and often feature intricate, colorful patterns. We found stunning examples that reflect how deeply decorative practice is woven into the celebration—one lovely submission came from Shanthi Sridharan.
- We also heard about ornate Nativity scenes common across many Latin American countries. These displays can be highly detailed and are often central to family celebrations during the season.
- Advent wreaths appear in many modern styles—simple, sculptural, or traditionally lush. There are plenty of approachable DIY ideas that refresh this classic tradition for contemporary homes.
- In Australia, several listeners mentioned using eucalyptus in holiday wreaths and arrangements. Cut eucalyptus stems give a crisp, wintry look and are an affordable, fragrant option for seasonal decor.
We also gathered examples of tasteful Hanukkah decorations to showcase the range of seasonal styling that listeners celebrate. Note that the images and examples represent only a subset of the many global traditions we discussed—tune into the episode to hear the full variety of customs, from treats left in shoes to New Year’s trees and other regional practices.
- If you missed our earlier episodes about worldwide decorating norms, check out Episodes #133 and #145 for additional stories and cultural highlights.
- We referenced a lyric from a Taylor Swift song during the episode; if you’re curious which one, it appears right at the start of the track mentioned in the show.
We’re Digging
- I received Allbirds Runners as a gift from my three sisters and they’re incredibly comfortable. I chose the “Natural Grey” color after using a gift card they gave me—these shoes have quickly become a favorite for everyday wear.
- We also highly recommend the film Knives Out. It’s clever, entertaining, and surprisingly funny for a murder mystery—one of our favorite movie outings of the year.
If you’re trying to find something we previously featured on the show, our master list collects everything we’ve been “digging” across past episodes. You’ll also find all book recommendations on our Book Club page.
Finally, thanks to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. New Grove members can sign up to receive a free five-piece Mrs. Meyers cleaning set in the scent of their choice as a welcome gift.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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