We used to offer a Christmas decorating service called Trees with Ease. Because of the popularity (and the incredibly short timeline) we had a limit on the number of projects we could take each season.

We'd kick off the holiday marathon early in November when I co-hosted an annual holiday entertaining event with the Vermont Wreath Company. It was a winter wonderland and although the even was an amazing amount of work, it was hard not to get into a festive mood when surrounded by dozens of trees and beautiful tablescapes!

Many of the homes we decorated were vacation properties, so we brought our own decor, but we also had plenty of clients who wanted us to work with what they already owned. And here's where I'm going to share some tough love, friends. Over those years, I learned quite a bit about what makes holiday decor work (and what doesn't).

Before you drag out another bin or buy another ornament this season, I want you to ask yourself these questions...

1. Is this sentimental, or is it just old?

I decorated so many trees with popsicle stick ornaments made by kids—who were now in their 30s. Hot glue splotches visible, pieces missing, falling apart. I understand the impulse to keep them, but ask yourself: are you honoring the memory, or are you cluttering your tree with something that no longer brings joy? Consider keeping one or two truly special pieces and letting the rest go. Your grown children likely don't remember making them anyway.

2. Does this actually work in my home?

Holiday decor doesn't exist in a vacuum. If you're setting up a display that clashes with your room's style, scale, or color palette, it's going to look awkward no matter how festive it is. You can absolutely incorporate pieces that don't naturally "fit"—but you have to style them intentionally so they feel integrated, not just plopped down because it's December.

3. Am I holding onto gag gifts and trendy signs?

"Santa, I've been good (mostly)" signs. Novelty items that were gifts that you feel obligated to display. If it's not something you'd be proud to display year after year, let it go. Holiday decor should elevate your space, not apologize for itself.

4. Am I buying with intention, or just accumulating?

This is the big one. Choose a color palette and commit to it. It doesn't have to be red and green—I've done trees in blues, silvers, whites, even jewel tones. But if you're buying a little bit of everything every year, you'll end up with a chaotic collection that never quite comes together. Start building toward a cohesive theme, even if it takes a few seasons to get there.

5. Will this be beautiful beyond December?

The best holiday pieces are the ones that can live in your home longer than four weeks. I had one client with a collection of Reed & Barton silver ornaments—gifts from her mother over the years. We created a dedicated tree just for those ornaments, and it stayed up from November through February because it was both sentimental and beautiful. Another client collects Simon Pearce glass Christmas trees. They're displayed year-round in her mountain home and look just as elegant in July as they do in December. You can dress them with greenery and ribbon for the holidays, then strip them back to their simple beauty the rest of the year.

The takeaway? Buy less, buy better, and buy what actually looks good in your home (although green and red ALWAYS get a pass regardless of your color palette) ;) 

If you're looking at your holiday decor this year and feeling like something's off, start here: pull out everything, edit ruthlessly, and only put back what genuinely makes your space more beautiful.