5 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home for Winter Hospitality

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, our bellies have been filled, and our wallets have been emptied (Black Friday, anyone??), we can officially move on from autumn to winter… and ultimately, to Christmas! And now that it’s officially Christmas season, it’s time to really hunker down and create cozy, inviting homes.

I was recently encouraged by Douglas Elliman, a global real estate firm, to share my tips for decorating for the winter season and adding warmth to a home. Their recently redesigned Florida Page has some beautiful inspiration for cozy homes you can check out, or if you’re like me and just enjoy perusing real estate listings, it’s great for that too. 🙂

As you may or may not know, Mysa is a Swedish word that means “to cozy up,” so this challenge was right up my alley. The Christmas Season is the perfect time to open up your home and really practice hospitality. When I think of hospitality, I think of all the ways that I can welcome and delight my guests, and what better way to do that than to engage all five senses? So read on to see how you can focus on each sense (sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing) with how it relates to how your home feels to your guests.

Sight: Add Ambiance Through Lighting

The lighting in your home is, in my opinion, one of the most important mood-setters there is. Bright florescent lights just won’t feel right for a relaxed Christmas party going late into the night. Instead, opt for candles, lamps that cast a soft glow, and twinkle lights. Fun lighting options are a great way to set a tone in your home and get people to relax.

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Smell: Bring In the Outdoors with Touches of Nature

There are so many wonderful options for incorporating nature into your home during the holidays. The most obvious?! A real Christmas tree! Nothing beats the scent of pine in your home during Christmas. But if a real tree isn’t in the cards for you, instead bring in some pine through wreaths, boughs, and garlands. You can also get scented pine cones at home and craft stores, as well as holiday scented potpourri or nature scented candles.

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Taste: Keep Holiday Treats on Hand

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the holidays, and one surefire way to make your guests feel welcome is by having some treats on hand. Whether it’s cookies, unique flavored popcorn, hot drinks, or a simple cheese platter, your guests will feel special and cared for. Nothing puts people at ease as much as some freshly baked cookies or a piping mug of their favorite drink.

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Touch: Incorporate Warm & Cozy Textures

A home feels truly cozy when warm textures are interspersed throughout. Throws, pillows, rugs… all of these things can get an extra dose of cozy during winter through the colors and textures you choose. Go for knits, faux furs, velvets, and flannels for super comfy lounging. Pom poms and tassels add a fun element, and neutrals along with darker, moodier colors help to add warmth to any space.

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Hearing: Set the Tone Through Music

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is Christmas music! I usually wait until today to start listening to Christmas music, but this year I may have cheated and started a couple weeks ago. Along with lighting, I would say that during a party, open house, or gathering, music is one of the biggest tone-setters. By playing some festive and mood-appropriate music, you can really help people to relax and unwind. So far this season, my favorites are Lauren Daigle, Pentatonix, and Phil Wickham.

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I hope you enjoyed these ideas for delighting the senses of your holiday guests this winter season! All hospitality takes is a willingness to open your home and heart, and a little bit of creativity and planning. Make sure to check out the links to be fully prepared for your holiday guests! Happy holiday season!

P.S. Holiday Gift Guides

P.P.S. 12 Days of Christmas starts tomorrow!