When I was a child, my mother always challenged me with setting the table for the holidays. First came learning how to set the silverware — knives and forks to the right of the plate, spoons to the right for a more casual setting — then came learning how to fold a cloth napkin, and finally my favorite part: scavenging for decorations to adorn the table. After Christmas presents were unwrapped and the living room looked the equivalent of a shredder exploding, I’d spend the morning out in the woods. I’d pick up pinecones, branches of evergreen spruces, and boughs of holly from the prickly bush out front. In the afternoon, I split my time perusing whatever book I received for Christmas and adorning my outdoor collection with gold paint and glitter. I’d finish my masterpiece by arranging it all on the table with candlesticks and set the table with the nice china and gold silverware.

Fast forward to my adult life. Though I have disposable income to buy my own Christmas decorations for my tiny apartment, I still find creative ways to decorate my dining room for the holidays. I might not have the grand dining room table that my parents have, but the granite island is perfect for dinner for two or entertaining a crowd on its feet. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled shopping for Christmas decor the weekend before November.

When I think of Christmas, I like to revolve my color scheme around the traditional red, white, and green with bold pops of plaid and striped patterns. I tend to incorporate punchy pops of plaid throughout my home decor year round, so transitioning it into my holiday decor is as simple as trading out the table runner and buying new napkins.

As my story noted above, I love incorporating the outdoors and earthy elements into my decor year round, so adding mini boxwood wreaths to the upper pantry cabinets and a mini Christmas tree in the kitchen were the perfect touches of whimsy that played well with the adorable Martha Stewart Living station wagon I used as a centerpiece.