Embracing January’s Blues: 5 Tips for Winter Decorating

Christmas decorations are so short-lived.

Before we can blink, January comes with his frosted breath and early nightfall. He wraps us in quietness—tucking us into a weighted blanket that promises cozy quietness but threatens us with claustrophobia at the same time.

Depression spikes. Our social life drops off as everyone seeks to recover from the hustle and bustle of Christmas. The darkness makes us lethargic. The cold keeps us attached to our space heaters.

When I was growing up, my mom found it depressing to pack away the Christmas décor. So, she decided to make January decorating exciting. Once Christmas was over, she announced that it was time to decorate for winter.

Of all the seasons for decorating, it seemed that January was the season we were most intentional about. When we were done, we dropped onto the couch together and smiled.

Although January is a slower, darker month, we can still make our homes beautiful and welcoming. Perhaps the atmosphere of our homes can help keep our spirits up even when the world outside seems stark and suffocating. Here are some ideas for repurposing décor for this slower season.

1. Repurpose the Christmas tree. This year, my roommate and I did not hang ornaments on our Christmas tree until the day before we left the “teacher house” to visit our families for Christmas break. Knowing it would be January when we returned, I made our tree into a “winter tree.” The white and gold ribbon we used for Christmas would still be appropriate. Add to that a few gold ornaments with snowflakes. Four small blue balls. A handful of large white glittery balls. Done. Welcome, January.
2. Keep out winter-themed décor. From your Christmas decorations, keep out any winter-themed décor and simply decorate with leftover snow blankets, flocked pieces, frosted floral, and silver accents.
3. Repurpose old calendars. About to throw out last year’s calendars? Wait! Some calendars have beautiful pictures you can frame—especially winter-themed ones. Over the years, people have given me God’s Creation calendars as gifts, which I may or may not have ever used as a calendar. Yet the nature photography is beautiful, and the designs include thought-provoking Bible verses. Now I wait for the buy-one, get-two-picture-frames-free special at Michael’s to purchase frames matted to 8×10 pictures. Then I simply tear off the desired calendar photo and position it into the frame. Winter-themed wall décor—check.
4. Use blue décor. For Christmas, I like using green, red, and gold décor. But blue décor feels like January to me. When I came across a glittery blue garland at Hobby Lobby’s after-Christmas sale, I knew it would look great on our mantle for January. Using blue vases and keeping out some blue Christmas balls feel fitting to me as well.
5. Don’t forget about February. Valentine’s Day comes fast. I may be single, but I can still celebrate God’s love. Weaving pink garland into green wreaths or garlands and adding pink Christmas balls adds a subtle beauty appropriate for February. Soft pink placemats I found as on-sale Christmas décor passes for February as well.

While the stores are putting out the spring décor months before we see flowers blooming around us, we can use a variety of décor to brighten an otherwise dark season. Look at what you have and keep out décor that brings joy and beauty. Designate a few items to use only during this otherwise blue season. Give yourself something to look forward to and celebrate.

I recommend a musical penguin snow globe.

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