'Tis the season to be jolly, but what if your halls are decked with construction chaos instead of boughs of holly? Fear not, merry renovator! With a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of holiday cheer, you can turn your renovation project into a festive adventure. My past as an infant teacher is setting me up for a Renovation Nativity….

Regardless of the status of your project, the holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and quality time with loved ones. However, if you find yourself in the midst of a renovationthe chaos and dust might make it challenging to get into the festive spirit. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can still have a memorable and enjoyable holiday season, perhaps even more so. Our first Christmas at Alpine featured lots of unpacking as we moved in on Christmas Eve, it’s one of my favourite festive days that I would do all over again. This blog shares five tips to help you navigate the challenges of living in a renovation project during Christmas, followed by how I’m embracing my second Christmas in a renovation.

Create a Cosy Corner

While the renovation may have turned your home into a construction zone, designate a small area where you can create a cosy and festive atmosphere. Set up a makeshift living room or dining space with holiday decorations (even if only very small), add some cushions, and of course blankets. There’s no reason why you can’t have somewhere comfortable to escape to, if you can close a door on the work even better. This "construction-free zone" will be your holiday hideaway, a retreat from the paint spills and power tools, providing a comfortable space to relax with the chocolates and enjoy the festive ambiance. Our spare bedroom is a hideaway from the work in progress, there are purposefully no signs of a home under improvement here, no stacks of samples or decorating clothes hanging up. Being in this room you wouldn’t even know there’s piles of plasterboard and naked walls in the majority of the house.

Embrace Simple Decorations

With the ongoing renovations, you may not have the luxury of an elaborately decorated home. Embrace simplicity by opting for easy-to-set-up decorations. Consider using battery-operated LED lights, festive garlands, maybe homemade paper ones that can be recycled, and small, tabletop decorations such as a small potted tree. These can instantly transform a space without requiring extensive time or effort, leaving you more time to recharge your batteries and enjoy the holiday season. I’ll soon be bringing out two flat base baubles to stand on top of the book case.

Plan Ahead for Celebrations

If you usually host holiday gatherings, consider scaling back this year or planning alternative celebrations. Opt for a potluck-style dinner or a festive brunch at a nearby friend or family member's home. If you prefer to stay in, plan a cosy movie night with loved ones, complete with holiday classics and comfort food (air fryers can easily manage with a party picnic). Planning ahead will help you manage expectations and ensure that the festivities can still take place, even if on a smaller scale. A simple way to transform your unfinished space is with festoon or fairy lights. In the summer we had five friends and their three children camping with us. One evening we draped festoon lights over scaffold towers and brought in all the camping chairs, turned up the music and enjoyed a pizza feast. Everyone, including the children, said it was one of their favourite holiday memories. Similarly this could be how to spend time with family and friends over the Christmas break.

Set Realistic Expectations

Living in a renovation project during Christmas may not be the picture-perfect holiday you had in mind. You’ll feel less pressure by setting realistic expectations, being kind to yourself and being flexible. Understand that there might be inconveniences, and things may not go as smoothly as you'd like. Focus on the positive aspects, such as the progress made so far on your home, and remind yourself that this unique holiday experience will make for great stories in the future. I’ve simplified my Christmas preparation, to almost nothing, and I’m very much taking one day at a time.

Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care

Amidst the hustle and bustle of renovations and the holiday season, don't forget to take breaks and prioritise self-care. Whether it's a short walk, a hot bath (if you still have one), making a nice breakfast (toasted waffles, biscoff spread and blueberries can be done without a kitchen), or simply lighting a candle any time of day, these small acts can make a significant difference in your well-being. I have a date in my diary between Christmas and New Year to go to a beautiful hotel with my journals to reflect and plan in nice surroundings, with some sweet treats and special treatment. Taking care of yourself will help you stay energised and positive, allowing you to better navigate the challenges of living in a renovation project during Christmas. I’ve enjoyed a little ritual most days when I’ve been at home of making a hot chocolate in my velvetiser, again a way to make an effort for myself and all I need is electricity. Don’t pause the things you love, you can find a way.

Five things I’m doing right now

Planning what decorations I will buy in the sale. I admire Every Story ceramic baubles every year, I’m going to buy some pre-Christmas as my motivation and memento of this time, however when the sales begin I’ll also be topping up my decorations.
Visualising next year and where the tree will go. I practice visualisation daily and wrote about using this as a way to plan a renovation/get through the tough bits. I’ve been journaling about this time next year and of course making plans for power where the tree will be! You can read more on using visualisation in your project in this blog: Visualisation as a Renovation Tool
Exploring the idea of a new hobby for 2024. I love crafting and colouring. I’m itching to have a calm space and mind; let go of all thoughts and plans to just be at the kitchen table, with friends, chatting and peacefully creating with no pressure. I can’t wait.
Keeping a renovation free retreat. As described, our bedroom remains renovation free, so I’m enjoying it with my Neom pod, soft wall lighting and a pile of books.
Taking the pressure off. Whilst a very special time and so much fun to decorate a home, Christmas is about spending time with people; without family and friends the atmosphere isn’t the same. So that’s where my focus will be over the Christmas week and I’m not at all worried about our home, because for the years ahead, it will be our anchor for memories every day of the year.

I hope you can embrace the uniqueness of your situation, focus on creating small pockets of festive joy, and remember that the renovations will eventually result in a beautifully transformed home for all future celebrations.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas.