As Christmas approaches my social calendar goes from zero to a hundred, my list of to-do’s grows exponentially and my bank account just as quickly depletes. While anxiety levels go up, so does my excitement for the season. I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly wavering between panic and Christmas cheer! This flurry (pun intended) of emotions must have some backing to it. I’ve given it some thought and it’s amazing how the senses play a big part in contributing to our memories and experiences.

When I was a kid, life wasn’t perfect. In fact, it was a far cry from perfection, and life was rarely consistent. But a few things remained the same every Christmas: the anticipation leading up to the day of gifts and turkey, the putting-up of the Christmas trees and the snow—yes there was snow in Toronto before global warming. These things brought me such joy. It was the one time of year that I experienced this unique excitement and even though I’m now grown-up and have my own family, that feeling remains. Many things contribute to our Christmas experience, no doubt, but in my work as an interior designer here are the elements that most stand out for me:

SIGHT

Back then, a fat Christmas tree with colour lights and way too much tinsel was the norm. It wasn’t just my house. Every friend had a similar looking tree. Storefronts were adorned with Christmas greenery and garlands and houses were decked with a rainbow palette of lights. There is nostalgia for me associated with this vintage vision and it weirdly brings me joy. The Christmas season has evolved into one that is more visually curated now days, but regardless, the visual cues of Christmas decorating help create some of the strongest associations with the season.

SCENT

When I was a child, and before quality artificial trees were a thing, my dad, my brother and I would go to the local supermarket parking lot to get our real tree. The smell of pine needles would fill the house as soon as we un-roped it. That very same smell has been recreated through candles, essential oils, reed diffusers and home sprays. Being able to fill the home with the smells of a real tree is possible even if the artificial tree is your jam.

Of course the other scents of the Christmas season are those of Christmas dinners. For me, the aroma of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce filled my childhood house. As the hours passed and we watched endless hours of vintage Christmas cartoons, these smells would tantalize my tastebuds for the feast to come!

TASTE

Christmas turkey dinner, pumpkin pie, egg nogg and gingerbread. Enough said! Certain spices like rosemary, thyme, ginger and cinnamon are traditionally associated with Christmas for most North Americans and it is no different for me. I find myself craving these flavors and tastes the minute late October and early November roll around. Taste goes hand-in-hand with scent, and these rich spices and foods are linked almost inseparably to communal gatherings and meals shared around the dinner table. Whether you’re gathering in the kitchen or around an elaborately decorated 14-person place setting, the tastes of Christmas are some of the most indelible of the season!

*My go-to* *turkey recipe* *by Alton Brown*

TOUCH

Ever feel snowflakes fall on your eyelashes and nose? Or how about the feeling of frozen toes after ice skating or skiing? For those in the more northerly parts of North America, these are iconic winter experiences. Drying my mitts on a floor vent or sitting in front of one to warm up was a regular experience in my home through the winter season. Perhaps you replaced floor vents with a fireplace. We had one but ours was never used. However you might have experienced it, warming up after being in the cold is one of those cozy comforting feelings this time of year. One of my favourite childhood memories was curling up on my dad’s comfy sectional, wrapped in a soft blanket and watching the snow fall outside my living room window, which was of course adorned in multicoloured Christmas lights. It was the perfect place to fall asleep.

*Me at the Strasbourg Christmas Market dancing in the snow, 2023*

SOUND

When I was in elementary school, before we broke for Christmas break, we’d gather in the gymnasium to sing carols. Everything from Hark the Harald Angels Sing to Joy to the World, we sang together (no it wasn’t Catholic school, it was public school…seriously). In the department stores, and on radio stations classics like Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree echoed for weeks on repeat. Whether your house is decked out with a Sonos speaker system, or you have a portable speaker like the one below, Christmas tunes add a unique ring and ambience to the season.

The senses play a big part in our memories and experiences. My approach to design always considers the senses and how these connect with people’s lived experience. Maybe your Christmas dinner was historically different than mine and you have different sights, smells, tastes, touch and sounds associated with this time of year. Regardless, our senses contribute to our unique experiences of the holiday season.

All of our most powerful experiences and memories have to do with house and home. As an interior designer, my goal is to create homes and spaces that promote peaceful, relaxing and joyful experiences and memory-making.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas everyone!

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