The other day, I was scrolling through our local moms group on Facebook, when a question caught my eye. A mom asked when is it appropriate to start decorating our homes for fall. Responders provided varied answers. One suggested the asker decorate now, since fall is her favorite season. Another said not until the first official day of fall. A third person chimed in and said it’s not really fall until right before Halloween.
My answer?
I think parents should start decorating for fall whenever the heck they want. There’s no right or wrong time. If fall is your jam, why not bust out the orange, golden yellow, and tan decor?
Here’s the thing: Too often as parents, we look outside of ourselves to find answers, especially when we’re wavering. Sometimes it’s good to get other opinions, like what to do about a sticky mother-in-law situation. However, other times, the answer should be: whatever makes you happy.
Since the pandemic, many of us have spent more time in our homes than ever before
Our dear friends own a furniture store, and business has been booming for two years. Why? Because families were suddenly thrust into lots and lots of at-home togetherness. This had people committed to changing up their home vibe by making over rooms to fit their current style, as well as make their home more functional.
Those who used to work strictly outside the home, particularly those with some type of “desk job,” suddenly found themselves working from home all or some of the time. That means a lot of us were creating home offices — buying desks, chairs, and accessories. Our homes became not only our offices but also our daycare and remote-learning centers. We were spending a whole lot of time inside our four walls.
So, no one is going to blame you — or care — if and when you put up your fall décor
If you love pumpkins, leaves, and plaid, go for it. While you’re at it, whip up a pumpkin spice latte and shop for your kids’ Halloween costumes. Put up those cute ghost statues, switch out the throw pillows, and string the orange pop-pom garland. If fall décor makes you happy, boo (pun intended), go for it!
If you need a little more of a nudge, take me, for example
I love Christmas. Every single thing about it — the music, cookies, shopping, decorating, togetherness — brings me so much joy. In our home, Christmas is about a month-and-a-half event, not a one-day holiday. I have no shame in my Christmas game, and I don’t get the people who complain about the Christmas décor coming out in stores before Halloween is over. To me, there’s no such thing as too much Christmas.
I put out my Christmas décor when and where I see fit. I wait until I get the urge, and then I just do it. I don’t care if my neighbor, friend, or relatives are still basking in fall fun. Because I’m the one who has to live in my house. Christmas makes me happy, so why not extend the season with some serious cheer?
If you’re a work-at-home mom or a stay-at-home mom, you’re spending many, many hours in your home. Making your home a place where you can work, play, and relax isn’t easy — especially not with gobs of kid stuff sprinkled in every room, on every surface. So if busting out that fall tote you keep in the hall closet, unpacking the decorations, and then finding a happy, temporary home for them gives you energy and happiness, go for it.
You shouldn’t need a stranger’s permission slip to live your best at-home life. But if you do need someone’s stamp of approval, I’m giving it to you right now.
