"A classic Christmas with vintage touches brings all kinds of warm and cozy feelings, doesn’t it? From perfect vintage ornaments to knit stockings, lots of bright greenery, and a tree topper out of a movie, Faith Morrison‘s decked out home evokes oh so much nostalgia in all the best ways. Her holiday decorating motto—”have a little bit of Christmas everywhere you look”—means nothing is too overwhelming and there’s plenty of holly jolly all over, without having to spend all of your money on decor that’s going to spend most of the year packed away.
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For more on how Faith styles her home for the holidays and how she and her partner save for what can typically be one of the priciest times of the year, keep reading.
Name: Faith Morrison
Location: Denton, Texas
Sq. Ft: 1,400
When do you start decorating for the holidays?
After Thanksgiving. I find that if I put decorations up too early, they lose some of their impact by Christmas Day. I want them to feel fresh!
I love all my vintage ornaments, especially the Santa ones. It’s funny because we actually didn’t do Santa growing up, but they are just so cute and whimsical. One non-vintage ornament that stands out is a felt ballerina that I got from a shop in Boston while visiting my friend over the holidays one year. We went to the Nutcracker, ran all around the city, and had the best time.
Tell us about your holiday decorating process.
My goal when decorating is to have a little bit of Christmas everywhere you look, which actually takes less stuff than you’d think. I’m big on garland because it’s so easy to toss some wherever you want a little Christmas cheer. Add a few cute tchotchkes and you’re golden.
The tree is what I tend to fuss over. I collect vintage ornaments (particularly ornaments from the USSR in the 1960s), and I really want to spotlight them, so I can be a bit of a perfectionist. There’s always a moment when I start going a little bonkers—if you’re someone who can get hard on yourself when decorating, you’re not alone! But I just pour a glass of champagne, put on White Christmas, and remind myself that the homespun, imperfect look is actually what I prefer.
How do you budget when it comes to decorating seasonally? (Things can get expensive for such a short time of the year!)
We actually have a “holidays” savings account that includes every expense for the season—gifts for family, gifts for each other, orchestra tickets (my husband’s family tradition!), wrapping paper, baking ingredients, you name it—and we auto-transfer some money each month of the year to get us to the exact amount we need by Christmas. It may sound over the top, but it’s a lifesaver! It’s not enough money to be a big deal on a monthly basis, and then when December rolls around we have everything we need.
Where do you shop for holiday decor?
Most of my decor is from estate sales, flea markets, Etsy, eBay, and even Facebook Marketplace. I definitely have some Target and Anthropologie here and there, but my love for vintage Christmas stuff means that most of our decor is second-hand. We get our tree and real garland from Home Depot.
Do you have any holiday traditions that are special to you?
Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. Since I was a kid, my family of four has gotten together with my cousin and aunt to eat tamales (Christmas tamales are a big thing in Texas) and play games. It’s such a fun and relaxed evening, and I love seeing it grow over the years as we add spouses and eventually new little ones.
Do you have any tips for readers who may live in smaller apartments (and who are on a budget) who might not be able to decorate to their heart’s desire?
I think we see homes on social media totally decked out, and we forget that it really doesn’t take much to bring the Christmas vibes. A couple of string lights, maybe a little tree (the small ones from Home Depot are pretty inexpensive!), and some Christmas music is all you need. And pro tip: most places that sell real trees will let you have the branches they trim off for customers. Free greenery!
Do you have a favorite ornament on your tree?
This is so hard to answer! I love all my vintage ornaments, especially the Santa ones. It’s funny because we actually didn’t do Santa growing up, but they are just so cute and whimsical. One non-vintage ornament that stands out is a felt ballerina that I got from a shop in Boston while visiting my friend over the holidays one year. We went to the Nutcracker, ran all around the city, and had the best time. It always reminds me of that trip!
What’s your favorite piece of holiday decor that you own?
I have a soft spot for my little Christmas mice from childhood, who were known as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus Mouse. When my parents changed their holiday color scheme they let me have them, and they always make me smile.
How are you adjusting your celebrations this year?
We’re keeping it simple. No events or shows, no parties, no big Christmas hoopla. This year is all about lighting a fire and watching a Christmas movie with hot chocolate in hand. Which is really the most Christmassy thing of all.
Faith Morrison is The Everygirl…
Hot chocolate or hot cider? Hot chocolate with way too many marshmallows.
Favorite Christmas song? “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole and almost any version of “O Holy Night.”
Favorite Christmas movie? There’s so many I love! The Home Alone movies, Elf, and The Grinch (2018 version) are high on my list.
Favorite holiday treat? Toblerone—it’s not Christmassy to everyone, but I get it in my stocking every year.
A small business you love: Catbird, MINNA, Virginia SIN
The best gift you’ve ever given? We adore our city, and there is a factory here called Morrison’s Corn-Kits with a massive sign that is a town landmark. Since our last name is Morrison, I hired a photographer friend to photograph and frame it for my husband. He shot it during golden hour, and the result was gorgeous. We have it hanging in our entryway and it’s a wonderful tribute to the city where we met, fell in love, and built our life.
What’s at the top of your Christmas list this year? The Dewdrop Stud from Catbird and David Sedaris’ newest book, The Best of Me.