Holiday Decorating | Our Unfiltered Opinions

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: Holiday Decorating | Our Unfiltered Opinions
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Hosts: Alice Lane, Corey Bennett, Susan Hall
Recorded: November 7, 2024

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Introduction to the Holiday Episode

In this special holiday edition of Dear Alice, hosts Alice Lane, Corey Bennett, and Susan Hall dive into the festive season with enthusiasm and expert insights. They kick off the episode by announcing their annual holiday party held at the Alice Lane showroom, where they unveil their first holiday decor looks. Corey shares her excitement about unveiling new holiday themes that have been in development since the previous holiday season.

[00:22] Corey: "We have a really fun episode for you today. We like to do this about once a year."

Holiday Decorating Themes

The hosts elaborate on the different themes they will showcase during their holiday party:

1. Christmas Morning: A bright and joyful setup reminiscent of a traditional Christmas breakfast, featuring a happy tree adorned with party brights to create a lively atmosphere.

2. Night Before Christmas: A dreamy bedroom setting inspired by the classic holiday poem, evoking a serene and magical evening ambiance.

3. Winter House Look: Drawing inspiration from Aaron Lauder's Aspen home, this theme presents a chic winter aesthetic with elegant, understated decorations.

[01:01] Corey: "We've been brewing on these looks since I think we first saw a holiday in. It's always Q1 where you have to make these decisions of what you're going to bring to market."

Identifying the First Signs of the Holiday Season

The conversation shifts to identifying the initial indicators that the holiday season has arrived. Susan highlights the impact of Christmas music as her first cue, initiating from November 1st. Alice adds that for them in Utah, the onset of snowfall and dropping temperatures also signals the beginning of the festive season.

[02:11] Alice: "I would say the music for me... it invokes feelings and... I love that."

[05:13] Alice: "We usually get a live tree. I've left my tree with lights on it out. Just taken off the ornaments or left on the icicles or just kept it really, really lightweight just because I miss the glow."

Listener Questions: Holiday Decorating Tips

The core of the episode revolves around answering listener-submitted questions about holiday decorating. The hosts address various topics, offering practical advice and creative ideas to elevate holiday decor.

1. How Do You Feel About Naked Trees?

Naked trees, which feature only lights for a minimalist look, receive a positive response. The hosts appreciate the elegance of warm white LED lights and share their experiences incorporating live trees with unique decorative elements like glass icicles and silver pinecones.

[08:38] Susan: "How do you feel about naked trees? As in lights, only for a simple but elegant look."

[08:45] Corey: "I think it's just so classic, especially when they don't use those LED bulbs that are just, like, blue and look like an alien lives there, but, like, really getting the warm white bulb."

2. What Are Your Tree Toppers This Year?

Alice expresses her ongoing search for the perfect tree topper, emphasizing the importance of quality and aesthetic harmony with the tree. Corey introduces their own line of origami-inspired, folded white paper star toppers available in their showroom.

[12:57] Susan: "What's going on the top of your trees this year?"

[14:04] Corey: "One of the things we got is a tree topper, and it looks like origami, and it's just white and folded paper."

3. Exterior Lighting: Standard White or Themed?

The hosts advocate for traditional white lights over novelty shapes like jellyfish, citing timeless elegance and versatility. They share anecdotes about unique lighting choices seen in celebrity homes, such as Kim Kardashian's Scandinavian-inspired forest of fresh trees with white lights.

[15:26] Susan: "Is that like the bright white?"

[15:35] Corey: "Yes to white lights on the exterior now."

4. Styling a Tree with Eclectic Ornaments

Susan seeks advice on balancing eclectic ornaments without creating a mismatched appearance. The hosts recommend establishing a foundational layer of coordinated ornaments before layering in eclectic pieces. They emphasize the importance of mixing vintage and antique ornaments to add depth and character to the tree.

[20:21] Susan: "How to style a tree with eclectic ornaments and not be so matchy matchy. So what? Yeah. Is there a formula behind this?"

[21:17] Corey: "We did pearls last year for the tree, which when I think of elegant, I'm just like, oh, classic, right? Just like Audrey Hepburn black dress, straight astrana pearls."

5. Incorporating Family Mementos into Christmas Decor

Alice and Susan discuss integrating personal and family memorabilia into holiday decor to enhance sentimental value. They suggest placing family-made ornaments, photos, and handcrafted items as the final decorative layer to maintain a cohesive yet personal aesthetic.

[26:45] Susan: "How to incorporate family mementos into Christmas decor."

[27:10] Alice: "We have ornaments that Tom made that his mom gave me. And it's just like pictures of Tom, like when he was little with a paper mache like wreath around it or something."

6. Best Ideas to Stock the Gift Drawer for Surprise Needed Gifts (Ranges: $5-$15 and $30-$50)

The hosts offer gift stocking ideas suitable for various budgets:

• $5-$15 Range:
  • Candles: High-quality candles like Lola James Harper, renowned for their luxurious scents.
  • Crystal Candle Dishes: Elegant trays paired with candles add a sophisticated touch.
  • Amber Oil Perfumes: Affordable and universally appreciated fragrances available at stores like Ulta or Amazon.

[32:43] Alice: "I love this idea and I love that she's prepared enough to, like, have a stock drawer."

• $30-$50 Range:
  • Cozy Blankets and Pajama Sets: While the hosts initially promoted Cozy Earth products, they emphasized the importance of comfort and luxury in holiday gifting.

Note: Product promotions were present in the transcript but are omitted here to maintain focus on content as per user instructions.

7. Toddler-Proof Whimsy in Kids' Bedrooms

Addressing Susan’s question, the hosts recommend subtle and interactive decorations for children's bedrooms. Ideas include small faux trees with lights, Elf on the Shelf activities, and displaying kids' artwork to foster excitement and engagement without overwhelming the space.

[35:26] Susan: "Any idea ideas for toddler proof whimsy in kids bedrooms?"

[35:40] Alice: "It's a little faux tree to put on like their dresser... It's really fun to, like, have them, like, draw Christmas trees or color an ornament or they come always come home with, like, stuff from school."

8. Tips on Keeping Decor Elegant and Not Kitschy

The final listener question focuses on maintaining elegance in holiday decorating. The hosts advise:

• Embrace Classic Elements: Incorporate timeless decorations like pearls, metallics, and mercury glass to add sophistication.
• Avoid Over-themes: Steer clear of overly themed decorations that can appear kitschy and trend-dependent.
• Less is More: Select a few key decorative elements and repeat them to create a cohesive and mature look.

[36:59] Corey: "How to keep it elegant and not kitschy."

[38:00] Alice: "Don't be too themy."

[38:45] Corey: "Those repetition, it makes it so that it doesn't feel random. You know what I mean? It just is continuous around the tree."

Creating a Harmonious Holiday Space

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the balance between personal expression and timeless elegance in holiday decor. They encourage listeners to blend their unique styles with classic elements to create inviting and aesthetically pleasing environments.

[40:29] Alice: "Less is more in that, but just by more of the less."

Conclusion and Invitation

Wrapping up the episode, Corey invites listeners to join their holiday party at the Draper showroom and explore their curated holiday collections available online. The hosts express their gratitude to the listeners and eagerly anticipate sharing their festive creations.

[40:43] Corey: "If you're local, you're invited and we'd love to see you at our holiday party tonight in our Draper showroom. And if you aren't local,... come browse the holiday collection online."

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Notable Quotes:

• Corey: "It just is fun. Just the whole retail side of things. Just even going in the grocery store and seeing the holiday candy and you start Seeing it pop up here and there." [04:05]

• Susan: "How do you feel about naked trees? As in lights, only for a simple but elegant look." [08:38]

• Alice: "Don't be too themy." [39:52]

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This episode of Dear Alice serves as an invaluable guide for homeowners looking to enhance their holiday decor with a blend of classic charm and personal flair. Whether you're a minimalist or a maximalist, the hosts provide thoughtful insights to help you create a festive and elegant holiday environment.

Transcript

[Alice]

Welcome to Dear Alice, a lifestyle approach to interior design.

[Corey]

Hi, guys. Welcome to Dear Alice. We have a really fun episode for you today. We like to do this about once a year.

[Susan]

It is now past November 1st, so that is. That can be a thing.

[Corey]

It's official, right? Also, if you're local, tonight is the night of our holiday party at Alice Lane where we show the first holiday looks we have.

[Alice]

Holiday party is so much fun.

[Corey]

It is so much fun. We have. We've been like brewing on these looks since I think we first saw a holiday in. It's always Q1 where you have to make these decisions of what you're going to bring to market.

[Susan]

Like just after.

[Corey]

And everything that didn't sell is on the floor. And you're like, I hate myself for buying those mice or whatever it was that you bought that didn't sell. And then you have to commit a whole year earlier to what you hope will sell. So anyway, we committed to these looks just months and months and months ago, and I am still buzzy about them. I'm so excited about this year's decor. So we're going to be working in a couple different themes. So if you do come, if you're local, we've got a Christmas morning theme that's kind of like a Christmas breakfast. Like, we've got a tree and it's happy and party brights. It just gives you a whole mood. We've got a night before Christmas look, a Christmas Eve look that's like in a bedroom and it's going to be really dreamy. And then we have one of our favorite references that we talk about all the time when it comes to holiday. And that's Aaron Lauder's Aspen home. So we're kind of doing a winter house look that's very chic. So anyway, we're going to get into all of the different looks, but today is our holiday episode and I'm so happy it's here.

[Alice]

I am too, because I love the holiday so much. Okay, this one? Yeah.

[Susan]

Oh, sorry, you, please. No, you go first because I was about to jump into it, but I know you have something first.

[Alice]

Thank you. No, I would just want to know, like, what is the first sign of the season for you guys? Like when you are just like you. This thing happens and you're just like, commence the holidays are here. Carry on. Like, take me. Take me and coach, you know.

[Corey]

Oh, that's a good question.

[Alice]

First sign of the season for you.

[Corey]

Do you have an answer, Corey?

[Susan]

I do.

[Corey]

What is it?

[Susan]

And I just had just barely talked about it, but I love the music. But I only like it November 1st on. But that's because to me, November 1st.

[Alice]

Not December 1st, though. Yeah, you're down. After Halloween, you're down.

[Susan]

I'm good for that because. Yeah, you can. I mean, while you're, you know, doing Thanksgiving, doing all that, you can listen to Christmas music.

[Alice]

Disney.

[Susan]

Yeah, exactly.

[Alice]

They break it down in the night.

[Susan]

Yep, yep. So I would say the music for me and I don't know, you know, music invokes feelings and. Yeah, I. I love that. I hate hearing it outside of that. It's actually. That was Demi's favorite. Jingle Bells is her favorite song, so I've been hearing it all year, which is fine coming from a three year old. So.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

What's your favorite Christmas album?

[Susan]

Oh, man, I just love classic stuff like the Nat King Cole. Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm going to say, as a whole, the Carpenter's Christmas album.

[Alice]

That's my favorite. It's so good.

[Susan]

You can't be kidding.

[Corey]

The Prelude. Yeah. How cute that you guys both have the same favorite. It's so good.

[Susan]

It really is.

[Alice]

We're gonna listen to it after this. You're gonna listen? Yep. Okay.

[Susan]

I have it on vinyl and, yeah, we play it, like, all the time.

[Alice]

So did you know that Provo grandma, she was, like, about to sing backup for Carpenters?

[Susan]

What?

[Alice]

Yeah. Wow. She accepted my dad's proposal instead, and so she got married instead. But she could. She was gonna.

[Susan]

That was a good move, actually.

[Alice]

I know. Like, that's okay. I'm, like, pretty dope. Like a solid alto, you know.

[Susan]

That's awesome.

[Alice]

Anyway, this is so good.

[Susan]

You could have had an Aunt Karen. And that Aunt Karen would have been Karen Carpenter.

[Alice]

I know. Dang it. Dang it, Edie.

[Corey]

You know, it's hard to narrow down, like, the first. Like, what's the first sign? Because for me, since we're in retail, there is this moment where we crack open the boxes and we see the holiday, that we've smelled the holiday. Yes. And we start burning the candles in the store and you start layering the beds differently and you layer in the pillows differently. And I just think that first sort of sign of all of the cozy layers and just the sparkle and the magic that comes on is so fun. I don't do it at home until after Thanksgiving. But there is something. I don't know. It's really fun. Just the whole retail side of things. Just even going in the grocery store and seeing the holiday candy and you start Seeing it pop up here and there. But when you bring it home is I think, when it actually begins, you know. So I don't know what that is at home for me. I'm trying to think what the first sign is. I know what your answer is, Susan. I kind of agree with you. Yeah. Yeah. You give your answer.

[Alice]

Yeah. Well, we're. It's fun living in Utah because it's a definite like season change when like the snow starts to fall.

[Corey]

Yes.

[Alice]

The temperatures drop and you. Your body like naturally wants different things. It wants layers on its body and you want hot cocoa. Like just even like a few weekends ago, it was chilly one night and it started like storming and Nolan just like, mom, we should have hot cocoa. And I'm like a hundred percent, we should have hot cocoa and like throw on the carpenters. Like, it is time. It is time. So it was time anyway, so.

[Susan]

That's amazing.

[Alice]

It's just like. It's just all those sensory things of just like you feel the coolness on your body. You feel, you know, just like I dress my bed differently. You know, like you. You bring the duvet up first and the quilt sits at the base. And like you, you just turn on.

[Corey]

The seat heaters in your car. I call that hot tubbing because I'm not one that likes to. I don't like to swim or get wet. Yeah. And so I turn that on. I'm like hot. And even when I get home, I've like sit in the garage for a minute longer. So like, oh, it just feels so good. I just love a seat heater and a heated steering wheel. That's a luxury gift. Yeah. So getting to turn those on too. But the hot COCOA Magic is 100% a thing. And we can like drive through Starbucks and you're like, oh, you put a little bit of peppermint in it. It's just so dreamy. Yes.

[Alice]

The whipped cream, please.

[Corey]

Yeah. Sprinkles.

[Susan]

The first night we met, you like Coco motion?

[Alice]

Probably.

[Susan]

Yeah. You and Tom invited me back to your guys house to make me hot cocoa. And I was like, I've known you guys for like 30 minutes. But yeah, like, let's go.

[Alice]

What year was it?

[Susan]

It was. It was second week in November.

[Alice]

See?

[Corey]

Yep.

[Alice]

So good.

[Corey]

I have to say, the attic was magic for all things. Yeah. You felt like you were inside a storybook.

[Alice]

It's a Hallmark movie.

[Susan]

Yeah. We went to Smith's and got all the stuff and we went to your.

[Alice]

House and we did with that. With. We should like. Yeah, we should, like, have a.

[Corey]

What is it?

[Alice]

A reenactment of that and have, like, all of our kids and stuff.

[Corey]

She's like, we should renew our vows.

[Alice]

I'll drink your water anyway.

[Corey]

That's awesome.

[Alice]

So fun. Okay. All right.

[Susan]

So this year, we're doing a little bit different. We're doing, like, taking our holiday episode and our listener questions episode, and we just infuse them into one, which I thought was cool. Good idea. So we polled everyone on our Instagram feeds. Right. And these are all the questions that we got back. So they're holiday listener questions. I'm going to have to say this. We got a ton. Thank you so much. A lot. We won't be able to answer just because of time constraints, but a lot of them were answered in Decorate Like a Pro interview with Rachel folkman that aired November 2023. Yeah. So go back, listen to that episode. It's awesome. One of my favorite inter that we've done. Yeah. So if we didn't answer your question, go back to that. Probably get it answered.

[Corey]

Yeah, I just listened to it last night, and it was a great listen, you guys. And she really does give so many great decorating tips. And there was a ton of decorating questions that came in, so we. We made sure that you got those answered in that. And then we thought we'd answer different questions for this. So if we're not answering it here, I promise it's going to be listened. When you listen to that episode from a year ago.

[Susan]

Yeah, that one's keeper. That's probably it every year.

[Alice]

Yep.

[Susan]

Okay, question one.

[Corey]

Yes.

[Susan]

How do you feel about naked trees? As in lights, only for a simple but elegant look.

[Alice]

Okay.

[Corey]

Yeah. Well, sue and I both experienced this for the first time at the same time. I feel like in somebody's home. We, of course, love it when we see it outside in people's yards. I think it's just so classic, especially when they don't use those LED LED bulbs that are just, like, blue and look like an alien lives there, but, like, really getting the warm. The warm white bulb. Yeah. It's so pretty. But sue and I were together at a client's home, and every year she has the same Holiday.

[Alice]

I mean, holiday.

[Corey]

Yeah, Holiday, Utah. Holiday, Utah is this really darling little town, and this client lives in Holiday, and she has a beautiful live tree every year. Strings it with white lights.

[Alice]

It's tall and skinny, and it just, like, reaches tall, high up.

[Corey]

So good. Kind of irregular. It's just perfectly imperfect. And then her designer friend and her String it with these clear icicles that are all irregular and beautiful. They're made out of glass, and they have copper wires that they tie that they put on it. So at first glance, you just don't feel like. You just feel like you're looking at a tree, a live tree in her home with just white lights. But then as you get closer, you're like, wait a minute. How are those frozen icicles on it? Because it's inside of a house, but they look very realistic and they are glass, and the size is perfect. And then there's also silver pine cones that were tied onto the tree with wire, and it is the most natural but chic thing I've ever seen in my life. And so when this question came in, we were like, yes, you should do that. And if you find yourself a glass set of icicles, buy those too, because you'll still have that really simple, elegant look. And the silver pinecone thing was on another level. Yeah.

[Alice]

So beautiful. And I will say, like, I think there's something to the winter tree because, like, at the end of Christmas. Yes. You want to get rid of all the chop that's like everywhere and all the colors, and you're just like, I need a break. My head is so tired. But, like, I've left mine. We usually get a live tree. I've left my tree with lights on it out. Just taken off the ornaments or left on the icicles or just, like, kept it really, really lightweight just because I miss the glow, you know, or even if I want to put it up early, I won't put my ornaments on, but I'll have a lit tree. Just get me in the mood. So I think it's beautiful. Again, if you're in a minimalist, and that's like, just like your look, all your, like, holiday long. I think that's beautiful. But even if you are a maximalist or you like a lot of stuff, like we do, I think it's fun to just kind of warm up and a cool down.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

I think it's beautiful to have a winter tree also.

[Corey]

Mom, plug your ears. But I. I really. I love. I hate to say it. I hope you guys don't lose respect for me, but I really like the Kardashians and I love it for. For the lifestyle. I feel like it's my job to know the lifestyle of, you know, fabulous homes. Yeah. Because we do work for these folks. Right. And sometimes they reference it also. The fashion's fine, and it's just, you know, it's fun It's a bit of.

[Susan]

Their show is a lot better than a lot of other garbage out there.

[Corey]

I also just want to say, like, the Hulu version is fantastic compared to the old episodes, but Kim Kardashian's home, she just does like a forest of fresh trees with white light. And she lives in this really beautiful. Who'd she use again? This Axel Vervort, I think did her home. And it's very Scandinavian, very austere. Yes. Not very much color. And this whole. She puts this whole forest outside of her bathroom where her tub is. So when you look outside, you just see a forest of trees with white lights.

[Alice]

You're in Narnia, guys.

[Corey]

It could not be more beautiful. So if you only Google that fact or watch that on YouTube, just put it in your eyeballs because it's beautiful. And just watch for the visuals. I'm not saying the content's amazing, but the homes, the fashion, it's just really great. Yeah, it's like hanging out with girlfriends. It's fine.

[Alice]

Trees, beautiful.

[Corey]

Sorry, Mom. I know you didn't think I watched Kardashians. Okay, next question. Corey. She lives in Richmond, I live in Highland.

[Alice]

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

[Susan]

We just don't. We just don't talk about that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Corey]

We talk about family stuff when we're together. We don't talk about Kardashians.

[Susan]

What's going on the top of your trees this year?

[Alice]

Great question, great question. I feel like is, people ask every single year and I think it becomes like, with most. I think Christmas decorating, it becomes very personal because I think if you like, if you believe in an angel and you want an angel there, if you want a star there, I think it's just trying to find the right ones of those because I think there's lots.

[Susan]

Of, like, bad ones out there, unfortunately, mostly bad.

[Alice]

Most of them. And so I was trying to find. I haven't found mine. I haven't found my tree topper. And again, like, I just try and get as tall of a live tree as I can get. And so then. But like, Nolan, he came home last year and he's just like, where's the star? Like, why don't we have a star? And I'm like, so sorry, son. Like, we'll find one.

[Susan]

But I mean, we've been looking for three years and we act. We actually have bought probably two or three and one of them. Yeah, we.

[Corey]

We should develop something.

[Susan]

We need.

[Corey]

We should get something hand carved by an artisan, like a rustic star, you know, What?

[Alice]

I mean, yes, we need that German silver or something.

[Corey]

Yes.

[Alice]

Like, really beautiful.

[Corey]

Let's get on that.

[Alice]

Let's do that on that.

[Susan]

Drew's not going to love, but let's do that.

[Corey]

Yeah, I know. Hey, let me just say this. We put up our holiday selection online, which I know is a question that's up and coming, so check that out. And one of the things that we got is a tree topper, and it looks like origami, and it's just white and folded paper. Yes. This is one of the collections. If you guys can. If you guys are watching us on. On YouTube or on Spotify, you can see this little collection. This is going to be in the showroom. So this kind of takes in what sue and I were talking about. We have the glass icicles. We also have silver pine cones, and then we've put on a few metallics on this tree. But you can see the top of the tree is going to be this beautiful white folded star. It's got an elongated stem. It kind of feels like it's from, I don't know, Iceland or the Netherlands. Or Netherlands.

[Alice]

Yeah.

[Corey]

It just. It kind of feels spiritual in a way because it's so simple and just made of white folded paper. I can't wait. I can't wait. Behold it. Yeah.

[Susan]

That's going to be my topper this year for sure.

[Corey]

Isn't it sunny? Yeah, I know we only bought so many, so if y'all within the sound of my voice, hurry and go buy it before it sells out. But it's going to be really special, so I love that. So I'd say that. Yeah, I'm excited. My. My topper blows. Actually, super won't anymore. I'm so excited. I'm gonna buy myself one of those, too, if they don't sell out. Yeah. Good talk. I'm glad she asked that. Yeah.

[Susan]

All right, for the exterior, standard white, icicle colored or other standard white. Is that like the bright white?

[Corey]

Okay. Yes to white lights on the exterior now.

[Alice]

No to jellyfish.

[Corey]

No to jellyfish lights.

[Susan]

Man, I'm so tired of those elephants. Jellyfish.

[Alice]

I know. It's the Fourth of July, guys. You don't need your house to tell Me it's the 4th of July. Because people like. I'm like. The fireworks are very. They're good enough anyway. Yeah, there's no.

[Susan]

There's no hanging to it either. And it's like.

[Corey]

There's no dimension.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Susan]

It's just it. Yeah, it looks like a spaceship taking off or something.

[Alice]

Don't like them.

[Corey]

It's not right.

[Alice]

I know it's a trick. I know people, but I'm just like, it's going to be a trick. Like, and especially in a couple years. I think people are.

[Corey]

I like a warm, white light bulb, and I think that different sizes for different things are great. But along the housetop, I really like a great big white bulb. I think it's really pretty. Now, having said that, we do have friends that he love. He had five daughters, and he always wanted a son. And he decided one year he was just going to do pink lights because he had so many kids. And they had this.

[Alice]

Daughters.

[Corey]

Daughters. Sorry. He had so many daughters. And the girls loved it. They went crazy for it. And in the trees, they would bundle a whole set of lights into a ball and that would hang out of the trees almost like ornaments. It's like an installation that you would see at a commercial building. It's on steroids. You've never seen a pinker house. And then he ended up having a boy later in his life. He ended up getting remarried and had a little boy. And so now the whole yard is pink and one tree is blue. And it's like, it's part of their family story, and it's their tradition, and they're the only ones in the world that do it. And you have to drive by every. We have to drive by every year because it makes us so happy. So do something, like, iconic if you want. I think, you know, this white idea is just classic. It's beautiful. You won't regret it. But if you do have a big personality, I know you love Disneyland. I'm sure you guys could come up with something that's just your own thing for holiday. I just admire that. 10 out of 10. It's so cute. And so them.

[Alice]

I love, like, I do love twinkle lights. It's probably just like how I was raised. This is also personal. Like, we got, like, my mom's house. It is nostalgia, man. Like, she just, like, wraps the place and like, it's. It's twinkling on some of it.

[Corey]

It's blinking. It's bumping all the things.

[Alice]

And it's like it's in this college town and she is just on fire.

[Corey]

I love it.

[Alice]

It is so much fun. It's so happy. And there's just something about the scale of a small light, too, that I do love. Yeah, the. I know that, like, with the white globes, like, it's like a beautiful evenly.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

Space. It's lovely. And I think it's the most classical. But if you're a good time, for a good time, go to Provo Grandma's at Christmas time.

[Corey]

Yeah. And like, if you're a grandma, you can get away with so much.

[Alice]

I'm so excited to get older because I'm like, nobody cares, like, what I do.

[Corey]

We all care. That's why we're listening to your podcast.

[Alice]

But it's going to be really fun, right, guys?

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

But, yeah, and I think too, I love, I love little lights and trees. I love it when, like, it's. It goes up every branch.

[Corey]

Yes.

[Alice]

I love that about that with my Christmas tree because we always get a live one and I wrap every single branch.

[Corey]

You're the one that does it.

[Alice]

I am, Yeah, I am. And I just, I love it so much. I'm like, someday, someday my giving tree in the front is going to be like, lit to the nines.

[Corey]

Yeah. I love that.

[Alice]

It's going to be freaking like the tree of life. My gosh.

[Corey]

You should do that.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Do that with your monster tree. It would take you weeks to light to light that thing.

[Alice]

Like, finance that one. It's going to be so much money.

[Susan]

That would be a job for someone.

[Corey]

People would drive by just to see it.

[Alice]

So much fun.

[Corey]

Beautiful.

[Alice]

Anyway, so, yeah, I think, yeah.

[Corey]

Would you do your giving tree and white lights? Yeah. You would?

[Alice]

What was that?

[Susan]

It's like, see that from space.

[Corey]

Twice the height of her house, two.

[Alice]

And a half times. I like that.

[Corey]

The cowboy that built your. Your house was like, I'm just going to buy this tree and put it in the ground right here, close to the house, paying no attention to what it would become.

[Susan]

And it was a six foot tree when it was planted, for sure.

[Alice]

It was a seed. Like all three. He's a cowboy. He didn't like buy a pre made tree, man. He like had a seed in a cup.

[Corey]

I just stuck a seed in a cup in the ground. And like, little did he know that the roots are probably just. Can you imagine? It's. They say the tree on top of the land is as big as the roots below.

[Susan]

Whoa.

[Corey]

It's got to touch the earth's cor.

[Alice]

I think so.

[Corey]

Yeah. Okay, sorry.

[Alice]

Let's get back to it. Anyway, we love white light. All lights except for jelly.

[Susan]

Are you warm? You guys are warm lights?

[Alice]

Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

[Corey]

Give me the warmest Kelvin that that light's available. And if they have to be led.

[Alice]

Even on your Christmas trees, like, don't do like the cool LEDs. I just don't like them?

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Susan]

Yeah. Anyway, okay, the next question. How to style a tree with eclectic ornaments and not be so matchy matchy. So what? Yeah. Is there a formula behind this?

[Alice]

Oh, yes.

[Corey]

Suzanne hall is the queen. So you asked us the right question, Suha.

[Alice]

How to style it with eclectic ornaments. So I think this is what you have to do when you have, like, you're an eclectic person and you have some really fun ornaments and you've gathered them in antique stores and vintage stores, which I really think is some of my best ornaments. And like, some of them I don't even have on my tree right now because my children will, will break them. And so they're in storage. But I love them so much that I know they, they will forever be part of my collection. I have tons of like, speaking of pink, I have pink and orange and green and blue. Just like these antique glass that you cannot. So gorgeous. You cannot make this kind of glass anymore. They're so beautiful and how they reflect light and like the warmth on them and the patina is so, so good. So if you are like looking for eclectic ornaments or looking for a real like, mood setter, go to antique stores, go to like estate sales and pick yourself up Christmas, like the Christmas section or ebay. Totally.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

The Christmas section at a yard sale, like I learned from a very young age was just like the money.

[Susan]

I'm just like, I've never thought, yeah, that's awesome.

[Alice]

It's good. It's really good when someone, she, she passes away, she's going to have some good stuff that she held onto for a reason. Go grab some of it. It's really, really good. Pro tip, Pro tip. So anyway, so I, I'm by nature eclectic, but I do think that like the base, when I start to decorate my tree, the base layer of my tree when I go to ornaments after lights are on are my, are my sets, you know. So I do think that like, amidst the eclectic, you need to have some base layer, you know, of just like common things. So like whether it be anti globes or antique something or just like, you know, if you don't have that yet and you haven't found an estate, so you can just find like a couple favorites, you know, just sets. Put that on first and then you start to layer in your eclectic, eclectic ornaments from there. And that's really, really fun.

[Corey]

I was gonna say one tip that Rachel gave on the podcast that we recorded last year was sometimes she'll. Because they're like, the moms are like, what do I do? All these things that my kids want to put on the tree. And she said she'll go in and she'll professionally decorate it. And then after she leaves, then the parents are like, okay, you know, the kids get a layer on their stuff, but at least you have the continuity of the like ornaments on there that keep it really classy and beautiful. And then the little things that they made from school or their, their little pictures in the little frames or whatever it is, those memories that they put on the tree, they still got to be a part of it. And then you're getting those eclectic pieces in there, but you already have a really gorgeous foundation. So the whole tree doesn't look like a garage sale. You know, not saying your garage. The garage sale you go to is way better than the garage sale I would go to. Suze's ornaments are on another level. In fact, I should go over there and steal those while you're sleeping. Yeah, they're good. You all know how much I love gift giving and it is our season for gifting. Our partner, Cozy Earth is about the coziest thing that you can give. I'm going to tell you about two products that I'm obsessed with right now. Number one is their Cuddle blanket and number two is the pajama set on the Cuddle blanket. It is their best seller for a reason. It's always in high demand and it has irresistible pile and softness and warmth. I put mine at the foot of my bed. So if I want to watch a movie, I don't necessarily have to get into all my covers. I can just pull this thing on top of me and it is absolutely irresistible. My puppy wants to get involved. My kids want to join me. It's a magnet for people and it's beautiful. That's the Cuddle blanket. It's an amazing gift. The next thing I would say is the women's stretch knit long sleeve bamboo pajama set. Guys, you've got to get these for your girlfriends or for your mom or your sister in law or whoever you love. Because we all know the holidays are best spent lounging at home being comfortable. And these are beautiful. I love the fit, I love the feel, I love the way they drape. And we all know that the holidays are just designed for cherished moments of relaxation, ensuring that you feel cozy all week long. You don't even want to wear clothes. You're just going to want to wear these to open the door, to hang out, to eat every meal. And they are beautiful. On. I have to tell you the weave of the fabric doesn't peel. They're guaranteed for 10 years. And the ultimate ingredient for a luxurious sleep is softness. And you're going to get that in the pajamas and you're going to get it with that cuddle blanket. So if you want to wrap your loved ones in luxury free, do it with Cozy Earth. Just visit cozy earth.com forward/Dear Alice. Use my exclusive code for 40 off guys. It's the biggest discount they do. Code is Dear Alice to give the gift of luxury this holiday season. Again, that's cozy earth.comforward/Dear Alice. And you're going to get a post purchase survey and say that you heard about Cozy Earth from the Dear Alice podcast.

[Susan]

The other tip that she gave that I thought was like awesome that there was like a formula to it is that if you're buying multiple of one ornaments, one per foot, that the tree is tall. So. Yeah, I thought that was ten foot tree.

[Corey]

Ten ornaments. Yes. Yeah. But she always gets a couple extra because one could break. Yeah. So I thought that was really good too. I didn't know the formula until we recorded that.

[Alice]

It's really good.

[Corey]

Yummy.

[Alice]

Yeah.

[Susan]

Did you have something?

[Alice]

I just think you need more than 10. I'm gonna, I'm gonna arm wrestler on that one. Depending like she buys like 12 different kinds of ornaments. If you're a normal person, you're gonna find like three or four that you like. You're gonna need more than 10.

[Corey]

So her other rule was more heavy handed, the variety she gets. So like for the height of the tree being 12 foot, she would get 12 variety of ornaments and then 12 of each one.

[Susan]

Yes.

[Corey]

So it's a good 144 ornaments. So Suzanne was saying she would do less variety and she would do surplus more on the quantity.

[Alice]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Of the individual ornaments. So Suzanne, you probably, you have an eight foot ceiling. You probably get a six or seven foot live tree. Right. Or maybe an eight foot and you lob the top off. Yeah, a little bit.

[Susan]

Christmas vacation.

[Corey]

Whatever's good looking.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Yeah. Seussical. I love it. Yeah. So you probably would get like 5 variety and go more on those would be your rule. And then you would say add in the eclectic to bring the magic love.

[Alice]

Yep.

[Corey]

Yeah. Great.

[Susan]

It's awesome.

[Alice]

Okay.

[Susan]

How to incorporate family mementos into Christmas decor.

[Corey]

I think just what I. Well I thought Rachel's tip was really good was to add those in at the end. So they're like, you know, close out on the branches, those little photos or I don't know what's it.

[Alice]

What.

[Corey]

What would be a family memento to you? Can you guys like, what's an example of that? What do your kids have right now?

[Alice]

Sue Kids, they just have like ornaments.

[Corey]

From school that they make.

[Alice]

Same things like that. Yeah. Like little pieces of clay, like made into a circle ornament or. It's really fun. Actually. We have ornaments that Tom made that his mom gave me. And it's just like pictures of Tom, like when he was little with a paper mache like wreath around it or something. And they're so much fun. Again, I think it's the last layer.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

I think you get like your base layer of everything looking like the cuz.

[Corey]

They'Re never super big either.

[Alice]

But there's like, they're the things that like, you just like, love to pull out. They're so fun to like, for your kids to see. And anyway, I'm trying to think of like, family heirloom stuff that my mom has brought out. Like I've painted like Christmas chairs. Like my mom, she lived in Norway and like, so I painted like this. The Christmas in Norway is pretty cool. Anyway, I've painted some things for her and she always brings out those frame those pictures at Christmas. And I'm sure Paulie's done that too, where like, there's certain things she brings out during Christmas.

[Corey]

Sure.

[Alice]

You know, so anyway.

[Corey]

Yeah, so yeah, based.

[Alice]

Based on importance, you know, of course you're going to put things in more prominent spaces.

[Corey]

Definitely work it in though, because that's what makes Christmas special, is the memories and that mag. So it's not just about having the perfect tree. It's that you want to connect to it by bringing some of those things out. Yeah.

[Alice]

And you know, like, we've had clients. We have several, like, clients with several trees. Like, some are more formal and then some are like in like the more like intimate family room. And that's where they have Christmas morning is where the eclectic stuff usually is, I would say.

[Susan]

So Anyways, kind of already touched on this, but will you be offering any holiday decor this year at Alice Lane?

[Corey]

You betcha. Yes, we are. We're super excited about it. One of the things I'm super excited about that we actually developed was our own ribbon this year. Velvet ribbon in two sizes and two shades of red. Because I think that combination of like, that deeper red with a cherry red is so beautiful. So I had some concepts I wanted to show for those of you that want to tune into this. These are some of the ribbon was a huge Trend that we saw pop up. You saw bows everywhere, and it's definitely been a thing. And then we really love this concept where the ribbon strip from the chandelier. This could bring Christmas into a room where you're not doing a tree or maybe it's your. It has to probably be over a surface because the ornaments could hang down low. So I think having the different shades of red ribbon here would be really fun with multiple ornaments. I think vintage. Your vintage ornaments in a scene like this where the kids wouldn't be interacting with them as much and they're so gorgeous that they deserve to be above a dining table.

[Alice]

Wagon attitude.

[Corey]

Yeah. I also think that the ribbon on the cat on our crystal candlesticks, the different velvet ribbons would be pretty. And I love the mix of different candles. Feels like a party.

[Alice]

I love that so much.

[Corey]

Yeah. So pretty. So. So these are some other. This concept right here made me think we've got to find. We've got to find our own red ribbons.

[Alice]

So think about red ribbon, too. For years and years, we've always, like, that's what we wrapped presents with. You know, like, you're like red velvet ribbon. Like, it's.

[Corey]

Yeah. The classic.

[Alice]

I love that we have our own anyway.

[Corey]

And it's like a kind of a modern interpretation of it because it's not the bow, but it's just draping it and it's loose and it's drippy. There's also something about this that reminds me of my mom grew up in Seattle, and they would put tinsel on a tree and they called it rain because it rained, you know, in Seattle instead of. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it kind of also gives that rain nostalgia to me to just drip the ribbon on the tree in that way. And it's not as so formal as to do the bow, but if you are the bow person, you know it, and you should make bows with it. And then just draping it on wreaths, I think, too, is just really, really chic.

[Alice]

It's so editorial, too.

[Corey]

Yeah, I think so as well. You can see right here on this wreath that we've. It's just tied small bows, but then the dripping ribbon, also editorial. And that wreath is just like, not that special, but it is because of the ribbons. So anyway, we. We are bringing in ribbon, and we're going to have so much of it. The colors are perfect, the size is perfect, and we're going to use it in so many way. The chandeliers, the candlesticks, the wreaths, the going down, the Stairs.

[Alice]

Yeah, the balustrade.

[Corey]

Balustrades.

[Alice]

Oh.

[Corey]

The thing that I love about the ribbon we developed too is that we're putting 25 yards on. On a.

[Susan]

A spool.

[Corey]

A spool. Yeah. Because it's so annoying when you go to buy ribbon and it's like five yards long and then you're trying to do a mantle or you're doing your stairs. So this will the tree. Like, you'll be able to do the whole tree with maybe one or two spools. So anyway, really generous amount of ribbo. I think the price point is going to be amazing. The colors are great. And then the two sizes, I think are going to be so, so fun.

[Alice]

Our party tonight.

[Corey]

Yes. Yes. So good. So we've got that coming. What else? We developed some really great stems.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Which are going to be awesome. Garlands.

[Susan]

Some pretty rad little small wreaths.

[Corey]

Yeah. That whole, like, back of the chair thing or even coming down the balustrades. You know, getting a little on the back of a doorknob. I just. It's a good little, like, neighbor gift because they're not expensive.

[Alice]

Awesome kids rooms, too.

[Corey]

Yeah, totally. Yeah, we're super excited. So anyway, definitely check on the website. We are making more holiday available this year than ever before. So we're excited.

[Susan]

Okay, next. Oh, are we good? Next question.

[Corey]

Next question.

[Susan]

What are your best ideas to stock the gift drawer for surprise needed gifts? 5 to 15 and 30 to 50 range?

[Alice]

I love this idea and I love that she's prepared enough to, like, have a stock drawer. I'm like, that's a great idea.

[Susan]

For real.

[Alice]

Oh, my. Um, I think again, I. And this may sound generic, but, like, if I'm given, like a great candle. A great candle. I love that. Like, again, that can range like a lot higher than that, 30 to 50. But there are good candles. I think our Lola James Harper is about like 52.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

Beautiful. Like, such air freighted from France. Like, candles are really awesome. I think our candle dishes. The claw foot is really great price point.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

Our crystal candle dish is beautiful. You know, with a candle, I think that's so, so pretty. I think any of our curiosities are really great.

[Corey]

Yes, I totally agree. We have the claw foot. Came in a claw foot tray. We've had that for about a year now. And I think that with just a small candle in it and then put like, you know, Christmas branches and crystals and, you know, whatever. I mean, me and my daughter were playing around and she has a bunch of foreign currency and we dropped that in the tray. But you could just do like a Christmas like memories could be living in there with your candle on a cocktail table and you don't necessarily have to have a tree in that room. But just having a little essence of Christmas. I think the tray is really generous. It makes for a great gift so that they can start doing that storytelling. I also love. It's probably a generic answer, but the amber oil, they sell it at Ulta when you're leaving the checkout.

[Alice]

Oh good.

[Corey]

They also have it on Amazon. It's the one perfume that I'll wear. It's $20. It rolls on and it's the one that I get complimented on the most. 2. Really?

[Alice]

That makes sense. Like on multiple.

[Corey]

Yeah. So if honest to goodness, if you go on Amazon and you get up, is it out? Oh yeah. You do. Is it the brand Se M A T C? Anyway, it's got like a. A little red label. It looks Arabian or something.

[Alice]

I think it's beautiful.

[Corey]

You. You ladies know the one. Anyway, I would just get on Amazon. Get yourself six. Six roll on little. They're like the size of a lip gloss or something. Right.

[Alice]

Great to keep in your purse.

[Corey]

Just keep that in your thing and you can just give those to your girlfriends or any.

[Alice]

That's for the favorite exchange parties. You go to those this was season.

[Corey]

Especially if there's like a $20. Yeah, that's always my go to. I love that. But I do think our curiosities are awesome. I love the gold bar.

[Alice]

Cute. So fun.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

It always looks stately. It's. Yeah, it's got to it.

[Corey]

Yeah. I think it's so fun.

[Susan]

The brass egg. It's cool. I don't know.

[Alice]

Brass egg is good. The horse is awesome.

[Susan]

Yeah, the horse is dope.

[Alice]

So many good ones.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Susan]

All great gifts. Okay, this one's for Suz. Any idea ideas for toddler proof whimsy in kids bedrooms?

[Alice]

This is a great question. And I've done stuff in Nolan's room because he's my nine year old now. But he's the one that spend the most into Christmas and I'll probably do it for the other boys this year. But I just get like a little tree like with lights on it and live.

[Corey]

Or do you do a photo?

[Alice]

It's a little faux tree. No, I don't trust them with life. I'm not watering that. No, just like a little faux tree to put on like their dresser I think is really cute. You can put lights on on it and then usually like the Elf on the shelf will bring them, like, ornaments to, like, put together or, you know, put on there. And so that way it's kind of this activity. And it's really fun to, like, go into their rooms and, like, see a little bit of Christmas and. But it's not in a kitchen way. But then also just, like, the way that they color. I don't know. I think that that's really fun, just, like. Because it's fun to, like, have them, like, draw Christmas trees or color an ornament or they come always come home with, like, stuff from school. And I think it's really fun to put it up in their room. I think it helps their walls talk. And they're so proud of it and put it up in their room. I think it' cute.

[Susan]

And then it gets them, like, more excited for Christmas. And that's really, like, the fun of it.

[Alice]

It's magic.

[Corey]

Do you let it. Does he sleep? Put the lights on? Yeah. I love that so much.

[Alice]

I'm like, yeah. I'm like, I hate turning the Christmas tree. Like, when Tom will sometimes unplug the lights or press the button. I'm just like, like, that's my night. Like, and actually keep the window open. I want people to see my pretty tree when they pass. It's so good. Like, don't try to make. Don't kill my joy. Stop my garden. So, yeah, I love leaving Christmas lights on.

[Susan]

That's amazing.

[Alice]

Yeah.

[Susan]

Okay, last question. Tips on keeping it elegant and not kitschy.

[Corey]

Good one. I have to say, one of the trends that I know, this is, like, the opposite of probably not kitschy. When we think of trends, because we think of TikTok, we're like micro trends. There's so many trends. Right. But one of the things that we've seen in fashion pop up are pearls being a thing. And I. People have done the baroque pearl, which is that your regular beautiful one. We did pearls last year for the tree, which when I think of elegant, I'm just like, oh, classic, right? Just like Audrey Hepburn black dress, straight astrana pearls.

[Alice]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Just so beautiful. We did pearls for garland, like, faux, larger pearls as garland last year. They sold out in one second. They were so beautiful, and we pulled concepts, and we also got pearls and other garlands that are like pearls. And these are a few images that we pulled from Pinterest that are inspiring some of our looks. But I just think that is so elegant, and it's just great for a garland. You could do it going down the tree. You could just do it on your mantle if you don't do it in your tree. But you could use it in any way. But there's just something about that classic shape that's like a string of pearls. We also have it in silver and gold, which is beautiful. You could use it in a lot of ways, but that repetition, it makes it so that it doesn't feel random. You know what I mean? It just is continuous around the tree. Or you could use ribbon. So I think the ribbon going through the tree or the pearls is something that we've really keyed in on this year. I also think elegant is like the icicle, that really long shape that catches your eye. Metallics, I think, are also really elegant because there's so much color play in Christmas that if you can sort of ground it with sort of some metallics.

[Alice]

It brings the magic mercury glass, if that Mercury.

[Corey]

Mercury glass or German silver like you've mentioned. I think that's so elegant.

[Alice]

Yeah. It's so beautiful. It does take it to, like, maturity.

[Corey]

Yep. And you can weave in whatever color you want. But I think those sort of, like, grounding things just are always classically gorgeous.

[Susan]

Yeah. In my mind, I would say staying classic. We have an entire other tree that we always put up. I have proposed to just get rid of it, but I'm not trying to kill Christmas. Mari bought these, like, ornaments 15 years ago, and they're like, these like, fairies, and they're all, like, bright purple and, like, blue and all. I'm like, I don't know why you bought these. And they were really expensive when she did. And so I'm like, yeah, we're just going to stay. I don't know. I'm just like a classic Christmas person, and that's what I find elegant. But then when you go out of that and you do, like, off the wall. Yeah. I feel like that's a trend. And then in a couple years, you're not going to want it.

[Alice]

And yeah, I will say that, like, I think stay away from themes. I think that that's, like, the opposite of elegant.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Alice]

And I think themes are kitschy.

[Corey]

Yeah.

[Susan]

So agreed.

[Alice]

Yeah.

[Corey]

Yeah, totally.

[Alice]

Don't be too themy. And I. And honestly, I think that that's why the, like, he's like, beautiful. Just, like, almost like the more simplistic and the less variety you have have. I think the more sophistic. It's like the exterior of a home, the more materials you have on it, you're just like, ah, it's too much. Too much.

[Corey]

Yeah. It's like a salad.

[Alice]

It's too much.

[Corey]

It's just so much work.

[Alice]

But the fewer there are, I think the more classic it becomes. And I think the volume of a collection, like, is represented on a tree beautifully, you know, feels like a collection.

[Corey]

Well said.

[Alice]

So, yeah, less is more in that, but just by more of the less.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Alice]

Is that.

[Susan]

That's amazing.

[Corey]

Yeah, 100%. That's so good. Good. Did we do it?

[Susan]

That was it.

[Corey]

We answered all the questions.

[Alice]

Awesome.

[Corey]

Good, you guys. Thank you so much for listening in. If you're local, you're invited and we'd love to see you at our holiday party tonight in our Draper showroom. And if you aren't local, we wish you could be there. But come browse the holiday collection online. We've curated such special collections fully available in our showroom, and the selection is available online. We know you're going to love it. Thank you so much for listening and we will catch you next time. Hey, thanks for listening. If you like our show, please leave a five star rating.