This interview with blogger Abby covers tips for Christmas organization, small space holiday decorating, and creative DIY Christmas gift concepts.
When developing the Homemade Christmas series, I decided to feature conversations with other women, similar to how I learned from my mom through questions.
I was delighted when Abby accepted to be the inaugural featured guest; her skills in blogging, decorating, and organization are truly inspiring.
While organization is a main topic, Abby offers many other valuable insights and wisdom as well; let's begin!
Holiday Organization Strategies
(Conversation with Abby from Just a Girl and her Blog)
Even if you have followed your blog for years, some readers may be new; could you introduce yourself and describe your blogging focus?
I am Abby Lawson, and I focus on home decor and organization at Just a Girl and Her Blog. Additionally, I run an organizing tool shop and a YouTube channel named Abby Organizes for deeper organizational content. I reside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with my wonderful husband Donnie (who is also a business partner) and our two sons, Connor and Caleb.
Did organization come easily to you, or how did you cultivate these skills?
I view my personality as contradictory; I am very Type A and value order, yet I possess a creative streak that can make me disorganized. I began organizing to help manage this scattered nature by establishing systems and strategies to streamline our home and family schedule.
Organization is continually evolving in our home. Though perfect tidiness isn't constant (is that even achievable with two active boys?!), we constantly refine our systems to ensure our home is both beautiful, comfortable, and highly functional.
I feel that establishing clear goals and boundaries around Christmas can help reduce associated stress.
How does organization contribute to this, and what is the best starting point for holiday organization?
I concur! It is tempting to try every Christmas tradition to create memories or avoid disappointing loved ones, but this leads to significant stress over several months. The crucial element is proactive planning, prioritizing meaningful activities you enjoy, and being comfortable declining other requests.
(A free printable Christmas / Holiday Planner would assist greatly here. You can select from these free Christmas planners.)
Decorating is a highlight for me; given so many options, how do you decide on a theme and decor style annually? Do you reuse items?
Yes, I reuse! Every person has a different decor amount that suits them. Some people embrace maximalist Christmas, which is wonderful, while others prefer a simpler look, which is also fine. I aim for a balance between decorating passion and avoiding excessive storage.
I maintain a collection of red Christmas items and a set of neutral Christmas decorations, using one as the foundational look each year. I add a few new pieces annually but discard anything I won't use in the future. Following the “one in, one out” rule prevents my Christmas collection from becoming overwhelming while still offering fun options!
As a blogger, I sometimes feel intense pressure to create 'Pinterest worthy' projects with perfect photos and captions. What advice do you offer regarding comparison and embracing your own Christmas home style?
The urge to compare is very strong—I admit I fall into it often. When I notice this tendency, I refocus on whose perspective truly matters. For me, the foremost Christmas focus must be celebrating the birth of Christ, the greatest gift from God. I recognize the gifts and talents God has given me and strive to share them while appreciating the blessings others have, rather than feeling resentment or comparison.
The opinions of my family are important because they reside here too; my desire to create a beautiful home is so they can enjoy it, making it a setting for wonderful memories and a welcoming spot for loved ones.
Achieving these small goals defines a successful Christmas for us, regardless of what is trending on Pinterest.
Having recently transitioned from a house to a townhouse, and knowing you also lived in a townhouse (I have viewed your pictures several times)… what advice do you offer for decorating a smaller space for Christmas?
Indeed! Small areas encourage creative thinking within the available space. When we were in the townhouse, I would temporarily store our children’s larger toys from the living room corner to accommodate the tree. This worked well because rediscovering the toys later felt like an unexpected Christmas treat!
I also established specific decorated zones for each season, such as floating shelves in the living room and a hutch in the dining room. This method allowed seasonal accents without making the already compact space feel cluttered.
The beauty of smaller homes is that simplicity truly triumphs; you do not require excessive items or significant spending to achieve a festive and impactful look.
What suggestions do you have for storing seasonal decorations in a compact residence?
I focused on being selective with my decor, retaining only items I genuinely cherished. I assessed the exact storage capacity and the number of bins available for my Christmas decorations, limiting my purchases accordingly.
This approach fostered more thoughtful purchasing at the store, as every new item had to fit in a set spot or another item had to go. Consequently, I ended up with a smaller, treasured collection instead of a large assortment of merely adequate things.
(Find 10 premier pointers for Christmas Decoration Storage here.)
I must confess my baked cranberries caused my oven to almost catch fire on Christmas Day, around two times!! Do you have any amusing Christmas mishaps to share?
Last year marked our first time placing our Christmas tree in the sunroom, using a new tree. After decorating and making final adjustments, the tree unexpectedly toppled! Several bulbs broke, everything became messy, and I had to reassemble and readjust. It turned out the stand wasn't positioned correctly, so I ensured that error wouldn't cause another 'TIMBER!' incident!
Quick-fire questions:
- Your most cherished gift ever received: Since I married two days before Christmas, my husband is the answer. You can read the account of our Christmas wedding here.
- A preferred gift idea for a teacher or neighbor: This milk bottle teacher gift is both simple and festive!
- Our favorite Christmas family tradition: We utilize an advent calendar annually to count down to Christmas, progressing through the Christmas story verse by verse while enjoying a small sweet treat! View some of our DIY advent calendars here and here.
- On your Christmas wish list: I consistently choose home furnishings, perhaps new nightstands? (I am officially an adult now, haha!)
- A preferred handmade gift idea: Monogrammed ornaments were a big hit with our family a few years back!
Favorite Christmas decor item: Naturally, the tree! - Favorite Christmas recipe: I adore peanut butter blossoms because Grandma Helen always prepared them for Christmas, bringing back warm memories of her.
Additional Christmas Interviews
- Discover how to decorate for Christmas using nature through an interview with Stacy Risenmay
