Must-do things to incorporate into your new build that will make you merry come Christmas time!

If you’re building a new home then Christmas decor may seem inconsequential, but there are some easy things you can incorporate into your build that will make life easier during the stressful holiday seasons!

• Outlets, outlets, outlets! If you’ve ever put up outdoor Christmas lights then this one is for you. Putting outlets in the soffits for your roof lights and outlets next to the front windows and doors of your home will make stringing lights much easier. No hanging extension cords. Putting your lights on a timer will mean even less work since you won’t have to plug/unplug every night.
• Want to skip putting lights up at all? (that’s the dream right??) Then consider having permanent Christmas lights installed. Permanent lights are discreet lights added to the soffit panels that never need to be taken down. Although the upfront cost is more expensive you won’t be replacing them every couple of years like the rest of your neighbors. They also have a whole palette of colours so your house can be the every holiday house, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Easter…  oh the possibilities.
• When designing the blueprints for your house, consider where the Christmas tree will go. Make sure there is a space it can go that won’t look awkward or require moving all of your furniture to fit it in the space. It seems silly but tell me you can also feel the satisfaction every year of putting that tree back up in the perfect spot! Also consider the ceiling height and what size tree you have/want.
• If you have a lot of cute Christmas nick nacks or garland then a lovely way to display them is at your windows. Have your carpenter incorporate a window sill into the trim so you have adequate display space.
• Outlets (yes, again) above your kitchen cabinets, behind the glass doors, or near open shelving. If you like to use lit garland in your home décor then having an outlet over your cabinets will ensure a tidy look with no hanging cords.
• IF you have the square footage then a ‘Christmas closet’ might be a good use of space. Storage shelves with labeled totes and a spot to keep the tree assembled and covered, would be drool worthy for us Type A’s. Dare I even say a wrapping paper rack?? K I need to stop.

Seasonal decor tends to be overlooked during the new construction phase.. and with all the other decisions that need to be made it’s understandable, however a little time spent now will save you a lot of time later, throughout every holiday season in your new home!