After receiving hundreds of submissions from readers across Australia, South Africa, India, Colombia and many other countries, we collected some of the most delightful and surprising ways people decorate their homes for holidays around the world. From vibrant Diwali rangoli patterns to intricate Nativity scenes in Latin America, and from Advent wreaths to Hanukkah displays, the variety was both educational and heartwarming. We also heard plenty of stories about the different characters who deliver gifts in various traditions—Santa certainly isn’t the only one who makes house calls. Listening to all these customs revealed a single unifying theme that appears in holiday rituals everywhere: people use decorations to create connection, memory and a sense of place. Also included below is a quick update on a setback in our bathroom renovation, a note about Taylor Swift, and a movie recommendation we think you should see soon.
What’s New
- These are the narrow, winding back stairs at our beach house that we mentioned on the episode. You can see the thin triangular steps around the curve—those are especially tricky to navigate. Ironically, I slipped on one of the last two steps at the bottom, which are actually the least awkward part of the staircase.
- We ordered transparent stair treads to improve safety and visibility and plan to install them the next time we visit the house. We’ll report back with how they look and whether they make the stairs easier to use.
- If you missed our discussion about adopting a flexible timeline for our bathroom renovation and other strategies for reducing renovation stress, you can catch up in the episode we recorded on that topic. The main idea is that giving yourself permission to slow down often preserves both your budget and your sanity.
Global Holiday Decorating Norms
Since not everyone could send photos with their messages, we searched for representative examples of the kinds of holiday decorating people described on the show. Below are notes and a few images we found to illustrate different traditions—each example is only a small window into a much larger practice.
- Rangoli and Diwali: Many listeners from India described creating elaborate rangoli designs for Diwali. These decorative patterns, traditionally made on the floor with colored powders, flowers or rice, are intended to welcome guests and invite good fortune. The variety of styles is huge, ranging from simple geometric shapes to highly detailed floral compositions.
- Nativity scenes in Latin America: Several listeners talked about elaborate Nativity displays that can be very theatrical and detailed, often including entire villages, animals and miniature landscapes. These scenes are sometimes passed down through families and are arranged with care each year as a centerpiece of holiday celebrations.
- Advent wreaths and seasonal arrangements: Many people shared modern takes on Advent wreaths—clean, minimal arrangements using local greenery, candles and simple accents. DIY versions blend traditional ritual with contemporary aesthetics and are an accessible way for families to mark the season.
- Eucalyptus and winter foliage: In places like Australia, eucalyptus is a common decorative element. Its muted tones and fragrant leaves create a distinctly seasonal feel and work well in wreaths, garlands and simple vase arrangements.
- Hanukkah decorations: There are many tasteful and creative approaches to Hanukkah décor, from menorahs displayed on mantels to table settings that highlight blue and silver accents. As with other holidays, people blend tradition with personal style to create meaningful displays.
What struck us most was how people everywhere use decoration to tell stories—about family, history, faith and local materials. Some customs involve leaving treats in shoes, others include special trees or wreaths, and some center on community gatherings that transform neighborhoods. If you’re curious to hear more of the listener stories that inspired these notes, the full podcast episode shares many more personal accounts and details.
- If you missed our earlier episode that covered a wide range of non-holiday decorating traditions from around the globe, we previously summarized a large collection of cultural decorating norms and followed up with an update episode that revisited listener responses.
- We also mentioned a Taylor Swift lyric during the show—if that piqued your interest, you’ll recognize the line quickly in the song we referenced; it’s one of those memorable opening phrases that stick in your head.
We’re Digging
- Shoes: I recently received a pair of comfortable running-style shoes as a gift from my sisters, and they’re now my go-to for everyday wear. They’re soft, supportive and surprisingly lightweight—perfect for walking around the neighborhood or running errands.
- Movie pick: Knives Out is a recent film we enjoyed—clever, funny and entertaining, even though it’s a murder mystery. It’s sharp, well-written, and a great night-out-at-the-movies choice that left us smiling and guessing until the end.
If you want a centralized list of topics and items we’ve featured on past episodes—products, books, and other recommendations—we maintain a master list that aggregates everything we’ve discussed. It’s a handy way to find episodes tied to ideas you remember liking but can’t place.
Thank you for listening and for sharing your traditions with us. Hearing how people celebrate all over the world was a delightful reminder of how much creativity and care go into the rituals that make holidays meaningful. We appreciate every message and image sent our way—please keep them coming.
*This post includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through certain links at no extra cost to you.