CHRISTMAS FEELS
Courtney Vanderham has cherished Christmastime for as long as she can remember. “I love this time of year so much, hopefully for the same reason many people do,” she shares enthusiastically. “It’s that time of the year that brings all of your loved ones together at the same time and hopefully in the same place. Life is so busy. Days, weeks, and months pass by so quickly. But once the end of November comes around, we can always count on the blessing of many family gatherings. My husband and I like to describe this time of year as ‘organized chaos’,” Courtney laughs. “Between both of our families, we can count the amount of family gatherings with both hands. Sometimes we host, sometimes we don’t. But we wouldn’t change it for the world. We love how fun and busy it can all be.” The Vanderham home, located on the family’s dairy farm in Tulare, beautifully blends form and function with festivity, especially during the Christmas season.
This country home is filled with love and history. “In 1991, my husband and his family (dad, mom, two brothers, and one more brother who came after the move in ’94) built and moved into this beautiful home,” Courtney recalls. “The four brothers grew up with a country kid childhood, which I would say is memorable and unforgettable. My mother-in-law was one who never passed up a celebration. And Christmas was no exception! Her joy for giving was her biggest gift! Whether it was opening up her home to you, a gift just because, or simply putting a smile on your face. This home radiated love and the celebration of Jesus, family, and lots of Christmas spirit because of her. I dare say it was her favorite holiday.”
Though Courtney’s mother-in-law passed away during the holiday season in December 2009, her joy and love for family never left the home, and those memories continue to resonate with the Vanderhams. It wasn’t until many years later, however, that the next chapter of the home’s story began. “My husband, two girls, and I were given the opportunity of moving into his childhood home in October 2021.” It was a dream come true for Courtney and her young family. “Since then, it has brought us so much joy to bring the holidays alive every year in this home and create new family memories and stories, while at the same time embracing and remembering the ones that built this home.”
Evergreens, festive pale wood accents, and glittering metallic touches seamlessly integrate with the home’s existing décor. “The best way I can describe my holiday aesthetic would be a neutral, modern, cozy farmhouse with a traditional baseline. If that’s a thing!” Courtney giggles. “My holiday décor comes from finding joy in things. As I shop for décor, the tradition of the holidays is my number one goal. I only pick things out that really stand out to me and make me happy.” This undeniably leads to a refined yet ever-evolving look.
Even with the new yearly additions, Courtney skillfully reworks her previous decorations, giving new life to the old. “Every year, I seem to add just a little bit more. Whether it’s another garland, more tabletop décor, or even another large set of ornaments to add to my tree.” With her thoughtful designing, the tree and mantel vary each year. “I try not to look at the previous years’ photos so that I don’t recreate the look year to year. It’s so easy to copy exactly what you have done the year before. But where is the creativity and holiday magic in that?” she questions.
“Although we have our beautiful 12-foot tree, one tradition we like to uphold as a family is to also have our traditional family tree.” Courtney elaborates that this tree stands in the children’s playroom. “Our girls love to walk through the lot to find the perfect tree that best fits them. We then take it home and do the classic stringing of the lights, then following that with all of their favorite school-made ornaments and other fun store-bought ones, as well. There is just nothing like the smell, feel, and ambiance of a real, live tree,” she concedes. “What I love the most about this tradition is seeing the joy it brings our girls and also how proud they are of themselves to be able to contribute to our holiday décor with their own touch, love, and memories.”
Achieving her desired country home holiday aesthetic is certainly a massive undertaking. “When it is time for me to start decorating, it feels like I need to pump myself up sometimes,” admits Courtney. “As much as I enjoy every moment of it, it is also a very tiring and physically exhausting job.” So, for the past few years, she has been decorating the house during the week before Thanksgiving while her kids are still in school. “Why add to the chaos and mess with kids home?” she says. “I always start with the tree assembly. That’s where my husband is very helpful! As crazy as I get when it comes to decorating, he is very supportive of it all. I think he secretly enjoys all the decorations as much
This past year, Courtney and her husband created a rolling platform for their main Christmas tree. “So, instead of me climbing up onto a 9-foot ladder to decorate the top, we just roll the entire tree over to the upstairs banister. Best thing we ever did!” she proclaims. “He then becomes my ‘Rotate Man’ as I lean over the railing trying to decorate the top. Once I have achieved that part, we then roll it into place and I just work from the top down. The tree itself takes up one whole day, easily.”
Next, Courtney decorates the banisters, mantel, and tabletops. She then sets up the nativity scene. “A few weeks later is when we go as a family to pick out our family tree and continue on to the fun tradition of that. Best of all, I sit back and let the girls take the wheel! They decorate the tree all by themselves. On occasion, if the tree is a little unbalanced with décor, Sparkles the Elf will come in the night and work her magic (wink-wink). This time of the year flies by so fast and decorating is so much work that I always keep my décor up until right after the New Year. Once the ball has dropped, it’s time to pack it all up and start the New Year off with a fresh start.”
The holidays hold deep meaning for Courtney. “Beyond all of the lights, food, and festivities, it’s most important to me to remember the true meaning of the holidays: Jesus’ birthday. As a child, and same with my own children, it’s easy to get swept up by all the gifts and the idea of a large man in red bringing you all the things you could ever dream of,” she acknowledges. “But the true meaning is so much bigger than that. I love watching my children grow in their faith as they learn a little more every year about the true meaning of Christmas.”
Courtney’s holiday aesthetic reflects her personality in many ways. “I’ve always taken pride in the fact that no matter what home I have lived in, friends and family always feel comfortable and at-home. With my holiday décor, I want you to have the feeling of wanting to grab a cozy blanket, ball up on the couch next to a roaring fireplace with a hot cup of coffee, with the feeling of the holiday spirit and the presence of family, faith, and love in my home while forgetting about the crazy world that surrounds us outside.” Given the welcoming ambience of her country home, Courtney has undoubtedly mastered the art of creating Christmas feels.
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographer Ellie Koleen
