Behind This Year’s Holiday Prints
This year, I’m introducing two brand-new prints — Christmas Tree and Santa — along with the return of last year’s favorite, Candy Cane. Each one celebrates the joy, nostalgia, and little imperfections that make this season so special.
For me, giving gifts is about joy, not perfection. The look on someone’s face when they open something beautiful — that’s the best part."
The Christmas Tree Print
When I close my eyes and think of Christmas, I see the tree first — the lights, the ornaments, the smell of pine, and the happy chaos that happens around it. I grew up staring at our tree for hours, imagining stories behind every ornament.
This year’s Christmas Tree Print was born from those memories. I wanted the design to have a soft, slightly animated feel — a nod to the Christmas specials we all watched as kids. It’s cheerful, simple, and full of that cozy, old-fashioned sparkle.
And yes… I’ve gone down that dark road — I switched to a fake tree. It happened three years ago, and I still feel a little ashamed every time I plug it in. It’s from Balsam Hill (they’re local and lovely), but I miss the smell and the chaos of a real tree. Has anyone else made the switch and lived to tell about it?
The Santa Print
My Santa Print began with a childhood favorite — the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Santa. That slightly clunky stop-motion Santa was charming and kind of perfect. I wanted to bring that warmth and nostalgia to life, without going too commercial or shiny.
The hardest part? Finding the right red. I looked at what felt like a hundred shades before landing on one with a touch of tomato paste in it — rich, vintage, and timeless. It feels like the Santa I remember, not the one in glossy department store ads.
The Candy Cane Print
The Candy Cane Print returns this year because you loved it — and honestly, I do too. It mixes candy canes, holly, and winter birds in a design that feels classic and joyful. Fun fact: the candy cane started as a sugar stick given to choir kids in 1670 to keep them quiet during services. I like to think that the choirmaster would be proud.
The Joy of Giving
For me, part of the joy of Christmas is giving gifts — and wrapping them beautifully. A great box, ribbon, and note are non-negotiable. No one wants to see a rolled-up Nordstrom shopping bag secured with hockey tape under the tree (and yes, I’ve seen it — in my own home).
The fun is in the thoughtfulness. Giving a gift that makes someone smile is what it’s all about.
Holiday Confessions
I still play Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. I still cry at It’s a Wonderful Life. And the men in my house — husband and sons included — have slowly turned into Scrooges. These days, I trim the tree with my girlfriends instead. We eat, play music, have a glass (or two) of wine, and laugh until we cry. Highly recommend.
PS. If you’ve also gone fake-tree, please tell me I’m not alone. DM me on Instagram @heidicareydesign and confess your tree situation. Bonus points if you’ve ever wrapped a gift in something that once carried rotisserie chicken.
Happy Holidays!
