Part One
We’re doing it! Our 2026 goals clearly state that we will start a blog; there is no squirming out of it. It’s a little scary because we’ve never done blogging before, but a few years ago we had never started a holiday decorating business before – and we’re obviously nailing that.
Hopefully this blog will become inspiration space. A place for funny behind-the-scenes stories, links to our favorite items (mostly RIBBON!) and a spot for us to document the IHD journey as our dreams get bigger and holly- jollier.
The only logical place to start a blog is with an origin story. Join us with a cup of tea or coffee (or a margarita – we see you) and find out how this all started.
Almost 15 years ago, Kirra was living in West Palm Beach with her husband and kids, never once thinking about becoming a professional Christmas decorator. Lisa and her family were planning a move from Virginia to West Palm Beach for her husband’s job. And while she had lots of business-starting dreams – none of them involved Christmas trees.
A mutual friend introduced the families in Florida. Since Kirra and Lisa were both homeschool educators (the cool kind), they hit it off and started hanging out regularly. Happily, their husbands and kids immediately connected and so began the Chili nights, with family dinners, kids playing in the backyard and husbands watching UFC.
An informal homeschool group formed and Lisa hosted crafting and activity gatherings for the students. A lifelong lover of crayons and sequins, Lisa would usually plan a craft for the moms as well. And here is where the shared passion came to life. While some of the other moms kindly tolerated mom crafts, Kirra embraced it. She came armed with a vision and her glue gun in her pocket. Their common enthusiasm for seasonal décor, DIY projects and design became a new and profound connection point.
The homeschool group eventually ended as Lisa went back to teaching. But the family friendship thrived – as did the creative ideas that would eventually become IHD. Over the years, they gained a reputation in their friend circles for being the ones to call for church holiday events, a bridal shower, or a Christmas wreath crisis.
An annual tradition began that continues to this day. Kirra and Lisa teamed up on massive Hobby Lobby shopping hauls to prepare for their families’ holidays. Beyond cementing their friendship, these shopping trips became the foundation of retail-based shenanigans. It is no wonder that the first of our IG reels to go viral, was a documentation of this mischief. (We love you Hobby Lobby. Sorry about the ladders)
In 2022, along came the job that launched the dream. Lisa agreed to take on a huge project for a friend – decorating a large outdoor venue for the holidays. She bit off more than she could chew (a pattern you should expect to see repeated) so she called Kirra.
As they brainstormed the project and began to shop for it, they uncovered a spot of magic when their visions worked together. They were more creative together, their ideas were sharper, the shopping carts fuller, and the finished product more stunning. Together they had something unique.
Part Two coming soon!