Christmas in July

Creating Magic, No Matter the Month

It might be July, but at The York & Co., I’m already reaching for the velvet ribbon and fluffing garland. Why? Because for me, the magic of the holidays isn’t bound to a calendar — it lives in the joy we create, the memories we make, and the spaces we fill with love, sparkle, and a bit of wonder.

My love for holiday decorating runs deep — and honestly, it all began at Anthropologie. Working there wasn’t just a job, it was a masterclass in creativity. I was surrounded by artists, visionaries, and dreamers who weren’t afraid to use materials in completely unexpected ways. Cardboard became chandeliers. Coffee filters turned into snowflakes. The question wasn’t “Can we do this?” — it was “Why not?” That spirit — of curiosity, emotion, and reinvention — became the foundation of how I approach holiday design today.

But I also know the other side of the holidays. Years in retail taught me that from November 1st to December 24th, the world flips upside down. Long hours, tired teams, impatient shoppers, and pressure that’s hard to describe unless you’ve lived it. I’ve spent holiday seasons jetting from city to city, leading teams through 16-hour days, keeping spirits high when all anyone wanted was to be home sipping cocoa.

And through it all, I made a promise to myself — and to my husband Brian (who is basically a five-year-old when it comes to Christmas, in the best way) — that I wouldn’t let the chaos steal the joy. I wouldn't become jaded. I would protect the season, and the feeling it brings.

So every year, without fail, Halloween comes down and Christmas immediately goes up in our home — no apologies, no shame. I pour my energy into creating an environment that feels magical, cozy, and welcoming. Because I’ve learned: when you walk through the door into a space you’ve filled with intention and love, everything shifts. The stress fades. The wonder returns.

That’s the heart of what I bring to my clients, too. Whether it's decking out a cozy living room, styling a tablescape for 20, or transforming a front porch into a Hallmark movie moment, it’s never just décor. It’s joy. It’s memory-making. It’s magic.

So if you're someone who starts humming Mariah Carey before Labor Day — or even if you're just beginning to think about what the holidays could feel like this year — let’s chat. Because Christmas in July? It’s not crazy. It’s kind of genius.

And trust me, it’s never too early to start creating a little magic.

With sparkle and spirit,
Gabe