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When I first started publishing DeLand Living, I hoped it would be more than pages in the mail… I wanted it to feel like a personal connection point for neighbors. What I didn’t expect was how deeply this community would welcome me in. Over just a few months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting you, telling your stories, partnering with your businesses, cheering on your nonprofits, and seeing up close how much DeLand cares for DeLand. That has been the greatest gift of this work.
This fall made it even more real. Being inducted into the DeLand Rotary Club was an honor — to be invited into a group built on “service above self” felt like a confirmation that what we’re doing with the magazine matters, because it’s about people. And walking the route for the Veterans Day Parade, watching our community pause to honor those who served, reminded me why local stories are so important: they keep gratitude alive and faces attached to the sacrifices we talk about.
December always invites us to slow down. There’s a quiet peace to this season — even in the busy — that whispers, “Make room. Notice people. Be present.” Not every part of 2025 looked like what we planned, but there has been purpose in the unexpected turns and a lot of grace in the way neighbors have shown up for one another. My hope is that you feel that same peace in your home this month, whether it’s around the table, at a school concert, or just in a still morning with coffee.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited. I want to meet even more of you, tell more family stories, highlight more of the nonprofits doing quiet, faithful work, and help local businesses reach the people who live right here. This magazine only works because you open your doors, trust us with your stories, and care about your neighbors. Thank you for letting me be part of DeLand in such a personal way. Here’s to a peaceful December and a year ahead full of connection.
Expert Contributors
■ FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Edward Jones Evin Lynch 386-337-7981 www.edwardjones.com/evin-lynch
■ HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
Jacob Heating and Air Conditioning
Robert Jacob 386-734-0901 www.jacobhac.com
■ ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Sinatra’s Ristorante 386-218-3806 www.sinatras.us
■ PRIVATE SCHOOL St. Barnabas Episcopal School Paul Garcia, Head of School 386-734-3005 www.sbesyes.org
or 407-923-7824.
■ RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Lively Real Estate Tracy Snow 386-337-7981 www.tracysnow.com
■ SENIOR LIVING Alliance Community 386-734-4381 www.alliancecommunity.org
■ YOGA STUDIO Hot Yoga DeLand Kirsty Boyer & Heather McIver 386-469-9987 www.hotyogadeland.com
■ Be The Next Expert Your Business Name Your Name Phone number here www.yourwebsitehere.com
Smart Financial Moves to Make Before Year-End
BY EVIN LYNCH, EDWARD JONES FINANCAIL ADVISOR
AS THE YEAR winds down, it’s the perfect time to make some smart moves before the calendar flips to 2026. Think of it as a financial tuneup that could help with saving money and setting you up for success in the months ahead. Here are some things to consider.
•Don’t forget about required withdraw If you’re 73 or older, you’ll need to take your required minimum distribution from traditional retirement accounts to avoid a 25% penalty on any amount you should have withdrawn but didn’t. This rule also applies to some people who inherited retirement accounts, including certain Roth accounts.
•Use your flexible spending money. Got money sitting in a flexible spending account at work? Remember, these accounts follow a “use it or lose it” rule. Check with your HR department about your plan’s specific deadlines for spending the money and submitting receipts. Whether it’s that dental work you’ve been putting off or new prescription glasses you need, now’s the time to use those funds before they disappear.
•Boost your retirement savings. Consider ramping up your pretax retirement contributions before year-end. Not only will this help your future self, but it might also reduce your current tax bill. If your workplace plan allows it, you can even set up automatic increases for next year so you won’t have to remember to do it later.
•Share the wealth through gifting. In 2025, the current tax rules let you give family or friends up to $19,000 per person without affecting your lifetime gift tax exemption. Married couples can combine their allowances to give up to $38,000 per person. Plus, you can pay someone’s tuition or medical bills directly without these payments counting against your gift limits at all.
•Navigate new tax changes. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act has made several tax provisions permanent, including lower individual tax rates and higher standard deductions. However, it also introduces new changes that might affect your situation. It’s worth sitting down with a financial advisor or tax professional to understand how these updates impact your specific circumstances.
•Examine your investments. Take some time to review your investment portfolio. Ask yourself: Did your investments perform as expected this year? Do they still match your goals and comfort level with risk? You might need to rebalance things to get back on track.
•Build up your emergency fund. It’s ideal to have enough cash saved to cover three to six months of living expenses in an easily accessible account. This safety net can prevent you from having to raid your retirement savings when unexpected expenses pop up.
•Review your estate planning documents. This is especially important if you’ve had major life changes like marriage, divorce or a new baby. Don’t forget to check the beneficiary designations on all your bank and brokerage accounts as well as life insurance policies – these often override what’s written in your will.
Taking care of these financial housekeeping tasks now can help you start the new year on solid ground.
This content was was provided by Edward Jones for use by Evin Lynch, your Edward Jones Financial Advisor at 121 Victoria Commons Blvd. Suite 103, DeLand, FL 32724.
EDWARD JONES
Evin Lynch 386-337-7981 | www.edwardjones.com/evin-lynch
The Lunde Family:
A DeLand Life Well Loved Faith, Service, and Everyday Joy
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE | PHOTOS BY DREAMSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO
FOR ERIC AND KIM LUNDE, the best family memory isn’t a single moment; it’s the sum of them all: the exciting, the challenging, and the everyday. From bucket-list travels to Israel to a first-ever Mediterranean cruise with forty friends, the Lunde story is really about doing life together and showing up for the communities they call home.
“Becoming part of the community has become a core value for us; wherever we live, we seek to plant deep roots and serve,” they say. That theme threads through the Lundes’ moves from the Chicago suburbs to rural Colorado, Appalachian Kentucky, Troy, Ohio, and now West Volusia, with each stop adding new friendships and a deeper habit of service and philanthropy.
Four and a half years ago, the Lundes moved from Dayton, Ohio, navigating the whirlwind of a pandemic housing market with five offers and virtual showings before landing in their Timbers home. The neighborhood’s quiet streets, watchful neighbors, and community traditions—such as summer block parties and Christmas gatherings—felt like a ready-
made welcome. It also placed them exactly where they needed to be as Eric transitioned from AdventHealth DeLand to his current role as president and CEO of AdventHealth Fish Memorial in Orange City.
Long before he led hospitals, Eric taught high school art and journalism, an origin that still shapes his leadership and his life at home. An original art major, he unwinds with sketching, painting, woodworking, and photography. He invests locally on the Stetson University School of Music Advisory Board, the Museum of Art – DeLand, and the DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce. Sundays follow a familiar rhythm in the Lunde house: a crowded snack tray and a Denver Broncos game on TV.
Kim works part-time as a school nurse and four years ago launched a Girls on the Run team at her daughter’s school. Passionate about whole-person wellness, she even stepped in to teach a Health Coaching course at Stetson for a term. Her mix of discipline and joy shows up in the small things: she recently crossed a 1,000-day Duolingo Spanish
streak. It shows up in the big ones too, like keeping the Lunde calendar humming and cheering for each daughter’s next step.
The Lundes’ four daughters each bring their own spark. Makenna recently began her nursing career in a Pediatric ICU in Chattanooga. She loves music and helps lead collegiate worship nights that encourage connection and community. Ella will graduate from Embry-Riddle in May. She started out intent on flying but pivoted to business after vertigo made piloting impossible; two AdventHealth internships later, she’s set to begin a three-year residency with the health system. Emsley finished high school this year and is studying in Tennessee near her sister. She’s using these first semesters to explore healthcare, nutrition, psychology, writing, and entrepreneurship, and she’s also building a modeling portfolio after being scouted last year. Lily, the youngest, is an eighth grader whose true passion is volleyball. She loves the teamwork, energy, and competition of the sport. When she is not on the court, she also enjoys performing and will appear in Fiddler on the Roof this November with her school’s specialty choir. She has even been known to tackle the climbing walls at DeLand’s own DynoClimb, a favorite local spot where owner Brit first introduced her to the fun and focus of the sport during her early visits. With all the activities and outnumbered by 5, Eric often jokes that he lives in a girls dorm (but he wouldn’t want it any other way.)
Ask the family about their first weekend in town and you’ll hear a love letter to MainStreet DeLand. Their inaugural meal was at BakeChop, and Kim still compares every caramel macchiato to theirs, followed by candy-shop strolls and record-store browsing. Anna Bananas helped set the tone at home with early décor, including a handcrafted Florida wood sign that has traveled with Eric to three different offices. These days, weekends often begin on Friday nights at the Farmers Market, where a stop at Newfangled Modern
“Becoming part of the community has become a core value for us; wherever we live, we seek to plant deep roots and serve.”
– Eric and Kim Lunde
Market for a little plant browsing has become a family ritual, and end with something sweet after dinner at Parvathy’s Kitchen, Pho Noodles, or Urban Brick. Weekend brunch at Trilogy Kitchen is a favorite, and for date night Eric and Kim gravitate to Cress or Hunters & Gatherers, where lingering over conversation feels like time well spent. The family also loves Common Ground Farm for produce, and last fall Kim ordered 50 pounds of apples and turned the kitchen into an applesauce workshop.
They’re beach people, too. They love how living in DeLand gives them quick access to the coast, and the Lundes never miss their tradition of a New Year’s Day sunrise there. Whether cheering in a gym, applauding at a student performance, or catching a few extra
minutes of daylight on the sand, they’re happiest when the day ends together. The girls’ DeLand interests spill into family adventures. Both Makenna and Ella took the big leap together at Skydive DeLand, creating a memory their family will never forget. Makenna loved every second of the experience and was so exhilarated that she booked her next jump before even leaving the drop zone. Ella was equally thankful for the adventure and proud to have checked it off her list, though she admitted with a smile that she prefers to stay inside the plane. Emsley has collected favorite pieces at the DeLand Art Fair, loves picking strawberries at Oak Haven Farms, and is always adding seaside sunsets to her camera roll. At home, the soundtrack ranges from worship rehearsals to volleyball whistles to the soft turn of book pages in the evening.
Professionally and personally, the Lundes believe progress is best measured in people: neighbors, patients, teammates, and friends. Eric’s path from the classroom to the executive suite gives him a unique perspective on leadership, pairing an educator’s empathy with an artist’s eye for detail. Kim’s quiet care has a way of steadying the room, whether she’s tending a student, coaching a runner, or setting a welcoming table. Together they model a rhythm of life that prioritizes faith, family, and community, and it invites others along.
With every connection they build and every life they touch, the Lunde family embodies the warmth and generosity that define our town. They show up for DeLand, and DeLand shows up for them, too. That mutual care is what makes this place feel less like a stop on the map and more like a forever home. That’s what’s so special about DeLand Living.
DO YOU KNOW A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A STORY TO SHARE? //
Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at rgarrison@bestversionmedia.com
December 2025
Mon.– Sun., December 1–31
December Derby
@ HIGHLAND PARK FISH CAMP
The month-long fishing derby for the biggest crappie/speck is back! $500 cash to the winner! $10 one-time entry; must launch from HPFC, weigh-in by 4pm, one fish per day, fish must be live, and all passengers must be registered. Winner announced Jan. 1, 2026 on Facebook.
Times: Daily, weigh-in by 4pm
Cost: $10 entry fee www.highlandparkfishcamp.com
Fri.–Sun., Select dates thru December 14
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn
@ ATHENS THEATRE
DeLand Classic Broadway-style musical packed with showstopping dance numbers, dazzling costumes and Irving Berlin holiday favorites—perfect for kicking off the season. Nov. 21–23, 28–30 and Dec. 4–7 & 10–14.
Times: Most Fri./Sat. 7:30pm Sun. 2:30pm (see website for full schedule)
Cost: $12–$32 www.athensdeland.com
Fri., December 5
Light Up DeLand
@ DOWNTOWN DELAND
Volusia County Historic Courthouse
Kick off Winter Wonder DeLand with ice skating, Santa’s Workshop crafts, live music, photos with Santa, holiday shopping and the big moment—Santa skydiving in to light the tree! Presented by the City of DeLand and MainStreet DeLand Association.
Times: 5–8pm
Cost: FREE www.mainstreetdeland.org
Sat., December 6
DeLand Rotary Christmas Parade
@ DOWNTOWN DELAND
A DeLand tradition for 70+ years! Enjoy floats, bands, dancers and community groups as the Rotary Clubs of West Volusia bring “A Winter Wonderland Down Mainstreet” to life. Arrive early—streets close for staging starting at 4pm.
Times: Line-up 4pm | Parade 6–8pm
Cost: FREE for spectators www.delandchristmasparade.org
Tuesday Night Special: Four Course Dinner For Two $40 Add A Bottle Of Wine - For Just $10
Every Thursday Pork Tenderloin Special only $25 from 4pm to 9pm
Dueling Pianos every 2nd & 4th Friday of each month
355 Cassadaga Rd. Lake Helen, FL
386-218-3806
Sun., December 7
DeLand Indie Market – Holiday Edition
@ ARTISAN ALLEY, DOWNTOWN DELAND
A curated holiday market featuring 60–70 handpicked vendors with vintage, art, handcrafted goods, boutique finds, food, drinks and live music—perfect for shopping small and local before Christmas Times: 11am–5pm
Cost: FREE www.mainstreetdeland.org
Wed., December 10
Wine, Women & Chocolate
@ DOWNTOWN DELAND
Stroll participating shops, pick up a Passport after 5pm, collect at least 12 stamps/ signatures and make one purchase to be eligible for Downtown DeLand gift certificates. Arrive at The Abbey by 7:45pm for the 8pm prize drawing—come dressed to the theme for an extra raffle ticket! Visit all stops (with purchase) to double your chances to win.
Times: 5–8pm
Cost: Free to participate; pay as you shop www.mainstreetdeland.org
Sat. and Sun., December 13–14
3rd Annual Christmas Craft Fair
@ VOLUSIA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Shop holiday décor, handmade gifts, art, accessories and seasonal treats from regional crafters—perfect for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Times: Sat. 10am–5pm | Sun. 10am–4pm Cost: $6 for adults / FREE for kids 12 and under www.bucklershows.com/deland
Sat., December 13
A Florida Christmas Remembered
@ BARBERVILLE PIONEER SETTLEMENT
Experience an old-Florida holiday with make-and-take kids crafts, artisan vendors, live Christmas folk music, historic demonstrations, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and BBQ from the Summer Kitchen. A West Volusia tradition for families and the young at heart.
Times: 9am–4pm
Cost: Adults $10 | Seniors $9 | Members & kids under 12 (with paying adult) www.pioneersettlement.org
Thu., December 18
DeLand Holiday Boutique Crawl
@ DOWNTOWN DELAND
Sip, stroll and shop your favorite downtown boutiques with exclusive deals, holiday drinks and treats, gifts and giveaways. Start at any participating shop to grab a Crawl Card, visit each stop, and turn it in to be entered to win prizes. FREE community event—bring friends and make it a girls’ night downtown.
Times: 5–8pm Cost: FREE www.mainstreetdeland.org
Sat., December 20
4th Annual DeLand Holiday Grinch Fest
@ ARTISAN ALLEY
Shop 70+ local artisans, crafters and small businesses, enjoy holiday music, and meet Santa, his elves and the Grinch at this festive outdoor market hosted by Specialty Pop-up Events. Family-friendly and perfect for last-minute gifts.
Times: 11am–4pm
Cost: FREE
Thu., December 25
Christmas Day
@ DELAND
Wishing you and your family a warm and joy-filled Christmas. May your home be peaceful, your table full, and your hearts reminded of what matters most. Merry Christmas, DeLand.
Times: All day
Cost: FREE
Thu., January 1, 2026
DeLeon Dunk!
@ DELEON SPRINGS STATE PARK
Start 2026 with a 72° spring plunge, early park entry, manatee towel, Old Sugar Mill mini pancakes, souvenir sticker, donuts, coffee, hot chocolate and FREE park entry. Deluxe jump will have multiple jumps each limited to 100 people, with group jumps 7:15–7:45am. Regular DeLeon Dunk follows at 8am.
Times: Deluxe Dunk 7am | Regular Dunk 8am
Cost: 7am Deluxe ticket: $16.90; 8am dunk included with park entry www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/ DELEONDUNKDELUXE
BEE REALTY CORP Strategy + Soul for West Volusia Real Estate
Business Profile BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
IF YOU’VE MET Bee Powell, you already know the feeling. She’s focused and gracious, fully present for her customers and her community. Bee’s path to real estate runs through architecture, small-business ownership, and property investing. Those experiences shaped the intentional, structured way she now leads Bee Realty Corp in downtown DeLand. “We are equal parts strategy and soul,” Bee says. “Everything we do is efficient and organized, and always deeply personal.”
Bee Realty Corp is a boutique real estate brokerage and property management firm based in DeLand, serving Volusia County and the surrounding areas. The team brings class, professionalism, and structure to every transaction. There is no chaos here; everything is organized, strategic, and intentional. Bee and her agents are known for elevating local real estate through refined marketing, strong negotiation, and a commitment to an organized, intelligent, and exceptional customer experience from start to finish.
At her core, Bee is a pioneer and a catalyst. She loves progress, fresh ideas, and
building something better than before. That is why she gets a special excitement from working with sellers. For many clients, selling a home or commercial property is the first step toward a new chapter, and helping them reach that goal is deeply rewarding. Having lived through many new beginnings herself, she understands the excitement of moving forward and brings that optimism to every listing.
Bee began her real estate career in 2012 and opened Bee Realty Corp within two years. The blend of design sense and business discipline shows up in the details: polished marketing, clear and frequent communication, and a start-to-finish process that feels thoughtful and calm even when the market is not.
Her love for DeLand is more than a tagline; it is a weekly habit. The Bee Realty office is part of the town’s community heartbeat, from Monsters on MainStreet to the Ice Cream Walk. During the ME STRONG 5K, the team hosts a now-beloved mimosa station out front. Those moments of laughter and
local pride remind them that real estate is about people, connection, and community.
Bee’s story spans continents. Born in Germany, she studied architecture in Germany and Australia before landing in DeLand in 2004. Skydiving brought her here; the people and spirit of this town convinced her to stay. Through Rotary, local outreach, and business involvement, she stays closely connected to the place that inspires her daily.
One of Bee’s proudest innovations is the Silver Keys Program, a concierge approach she created after seeing the unique needs of seniors, families navigating probate, and anyone facing major life transitions. Silver Keys coordinates the hard things—decluttering, staging, repairs, estate sales, moving, clearouts—so clients can focus on what matters most. “It fills the gap where most real estate stops,” Bee says. “Compassion, structure, and simplicity. That’s what we do best.”
“DeLand and West Volusia have given me so much. My promise is professionalism, organization, and genuine care, every single day.”
Jewelry Gift Shopping Tips for the Holidays
BY RENEE GARRISON
KAREN TWEEDIE has worked as a full-time designer and goldsmith for the past 30 years. Her work incorporates precious metals and gemstones, and non-traditional materials as well. Buying jewelry as a gift can be difficult, but Karen has shared a number of tips she has discovered through the years that will help guide you through your next jewelry purchase for a loved one.
If you have a jewelry gift in mind for a special someone during the holiday season, consider looking at art festivals, museum stores or art galleries as well as typical jewelry stores. If you value hand crafted items, a piece of jewelry can be a treasured gift.
Shopping for a pair of earrings?
Note whether or not the receiver wears earrings, and if they tend to prefer longer styles, shorter styles, post earrings. Consider if they do not have pierced ears and wear clip-style earrings.
Considering giving a ring as a gift?
Determine the ring size and make note of whether that is the size of a narrow band or a wide band. For a wide band, the ring will need to be at least ½ size bigger.
Eying a bracelet to show you care?
If so, pay attention to the receiver’s
wrist size. Do they have average sized, large, or quite small wrists? This is very important, for instance, if the gift is for a child.
Looking for a necklace?
They come in a variety of lengths. An average length is 18”. A person with a narrow neck will be comfortable with a 16” length that will sit in the middle of their collar bone. Ask yourself, does the receiver tend to wear simple pieces or chunky pieces?
Jewelry can reflect the personality of the wearer. Purchasing from an artist directly has another big advantage: They are happy to produce bespoke, one-ofa-kind custom jewelry for customers to give as a gift. Just be sure to allow ample time for design and production of your unique piece
Christmas Cracker Toffee
BY RENEE GARRISON
THIS IS A "must have" on the cookie tray. Everyone loves the salty/sweet combination. Better make several batches!
40 saltine crackers (1 sleeve)
1 cup salted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1, 12-ounce bag milk or dark chocolate chips
Toasted slivered almonds
•Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, spray with Pam
• Cover cookie sheet with a layer of saltines.
RISING STUDENT-ATHLETE:
Bayleigh Couch
By Justin Brownlee
DeLand High School senior and dual-enrolled Daytona State College student Bayleigh Couch, 18, has become one of DeLand’s standout young athletes in just three years of bowling. She began with an 85 average and now holds a 175 average, a 203 high average, and a 570 high series. Bayleigh competes on the DHS bowling team and in league play, and this year she qualified for the FHSAA State Bowling Championship, finishing 61st in Florida.
Off the lanes, Bayleigh is a two-sport varsity athlete, maintains a 3.9 GPA, is a member of the Math Honor Society, and volunteers through the DHS medical program and school blood drives — a true example of commitment, character, and DeLand pride.
• In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil, stirring continuously and cook for 2 minutes.
•Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
• Pour toffee mixture over crackers to cover, then bake for 6 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the baked toffee.
• Let the chips soften for several minutes and then spread to cover. Sprinkle with toasted almonds (as little or as much as you like).
•Allow to cool thoroughly. Break into pieces.
•Enjoy!
Repair, Replace… or Cash In?
How a $2,000 Holiday Gift from Uncle Sam Could Upgrade Your Comfort
BY ROBERT JACOB, JACOB HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
COMPANY COMING and your system’s acting up? Use this simple, Florida-focused framework to choose the smartest path—repair, plan a replacement, or hold—so guests stay comfortable and your holiday budget stays merry and bright.
START WITH TIMING AND SAFETY
Electrical smells, tripped breakers, or refrigerant leaks are non-negotiables—repair now. For minor issues (like a noisy fan or uneven room temperatures), a targeted repair can carry you through December while you evaluate long-term options in January, when schedules, rebates, and incentives are easier to navigate.
THE QUICK DECISION TREE
Age 0–8 years: Repair is typically the most cost-effective choice, especially if maintenance is current.
Age 9–12: Watch the pattern. One small fix? Green light. Multiple major repairs within 18 months? Time to start pricing replacements.
Age 13+: Replacement becomes the smart play. New systems come with up to 10-year
parts warranties and improved efficiency, giving you more comfort for less long-term cost.
BUDGET THE WHOLE PICTURE
Beyond peace of mind, upgrading your system right now might come with a little holiday bonus from Uncle Sam — a federal tax credit worth up to $2,000 through the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
This program rewards homeowners who make energy-saving upgrades, including new high-efficiency heat pumps. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
• You can receive a credit worth 30% of the total cost of your new system (that includes equipment and installation).
• The credit maxes out at $2,000 per year.
•It applies to qualifying heat pumps.
• It’s a credit, not a rebate — meaning it can lower the amount of tax you owe, but you won’t receive a refund if it exceeds your tax bill.
This expanded credit runs through December 31, 2025, making now a smart time to
plan upgrades that boost comfort, cut energy costs, and put money back in your pocket.
WHAT A REPUTABLE PRO WILL PROVIDE
Expect a load calculation review, duct and airflow check, and two to three system options with clear pricing, efficiency ratings, and warranties. Add-ons such as dehumidification or indoor-air quality enhancements should be itemized so you can decide what matters now versus later.
If you’re not sure whether to repair or replace before guests arrive, request a no-pressure consultation from Jacob Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll provide written estimates for both paths—so you can make the calm, comfortable, and cost-smart decision this holiday season.
JACOB HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
Robert Jacob
386-734-0901 | www.jacobhac.com
Deck the Halls, DeLand: Small Touches, Big Holiday Welcome
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
IF YOUR HOME’S been running at everyday speed, here’s a gentle reset before company rolls in. Think quick wins—easy tweaks that feel like a hug the second someone steps inside.
•Start at the door. Shake out the doormat and hang a simple wreath—magnolia, eucalyptus or citrus are always good Florida choices. A ribbon that matches your living room gives everything a pulled-together look.
•Clear, then cozy. Tidy one surface (entry table or coffee table) and build a small “holiday tray”: a candle, a sprig of greenery, a bowl of ornaments or pinecones, and a favorite family photo. It’s amazing how welcoming one styled spot can be.
•Soft layers = instant comfort. Swap two pillow covers for velvet or knit and toss a lightweight throw over the sofa. In the guest bath, fresh hand towels and a bud vase with rosemary says “we’re glad you’re here.”
•Let there be warm light. Use warm bulbs (2700–3000K) and tuck micro lights into a glass jar or along a bookshelf. Set a timer so the glow greets everyone after a stroll around town.
•Keep greenery simple. One statement garland on the mantel or stair rail reads elegant, not cluttered.
•Choose one signature scent. Citrus-clove, fir, or vanilla—pick just one. Tyler’s Winter Wonderland is a personal favorite. Before guests arrive, simmer orange slices with cinnamon and a rosemary sprig.
•A little welcome goes a long way. Set out a basket with water, snacks, extra chargers, and a mini list of your nearby favorites (morning coffee, best park for kid energy, where to see lights). Add a self-serve coffee/tea station so early risers feel at home.
Small touches, warm hearts…holiday hosting, DeLand style.
At Alliance Community, we believe in aging in place. Our comprehensive services are designed to support our residents in maintaining their independence for as long as possible.
At our Assisted Living Community, we foster meaningful relationships between residents and the compassionate team members who care for them. Our family-style approach and full access to services and amenities empower each resident to shape a lifestyle that reflects their personal preferences and need.
-Nicole Abbate, LPN Wellness Director for Assisted and Independent Living
