✨ Learning Design, Holiday Magic, and the Strength of a Solid Foundation

I’m starting early with my holiday decorations this year (don’t judge me 😉). 🎄 I decided to jump in and go for it while the government was shutdown, Now I’m committed and keeping on with the plan even though I was able to return to work this week. It’s a grand ordeal to go through as I start with chaos, go through countless bins, and at the end, little in this house will remain untouched. Its going to be a tiring weekend, but I can’t wait to sit back when it’s done and enjoy ☺️ [Photo to come in a future post.]

There’s something special about unpacking my old Christmas ornaments—the ones that carry family stories, chipped edges, and fingerprints from years gone by. I love digging through those boxes, finding pieces that belonged to my grandmother, and remembering how she used to say “start with the biggest ornaments… everything else will follow.”

And honestly, building a course feels a lot like decorating a Christmas tree. 🎄

You don’t start by hanging tiny glass birds and delicate snowflakes. 🕊️❄️

🌲You start with the structure—the base—making sure the tree is steady and the lights are placed so they shine through everything that comes next.

In instructional design, that’s the core framework: learning goals, outcomes, and the big picture.

Then come the larger ornaments—the big concepts and modules that shape the learning experience.

Once those are in place, you reach for the medium pieces—the activities, the stories, the practice opportunities that fill in the space and bring things to life.

Only at the end do you add the smallest ornaments:

✨ the fine details

✨ the polish

✨ the little moments that make it memorable

🎄When it all comes together, it tells a story.

It connects people.

It sparks joy, curiosity, and meaning.

Just like a tree decorated with generations of treasures, a well-designed course honors the past, supports the present, and lights the way for what’s possible next.

I’ll continue striving to create learning experiences that feel like home—and shine a little brighter this season. 💫

#InstructionalDesign #LearningAndDevelopment #IDLife #CourseDesign #HolidayInspiration #VintageStories