If you’re starting from ground zero, decorating for the holidays is an almost daunting task. Do you need garland? How many wreaths are too many? How many is just enough? What all actually goes on a Christmas tree? Do you need nutcrackers? While the answer is completely subjective and up to your tastes, like anything home decor related there are best practices to help guide you in your preference discoveries.
So without further ado, your ultimate Christmas 101 Decorating Guide!
At the core, there are 4 locations that scream for a little holiday attention more than any other place in the home. These can be improvised, ultra-creative and sometimes downright unconventional, but starting by looking at these core locations sets the tone for the rest of your home
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The star of all holiday decor, the Christmas Tree is where most memories are made and therefore deserves to be the baseline of your attention and planning. You can go real or faux, eclectic or completely coordinated — but whatever you decide, here are the elements to consider
The Tree Itself: take your space and budget into account first, then look at aesthetic. You can get a tree that looks like it’s been dusted with snow (“flocked” being the primary term there!) You can get gorgeous accorns attached, you can get even get skinny trees!
Lights: Typically the biggest decision here is to go for multi-colored or white lights, but also take into account if you want to go on a limb and go for the ultra retro-glam large-bulb strands. Those bad boys can take your tree to the next level.
Beaded Garland: Another layer of tree decor to layer through the branches is a good strand of beaded garland. These weave in and out of trendiness, but they are a true classic. Whether you go for metallic, wooden or felt stands, they do wonders for elevating you tree game.
Bows and Ribbon: Arguably our favorite part of all tree decor, this combination is elegant to the MAX. Whether you opt for ribbon that cascades down from the top of your tree or loops in and out of branches along with your beads, you cant go wrong with adding this little elegant detail.
Ball Ornaments: These ornaments are the baseline of all your other ornament decor. Opt for a coordinating color scheme that works well with your other tree elements and you’r tree will feel perfectly filled out in no time. Sentimental Ornaments: These are typically collected over time and include a variety of knick-knacks, hand-made elements or collectables you simply just *liked.* Don’t over think this part! If you like it, it’s the right decision to get it and display it proudly.
Tree Skirt or Collar: Often overlooked but sadly noticed when it’s gone, the tree skirt is the baseline that grounds the entire tree. Without it, your tree looks naked and that’s just sad. We love a good knited tree skirt with pom-pom detailing or even going out on a limb to opt for a tree collar!
The Topper: Much like a tree skirt, the topper is a high-impact element of the whole ensemble. Choose your topper with care! You have many, many options. Some go for an angel, some go for a traditional start, others make a neatly tied bow the center of attention and we’ve even seen a bird or two perched at the top regally tying everything together.
THE MANTLE
The mantel can be both literal and created, but the main purpose of the mantel is to house the stockings. So don’t fret if you don’t have a mantel — create one! You can use a blank wall, a piano, an entry table, a console piece or even your tv table.
Garland: if you’re working with a mantel, this fills it out beautifully and denotes it as a holiday focal point. If you’re not working with a traditional mantel, a bit of garland signals that you’re using that piece of furniture as your mantel!
Lights and Beads: We can’t recommend little bits and bobbles enough! These simple elements dress up your garland in a really functional and fun way! Don’t overlook this detail. Stockings: The hallmark of a festive mantel — your stockings play a super important dual role of looking good and holding your goodies :)
Stocking Holders: Frequently forgotten and always missed when they’re not there, the stocking holders need to be sturdy but bonus points for making them look good too.
Focal Point: if you’re working with a traditional mantel or a piece of furniture, you’ll need an overhead focal point. Whether that’s a wreath, a mirror or even your tv, the extra effort to make it festive goes a long way.
Bits and Bobbles: There’s really no elegant way to word the idea of “things you place on the mantel that are cute but don’t really have a category.” This can be candle-sticks, nutcrackers, animal figurines or tiny Santa-Clauses. Whatever you choose to display here gets some significant eye-time, so make sure it pops!
THE TABLE
The holidays follow all of the same rules of thumb when setting and decorating, but the thing that makes the holiday table extra special are the things that layer in on top of the norm a juj it up.
Plates and Chargers: You can go ALL out here and festiveness or you can layer in basic pieces with festive pieces for a nice balanced look. We like to go for a festive plate and multi-purpose crisp charger.
Name Cards: Whether you actually put names out on your table or not, a little token nod to the season is a cute way to add some festive holiday themed decor without going majorly overboard.
Tiny Wreaths: Our favorite decorative piece in our whole arsenal, the tiny wreath can do SO MUCH for you table. From gracefully lying on top of a plate to being beautifully tied to the back of a chair, this multi-use token is a great way to make your table cheery.
Linens: Another great place to bring in a festive baseline is with your linens! Napkins, table runners and tablecloths all create a graceful, festive scene.
Napkin Rings: Don’t know how to fold a pretty napkin? No problem! Napkin rings are your solution. They’re a fool-proof way to make your linens look good, and when you get them specific for the season they really do wonders for making your table look like that of a pro.
Center Piece: This can be a strand of garland, a cluster of candlesticks, a bowl of ornaments or even a vase of piney stems. The sky is the limit when it comes to your holiday tablescape!
THE FRONT DOOR
The entry of any living space automatically sets the tone for what you’re about to find inside. The front door does the same for your Christmas decor! Any type of front door in any sort of living space could do for a little festivity.
The Wreath: Arguably your most important wreath of all the wreaths, this one is your “welcome!” “hello!” “come in!” and because of that it deserves some special attention. Whether your opt for a full, leafy real-life pine or a modern hooped loop, your door will look better and more festive no matter what.
The Door Mat: This is one of our favorite elements of the front door because it’s an opportunity to let your personality shine. Are you more of a classical kind of person who likes the traditional wordings in a great font? Are you a witty online shopper who likes to purchase a doormat with package hiding instructions? Or are you a whimsical festive fanatic who likes to see their favorite Christmas lyric as they enter their home? Whatever the case, own it! You do you here and make the most of it.
Garland: Can you tell we love garland? There are few places we can think of where garland *wouldn’t* work, but one of the most impactful places you can use a big hulking bunch of garland is framing your front door. It looks fab no matter how you install it — perfectly symmetrical or intentional off balance — so have fun and make it look good to you.
Potted Greenery: We’ve seen everything from poinsettia, tiny evergreen trees to topiaries tied with red bows. If you’re the kind that likes to swap out your potted plans seasonally, this is your time to shine and think outside of the festive box!
Figurines: You don’t have to go entirely Clark Griswald here to be festive. You can opt for small lanterns, tastefully-lit deer or even a sweet sleigh filled with poinsettia. A small token of festivity makes your entry that much more cheery.
THE DETAILS
While these aren’t core locations, it is often the smaller details that complete the transformation.
Candles: The scent of your home can be a true dictator of holiday festiveness. Whether you’re a warm vanilla type, a slim pine type or a crips cranberry kind of candle person, nothing makes a bigger impact that thinking through the sense of smell.
Pillows and Throws: A great way to add maximum impact with minimum effort is to swap out your day-to-day pillows and throws with festive alternatives! Think cozy knits, cheery colors and whimsical sayings.
Music: Another sense to add to consideration is what plays in the background. We can’t recommend a mellow, instrumental big-band jazz playlist enough for your “scene-setting” mood. Just throw it on and you’ll instantly feel like you should be in smack dab in the middle of the White Christmas movie.
So there you have it! A simple yet inclusive list to get you started on your holiday decor. And don’t forget, at the end of the day it’s a collection of years of effort. so don’t stress the little things :) You’ve got this!
Photo: Carla Taylor
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