Christmas is coming! Let the decorating commence! How do you decorate for the holidays? I’m happy to share some decorating tips from my house. Bring some holly-jollyness to your house by adapting my ideas to your design style!

Tip #1 – Holiday touches here and there

Now, I confess to being a little over-the-top when it comes to holiday decorating, but you can achieve a festive  atmosphere in your home by bringing in just a few touches here and there.

For example, place seasonal pillows and throws on your seating and bring in evergreens anywhere you can: mini trees in pots or baskets, pine boughs on mantels, buffets and atop pendant lights, and wreaths on doors inside or out. (Fresh smells great. Faux lasts year to year. You choose.)

Holiday color beach bags? They do double duty as pine tree containers.  Which reminds me…

Tip #2 – Use what you have creatively

Here’s what I mean. To create a holiday place setting, I paired my red and white checked summer picnic tablecloth with green striped dishtowels. Ditto the plaid chargers teamed up with my white dishes, with the addition of some jaunty Santa salad plates. (Insider’s tip: look for salad plates on clearance after Christmas to mix with your own pottery or china!) A mini stocking is a perfect utensil pocket.

More in the Use What You Have Creatively department: assemble containers from around your home and unify them for a centerpiece with a mix of evergreens and flowers. I have lots of vintage tins and love how their Christmas colors bring some ho-ho to my holiday table.

Speaking of collections, consider how you can bring those cherished items out of the closet and into your Christmas decorating.  Maybe hang your angel collection or estate jewelry finds as ornaments on your tree. Frame and hang your vinyl Christmas record covers. Type a holiday greeting on your vintage typewriter and leave it on display. Use an antique quilt for a tree skirt!

I collect old picnicware and its red plaid is a natural for a Christmas vignette!  What do you have that you could use in a new way for the holidays?

Tip #3 – Surprises

Kitchens might get short shrift when the holiday decorations go up, but I like to save a surprise or two and spend it on a neglected area, like the kitchen or mudroom. Fill a glass jar or vase with bright ornaments.  Frame a kitchen window with a tricked-out garland featuring floral picks, wired ribbon and vintage Christmas cards and books. Hmmm, what would you attach to the garland?

Do you have years of photos with Santa? Surprise (and embarrass) your kids by framing and displaying them all as part of your decor.

Bonus tip: Lights, Candles, Action!

Nothing says Christmas like twinkle lights. Illuminate the house, the tree, the wreath, the mantel with strings of lights–then turn down the lamps and enjoy the magic.  And light scented candles for the glow and the scents that accompany the holidays!

Welcome, December! Don’t stress over your holiday decor and to-do list–let me help! Get my holiday E-Book bundle now!

My team and I enjoy decorating for the holidays! Christmas is just a few short weeks away, and my Christmas Decor Package calendar is filling, so contact me right away to book your date. We’ll be there soon to prep your home for the holidays!