Want to keep holiday decorating SIMPLE?
Me too! Decorating can feel a bit more overwhelming as we approach the holidays (can you believe we are just weeks away from Christmas now?). We might say we want to simplify the holidays, and even feel that we should, but at the same time we can be tempted to add so much more stuff to make our home as festive as we want it to be.
We might not need seasonally specific decor pieces, but for me the answer isn’t learning how to become a Christmas minimalist. Ha! My opinion is that a home should feel more magical at Christmas. I really adore having meaningful things in our home that bring a sense of tradition and festivity to each season.
So how do we create that sense of “more” festivity, without feeling more overwhelmed by stuff? That answer will be different for everyone, of course, as there isn’t only one way to do it.
But I can tell you some of the things I use to decorate with and why they make sense to me as someone who wants to both keep things simple and yet, also wants things to FEEL more magical.
Maybe some of what I share will resonate or even spark some ideas for you, too.
Here are seven pieces I use in my own home for Christmas and winter decorating and why I love them!
1. Candles
The candles I shared this week are a tradition we’ll use in our windows and lanterns from now through winter! My favorite Christmas and winter decorations are ones that create a sense of tradition but that also enhances the magical ambience of the season! Window candles are especially fitting and lovely in this season, but you could certainly keep them out all year.
These candles have special features that make them perfect for windows and wall lanterns (you can get them here and read more about why I love them in this post). PS. I also love these other battery-operated taper candles for the mantle. You’ll forget they aren’t real!
2. Lanterns and Candle Wall Sconces
Lanterns and candle wall sconces are wonderful additions to your home in every season. I love decor that you don’t have to store or put away certain times of the year! I particularly love lanterns because many of them are fillable so you can decorate them according to the seasons, too. That makes each season feel special! Candle sconces are fun because you can change the color of the candles for the season, too. You can find some lanterns and wall sconces in my Amazon shop.
3. Faux but Realistic Cedar or Pine Garland, Wreaths and Little Trees
Faux but realistic cedar or pine garland, wreathes and little trees make winter and holiday decorating so simple but also very festive. It’s an organic feeling look, without the mess or plant allergies that come along with foraging from the backyard (although that’s lovely, too). Faux greenery can be put up whenever you’re inspired and kept up until you’re ready to take it down!
It’s nice to have a few items (besides any favorite ornaments) that are more seasonally specific. I love adding wintery foliage to our home (and maybe some twinkle lights too!) because it adds a sense of classy festivity and tradition to winter that we don’t experience other times of year.
Also bonus points that these items can be reused every year, but the garland and wreaths are especially nice because they don’t take up much room in storage! The garland is soft and flexible and it’s versatile! It looks great on the staircase, coat or over windows and doors so you can have fun using it in different ways or areas of your home every year.
I bought a few more garland strands so I can use them in more spaces this year, I can’t wait to put them up! They are wonderful, so soft and realistic looking. You can shop for some of these Christmas items in this Amazon storefront.
4. Quirky Pieces
Add a sense of childlike wonder and tradition with a few quirky pieces. I adore these classic brass animals holding fillable bowls (I have the rabbit and the fox). They are absolutely darling any time of year and extra charming on the coat or in a bookcase at Christmas! Filling the bowls with something seasonal (like faux berries or wrapped candies or sprigs of greenery for winter) can be a fun tradition, too.
I got my pair of animal friends last year but have had them out ever since, so you don’t have to put pretty pieces like this away! You can decorate the bowls with various seasonal items, but you can also use them for practical items. We often have them next to the bed to hold some small items. They are handy and fun to move around the house! I just moved one of mine to a shelf in the bathroom, he’s adorable there! They sold out last year so if you missed out, might want to grab one or both soon!
5. Festive Stars
Oh my stars! Last year we began a special winter tradition for our new home. We decorated our porch with these Morovian Stars and they are pure magic! We had them up all the way through January. Our neighbors loved them, and so did we! They fold up flat so they don’t take up a lot of storage, but they are WORTH having for the magic they bring to the season.
We are so looking forward to putting our stars up again this year. The stars come in a battery timer version or plug-in–I’d recommend the plug-in stars if you can!
We also got these star shaped lights with a timer last year to put in our windows and loved those too.
6. Cozy Blankets
Cozy blankets might seem like an obvious addition for fall and winter coziness, but here’s my own twist and decorative tip. Thinner blankets, Turkish towels, or even scarves can be used to decorate all year round (and are easier to store when you’re not using them). They make tired furniture feel fresh as well as add a new layer of protection and comfort.
Put thin on the backs or seats of chairs or sofas for added color or pattern, use one for a new look on the back of a sofa, lay one across the end of a bed, or even put them on tables or around your Christmas trees . You can find some cute throw blankets in my Amazon shop.
7. Pillow Covers
If you LOVE to decorate in every season but just don’t have the space or patience to store many bins of decor, pillow covers might be a perfect decorating option for you. They are super easy to switch out for the seasons and store (you can fold them on a shelf, or put them in a basket (and I’ll share another great storage tip soon that I think you’ll like, too!).
I shared tips and lots of wonderful options for pillow covers and inserts in these two posts: How to Pick Decorative Pillows that Go Together and this Pillow Round Up with Pairing Combinations. In addition to your signature set for your home (which I talked about in this post) you could have a festive set covers you bring out just for Christmas or winter! When the holidays roll around, it’s fun to see your favorites again. When Christmas or winter is over, you can put them away and bring out your favorite spring set!
I hope you enjoy easy ideas like this as much as I do! They save money and space but will also help you enjoy being in your home more in every season!
