The last couple months around here have been filled to the brim, so I didn’t get around to decorating for Christmas as early as I usually do. When Chris suggested we just put up the tree and some wreaths, I didn’t exactly agree, but it was enough to free up my mind of the weight that I was subconsciously holding of squeezing in decorating most of the spaces in our home. (Spoiler alert: taking the pressure off made decorating everything a lot more fun.)
First things first: I brought down all our Christmas items from the attic without setting a time limit. And I didn’t finish decorating until this week! My mantra this year was to incorporate Christmas decor into our house and NOT turn our house upside down into Christmas town. In the end, I did add something festive to almost every room, similar to my fall decorating style this year, and ironically, our home has never felt more decorated for Christmas. I think there’s a life lesson in there about taking the pressure off of things.
I started in the living room, since that’s where we spend most of our time. I did some styling on the mantle and of course, the tree. With the tree being right next to the mantle, I decided that the mantle didn’t need the mounds and mounds of garland. But something simpler. I brought in some beaded garland, a single strand of pine garland, and a pewter case of evergreen stems. Instead of decorating every shelf on our built-ins, I put a wreath on the face of the bookcase. It felt really good not to feel pressured to redecorate every surface.
the Living Room
Living Room Sources | Mantle Sources | Christmas Tree Sources | Coffee Table Decor Sources
My favorite detail in the dining room was draping faux cedar eucalyptus garland in the chandelier—it made a huge impact in the room. Also, I bought SPOOLS of 1.5″ deep red velvet ribbon, and I tied it everywhere. It’s the theme throughout the whole house. Another trick I used a lot was to fill decorative bowls with ornament bulbs. So easy. (Visit our CLJ Holiday Shop for some of the decor that inspired me.)
THE DINING ROOM
Dining Room Sources | Garland | Ribbon | Ribbon Trees
Our kitchen is large, long, and central, but it didn’t take much to feel festive. I mostly focused on adding our gingerbread houses to the bookcase, and pulled out all of our seasonal platters and mugs. Placing them in places where we can see really helps us USE them during this short time period. I switched things up and hung my brass Merry Christmas sign in here this year, and I’ve loved it. Winter produce is so closely tied to Christmas that a bowl of oranges already feels right. Tying a ribbon on a Rosemary (tree) gifted from my mom on Thanksgiving is the perfect touch for a Christmas kitchen.
THE KITCHEN
Kitchen Sources | Merry Christmas Banner | Pine Stems
The study is in the front of the house so I love to put a tree in here so you can see one from outside and right when you walk in the front door. (Our living room is tucked in the back of the house.) I kept it minimal with a few velvet bulbs and bow clips. And you’ll see my favorite bulbs-in-a-bowl trick paired with tie-a-ribbon-around-it and the great throw-a-plaid-throw-on-it to complete the ultimate low-lift decorating trifecta!
THE STUDY
Study Sources | Flocked Tree (similar) | Ornaments | Silver Vase
THE ENTRYWAY
Entry Sources | Garland | Ribbon | Bells
In the entry, I doubled up the garland on the stair railing and even swagged some over the mirror, but I opted not to hang anything else over the wall sconces. In our bedroom, I placed a couple things on our nightstands and some prop presents we wrapped YEARS ago (literally the gift that keeps giving) and kept the rest a palette cleanser.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
The girls all wanted trees in their rooms, so they made that happen! “I’m happy to put a tree in your room if you want to decorate it!” They were thrilled! Greta took the big tree that’s usually in the bonus room, and Faye put up a tabletop tree on her nightstand. They had opposite ideas when it came to decorating them, which was fun to see. Both were impressive and so them. I helped Polly with a skinny flocked tree by cutting up a garland of bows for her to place along with her orange ribbons she tied herself. Placing all of our Christmas books on her shelves made even her very spring-y room feel in the season.
POLLY’S ROOM
Polly’s Room Sources | Tree (similar)
FAYE’S ROOM
Faye’s Room Sources | Tree (similar)
GRETA’S ROOM
Greta’s Room Sources | Tree | Gingham Bow Topper | Rattan Trees
You don’t see the landing very much, but this year it has kind of come into its own. It’s at the top of the stairs and overlooks the living room, so it’s already framing the most decorated room in the house. But I added a cool candelabra with bright red candles, a soft velvety olive pillow on the desk chair, and a rattan tree.
UPSTAIRS LANDING
In our upstairs bonus room, instead of a large tree, I put a small tabletop tree on the piano with miniature bulbs and placed the nativity scene on a shelf. I love to bring in a single candlestick for dramatic impact, and change out our frame TV image and a few seasonal pillows. Prop some Christmas music open on the piano. You’re done!
BONUS ROOM
Bonus Room Sources | Tabletop Tree (similar)
Overall, I exceeded my own expectations for decorating! I think that’s what happens when you don’t put rules on yourself—you naturally enjoy the process more than if you feel obliged to do the minimum. Now, everything we didn’t use this holiday season is in the garage, and I’m eying it hard—it’s practically one foot out the door! Time for taking inventory in the new year.
Go back and see how we’ve decorated in past years:
- Christmas Around Our Home 2024 (you’re not going to believe how much the living room changed!)
- Christmas Around Our Home 2023
- Christmas Around Our Home 2022
- Christmas Around Our Home 2021
- Christmas Around Our Home 2020
- Christmas Around Our Home 2018
- Christmas Around Our Home 2017
- Christmas Around Our Home 2016
- Christmas Around Our Home 2015
Lovely! Wondering scissors source-they’re sitting in the study tray along side the stapler. They are a wonderful replica of vintage scissors shape, which I adore!
Lovely! I feel like Greta’s room was just *made* for Christmas. It’s all so perfect ✨️
Looks great. I think you should buy a second set of wreaths and hang them on the inside of your windows too. I did that for my front door and it makes me so much happier than having to look at the back of a wreath. Of course, I just have one wreath on a window not as many as you!