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Christmas Decor Ideas for Your Home
Greenery, citrus, candles and a few big-impact pieces to dress the house for Christmas, mostly cheap and natural.
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Emily Henderson's schedule gives her two months of twinkling lights. She gathers ideas in October, adds greenery and twinkle lights in November, and hangs the ornaments the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Spreading it out spreads the labor too. Bless'er House supplies many of the natural ideas below, such as oranges, pine cones and evergreen trimmings, which it says can cost next to nothing, and many of its ideas make the house smell good. The list covers decor to make and hang. It leaves out choosing a tree and buying a full set of ornaments.
Why these items are on the list
- Dried orange garland. Hang slices on cotton twine, or hook them onto artificial greenery with wire ornament hooks.
- Clove-studded orange pomanders. Poke holes with a pin or paper clip end first, then press whole cloves in.
- Bowl of pine cones. Bake pine cones at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes before displaying in bowls or nestling into a wreath.
- Forced paperwhite bulbs. Bless'er House says paperwhites can be enjoyed all winter; start with a pretty bowl, rocks, water and bulbs.
- Real leaves in fake garland. Attach fresh leafy stems, such as eucalyptus or magnolia, with florist wire. Glycerin or Wilt Stop helps longevity.
- Cinnamon sticks in greenery. Tie them around pillar candles with twine so the warmth releases the scent.
- Cranberry and orange sangria bar. Set out bowls of cranberries, orange slices, pomegranate seeds and cinnamon sticks for guests.
- Evergreen table runner. Tree lots sometimes give away trimmings free. You just have to ask.
- Bowl of pomegranates. They look like natural ball ornaments on a tabletop.
- Juniper berry sprigs. Juniper berries add a pop of blue, so sprinkle them anywhere in your decor.
- Fresh garland sprayed to last. A spray of Wilt Stop makes fresh garland last longer.
- Pine cones on gift wrap. Pair them with a strand of cotton ribbon on wrapped presents.
- Evergreen-wrapped Advent candleholder. Vintage ones turn up in antique shops. Works well as a round dining table centerpiece.
- Roses with fresh cedar. Grab a bundle of grocery store roses and mix them with cedar in a vase.
- Rosemary place setting wreaths. Tie a stem or two into a circle or heart for each seat at Christmas Eve dinner.
- Evergreens on the chandelier. Loop garland around the arms. Bless'er House says florist wire helps, but hers did fine resting on top.
- Garland around doorways. Hang with Command hooks, and weave in battery-operated fairy lights for twinkle.
- Cinnamon salt dough ornaments. Add white puffy paint to make them look like gingerbread cookies.
- Connected pre-lit garland strands. Henderson hung three garlands, each about 9 feet, warm LED and connected, so one plug powers them.
- Wreath with a size-matched bow. Henderson says faux wreaths need ribbons, bells or ornaments, and the bigger the wreath, the bigger the bow.
- Layered mantel display. Mix garlands, stockings, ornaments and candles at varying heights and textures.
- Accordion paper trees. The featured set folds flat, held by a magnet, and suits a mantel, shelf or coffee table.
Tick off the pieces as you hang them, room by room, and keep the shopping and foraging items separate in your head. It's easy to share with whoever is helping you decorate.
When to use it
Use it when you want to pace your decorating the way Emily Henderson does, from gathering ideas to hanging ornaments.