While I love a neutral Christmas (I’ve decorated my home in neutral tones for the past three Christmases), I’ve missed having a traditional Christmas at home.
There’s something about red and green Christmas decor that feels so nostalgic yet timeless.
This year, I’m bringing traditional Christmas decor back, but I’m adding a few modern touches to mix things up.
If you’re looking for traditional holiday decor inspiration, you’ve come to the right place!
Here’s a quick guide on how to decorate your home for a traditional Christmas.
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Related: Our Minimalist Neutral Christmas Home Tour
Start with a traditional Christmas tree
One of the easiest ways to embrace traditional Christmas decor is by having a traditional Christmas tree in your home.
To achieve that timeless look, I recommend going for a full, rich evergreen tree – whether real or faux.
A pine, spruce, or fir Christmas tree is a classic traditional tree that looks great with any type of decor.
Mine is a faux 6ft spruce and pine tree.
Another way to embrace traditional Christmas decor is by decorating your tree with classic ornaments.
Start with baubles – they’re affordable, versatile, and perfect for creating a traditional theme.
To add depth and interest, mix sizes and finishes, like glossy and matte red baubles.
If you want your tree to stand out, consider adding red velvet poinsettias and red holly berries – just like I did here.
These bold, festive floral picks add a rich, traditional feel that makes your tree pop!
Beaded garlands are a great way to enhance a traditional Christmas tree.
I recommend using gold beaded garlands because the gold pairs beautifully with red ornaments, making them stand out while adding a touch of shimmer.
Lastly, don’t forget the finishing touch – a traditional Christmas tree topper like a gold star or an angel.
I went with the gold star to complement the gold beaded garlands, tying the whole look together.
You may also want to make your Christmas tree extra special by adding sentimental ornaments like the handmade ornaments your children made or treasures collected during your travels.
These may not be perfect, but they certainly add a heartfelt touch and make your tree uniquely yours.
After all, incorporating elements tied to your family’s traditions is what makes the holidays truly special.
For our tree, my husband and I added red bows we made together.
Me being me, I can never resist mixing modern touches with traditional decor!
Along with the bows, I added these adorable red disco ball baubles and mini heart ornaments.
They’re seriously so cute, and anyone who knows me would totally agree – this tree feels so me in every way!
Related: 3 Unique Neutral Christmas Tree Ideas
Stick to traditional Christmas colours
A traditional Christmas is incomplete without decorating with red and green.
These classic Christmas colours are key to creating that warm, traditional holiday spirit.
Red symbolizes the warmth, love, and joy that make Christmas so magical, while green represents the evergreen Christmas tree, a timeless centerpiece of the season.
Including these colors in your decor is an easy way to decorate your home for a traditional Christmas.
Besides red and green, I like to add a hint of gold in my Christmas decor too.
Gold adds a beautiful shimmer and prevents decorations from feeling flat.
A hint of gold can elevate your holiday decor effortlessly!
Include lots of festive foliage
Another traditional Christmas decor I love is festive foliage and floral arrangements.
Think tabletop Christmas trees and floral arrangements with holly berries, poinsettias, or red and white roses.
Both options are perfect for small spaces. And, there’s just something so warm and welcoming about them.
For my dining room centerpiece, I went outside the box and decked out my tabletop tree with the cutest red baubles that look like tiny disco balls.
They might not scream traditional, but they were just too cute to pass up!
To top it off, I added an elegant red bow that tied the whole look together.
If you are more of a minimalist, you can leave your tabletop tree as is.
But whatever you do, just make sure to hide the plastic pot that comes with every faux tabletop tree.
Use a chic gold vase if you want a sleek look. Otherwise, a rattan vase would also work beautifully.
It’s all about adding those little details that make a big difference!
No traditional Christmas decor is complete without a beautiful garland!
The best part? Garlands are incredibly versatile – you can drape them over a mantel, decorate an entryway console, style your TV stand, or even hang them over a mirror like I did!
To make your garland some extra pizzazz, add some sparkle with string lights, weave in red ribbons, and hang a few ornaments.
Want a fuller, more textured look? Combine two garlands with different finishes for a layered effect that feels lush and luxurious.
Display traditional Christmas decor & ornaments
What’s a traditional Christmas theme without classic Christmas ornaments and decor pieces?
From timeless decor like candy canes and ribbon to whimsical pieces like nutcrackers and Santa figurines, feel free to choose your favourite pieces to decorate your home.
Over the years, I’ve collected my fair share of Christmas decor, and I have to say, nutcrackers and Santa figurines are my absolute favourites.
I love how they instantly make the holiday season feel extra jolly and fun!
Looking to add a playful twist to your traditional Christmas decor?
Here’s a fun idea: take a festive Christmas print napkin and frame it like I did.
It’s an easy, creative way to bring some personality to your home.
Or grab a letter board and display the funniest Christmas sayings for some holiday humour.
Bonus points if you can guess where my favourite Christmas quote above comes from – drop your guesses in the comments!
I love using ribbon to decorate too, especially when I’m looking to elevate a garland.
Opt for classic red, or mix patterns like plaid and stripes if you want more visual interest.
You can also adorn your garland with traditional ornaments – here, I’ve added candy canes to add a playful and nostalgic vibe.
Finally, one of the easiest and most affordable ways to have a traditional Christmas is by tying bows everywhere!
Whether it’s on your tree, wreaths, garlands, or even candlestick holders, these simple touches of ribbon instantly spread holiday cheer throughout your home.
Other traditional Christmas decor items you can display in your home include bells, stockings, nativity scenes, and Christmas villages.
Layer in cozy touches
Besides the usual Christmas decor, one of the best ways to include traditional Christmas decor into your home is by adding elements that increase the comfort and warmth of your space.
For example, lighting Christmas candles immediately creates a magical, inviting atmosphere.
I guarantee the soft glow of the candles and the seasonal scents of cinnamon, pine, or vanilla, will make your home feel incredibly cozy.
These days, Christmas candles come with gorgeous packaging that makes them look as festive as they smell.
But, if you’re using pillar candles or candle sticks, you can also add candleholders with traditional designs like brass, wood, or even glass for extra style.
Besides that, don’t forget to add the holiday spirit to your linens!
Swapping in Christmas-themed tablecloths, runners, and throw pillows is an easy way to infuse traditional holiday charm into your home.
Look for designs with classic patterns like plaid, tartan or stripes in Christmas colours like red, green, white, and gold.
Get The Look
Ultimately, Christmas is about coming together with family, creating cherished memories through shared traditions, meals, and celebrations.
Whether you love a traditional theme or a modern neutral one, make decorating a family tradition and get everyone involved! Have fun and enjoy the process!
And if you’re still on the lookout for modern traditional red Christmas decor, look no further because I’ve compiled my ultimate favourites below.
1. Bauble & bow sisal tree // 2. Peppermint faux-fur pillow // 3. Faux oversized poinsettia stem // 4. Red embroidered cotton placemat // 5. Red cable knit Christmas tree skirt // 6. Lit red berry garland // 7. Santa Claus with tree nutcracker // 8. Shiny round red beaded garland // 9. Large red plaid candle // 10. Red fluted taper candles
I hope these tips have helped you to decorate your home for a traditional Christmas. How will you be decorating your home for Christmas this year?