No matter how busy I am every year, I never fail to decorate for the holidays. When my husband and I lived in a rental for four years, we made do with just a tree. Since moving into our own home, it has become tradition for us to decorate the main areas of our home. Although I’ve seen a lot of neutral Christmas themes lately, I’m a sucker for a traditional Christmas. If you’re decorating for the holidays for the first time, here’s a quick guide on how to decorate your home for a traditional Christmas.
Related: How To Create A Chic Halloween Vibe With Cheap Halloween Decor
Stick to a traditional Christmas color scheme
A traditional Christmas is incomplete without decorating with red and green. Sometimes I’m tempted to switch up my Christmas decor and make it modern. But, a classic color combination like red and green truly evokes that warm Christmassy feeling I love so much. Additionally, Christmas trends come and go but a traditional Christmas theme is forever timeless.
Choose specific locations to decorate
In an ideal world, I’d love to decorate every single corner of my home. However, decorating can be expensive. Besides that, part of the fun about Christmas decorating is accumulating meaningful decorative pieces over time. Before you purchase a whole bunch of props, you should choose specific locations in your home to decorate.
I like to decorate areas of the home I spend the most time in such as my living and dining areas. Furthermore, I love to entertain during this time; so it makes sense to decorate these areas. Decorating specific locations feels more purposeful rather than scattering random Christmas trinkets in different parts of the home.
Select traditional Christmas decor you can reuse again
I hardly feel guilty about purchasing traditional Christmas decor every year because I usually reuse them. Some of my must-haves include:
- A Christmas tree – There are many variations of Christmas trees but I like a traditional non-flocked dark green tree.
- Mini Christmas trees – This cute miniature tree gets the job done if your home lacks space for a larger one.
- Wreaths – A statement wreath can dress up any door.
- Garlands – Use a realistic cedar garland to dress up any surface.
- Candles – Fill your home with spiced cider or red berries and clove scented pillar candles.
- Lighting – Use a remote control to light up the tree with these battery-operated fairy lights.
- Stockings – These personalized stockings are so chic.
- Nutcracker soldiers – These soldiers add a whimsical touch to traditional Christmas decor.
- Ponsiettas – This faux red beauty will last you forever.
- Santa motifs – I love my Santa in 3D form like this festive mug.
- Plaid or tartan fabric – Invest in a cozy plaid blanket or linen plaid throw covers.
- Ribbon – Discard your tinsel and drape a red silk ribbon around your tree instead.
- Bells – Hang these rustic brass bells on your wreath to ring in your guests during the holidays.
- Baubles – These bright red baubles are inexpensive and make the perfect accents to your tree.
Keep it simple and understated
When in doubt, I use these tips religiously to decorate my home.
Less is more
While others prefer to use everything while decorating, I personally like to decorate with intention. Although my collection of Christmas decor has grown significantly, I only use what I need to enhance the area. Just like make-up, I believe decorations are meant to elevate a space rather than conceal it.
Stick to the rule of three
The golden rule in home styling is the ‘Rule of Three,’ which means objects look better in a group of three. Besides decorating the tree, a lot of Christmas decorating involves styling surfaces like a fireplace mantel, an entryway console or a coffee table. It’s very important to create contrast to draw attention to the styled surface while keeping the overall aesthetic cohesive. As a result, I often experiment by putting together traditional Christmas decor of different sizes, heights and textures into groupings of three.
Make it your own
Ultimately, Christmas is about coming together with family. Make decorating a family tradition and get everyone involved! Have fun and enjoy the process.
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?
