Christmas decorations have a very well-established aesthetic, but it’s still an opportunity to get creative and try new things. There’s nothing wrong with the charm of the traditional decor we’re used to – it works precisely because it provides comfort and sets the mood we expect!

But there are a lot of other ways to express the joy of this season with Christmas decor by exploring other colors and elements that work just as well. So let’s set the mood exactly how you want by discussing these tasteful Christmas decoration ideas!

1. Outdoor charm

A votive candle on a plate with pinecones and walnuts, on top of a tree trunk slice.
A votive candle on a plate with pinecones and walnuts, on top of a tree trunk slice. Source: RD

The winter may be harsh, but the aesthetic is undeniably beautiful. Snow-covered pine trees and flashing lights, mixed with the comfort of indoor fireplaces to shelter from the cold… there’s something magical about it.

You can bring some of that outdoor energy indoors with a bit of natural wood, pinecones & walnuts, and finish it off with candles. The beauty of the outdoors with the warmth of the indoors, all in one package.

2. Wreath on the stairs

A bulky wreath of green pine leaves with red details, golden ornaments, and string lights.
A bulky wreath of green pine leaves with red details, golden ornaments, and string lights. Source: Foyr

Wreaths are always welcome in your Christmas decor, but where to put them? There are plenty of good places, like the front door, over the mantle, and of course, around the rails of your stairway.

This area can be difficult to decorate effectively due to the limited space, so adding a wreath around the rails fits perfectly. It creates visual interest in the center of the house without cramping up the traffic.

3. Advent calendar

An advent calendar made of postcards of various sizes hanging against a light pink wall.
An advent calendar made of postcards of various sizes hanging against a light pink wall. Source: BHG

I absolutely love advent calendars. It’s a fun way to countdown to Christmas while celebrating each and every day in between!

Even cooler though is that you can use the calendar as part of your decoration by taking up a part of the wall to add each day. There are many ways to create an advent calendar, whether it’s with postcards, letters, pictures, small gifts, and so on.

4. Matching gift wraps

A close-up of two gifts wrapped in white with turquoise ribbons.
A close-up of two gifts wrapped in white with turquoise ribbons. Source: Southern Living

The gifts are often left as they were wrapped in the store, which can lead to chaos in terms of aesthetics. This year, let’s make it a consistent part of our decoration by matching the gift wrapping with your home decor colors.

It’s easy enough – just find gift wraps in the colors of your current decor (for most that will be red and green, but you can also just go with neutrals) and be sure your gifts match. Now they will look like part of a whole under the tree!

By the way, I recently detailed a pretty good holiday gifting guide!

5. Shelf decoration

A tall minimalist shelf decorated with simple Christmas ornaments and books against a plain white wall.
A tall minimalist shelf decorated with simple Christmas ornaments and books against a plain white wall. Source: Inspired By Charm

Decorating your shelf is very useful if you find yourself low on space to show off your decorative efforts. You can use many small objects, such as decorative pine trees, pine cones, Santa Claus toys, or even just ornaments.

If you want an easy way to decorate without spending, get yourself a large glass container (a mason jar will do as well) and fill it with tree ornaments.

6. Snowy interior

A room decorated with white upholstered furniture, a white Christmas tree, and white blankets, over a natural hardwood floor.
A room decorated with white upholstered furniture, a white Christmas tree, and white blankets, over a natural hardwood floor. Source: One Kindesign

You can bring some of that snow inside, albeit not literally. Make good use of the color white in your decoration to make the room look like a snowy landscape.

A fluffy white carpet and blankets will help in selling the visual, on top of adding comfort to your now ethereal room. Balance it out with warm details such as natural wood, candles, and orange lights.

On the subject of snow, it’s not too late to prepare your home for the winter. When it comes to winter, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

7. Minimal effort

A simple living room area with a white couch decorated with Christmas-themed pillows, a small wreath on the wall, and a small pine tree on the side without ornaments.
A simple living room area with a white couch decorated with Christmas-themed pillows, a small wreath on the wall, and a small pine tree on the side without ornaments.

You don’t have to get overwhelmed when it comes to decoration, because you can do a lot with a little. Sometimes less is more, after all.

For example, you can simply take a few Christmas-themed pillowcases and a few red details (like an ornament on the wall) and you’re pretty much set. If your Christmas tree is nearby, even better – it all fits together nicely!

8. Tabletop tree

A small Christmas tree on a small table decorated with red and green ornaments against a light blue wall.
A small Christmas tree on a small table decorated with red and green ornaments against a light blue wall. Source: Good Housekeeping

A great solution for decorating in tight spaces or in apartments is to place a small Christmas tree on top of a table. It takes no space at all, it’s much easier to decorate with ornaments, and it perfectly does the job of bringing the Christmas spirit to your home.

Just be warned that if you have a cat or a particularly adventurous dog, you might want to ensure the table is high enough and that the tree is properly weighted so it doesn’t fall easily!

9. Paper houses

Small DIY paper houses and tiny pine tree props made to resemble a small village covered in snow.
Small DIY paper houses and tiny pine tree props made to resemble a small village covered in snow. Source: The Craft Patch Blog

If you’ve got the time you might want to try some DIY decor for Christmas, and I’ve got a great suggestion.

You can create an adorable snow-covered village with houses and trees by using a few props and papercrafts. You can find the full tutorial on The Craft Patch Blog – be sure to check it out if it sounds interesting! 

10. Candles

An assortment of tall candles and glass vases over a mantle.
An assortment of tall candles and glass vases over a mantle. Source: House Beautiful

Candles are always welcome in Christmas decor, as they add a lot of warmth to any room while remaining subtle.

And there’s a wide variety of candles for use as well. You can use votive candles, which are shorter and look really nice in cups, with a discreet candle flame that can be aromatic. But you can also use tall and thin candles for a more classic look, as long as they’re well placed.

Finally, there are also LED candles that use batteries. These are perfect for decorating where fire hazards are a concern, or if you have pets or children in the house. It also allows you to use them around the tree without any concerns.

With winter just a few days away, it’s not too late to check on your heating system to make sure it’s ready for the season. Get free quotes from heating contractors in your area today and prepare!


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