How to Decorate Your Home for Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching, which means it’s time to pull the holiday totes from storage and start decking the halls. Whether it’s your first Christmas season to sparkle or you’re an expert DIY-er, here are some tips for decorating your home.

Sights

The most obvious element of Christmas decorating are the things you can see — the twinkling lights, the fresh garland, the sparkling tree, etc. For most homes, the Christmas tree is one of the main focal points. Real trees, whether you traipse into the woods and cut your own or pull one out of the back of a store lot, offer an added element of holiday magic. But, they are more work, so if you won’t have time to keep the tree watered and the needles contained, an artificial tree might be a better bet. There are sizes, colors and styles to suit every decorating taste and budget. Be sure to choose a tree that fits well in your space. As for the rest of the decorations, try choosing a theme or color scheme and building around that. The living room and the kitchen are typically the busiest rooms during the holiday season, so pay extra attention to how those are decorated. If you don’t have much room for large set pieces, consider a wall tapestry, hanging snowflakes from the ceiling or jazzing up your entryways with lit garlands.

Smells

An important but often overlooked element of decorating during any season is smell. There are so many wonderful scents associated with the Christmas holidays, it make sense to capitalize on that. Stock on candles or scented warmer bricks that evoke the season, like evergreens, gingerbread or pumpkin pie. To really pull it all together, have the same scent lit in each room. If you prefer a more natural scent, try plants. Winter holidays don’t have to just be pine cones and evergreens. Along with the traditional poinsettias, there are other beautiful options, including the Christmas rose (helleborus), holly, mistletoe, Christmas cactus, and amaryllis. (If you’re using traditional red and green colors, a bouquet of red roses works, too.) There are real and fake options available, but real plants add an extra element of elegance to your decor.

Sounds

No holiday has a soundtrack like Christmas. Everyone has their favorite Christmas tunes, so make a playlist and keep it in the background to keep everyone feeling festive. (If holiday movies are a family tradition, keep those in a handy spot, too.)

Textures

December is usually cold, and the long, dark nights mean most people want to feel cozy. Warm, fuzzy blankets, soft decorative pillows and plenty of room to lounge around will encourage people to settle down and enjoy a treat.

Treats

Speaking of treats, holiday food can be a part of your decor, too. Consider a drink cart (stocked with alcoholic drinks or nonalcoholic favorites like hot cocoa and hot cider), adorned with garlands or miniature Christmas trees. Keep decorated Christmas cookies or festive fudge in view, housed in pretty holiday tins or glass display trays.

No matter how you decorate, don’t forget to enjoy your time with family and friends.

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