I’m not going to lie, I truly love the holiday season but it can be a lot. It can feel like a full-time job during the holiday season just to stay on top of it all. And if you have a family, chances are that you’ll be navigating the organization of the season for everyone in your family.
I find that the most enjoyable years have been those where I was prepared well ahead of December. Sometimes the last minute scrambling is because everything was left until the last second and then the overwhelm sets in.
I try to remember every year that I don’t need to do a lot to create the perfect holiday season in my own home. I hope this guide helps you also see that with some careful planning you can create a magical holiday season without overextending yourself or causing burnout. If you need some help getting your home ready for entertaining, read this post.
Kristina’s Holiday Decorating Guide
If you’ve been here for a while you know that my style is timeless and simple. I use that same design philosophy when it comes to holiday decorating as well. Even if you love more colour and more glam this guide will help you to get your ideas organized so that you can implement with ease this year.
Light Up the Outdoors
We immediately think about our indoor tree when the holiday planning begins. For most of us it’s likely the first element we consider because it’s the quintessential holiday starter kit. Don’t overlook the impact of lighting up the outside of your home as well.
For me, exterior lights are just as important as interior lights because I love the magical feeling of driving up to my house and seeing a winter wonderland in my own yard. Nothing makes me feel more excited about the holidays than a house or a street lit up brightly.
Most of us hang a string of lights on our eaves and call it a day but you can really go big and make a holliday statement with just a few extra strings of lights and an additional hour or two. These are some of my favourite ways to add sparkle and holiday cheer to the outdoors.
- Wrap lights around the door frame.
- String lights around bushes.
- Add string lights to the largest, most prominent tree in the yard.
Personally I adore white lights during the holidays because they feel elegant and timeless while also oozing with holiday charm. If you love coloured lights then absolutely go that direction but be consistent. If you use white, use it all over the yard and likewise if you prefer coloured bulbs just be sure to use that same colour(s) everywhere in your yard.
Light Up the Indoors
Regardless of how festive the outside of my home looks it won’t feel like the holidays without some white lights inside as well. I always have my tree adorned in white lights but there are so many other opportunities to add additional lighting to your home. Here are some fast and simple ways you can incorporate holiday lighting into your home:
- Layering your fireplace mantle with greenery and white lights.
- Adding battery operated twinkle lights to a glass vase.
- Wrapping white lights and greenery round your bannister.
And don’t forget that you’re not limited to hanging lights in the main areas of your home. Why not add some sparkle to your powder room, kitchen and even your bedrooms. The season is short but we can have so much fun during that time so don’t be afraid to go all in!
Emphasis on Nature
For some of us the stress of the season includes the financial burden the holidays can put on us but there are plenty of ways to be festive for free. If you live near any kind of park or forest you just need to go for a walk on a nice, sunny day. You’ll find a plethora of holiday materials for decorating all around you.
We often see images of bowls filled with pine cones and run to the craft store or garden centre to purchase them. Instead, gather what you find in your own back yard. Pine cones, chestnuts, pine greenery and berries are abundant all around us. We just need to bring a bag and some shears and we can create our own winter wonderland in our homes for free.
If you live near the water there are treasures waiting for you on the beach as well. Driftwood, seaglass and rocks can all become festive decor because nobody said you’re limited to typical winter decor. Just have fun with whatever you can find out your own door.
Wreaths
One of the simplest hacks for decorating your home for the holidays is to buy (or make) a wreath. I always prefer using real greenery versus the faux kind. I love the look but there’s something so festive about the smell and the texture of real greenery.
You can buy these wreaths at garden centres as well as most grocery stores. You’ll start with just a plain, unadorned wreath and with some basic creativity you can turn it into a holiday masterpiece. Add bows and ribbons or just leave it as it is.
You don’t have to go overboard with your holiday decorations but with the addition of a few green wreaths you’ll transform your home into a festive wonderland. If you want more ideas for holiday and winter decorating, read this post.
Decorating the Tree
Our tree tends to be the focal point of any holiday scene simply due to its size. Even a plain tree with white lights looks great but why stop there when there’s a world of decor options available.
How you decorate will depend on your family and your traditions. Silver and gold both tend to be commonly used throughout the holiday season but you don’t have to pick just one. I love to use a combination of mixed metals to create more visual interest. Just as mixing silver and gold is popular with fashionistas it’s also a great way to create a unique statement during the holidays.
After the gold and silver adornments are added I like to finish off using both white and natural elements that will emphasize simplicity and timelessness. From bows to birds to dried fruit the options are endless.
There are plenty of reasons why we become so overwhelmed during the holiday season but it’s possible to get ahead of that feeling. By starting to prepare early you’ll be organized and able to put together everything you need without any stress. I hope this guide helps you feel less pressure and more enthusiasm for the holidays!
If you need help with decorating, seasonal or otherwise, reach out to me. I’d love to help you create a home you love.
