Christmas: The most wonderful time of the year! Well, for me it is anyway. I think what I love about it the most is the festive feeling you get when all the decorations go up. It’s cozy, warm, and there are sparkles everywhere! I like to decorate for every season, but there’s just something so magical about Christmas decor, and that’s when I love my place the most. Because I love design and Christmas, I thought I’d give you some of my design tips and tricks on making your home feel it’s best this holiday season. Let’s get decorating, shall we?
The Christmas tree
I’ll start with the most obvious, the Christmas tree. It’s a staple piece when it comes to holiday decor. Whether it’s real, fake, big or small, it doesn’t matter; it still feels festive! Now, there tends to be a bit of a debate between real vs. fake trees, but I’ve only ever owned fake ones, and I have to say that they’ve come a long way. I like them because:
- You can reuse them.
- Most of them come pre-lit. Yaaassssss!
- Mess free.
- You never have to water them.
When it comes to decorations, it’s really up to you! My ornaments are muted pastels with a lot, and I mean a lot, of sparkles. I think I can count six ornaments that don’t have glitter on them. If you want a bright tree, dark tree, themed tree, or mishmashed tree go for it. It’s your personal choice! The only thing I will suggest is that you have ornaments of different sizes. It keeps it interesting and keeps your eyes moving around the tree, you know, so you don’t notice any bare spots. We’ve all been there! It’s been a week since you put the tree up and you see it, the one lonely, naked spot on your tree.
Another element of your tree is the skirt to cover the base. Now, if you have the room, a tree shirt is really beautiful, and I totally recommend getting one. But if you’re like me and your tree is in the corner of the room, a blanket will work just fine!
Decorative Items
This is the fun part! I love going decoration shopping! I love all the sparkles and shiny things; I’m basically a magpie. I think this is my favourite part because you can really let your personality shine through here. Are you quirky or more classic? Do you like bright and bold colours or do you like muted tones? It’s really up to you; there are no rules. Even the “tacky” and garish designs are fun because they make people smile, and that’s what the holidays are all about! Now, I know this is where people will say “It’s nice and all, but I have no money.” I get that! Decorating doesn’t have to break the bank though! Here are my three tips to decorating on a budget:
- Accumulate items over time- I didn’t start out with all of these decorations. I’ve accumulated them over the year, buying one or two new pieces each year.
- D.I.Y.- Don’t have money to buy something? Make it yourself! I had been looking for holiday-themed artwork but never wanted to pay $40+ for it. I mean, It’s only up for a limited time anyway! That’s when I decided to make my own artwork! The canvas in the photo above was something I made years ago, and it only cost me $5-$7 to make because I bought my supplies at the dollar store.
- Speaking of the dollar store, they can have some pretty cute decorations there. If it’s cute, who cares where it came from!
Textures
Winter is all about feeling cozy, and that’s why textures are so important. When decorating for Christmas, you’ll want to use fabrics that are soft, plush, and warm. Basically, if it’s fuzzy, it works! Other types of materials would include sequins, knits or flannels. Just think about the kind of fabric you wear on your body in the winter! It’s basically the same concept! Prints can also add texture. Take the blanket in the photo above, it’s a very simple and thin fabric, but the lines create texture. Here are some places where you can focus on textures:
- Blankets
- Throw pillows
- Wall hangings such as garlands.
- Stockings
- Artwork
Lighting
For me, this is one of, if not the most essential part of holiday decor. I’m a HUGE fan of fairy lights. They bring so much warmth and a coziness into the room. A lot of people think of them as just the lights you put on your tree, but you can literally put them anywhere! I’m my living room alone; I have three sets of them!
Another level of lighting I like to use is, you guessed it, candles. While I am a confesses candle addict, there’s no better feeling than getting cozy on the sofa with your fairy lights on and candles lit. Not only do they make the rooms feel cozy, they smell amazing too!
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful! Interior design is one of my passions, and I’m always happy to share my tips with you. Do you like to decorate for Christmas? What’s your favourite part of the holiday? Leave a comment down below and share this with someone who may need some decorating advice!
xoxo Little J
p.s. Do you need some help buy gifts for your loved ones this year? Check out my gift guides for some ideas as well as a free shopping planner! Click here to get shopping!
