Have you already decked your halls, or are you still putting together your game plan (like me)? I’ve been searching the web for inspiration and have gathered a few ideas here.
One idea is to pick one or two main colors and carry that theme throughout your home. Below, Maria Killam used a flocked tree with pops of green and orange.
Notice the room is otherwise neutral. The green and orange colors were repeated in the plaid throw, pillows, and mantle accessories.
Or for a monochromatic look, group silver items together for a pretty shiny display.
Outside, the same idea of picking a color and repeating it can create an eye catching presentation. I love the blue ornaments hung over the entry and the smaller ones tucked in potted trees. They match the storm door and haint blue porch ceiling.
Here is a very colorful idea; instead of wrapping ribbon around your tree, let multi colored ribbon fall down your tree. The cascading ribbon would look great with a homogeneous color scheme too.
Cascading ribbon tree
Don’t have the space for a full size Christmas tree? Consider a tabletop tree instead! (Bonus: these smaller trees are also cheaper than the full size ones – usually around $20.) Since around the mid 1850s, these little tress have been quite popular.
An 1848 engraving of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle in the London Illustrated News.
Loi Thai at Tone on Tone used a garden inspired theme for his tabletop tree this year.
Pine cones, terracotta pots, gilded floral ornaments, Kraft paper, and a burlap tablecloth complete the look. It’s all held together with a tiny antique garden gate!
These textured moss balls would blend in nicely with a garden themed decor.
Textured moss ornament balls
I start growing paperwhite bulbs in pots indoors around mid-November, and use them as hostess gifts and decor at Christmastime. They are easy to grow and smell divine when they bloom!
Blooming paperwhites among other garden elements
Once they bloom, tying them together with ribbon will help them stay upright.
While we’re on topic of gardening & plants, let’s look at a neat way to dress your winter containers outside. (Mine are currently dead or empty, so this is a great idea to bring them life for wintertime!)
Deborah at Dirt Simple is the master of container gardening.
Here is one of her containers dressed for winter – fresh cut greenery, dried red and maroon flowers/berries, and red sticks – finished with outdoor lights on a topiary frame.
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- Another gorgeous example at day
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- …and at night!
This fountain at front doesn’t run in wintertime, but it still looks just as beautiful dressed for winter tucked with noble fir, sparkly white picks, gray pod picks, and merlot dyed pods.
Dressing your containers can also be as simple as adding an illuminated orb onto a pile of fresh cut greenery. (Notice this in the photo below.)
Bringing greenery from outdoors in is a simple and classic idea.
Fresh garland draping the mantle of a New Hampshire farmhouse
Psst… I noticed fresh garland was on sale at Marion Home Depot this week. I’m sure other landscape stores probably have it in stock now too.
More garland inspiration
Green wreaths dress up these iron gates in a family room
Add fresh greenery to your kitchen pendant lights too! Simply attach with floral wire from just below each canopy.
Pine cones and a few sprigs of greenery cheer up this winter mantle in Belgium.
Do you have a holly bush? Bring some clippings inside for a festive bouquet!
Pomegranates are in stock at our local grocery stores. A few added to a basket or bowl make a pretty vignette.
This lamb was found at Arnett’s Country Store in West Frankfort, IL. I love the idea of incorporating a lamb to Christmas decor.
Do you, or somebody you know, have a magnolia tree? We are fortunate to have a large tree in our back yard, so I’m planning to follow this tutorial to make my own fresh wreaths soon! Click this photo to see the instructions.
Last but not least – see this tutorial on how to make the perfect bow. Click this photo go to the tutorial.
Let the hall decking begin! Wishing you a joyous season.
