As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to infuse your home with the magic and cheer of Christmas. Decorating for the holidays is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your creativity and bring a sense of joy to your space. Whether you prefer a classic, elegant look or a more eclectic, whimsical vibe, we’ve curated a collection of over 100 inventive Christmas decoration ideas to spark your imagination.
From stunning DIY projects to clever store-bought finds, this guide offers inspiration for every style and budget. Explore enchanting ways to adorn your Christmas tree, create captivating centerpieces, and add festive touches to every corner of your home.
Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or enjoying a quiet holiday with loved ones, these ideas will help you craft a warm and inviting atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of Christmas in style.
So, dive in and discover how to turn your home into a holiday haven full of charm and cheer!
Add Greenery to Your Bedrooms
Indoor Christmas decorations aren’t just for the living room. In this guest room, a gorgeous swag of greenery was hung above the bed on the frame posts for an understated, elegant holiday look.
Match Your Ornaments and Gift Wrap
While ornaments are seen as the primary way to decorate a tree, the presents underneath make just as big of a statement. In this tree by designer Julie Neill, she added presents with hand-painted gift wrap to match the ornaments on the tree, creating a cohesive look to the space.
Make Dried Fruit Garlands
If the red and green color palette isn’t your thing, dried fruit garlands are a great festive alternative. This guest room by designer Maggie Dillon features a garland of dried oranges hung around the headboard to match the colors of the room.
Use Square Wreaths
While most wreaths come in a circular shape, the ones in this kitchen by Amanda Simmons are a square shape to match the geometry of the windows.
Add Garlands Around Your Entry
If your home has a small entry once you walk in, use that as a chance to get decked out for the holidays. This entryway by designer Maggie Dillon features garlands of greenery and red bows around the stairwell and mirror for an immediate Christmassy welcome.
Add Hints of Blue
Change up the traditional Christmas color palette of red and green by throwing in pops of blue. The bright blue in the wine glasses and little touches of blueberries in the centerpiece add visual interest and a personal touch to the overall setup.
Give Old Favorites New Life
Look for ways to maximize what you already have. It isn’t necessary to buy all-new decor. You can reuse elements—like ribbons, ornaments, bells, or potted plants—year after year to mingle with your new seasonal finds.
Raise the Bar
Pinecones stand in for flowers as the volume makers in this bouquet. If you are lucky enough to find a few still on the branches, snag them from your yard. Otherwise, you can buy them at your local crafts store. Dusty miller greenery adds a touch of softness to this display, and the magnolia leaves, pine, and a sprig of holly berries round out the arrangement. Think beyond vases. Let pretty vessels, like julep cups, vintage glassware, or family heirloom goblets show off your arrangements.
Make Your Own Sparkly Topper
Christmas is a time for fun and festivities– don’t let your tree get too caught up in serious tradition! For homemakers looking to try something a little more glamorous, this sparkly tree topper is the perfect way to add drama to your tree. To make your own by bundling together a group of curly silver sticks from your local craft store, and wire the creation to the top of your tree. Decorate the rest of your tree with bright, equally glitzy colors like hot pink and gold. This is a perfect Christmas tree for a younger home. Bonus? The sparkly topper is a great New Years Eve decoration, too!
Lean on What Lasts
Let ribbons, not cut flowers, be your big Christmas splurge. They’re reusable, unfussy, and an easy way to add color to greenery in passthrough spaces like the entry.
Accent a Collection
Bring Christmas to every corner of your home. Look for out-of-the-way display areas, such as the top of a chest, to add sparkle and shine. Whether your vignette stays up year-round—like this collection of mercury glass—or is seasonal, keep the fluffing simple so it doesn’t compete with the collection. Cut appropriate lengths of greenery, like fresh magnolia, boxwood, pine, fir, winterberry, and American cranberry bush berries to fit vessels. Add them to about half of the vases as to not overpower the beauty of your collection. Echo the elements of green and red by threading holly berries across your furniture or hanging a wreath from a strategically-located point on the wall.
Twice as Nice
Drape greenery and berries on lights, but be wary to keep them away from bulbs for safety.
Make a Poinsettia Tree
To create a poinsettia tree, follow these instructions: First, cut the larger blooms, leaving about 6 inches of stem. Using a flame, sear them quickly to stop sap from dripping out. Sap should bubble under the candle flame, and the ends of the stems will turn black. You may also need to sear the points where larger leaves were removed along the stems. Insert each seared stem into a water-filled florist tube. Stems are hollow and will absorb water after being seared. Place the stems into the base of the ivy topiary. Then repeat this process with the medium-size and smaller poinsettia blooms, cutting the stems so they’re about 4 inches long. Insert blossoms into the topiary, working your way toward the top. Once it’s complete, care is simple—just add water to the tubes every few days, as needed.
Pile On the Plaid
Plaid is not just for school uniforms and collared shirts. For a classic, old-school take on holiday cheer, use plaid as a theme for your Christmas decor. To avoid overloading on one pattern, don’t be afraid to mix and match plaids of varying sizes and scales. Start with a transparent plaid garland, and decorate with metallic, solid-colored ornaments. The easiest and most budget-friendly way to incorporate plaid into your Christmas is by using the gifts under your tree as decorations themselves. Choose 2-3 plaid patterned rolls of gift wrap, and 1-2 solid patterns in complimentary colors. Mix and match ribbons on each gift for a layered presentation of presents.
Homemade Pomander Tree
Handmade pomanders fill your home with a fresh, citrusy fragrance that will make everyone feel welcome. These winter gems might look intimidating, but they are easier to make than you think. Use a toothpick to poke holes into each orange in the shape of your design (you can either draw it on or freehand it); then push in the whole cloves. Set them aside to dry, and then let your imagination go wild. Trim a mini tree by gluing the base of a plastic foam cone (you can find these at a local crafts store or on Amazon) to a cardboard circle that’s 2 inches wider than the cone. Slide each pomander halfway onto a toothpick; then insert the pick into the tree, starting at the bottom. Apply hot glue to reinforce the connection between each orange and the foam.
Set a Holiday Scene In Your Outdoor Room
Do not limit your decorations to the inside of your house or your front porch; take advantage of the South’s mild winters. Bring decorative Christmas cheer to your porch and backyard. This backyard retreat is beautifully decorated for the season, and serves as a perfect place to nestle up with a blanket on a brisk winter night. A beautiful tree takes center stage, spun in classic red garland and gold lights. The mantle is adorned with fresh, aromatic greenery and a simple evergreen wreath above the fireplace completes the stunning scene. Stock your outdoor bar, and light a blazing fire for a cozy outdoor gathering.
Elegant and Easy Embellishments
Tie pinecones and berries with a velvet bow in a contrasting tone. This simple, handmade element will complement any stairwell or mantle.
Suspend the Tree Topper
Add an unexpected detail to a monochromatic Christmas tree by hanging your tree topper from the ceiling. First, choose a shape that plays off your Christmas ornaments, as this round paper lantern mirrors the round ornaments on the tree. Attach a ceiling hook right above your tree’s tallest point then, float the lantern by hanging it from a bow attached to the hook. For added impact, attach cascading ribbon or garland from the bottom of your hanging tree topper. This modern Christmas tree makes a big impact without appearing over-decorated or tired, and will stand out among the rest in creativity and originality.
