SIMPLIFIED CHRISTMAS DECOR

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Yes, even though I pared way down on my Christmas decor. In today’s post, I’m going to show you how, this year, I simplified Christmas decor around The Cedar Palace.

And you know what? Although I’m missing my garland and lights around the front door, it feels okay!

You know, I’m betting that Christmas will come even if we don’t have every surface covered in holiday trinkets. And the celebration will be just as joyous without all our pantookas, dafflers, and wuzzles.

But with that being said, I still love Christmas decor, and the glow of the tree lights makes me feel happy well into January. So I thought I’d share how I simplified my Christmas decor this year without looking like I live in a minimalist’s house.

Now, what’s simple to one person, might be over the top for another, so keep this in mind before you start comparing and thinking your Christmas decor is too much or not enough. It’s all very personal to your tastes and constraints of time, energy, and budget.

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HOW I SIMPLIFIED CHRISTMAS DECOR IN OUR HOUSE THIS YEAR

I kept Christmas decor to a minimum this year, only bringing out the tree and some tree decor; garland, stockings, and bells for the mantle; some wooden trees for the hearth; two wreaths (one for the front door, the other for the kitchen range hood), and some greens for the table centerpiece. In my opinion, this is plenty if your everyday decor is neutral and includes some candles.

The only things I purchased new this year were some floral picks for my tree and to stick into the mantle garland. Everything else I dug out of storage. But this year, I left more stuff in the boxes than I brought out and am keeping most of my shelves and living room tables decor free.

To be honest, after I started writing this post, I decided to try Christmas up the shelves in my living room, and I went outside and cut some branches out of the arborvitae – I should have left well enough alone because I’m not happy with it. I’m going to look for some inspiration for styling open-back shelving after Christmas and see if I can come up with something pretty yet minimal that I can live with.

Okay, if you’d like to pair down your decor, but you don’t want it to look like the Grinch stole your Christmas, here are a few suggestions:

PICK YOUR SPACE

Choose a space to focus on that the decor will give the most visual bang for the buck. Ask yourself, “Where will it have the most impact on me and my guests?”

We have an open-concept living area with a unique fireplace, so the bulk of the decorating is concentrated there.

A TREE

A Christmas tree is a must for me! If I only decorated one thing, it would be a Christmas tree. It’s the glow of the lights for me. I miss them terribly when I take the tree down.

I’ve heard that the Christmas tree tradition began as a pagan symbol of something or another but I like to look at that glow and think about The Light of the World who came down from heaven for us.

I kept the tree decor very natural looking this year. I used some clear green berry-like sprays and gold glitter berry-like sprays that I’ve had for nearly 20 years. This year, I also added a more life-like berry picks and these frosted mini pinecone picks (my favorite addition.) And I finished the tree with a DIY wood bead garland (see Maison de Pax for tutorial) I made last year.

NATURAL-ISH TREE TRIMMINGS

GARLAND

If for some reason, I couldn’t put up a Christmas tree, I’d choose a garland with lights in it as my Christmas decoration of choice.

You know I love garlands!

A little garland on a fireplace or stair railing makes and big impact and will make a space feel warm and festive. Real garland is my favorite, but faux doesn’t dry out, and it’s easy to put up.

I ordered more mini pinecone picks to add to my garland and threw two strands of battery-powered mini fairy lights on top because I didn’t want to deal with hiding cords. Remember, I said I was minimizing this year, including minimizing the hassle.

If you have prelit garland, that’s would be even better.

IN-STOCK FAUX GARLAND

LIGHTS & CANDLES

these stockings are stinkin’ adorable

Speaking of lights, is there anything better than the ambiance candles and twinkling lights create? Well, I’m sure there is, but if you want to make a space feel special, add some mood lighting. I have a stash of battery-powered pillar candles that I use for all sorts of occasions. These battery-powered tapers are new additions and BONUS, they’re not a fire hazard.

ADD SOME GLOW

GREENERY AND A LITTLE BLING

We can honestly stop right there and have beautiful, simplified Christmas decor, but if you want to add a few extra touches, some greenery is also good to have on hand. I have some little faux trees I place about. And you could also have some picks or cuttings of faux or fresh greenery to stick on shelves or into a table centerpiece.

Last but not least, a little sparkle sprinkled about never hurt. Perhaps it’s as simple as a gold or silver picture frame or a brass candle holder. I love the gold/brass bells that are popular right now, and I DIY’ed some paper mache deer with gold paint and gold leafing forever ago.

A FEW EXTRAS

WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE

As much as I like some space in my house to have visual breathing room, I also love the feeling Christmas decor creates in my home. And I think if we limit our Christmas decor to only the things we love, we can have both – simplified Christmas decor and a cozy holiday that doesn’t feel overstuffed or too minimal.

Have you decorated for Christmas yet? Did you go all out or are you going minimal-ish this year too?

Hugs,