Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by April
Creating a festive and inviting atmosphere for the holiday season begins with the right decorations. If you’re new to decking the halls, don’t worry—this guide to essential Christmas decorations for beginners will help you transform your space into a winter wonderland. From twinkling lights to classic ornaments, discover the must-have items that will make your home merry and bright.
Christmas Tree Decorations
Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree stands as the centerpiece of holiday decor, embodying the spirit and tradition of the season. Its evergreen branches symbolize eternal life and hope, while the act of decorating the tree brings family and friends together, creating cherished memories.
Adorned with twinkling lights, ornaments, and a sparkling star or angel on top, the Christmas tree is more than just a decoration—it’s a symbol of joy, unity, and the festive spirit that defines Christmas. Its presence fills homes with warmth and cheer, making it the most essential and beloved decoration of the holiday season.
Tree Ornaments
On the Christmas tree, ornaments not only serve as a decoration but to add both color and texture. Tree ornaments come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Each ornament is meant to represent a certain idea, trend, or culture. An ornament can even tell a story by being passed down from family member to family member every year or have a special meaning for you personally.
Want to see some fully decorated Christmas trees? Check out these beautifully decorated tree ideas.
Traditional Ornaments
Here is a list of traditional Christmas ornaments:
Angel- The angel is meant to symbolize the birth of Christ and his arrival on Earth during Christmas
Bell– The bell is meant to represent the bells one can hear when visiting a church during Christmas
Candy Cane– The candy cane is meant to represent the life of Saint Nickolas and his past of giving small sweets to children during Christmas
Bow– The bow is meant to represent the bow on the back of a present and plays a role in gift-giving during Christmas
Stocking– The Christmas stocking is meant to represent the story of Saint Nickolas and his gift-giving during Christmas
Star– The star is meant to symbolize the star that leads the Three Wise Men to the birthplace of Christ
Tree Topper
Tree toppers are typically a decoration that goes on top of a Christmas tree. At the very top of the tree, they provide a crowning jewel for the already decorated beauties of the tree’s interior. Tree toppers come in many different shapes and sizes, from simple snowflakes to angel figurines. However, there is one common tree topping decoration that is an important part of any Christmas tree: the star of David.
In ancient times, it was believed that stars were powerful heavenly bodies that brought hope and joy during their presence. In Christian culture, stars symbolize the Star of Bethlehem which guided three wise men to Christ’s birthplace. When we decorate our Christmas trees with these stars we are able to represent both the old and the new ways of Christmas.
Want a less traditional Christmas tree? Here are my favorite alternative Christmas tree ideas.
Tree Skirt
A Christmas tree skirt is a cloth that goes around the base of your Christmas tree. The Christmas tree skirt sits underneath the branches of the tree, protecting the floor from any potential water damage. It can also add to the overall design of your living room.
Tree Lights
Choosing the right color combination for your Christmas tree lights can set the tone for your holiday decor and create a festive atmosphere that reflects your personal style. Here are some fun and creative Christmas tree light color combos to consider:
- Classic Red and Green: This timeless duo never goes out of style. Red and green lights evoke traditional holiday cheer and pair beautifully with classic ornaments and decorations. It’s a perfect choice for those who love a nostalgic, cozy Christmas feel.
- Elegant White and Gold: For a sophisticated and luxurious look, white and gold lights create a warm, inviting glow. This combo works well with metallic ornaments and rich fabrics, adding a touch of elegance to your holiday decor.
- Cool Blue and White: Embrace a winter wonderland theme with cool blue and white lights. This icy combo mimics the look of snow and ice, creating a serene and magical atmosphere. Pair with silver accents and snowflake ornaments for a cohesive look.
- Vibrant Multicolor: For a fun and playful vibe, opt for multicolor lights. These lights feature a mix of red, green, blue, yellow, and sometimes even purple, creating a lively and festive display. Multicolor lights are perfect for families and those who love a cheerful, eclectic holiday decor.
Tree Stand
A Christmas tree stand is an important accessory to any Christmas tree. It may not seem important at first but it plays an essential role in holding up your tree without having to tie it down with wires or nails. It also helps protect your floor from water damage caused by the tree’s base.
Fake Snow
Fake snow is a great way to decorate your Christmas tree. I personally like to make a little snow pile next to my tree and put some fake snow on top of it. Fake snow comes in many different varieties, including glitter snow, snowflake mold, and freeze-dried.
You can create a snowy tree appearance with a process called ‘flocking’. Here are my best tree flocking tips.
Door Decorations
Wreath
Christmas door wreaths are a beautiful decoration to add to the outside of your home. Wreaths can be made out of real greens, artificial greens, polyester fabric with glitter accents, and many other materials. Christmas door wreaths are typically hung on exterior doors to signify Christmas cheer for the holiday season.
Hanging Garland (Hang this on your door or even the banisters to look Christmassy)
Hanging Christmas garland is a popular decoration in many homes during the holiday season. Hanging Christmas garland is typically used on the inside of windows and around the mantel. They can also be strung across doorways or from banisters. In addition to the typical hanging Christmas garland, some people use them as curtain accents throughout their home.
Decorative Window Clings/Stickers (stickers with Christmas trees, Christmas presents, etc.)
Decorative window clings/stickers are an easy way to decorate windows for the holidays. They are available in different Christmas themes, such as Christmas trees, Christmas presents, snowflakes, etc. Decorative window clings can also be used on mirrors or banisters.
Bedroom Decorations
Christmas Bedding
Most people think of Christmas decorations as decorations for the entertainment areas of your home but you should also consider bedding during the holiday season. Bedsheets and comforter sets can be a great way to create a cozy and inviting environment. The best thing about bedding during the holidays is that it’s an idea that won’t cost you much money.
Throw Blankets (with a Santa print)
One of the most important parts of Christmas decorating is making sure your family is comfortable. Throw blankets are an excellent way to do this during cold winter nights. If you’re worried about your throw blanket taking up too much space, consider getting one of the smaller size blankets like a couch throw or car seat throw.
Living Room Decorations
Coffee Table Décor (place some nice Christmassy books and decorations here)
Christmas coffee table decor is an essential part of the Christmas experience. The following are some ideas for coffee table decor:
– place some nice Christmas themed books on your table
– add a Christmas table cloth
– decorate with Christmas lights
– place a Christmas centerpiece
– burn some cozy Christmas candles
Fireplace Decor
Want more Christmas fireplace decor ideas? Check out these stunning Xmas fireplace setups.
It doesn’t stop there, Christmas fireplaces can be a really nice decoration during the holidays. Adding a few twinkling lights around it, stocking up on some snow or snowflakes, and placing a few candles in vases around it will make the atmosphere perfect for the holidays.
You can personalize your Xmas fireplace by adding your favorite Christmas characters like Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, or Frosty the Snowman.
Don’t forget to add some cute Christmas stockings to your fireplace! Here are my favorite DIY Christmas stockings.
Bathroom Decor
Hang a tissue garland around the bathroom mirror or over the toilet. Add some pinecones, figurines, or other ornaments to your bathroom counter. This will not take much time out of your day but will help to transform your space for this holiday season.
Toilet Paper (with a Christmas print, of course)
A cheap and fun way to decorate the bathroom is by using Christmas-themed toilet paper rolls. Most people forget to dress up the bathrooms so taking care to decorate this area will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Christmas Candles
Christmas candles are one of the most exciting pieces of decor. Go to your nearest home goods store and take some time trying out the different candles.
Christmas Soap
I love getting Christmas-themed soaps, especially the sweet treat and pine-smelling ones. You can get these at a home goods store, your local grocery store, and Bath and Body Works.
Dinner Table Decor
Placemats
Christmas placemats are a great way to add a little bit of holiday cheer to your home by adding a pop of red and green. They’re inexpensive, easy to find just about anywhere, and can be used practically all year around!
There are many kinds of Christmas placemats. There are those with Christmas artwork, those with the words “Merry Christmas” on them, those that come as gifts in gift sets like napkins and plates.
Centerpiece
Some of the most popular Christmas centerpieces are made with pinecones. You can layer these on top of each other and put a little bit of water around them so they’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks. Another centerpiece idea is to fill clear glass jars with pinecones, beads, ribbons, and bows.
Not sure how to style your centerpiece? Here are my favorite Christmas centerpiece decor ideas.
Christmas Plates
Christmas plates are the perfect way to set the mood for Christmas dinner. They’re also a great way to spread Christmas cheer without breaking the bank. There are many different designs that work well as Christmas plates, but one of the main considerations you have to make before buying them is whether or not they can be used throughout the year. If you want your plates to last through the entire holiday season, look for something with neutral colors or materials that can stand up to all different kinds of food.
Ambiance Decor
If you want to save a little money this Christmas, be sure to incorporate some printable Christmas decorations. They’re free for download!
Christmas Lights
Christmas lights are a versatile and enchanting way to illuminate your holiday decor, and there are various types to suit every style and need. Here are some popular options:
- String Lights: These are the classic choice for both indoor and outdoor decorating. Available in a range of colors, sizes, and bulb shapes, string lights can be wrapped around trees, draped over mantels, or hung along rooflines to create a magical glow.
- LED Lights: Energy-efficient and long-lasting, LED lights come in numerous colors and styles. They stay cool to the touch, making them safer for prolonged use. LEDs are perfect for both indoor and outdoor displays, offering vibrant illumination with minimal energy consumption.
- Icicle Lights: These lights mimic the look of hanging icicles, adding a wintry touch to your decor. Typically used outdoors along roof edges or fences, icicle lights create a cascading effect that enhances the festive atmosphere.
- Net Lights: Ideal for quickly covering bushes, hedges, or tree trunks, net lights are pre-arranged in a grid pattern. Simply drape them over the desired area for an even and hassle-free display.
- Battery-Operated Lights: Perfect for areas without easy access to power outlets, battery-operated lights offer flexibility in decorating. Use them to brighten up wreaths, centerpieces, or small indoor trees without the need for extension cords.
- Projection Lights: For a high-impact display with minimal effort, projection lights cast festive patterns or images onto your home or yard. These lights can create snowflakes, stars, or even animated scenes, transforming your space into a holiday wonderland.
- Fairy Lights: Delicate and whimsical, fairy lights feature tiny bulbs on thin, flexible wires. They are perfect for adding a subtle sparkle to garlands, wreaths, or table settings, enhancing the cozy ambiance of your home.
Candles
Another popular Christmas decoration is a candle. These can be placed near a fireplace or on a table in the middle of a room. There are many different candle holders to use with them, such as a simple metal holder or a decorative glass one. A lot of people will place them around their home in order to create an ambient atmosphere.
The most popular Christmas scents include evergreen, pine, apple, cinnamon, and orange spice. The scent of the candle will also depend on what mood you’re trying to evoke from your guests when they come over for Christmas dinner.
Mistletoe
A little sprig of mistletoe is a fun decoration that you can put outside near your door, over your fireplace, or inside your front window during Christmas time. It’s inexpensive, easy to find at any store, and can be used for any kind of party, event, or get-together.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of mistletoe, you can always buy artificial versions instead. Often times these come in hanging ball form and work well as a centerpiece at your holiday dinner table. They’re also small enough that they won’t take up too much space.
Porch and Outdoor Decor
Want to outdo your neighbors this year? These are my top outdoor Christmas decor setups.
Walkway Decorations
Christmas Walkway Decorations can add some festive color to your home this winter. Installing Christmas decorations in the walkways of your property will not only add some holiday spirit, but it will also provide a level of safety and security for your family and visitors. When you choose the perfect Christmas decorations to install on your property, you want to be sure that they are durable and eye-catching.
Lawn Decorations
The most popular Christmas lawn decoration is the Christmas tree, specifically a metal tree with colorful lights or electric LED lights. If you are looking for something that requires less upkeep then consider purchasing a static tree with white lights that remains lit all season long.
Other popular Christmas lawn decorations are pre-lit snowmen, reindeer, and Santa Claus.
Porch Garlands
Christmas porch garlands are a wonderful way to welcome Christmas visitors and make your home feel festive. A wreath on the front door is another popular Christmas decoration, but some people also prefer more outdoor decorations, such as a garland on the porch railing or a door wreath.
Christmas porch garlands are available in all sorts of materials and styles, from live greens to rice straw, and they can be used to decorate the railing of a balcony or staircase as well as a porch. There are also a number of different options for hanging, including metal hooks that screw into the house siding or over-the-door hooks that wrap around the door frame.
Mini Christmas Trees
Don’t like the idea of lugging a heavy tree into your house? Then get one that’s small enough to fit into your living room. We usually think of Christmas trees as these huge 6-7 foot tall, 6-7 foot wide evergreens, but there are plenty of mini Christmas trees on the market that are perfect for the one room in your home where you want to have a Christmas decoration.
Mini Christmas trees come in different heights, from 3 feet tall to 5 feet tall, and in a variety of types too: prelit or unlit, artificial or live. You can use a mini Christmas tree for an indoor display in any room–or even porch–that doesn’t have much space because it will take up less room than a regular-sized Christmas tree.
