Decorating the home for Christmas is a cherished family tradition for four out of five Americans. So it’s little wonder that the décor we most associate with Christmas follows classic styles and designs. From vibrant poinsettia plants and evergreen Christmas trees to shiny ornaments and holly garlands, no holiday season is complete without some classic Christmas décor in a palette of red, green, and gold. But staying true to these Christmas traditions is far from old-fashioned or boring. Instead, updated materials and new twists on timeless styles make today's classics perfect for every setting. Are you dreaming of a classic Christmas? Keep reading to find out how to bring your holiday season to life with some of the best décor ideas around.
Christmas trees
Whether you prefer a table-top tree or a freestanding model, a Christmas tree is one of the most essential items to include in your holiday arrangement.
A TABLETOP TREE IN AN URN Dripping with antique glass ornaments and beaded garland, it's a festive way to display your treasures. Drape the tree with beads and candy canes for some added cheer. – Southern Living
A 5-foot prelit tree would be a sight to behold in any home. But, even more so if you decorate it with a selection of ornaments, bows, and strings of delicate fairy lights. As for what color decorations to go for, red glass ornaments and velvet bows give the classic feel many people love to embrace at Christmastime. Or, you may find that gold, silver, or even white glass balls are more your style. For those with less space, a table-top cypress tree is ideal for creating a festive holiday display in a foyer or living room. You might even prefer to place your mini Christmas tree in a decorative ceramic urn. Using the plain urn to create a polished look, places the focus on the tree and its ornamentation.
UTILIZE ANTIQUES A small blue spruce strung with battery-operated fairy lights sits in a chinoiserie cachepot. – Southern Living
That said, with fewer branches to decorate, you'll find that delicate ornaments give a more refined, classic look to a mini tree. No matter the tree size you go for or how many baubles you drape from it, finish it off with a tree topper. A slender velvet ribbon tied into a bow is perfect on this small tree. Scale it up for a larger tree with a big red bow.
EXTRA A giant clamshell holds excess ornaments. (via House & Garden)
Ornaments
While we're on the subject of festive ornaments, many people assume that these are only for decorating a tree. You can also use these holiday trinkets and treasures to adorn anything from wreaths to chandeliers. Considering new ways to use even the most traditional of ornaments allows your personal style to shine through.
UP ABOVE Vintage ornament balls hang from a chandelier. (via aunt peaches)
These sparkling snowflakes are a perfect example. They're a cheerful addition to any Christmas tree, but they're also delicate enough to hang on a mantel mirror or in a window. Try these looks for yourself and experience the instant winter-wonderland appeal they give your home. Adding mini glass ornament balls to an evergreen garland is another classic Christmas decor idea. Add, or substitute, these glittery pine cones for more sparkle. And, for the ultimate in updated Christmas traditions, we love the idea of dangling these mercury glass ball ornaments from a chandelier rather than a tree.
THE CHRISTMAS FLOWER A faux, red poinsettia plant wrapped in burlap.
Poinsettia
As beautiful as other winter plants might be, they can't compete with the popularity of the poinsettia and its bright red flowers during the holidays. For a quick and carefree way to use these in your home this holiday season, place a faux poinsettia plant — or several — on your mantel, shelves, and tables.
AS A TREE Made into a tabletop tree, next to a few mercury glass ornaments. (via Southern Living)
Arranging cut poinsettia stems in bud vases is another popular use for them as holiday table centerpieces. With so many different vases to choose from, you’re sure to find a design to match your style.
PRETTY POINSETTIAS Cut poinsettia varieties in bud vases sit on a stack of cake pedestals. (via Better Homes & Gardens)
No need to stick to red poinsettias either. These cream poinsettias will give an ethereal look to any Christmas tablescape. For more glam, or for a holiday party, use these metallic gold poinsettias.
EASY AND CLASSIC Adding a few pine cones, real or fake, is an easy way to transform a store-bought wreath... Finish this look with a bow or ribbon in your favorite holiday color. – Better Homes and Gardens
Wreaths
Christmas wreaths are ideal for adding an easy dose of holiday cheer to your home. And, since you can hang them on doors and walls, they offer the perfect solution for settings where space is limited. Originating as cut-offs from shaping Christmas trees, classic wreaths are essentially looped evergreen pine branches. This concept represents both the changing seasons and the circle of life. But the timeless appeal of this classic Christmas piece ensures that wreaths in updated colors and materials are just as stylish. For example, this white berry wreath is eye-catching enough to work alone or with red details and fairy lights. And the green of this magnolia leaf wreath can be embellished with glittery white magnolia flowers or these shiny, metallic gold magnolia blooms.
ON THE MANTEL, AT LEFT A gold reindeer sits in front of a lush white pine garland accented with white berries. (via HGTV/Public 311 Design)
Garlands
Plain evergreen holiday garlands like this 6-foot faux pine garland provide a great base for your own additional decorative touches. You might want to trail this garland along a mantel, staircase, or picture rail, tied with red satin ribbon.
ON THE MANTEL, RIGHT A pair of gold candlesticks add a gilded element at the other end.
Understated garlands are also a blank canvas for nature-themed, classic Christmas ornamentation. Whether you go for garlands decorated with berries, holly leaves, mistletoe, or clusters of pine cones, one or two around the room will help tie everything together.
A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS WINDOW Giant pine cones anchor a garland draped and framed window. An arrangement of amaryllis, ilex berries, pine cones, and evergreens sits in front. (via FLOWER)
For the maximalists among us, glitzy, glittered rose gold bay leaf garlands will add instant pizzazz to windowsills, mantels, and trees alike. Or, for something that sparkles more delicately, this LED garland is a unique but no less timeless alternative to classic Christmas lights.