A Very Merry Maisonette
Our Favorite Christmas Decorations Ideas from Table to Tree
Your Christmas decoration ideas are a big part of what creates the holiday ‘feeling’ that makes the season so special. They set the backdrop for family traditions, gatherings with friends, and Christmas morning presents.
- Written By
- Kaitlin Maidden
Whether your decor is over-the-top or or-so-simple, you’ll get the most joy from Christmas decorations that reflect your personal style, as well as the people who live in your home. From pastel Christmas trees and bold color combos, to sophisticated touches and neutral palettes, there are no rules for holiday decor these days, so let your creativity take the lead.
To help you get inspired to deck the halls this year, we’re rounded up 50 of our favorite Christmas decoration ideas for indoors and out.
Christmas decoration ideas we love
Start in the kids’ room
There’s no one for whom Christmas is more magical than kids, so why not bring the joy of the season into their bedrooms? All it takes is a few special touches, like a banner in the window, a tartan throw, or an evergreen swag hung from the wall art, a la the Iowa home of designer Ruth Jackson.
Image by Miracle on 34th
Image by Miracle on 34th
Add a vintage touch to outdoor Christmas decor
Looking for inspiration for your holiday front porch decor? Head to local flea markets or thrift stores in search of vintage cold-weather gear. Items like antique skis, sleds, leather ice skates and snow shoes are a creative jumping off point for your outdoor Christmas decorations.
Image by Mindy Briar Photography for The Finish
Image by Mindy Briar Photography for The Finish
Make all-natural garlands
Take a cue from Christmases past and string garlands made of popcorn, cranberries, and dried citrus. The all-natural look feels elegant and cozy, and it’s more eco-friendly than purchasing the pre-made plastic kind.
Image by Nicki Sebastian and styled by Heather Taylor
Image by Nicki Sebastian and styled by Heather Taylor
Tie it with a bow
Give your Christmas tree decoration ideas a glamorous twist by adding bows to the ends of the branches. Take an elegant approach by choosing two or three colors that match your decor, or make bows in a rainbow of shades for a vibrant, modern vibe.
Image and styling by Katy Elliott
Image and styling by Katy Elliott
String up stars
Looking for a Christmas craft idea? Try making this easy DIY star garland, shared with Maisonette by blogger Ellie Larson of A Beautiful Mess, who does the activity with her kids. ‘This is a great kiddo activity and the perfect way for them to be involved and help,’ Larson says.
Get merry and bright
Feeling tired of classic Christmas red and green? Embrace a love of color with decorations in a rainbow of hues instead, like this ornament-adorned wreath by Cody Foster. Hang it above the mantle, then decorate the Christmas tree in similar colors.
Create a color scheme for your outdoor Christmas decor
One of our favorite outdoor Christmas decoration ideas takes a cue from the indoors. To make your holiday decor feel elevated and considered, choose a color scheme. The easiest way is to take a cue from your existing curb appeal - start with colors that are already found on your front door, shutters, and trim, and go from there.
Image by Miracle on 34th
Image by Miracle on 34th
Go for holiday-themed tableware
No need to wait until Christmas day to break out the festive dinnerware! A set of casual, holiday-themed dishes make mealtimes feel special all season long. We love Meri Meri’s gingham Christmas tree plates, seen above.
Deck the littlest halls
Let your kids in on the holiday fun by adding decorations to play kitchens, doll houses, or play sets. A few small touches, like a wreath hung on a playhouse door or a holiday tea towel on the play kitchen, are all you’ll need.
Image and decor by Girl About Columbus
Image and decor by Girl About Columbus
Add childhood-inspired touches to the adult table
Your holiday tablescape can take cues from the kids' table and still feel elegant. Start with your favorite china pattern, candlesticks, and table linens. Then, incorporate motifs like nutcrackers and reindeer into your centerpieces and table linens, and add sparkle with glass ornaments.
Make an Advent calendar
Use vintage or craft stockings to make an oversized Advent calendar like this one from A Beautiful Mess for a fun way to countdown to Christmas. If you don’t have the DIY skills to create your own hanger system, use clear Command hooks to attach them to the wall or screw small hooks into a sheet of plywood.
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Hang a paper chain
There’s a good chance you made at least one paper chain to celebrate Christmas as a child, so why not introduce your kids to the tradition? First, choose construction paper that suits your color scheme, cut it into strips, then secure it into loops with tape. Or, use this gorgeous version from Meri Meri – no cutting required.
Loop Christmas wreaths together on your front door
Outdoor Christmas decor doesn’t get more classic than an evergreen wreath on the front door. But to take the look up a notch, try a trio of wreaths instead. Get the look by either securing the wreaths together with a thick piece of ribbon or simply attaching them directly to the door with Command hooks.
Image by Mindy Briar Photography and decor by The Finish
Image by Mindy Briar Photography and decor by The Finish
Choose Amber as an accent color
If you’re looking for color inspiration for your Christmas decorations this year, try one of the most popular shades in home decor right now: Amber. This gold-toned yellow feels sophisticated and pairs beautifully with greenery and metallic accents.
Get the How-to
Get the How-to
Create a kid-themed tree
No need to keep the holiday decorations in the living room! Surprise your kids with a themed Christmas tree in their bedroom, using fun ornaments to decorate it in a theme that suits their interests and personality.
Image by The Finish
Image by The Finish
Add a felt Christmas garland
A felt garland adds a nostalgic touch to holiday decor. The Christmas garland above is handmade by artisans in India and is sure to become a family heirloom. Use it all over the house: on the Christmas tree, on the fireplace mantle, over a window or doorway, or on the table.
Set the kids' table
Find a holiday-themed paper plate you love for an easy and fun kids' table motif (or a casual adult affair!). Use that as inspiration for a color scheme, and add bottle brush trees and paper confetti in shades that match.
Image and decor by Kara Cofield of Mrs. Cofield and Co.
Image and decor by Kara Cofield of Mrs. Cofield and Co.
Drape the doorway
Our motto: There’s no such thing as too much garland at Christmastime. Dress up your doorways by framing them with a garland swag. If you prefer your decor with a pop of color, add a bow made of vintage ribbon to the center, and let the ends hang long.
Image and decor by @gracefrederickdesign and @sarahalsati
Image and decor by @gracefrederickdesign and @sarahalsati
Tie up topiaries
Give topiaries, or any other all-season planters, a festive feel by tying them with a bow. For a polished Christmas entryway decor, use matching ribbon for your front door wreath.
Image and styling by Pink Clutch Blog
Image and styling by Pink Clutch Blog
Go for Eco-glitter
To make your Christmas more sustainable, look for decorations made from biodegradable Eco Glitter, like this star garland from Meri Meri. Lots of holiday decor manufacturers are beginning to consider the impact of their items on the environment, so finding decorations that use Eco glitter should be easier than ever this year.
Shop Eco Glitter Stars Garland by Meri Meri
Shop Eco Glitter Stars Garland by Meri Meri
Bring out vintage decor
There’s no limit to the holiday decor available these days. Still, nothing brings nostalgia quite like the holiday decor you knew as a kid. For a throwback holiday, choose decorations that remind you of the Christmas season at a favorite relative’s house, for example, or head to a thrift store to see what sparks holiday cheer.
Image by Miracle on 34th
Image by Miracle on 34th
Add a touch of plaid
If you prefer your Christmas decor to be on the subtle side, plaid is a must. It evokes a cozy holiday feeling without obvious Christmas motifs. Bring in the print with throw pillows (or blankets), a tree skirt, or table linens.
Image by The Ingalls and styling by Heather Taylor
Image by The Ingalls and styling by Heather Taylor
Tie ribbon to your garland
Christmas garlands made of greenery are a timeless holiday decoration, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put a personal style stamp on yours. An easy way to update your tried-and-true garland is with velvet bows in various colors. Tie the bows, then attach them to the garland with floral wire.
Image and styling by Katy Elliott
Image and styling by Katy Elliott
Hang paper snowflakes in the windows
Paper snowflakes may be a kids' craft, but they also add a beautiful, homespun feel to any Christmas decor. Hang them in the windows with tape or fishing line.
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Don’t forget the bar
If you’ll be hosting during the holiday season, don’t forget to add festive flair to your home bar like with one by Danielle Moss. A simple garland draped across the front is a chic-yet-understated statement.
Image and styling by Danielle Moss
Image and styling by Danielle Moss
Add a traditional touch to the table
Mixing classic patterns like tartan plaid and blue-and-white porcelain might not be the first idea that comes to mind when decorating for Christmas, but as entertaining expert Courtney Whitmore proves, it feels both seasonal and regal.
Image and styling by Courtney Whitmore & Pizzazerie
Image and styling by Courtney Whitmore & Pizzazerie
Make a cheerful entrance
Set a holiday scene in your home from the very beginning by swapping out your entry decor for holiday-themed versions. Whether it’s a throw pillow on a bench like this pretty scene from Chrissy Marie or a wreath on the door, your first impression will be festive.
Image and styling by Chrissy Marie Blog
Image and styling by Chrissy Marie Blog
Frame a window with a garland
To make the most of a wintry view, frame a picture window with a lush garland. We love fir and evergreen for a classic approach, or a mix of eucalyptus and olive leaves for a more modern take.
Image and styling by Finding Lovely
Image and styling by Finding Lovely
Add birch and evergreens to outdoor planters
Add cheer to your front porch by filling your planters with a mix of evergreen branches, birch logs, and winter berries.
Image and styling by Finding Lovely
Image and styling by Finding Lovely
Mix shades of red and green
Give red and green an update by mixing various shades of each hue. Here, textile designer Heather Taylor paired bright red with a shade of honeydew green instead of more traditional evergreen hues to create a unique but seasonal look.
Image and styling by Nicki Sebastian and styling by Heather Taylor
Image and styling by Nicki Sebastian and styling by Heather Taylor
Choose a colored tree
If you’re going for a faux Christmas tree this year, why not turn tradition on its head with a tree in an unexpected color? A pink tree is perfect for a little girl’s room or your main living space if you tend to decorate with lots of color.
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Hang paper pom poms and snowflakes
Looking for a fun way to accessorize a buffet table or bar area? Try hanging Christmas-colored paper pom poms and snowflakes from the ceiling above like these Meri Meri honeycomb Christmas characters.
Add bling to your wreath with wreath clips
It doesn’t take much to make an evergreen wreath shine. One or two of these bedazzled wreath clips add a subtle sparkle to all-natural decor.
Fill a bowl with baubles
A decorative bowl filled with Christmas ornaments makes an easy holiday centerpiece or coffee table decor. Just be sure to choose baubles that match your Christmas decorating theme.
Image and styling by The Pink Clutch
Image and styling by The Pink Clutch
Go for a Grandmillennial Christmas
Carry a love of chintz and chinoiserie into the Christmas season with Grandmillennial-inspired holiday decor. These children’s Christmas stockings by Fig Dove x Paprika Home are the perfect jumping off point for the look.
Choose an advent calendar that doubles as decor
An advent calendar is a fun way to count down to Christmas, but it can also be a beautiful addition to your home decor, like this train-themed train-themed tabletop calendar Meri Meri.
Celebrate with books
If you have small children, create a festive display with their holiday books. Swap out the usual reads on their bookshelves for seasonal ones, then add a garland or bows for an extra special touch.
Image and styling by Girl About Columbus
Image and styling by Girl About Columbus
Add color to your tree
A colorful pom pom garland is a modern alternative to holiday-themed versions. This rainbow pom pom garland from Cody Fosterrainbow pom pom garland from Cody Foster offers an instant color palette for the rest of your Christmas decor.
Stick to a color palette
To keep your Christmas decor cohesive, plan out your color palette before buying or hanging decorations. Choose a single color or a whole spectrum, and repeat the hues throughout your home.
Image and styling by Finding Lovely
Image and styling by Finding Lovely
Swap ornament hooks for velvet ribbon
Elevate your Christmas tree look (and add lots of color) by switching out metal ornament hooks for lengths of velvet ribbon. Stick to one color ribbon for a classic look, or choose a few different hues for a joyful, eclectic feel.
Set a wagon on the front porch
For a fun and unique holiday front porch idea, pile a Radio Flyer (or whatever wagon you have on hand) with ‘gifts’ from Santa. Stuff cloth sacks to make them look like they’re brimming with presents (try using scrap fabric, clean recyclables, or reusable grocery bags for the fill).
Image by Mindy Briar for The Finish
Image by Mindy Briar for The Finish
Use bottle brush trees as a casual centerpiece
Bottle brush trees might be the most Instagrammed holiday decor of the last few years, but it’s no wonder. They’re modern and fun, and you can find them in almost any color, so they complement almost any holiday decorating scheme. One way to display them? Stagger a set of bottle brush trees down the center of your holiday table.
Image and styling by Nicki Sebastian and styling by Heather Taylor
Image and styling by Nicki Sebastian and styling by Heather Taylor
Make a pool noodle wreath
If you’re looking for Christmas decor ideas to fill a large wall space, try a double pool noodle wreath. It’s a simple craft project that makes a big impact. To make it, form two pool noodles into rings, nesting one inside the other. Next, trim the excess from the smaller noodle, and attach the noodles with duct tape. Then, wrap the noodles in a garland of your choice, securing it with more tape and floral wire.
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Image and DIY by A Beautiful Mess
Set a woodland-themed table
Use woodland animals for your inspiration for a whimsical Christmas table decor. Start with an animal-themed garland, add mini figurines and tableware in greens and wood tones, and finish it with winter fruits staggered down the center of the table. We love this Folk Woodland Garland from Meri Meri.
Decorate with red and aqua
Try bright red and aqua blue if you’re decorating a kids’kids' table for Christmas or simply want a bold holiday color scheme. The pairing still feels seasonally appropriate, but the bright colors are unexpected and modern. For an even bolder look, accent with shades of pink and yellow like this
Merrilulu Holly Jolly Christmas Banner.
Get inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas
A classic but unique holiday decorating theme? The Twelve Days of Christmas. Take cues from the song’s gifts, and decorate with calling birds and drumming drummers. Or, start with these 12 Days of Christmas scalloped cocktail napkins by Liberty of London.
Hang painterly ornaments
Add an artsy spin to your Christmas tree with these easy DIY ornaments. To make them, add a few dollops of paint in different colors to the inside of a clear ball ornament. Then, swirl the ornament around to get a marbled effect, and let it dry before hanging.
Image and DIY by Girl About Columbus
Image and DIY by Girl About Columbus
Don’t forget your best friend
Deck the dog bed! Let Fido in on the festive season by adding a touch of decor, like this felted bone wreath, to your pet’s bed.
Change up wall art
Changing out wall art for the seasons is simple but makes a big impact on your decor. A celebratory banner is a fun way to mark the Christmas holiday in a family room or playroom, for example.
Image and styling by Girl About Columbus
Image and styling by Girl About Columbus
Let there be light
Swap out regular nightlights in a kids’ room or guest bathroom for a holiday-themed one, like this nostalgic tree light by Mr. Christmas.
