The holiday season often brings stress and chaos. Endless to-do lists, parties to plan, gifts to buy, and cookies to bake can make it hard to find joy during this festive time of year. This year, consider embracing the simpler side of Christmas decorations to help provide some calm amidst the holiday hustle and bustle.
Focus on Natural Elements
Nothing ushers in the spirit of Christmas quite like fresh greenery, fruits, and flowers. Create elegant yet easy arrangements showcasing elements straight from nature.
Evergreen Boughs and Branches
Display fresh-cut evergreen boughs and branches in your favorite vases and containers. The aromatic fragrance and deep hues of juniper, cedar, pine, and fir add woodsy warmth to any space. Accent with cones, berries, and a few simple ribbon bows.
Fruits and Vegetables
Use fresh fruits and vegetables as part of your holiday decor. Arrange oranges, lemons, limes, kumquats, pomegranates, apples, pears, and dried slices of orange and lime in bowls or hang with ribbon. Pair with sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a refreshing display.
Poinsettias and Amaryllis
The brilliant red of poinsettias and cheerful blooms of amaryllis perfectly capture the Christmas spirit. Cluster white amaryllis and red poinsettias in pretty cache pots or mix with evergreen cuttings and candles for a simple centerpiece.
Embrace Natural Textures and Materials
Rustic, natural materials like burlap, jute, wood, and stone add cozy texture perfect for Christmas. Incorporate these homey elements throughout your decor.
Burlap and Jute
Use neutral burlap and jute as a base layer for displays. Wrap empty boxes and vases or drape lengths of fabric over railings and furniture. Then layer on pine garlands, Christmas greenery, and pops of plaid or red ribbon.
Wood and Wicker
Incorporate wood and wicker accents like crates, boxes, and baskets. Stack crates or vintage boxes to create towers displaying greenery and candles. Line wicker baskets with striped linens for an easy Christmas container.
Natural Stone and Terra Cotta
Fill bowls, platters, and vases made of natural stone and terra cotta with Christmas fruits and flowers. Mass white amaryllis blooms and bright kumquats in a rough-hewn bowl for organic appeal.
Craft Your Own Simple Decorations
Tap into your crafty side and create easy DIY decorations to personalize your home. These homemade accents only require basic materials and minimum time yet make a festive statement.
Star Garlands
Cut stars of varying sizes out of cardboard. Decorate with metallic paint or cover with vintage book pages. Punch a hole in the top of each star and string together with twine to create a whimsical garland.
Striped Placemats
Glue or stitch together strips of fabric in red, white, and green to fashion Christmas placemats. For kids’ placemats, use strips of felt or snippets of wrapping paper. Finish the edges with ribbon.
Holiday Luminary Bags
Turn paper lunch bags into sparkling luminaries by cutting out shapes of trees, stars, or snowflakes. Place a battery-operated tea light inside each bag, line your walkway with the luminaries, and enjoy the magical glow.
Embrace the Handmade Look
Imperfect, handcrafted decor lends a casual, inviting look in contrast to store-bought perfection. Embrace the homemade aesthetic with these tips:
- Display wonky paper snowflakes and garlands created by kids
- Use various scraps of fabric and ribbon when wrapping gifts
- Craft paper tags from old book pages and scraps
- Group an eclectic mix of thrifted and hand-me-down ornaments on the tree
The charming imperfections will make everything merrier!
Add Pops of Christmas Color
A little bit of festive color goes a long way. Sprinkle touches of traditional red and green throughout your neutral decor to amplify the Christmas spirit.
- Drape cranberry garlands across fireplace mantels
- Arrange red and green pillar candles on tables and countertops
- Display a trio of tomato-red poinsettias on an entry table
- Tie bunches of dark red amaryllis with botanical-printed ribbon
- Scatter red glass ornaments and beads throughout neutral displays
Embrace the Unexpected
Move beyond the expected greenery and red ribbon and bring in surprising natural elements to make your decor stand out.
- Create a snowy vignette with white pumpkins, pinecones, and faux snow
- Use birch logs as candleholders and dot with mini pine trees
- Display air plants tied to driftwood for an unusual tablescape
- Hang a festive wreath on an antique ladder draped with white lights
- Nestle succulents in a rustic wooden box framed with mini trees
Keep Things intentionally Sparse
Refrain from overloading every surface in a quest for picture-perfect decor. Allow generous negative space to let each element shine. A minimalist approach feels soothing and still emanates holiday cheer. Follow these simple tips:
- Style a single poinsettia on your mantel or console table
- Hang a simple handmade garland on the front door
- Float 3-5 candlelit votives in a clear glass bowl
- Display a trio of Christmas snow globes on empty bookshelves
- Limit decor to one kitchen countertop or table
Conclusion
The holiday season often brings pressure to showcase magazine-worthy decor. But this year, give yourself permission to keep things simple. Focus on natural materials like fresh greenery, fruits, and flowers. Incorporate wood, burlap, and other organic textures throughout your home. Craft a few homemade accents and embrace their imperfections. Add thoughtful pops of traditional red and green. Include fun unexpected elements. And keep your displays intentionally sparse for a peaceful ambiance. Curating a simpler Christmas look allows the joy of the season to shine through. So relax and enjoy embracing the handmade, natural side of holiday decor this year!
Frequently Asked Questions About Simpler Christmas Decorations
What are some easy natural materials to use for Christmas decorations?
Some easy natural materials for Christmas decor include fresh evergreen boughs and branches, poinsettias, pinecones, apples, citrus fruits, pomegranates, driftwood, and bare birch branches.
How can I make my Christmas decor feel cozy and rustic?
Incorporate natural textures like burlap, jute, wood crates, wicker baskets, and stoneware for a cozy, rustic look. Accent with greenery, candles, and plaids.
What are some quick DIY Christmas decorations I can make?
Some easy DIY decorations include paper snowflakes, star garlands cut from cardboard, striped placemats made from fabric scraps, and holiday luminary bags made from brown paper lunch bags.
How can I decorate my Christmas tree using natural elements?
Decorate your tree with elements like pinecones, cinnamon sticks, dried citrus slices, sprigs of fresh rosemary, and rustic handmade ornaments made from wood, felt, or paper.
What are creative ways to incorporate red and green colors?
Creative ways to use red and green include cranberry garlands, red poinsettias or amaryllis, clusters of red ornaments or beads, green pillar candles, and plaid ribbon.
How can I create an unexpected Christmas look?
Unexpected ideas include a snowy vignette with white pumpkins and faux snow, mini trees in a rustic box, an air plant wreath, succulents nested in driftwood, or a garland hung on an antique ladder.
How can I prevent my Christmas decor from feeling too cluttered?
Keep decor intentionally sparse. Style one poinsettia per table, float a few candles in a clear bowl, or hang a simple greenery garland on the front door. Negative space creates a peaceful ambiance.
