Holiday Trends and Ideas

From the evergreen styles of the early 1900s to the metallic trees of the 1950s, retro decor is more popular than ever. Add accents of the past to your trees with ornaments that have been passed down for generations. If you’re short on heirlooms, reproductions of past treasures can evoke the same warm feelings as the originals.

Bottle brush trees give a mantel or shelf a retro feel. Antique items like sleds, mirrors or silver pieces like trays and pitchers can serve as the focal point for a vintage scene. Create a garland with a ribbon and scenic Christmas cards from decades ago. If you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, you can outfit an entire room with styles from the past.

Some decorations work in spaces of all sizes. Ceramic Christmas trees are perfect for rooms that are big or small. In a larger room, find a nook for a ceramic tree where it won’t be overshadowed by the main tree. In a small space, a ceramic Christmas tree could become a focal point, especially if you don’t have room for another kind of tree.

Surround your ceramic Christmas tree with decorations on the same scale. You can also hang garland above or below it where it stands. Just be sure to leave plenty of room to plug it in so you can enjoy the glow of its multi-colored lights.

In the dining room, create holiday-themed centerpieces you can enjoy day after day. For Thanksgiving, stick to an autumn palette of oranges, yellows, reds and browns. Pick up some miniature pumpkins or fall squash to accent the table. A set of fall dishes can take you all the way from September until the end of pumpkin spice season. Bring in vases of fall flowers whenever you’re having guests. Thanksgiving is also the perfect time to showcase family heirlooms, like glassware and silver serving pieces.

After Thanksgiving, get out your Christmas dishes to use for meals both large and small. If your kitchen has open shelves, you can show off your holiday dishware all season long. You can also display angels, Santas, elves, reindeer, gnomes or anything else that makes you smile. When you’re feeling especially festive, you can use length of ribbon to hang a wreath on the back of each chair around your table. Nestle place cards among the greenery if you’re hosting a dinner party.

While a tree and the table might be the main elements of your holiday decoration style, you can give other rooms a festive touch. Christmas bedding is an easy way to transform your bedroom or a guest room. Not ready to commit to a Christmas comforter and matching sheets? An accent pillow or two on your bed can still bring a holiday feel. A nightstand makes the ideal place for a tabletop tree to stand. Holiday area rugs can work in any room.

While you are decking the halls this season, don’t forget the boughs of holly, garland, kissing balls, and of course, a wreath for the front door.

Even the most basic live garland is sure to make a decorative splash. Add simple bows and LED lights and your banister or fireplace mantel becomes the perfect backdrop for holiday festivities.

Worried about hiding power cords? Use battery-powered lights and tuck the battery pack underneath the garland.

Wreaths are one of the most time-honored decorating traditions throughout the world, but during the holidays, nothing is more welcoming than a holiday-themed wreath greeting guests to your home. From simple pine branches arranged in a circle to the most elaborate designs imaginable, your holiday wreath should reflect your home and your sense of style.

Select ribbons, lights and ornaments that coordinate with the decor throughout your home. Don’t be afraid to add some sparkle if that’s your thing, but if you want a more elegant approach, stick with simple and refined.

Pinterest is filled with ideas for reusing existing DIY projects and adapting them for the holidays. For example, a display pumpkin from Halloween can be painted gold to create table decor for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Candles and candlesticks can be used throughout the fall. A string of lights can brighten any holiday.

On Pinterest, there’s plenty of inspiration around the rustic trend for the holidays. These Thanksgiving and Christmas looks feature lots of wood, stone, greenery and metallic accents. Think silver or galvanized tin, or even red or other unusual tones.

Though there’s plenty of wood this Thanksgiving and Christmas, you’ll also see lots of metallics in everything from swag to lanterns. Silver trees can work inside or outside your home. Of course, gold is always welcome during the holidays. Try a red-and-gold color scheme for your tree. Add gold leaf to placecards or gold paint to pine cones for a festive centerpiece.

Christmas decorating just would not be complete without plaid. Accents of plaid can be found everywhere, from ribbon and bows to gift wrap and decorative pillows.