25 Fun Christmas Decor Ideas

I think we can all agree that half the fun of Christmas is in the preparation. The days and weeks leading up to this most joyous of occasions is a magic time for crafting together, holiday hustle and bustle, and making memories to last for a lifetime. Whether your lead-up to Christmastime takes days or weeks, there are plenty of ways to add touches of cheer to your home. Check out our list of 25 fun Christmas decor ideas, and then check “Make spirits bright!” off of your own to-do list.

Think Outside the Fireplace

We’ll start with the basics–hanging the stockings! If you don’t have a fireplace, get a little creative with your stocking placement. You can attach greenery and stockings to a handrail or larger piece of furniture for a fun and festive look.

A Layered Garland

Want to make a garland yourself? Don’t be intimidated! It takes a little time, but doesn’t have to be difficult. Bundle 12-inch lengths of fresh cedar and grapevine twigs and use green metal wires to hold them together. Repeat until you have enough to go around the doorframe. Affix bundles together in an overlapping pattern with green wire. Hang over the doorway using nails or hooks, and add berries or pinecones.

String a Citrus Garland

This fragrant twist on the traditional garland is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! To string your own strand, all you need are navel and blood oranges, parchment paper, two cookie sheets, jute or natural twine, a skewer or nail, and decorative hooks. Read on for the full instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2. Cut oranges crosswise into 1/4-inch slices (four oranges make a six-foot garland).

3. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pat orange slices dry with paper towels, and place them on cookie sheets in a single layer.

4. Bake for approximately 3 hours or until dry. (To ensure the slices dry flat, turn them over at the midway mark.) Remove from oven.

5. Using a skewer or nail, poke two holes into the top of each orange slice.

6. Thread twine through each hole, evenly spacing the oranges on the garland. Tie off each end with a loop, and hang from hooks.

Craft a Unique Wreath

If you want to brighten up your front door for the holidays but a traditional evergreen wreath isn’t your style, this clever project is for you. Just coat a ceiling medallion (available at your local hardware store) in green high-gloss spray paint then loop through some colorful holiday ribbon for hanging. If you really want to get resourceful, any disc will do! Try a wagon wheel or vintage record!

Creatively Display Stockings

Give an old coatrack a glossy coat of red paint to turn it into a cheery and space-saving spot to hang your stockings. For a fun finishing touch, paint a wooden plaque with chalkboard paint to get the Big Guy’s attention.

No Tree? No Problem!

A vase filled with evergreen clippings is a handy stand-in for a Christmas tree in small spaces. Make it festive by wiring ornaments onto the branches and piling presents beneath. Like any cut centerpiece, change the water ever few days to keep the greenery looking its best.

Deck the Halls (All of Them!)

Some folks are of the opinion every room could use a bit of Christmas cheer! You can extend the holiday decor all the way to the bathroom by lining your mirror with a simple string of greenery. Alternatively, a single branch of princess pine brings the look and smell of Christmas to the space.

Fake a Roaring Fireplace

Apartment-dwellers and urbanites: this project’s for you. Get creative to craft a spot to hang your stockings and lend a little Christmas cheer to any room. You can turn a canvas dropcloth, drapery hardware and chalkboard paint into this clever faux mantel wall hanging that you can simply roll up and store when the holidays are over.

Craft a Woodsy Banner

Cut wood slices are a trendy material you can find at your local craft store or source (for free!) in your own backyard. Add letters to spell out a holiday saying and string together with colorful baker’s twine.

DIY Mitten Garland

Have old mittens your family no longer wears? You can use lonely single mittens or source vintage ones year-round online and at flea markets. Use a large needle to pull yarn through the tops of the hand-warmers, then secure with knots if needed.

Deck the Walls With Memories

Placing family photos into your favorite wreath allows you to “celebrate” the holidays with family members who are far away or no longer living.

Cookie Tree Candy Garland Idea

For an extra-sweet Christmas garland, adorn a stack of vintage cookie tins with a candy sash.

Pine Cones Into a Mini Tree

A foam cone, wired floral picks and gathered pine cones are all you need to create a mini table top tree that adds a big dose of woodsy charm.

Fold a Mini Forest

Use a circle punch or scissors to cut card stock into various size circles, then accordion-fold the paper to create the look of evergreen boughs. Stack the folded rings and attach to a small wood dowel or cut log slice to easily whip up a whole forest of firs.

Weave in the Colors of the Rainbow!

Tired of sticking to red, green, and gold? Taking cues from the rainbow is much more festive than you might think. Just incorporate pompom garland and a village of tiny colorful trees! When it comes to Christmas home decor, bottle brush trees are the gift that keeps on giving. It’s easy to spritz them with any color dye you please and they’ll always come out perfectly sweet.

Add Some Sparkle

These gorgeous, glittering votives only look expensive. Using glitter, glue and an empty jar, you can easily craft them yourself on the cheap.

Turn a Toy Into Holiday Decor

Add a little glitz to any area of your home with an inexpensive plastic deer figurine covered with basic white glue and glass glitter.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

Even if you haven’t collected Santa figurines over the years, this is the perfect excuse to begin. A family of Saint Nicks—no matter how mismatched—will look beautiful sitting atop your mantel or bureau.

Vintage Centerpiece

For an easy centerpiece, fill a vintage soda crate or similar wooden box with bottle brush trees to add festive cheer to your dining nook.

Mad for Plaid

Red plaid items, which are available all year round, are conveniently completely Christmas-appropriate. Think garland ribbons, wrapping paper, throw pillows and even pajamas!

Prioritize the Palette

Non-seasonal items in red and green colors can be used to spiff up any area of your home—and they don’t have to be intended to be used at Christmastime! Use camp lanterns, decoware tins, coolers, and more to liven up a simple set of shelves. The sky’s the limit!

Check into Cheer

Transform your master bedroom into a Christmas wonderland in a snap with a buffalo check blanket, which you can throw over your existing bedding.

Spruce Up a Pillow? You Sure Can(dy)

Use the humble candy cane as your guide here! Assorted red ribbons and fabric glue are all you need to give a plain white pillow a candy-striped update for the holidays.

Headboard Drapery

An oversized headboard calls for an oversized garland! Use a bigger-than-usual strand to add some Christmas cheer to your bedroom.

Or, Create a Headboard-Shaped Garland

If your bed is without a headboard, shape a garland of greenery into one! Affix directly to the wall for a touch of Christmas coziness at bedtime.