How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry & Bright

christmas decor tips: how to create Christmas magic in your home, Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas, Christmas Home Tour

Learn how to create holiday magic with fabulous decorating ideas, easy to follow tips, and great advice to avoid stress during the holidays. Let’s get started.

Welcome, Friends. I can’t wait to take you on my Christmas Magic Home Tour. I’ve decked the halls embracing some brand-new elements as well as some tried and true traditions. As ever, I love to mix things up, and the holidays are no exception. While I share my easy decorating tips, I will also give you my best advice to not just survive this season but thrive. Before we get started, don’t forget to check out the holiday decor we created last year:  Jodie’s Christmas Home 2016 and Julie’s Christmas Home 2016.

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Create Christmas Magic with Traditions

Holidays are all about family and tradition, time-tested traditions and brand-new ones you decide to create. Why are traditions so important? They knit a family together and provide constants in a world of change, reliability in a world of unknowns. They tell our children this is who we are, this is what is important. Traditions bridge generations, link us to our past, and pave a solid road toward the future. They are a family’s love language spoken over time. So, what are yours?

What will your family’s story be? They are told through the traditions you create, and the traditions you uphold.

Create Christmas Magic: Begin at the Front Door

Keeping with tradition I kept my front entry festive with classic green and red. Large poinsettias greet visitors. A simple evergreen bough frames the double doors. Two unadorned Christmas trees in baskets flank the entrance. The bench is covered with bright red comfy pillows and a thick woven blanket inviting friends to grab a cup of cocoa and sit awhile on the covered porch. Red boots and a traditional sled adorned with evergreen and vintage skates finish the look.

I hope my front porch says “Welcome!” Now, it’s time to come inside. Welcome to my home.

Create Christmas Magic in your Entryway

My goal for my entrance was to make a statement with refined elegance. For my color scheme I chose green & gold (against the black chest). Once I decided on the mood and the colors, I collected what I owned and began to build. I removed the two side-by-side mirrors that hung here for years and replaced them with this holiday scroll. The scroll itself made a huge statement on its own, but I still needed to frame it. I chose this playful yet elegant antique brass advent garland and some greenery. I like how the two gold conic trees frame and balance, but their slightly different sizes don’t make it too perfect.

Decor Tip: When decor is too balanced and matching, it can feel expected and boring. The goal is to create balance without perfection.

I used all faux greenery here to create a look that would last through the holidays. You can also use old vintage-inspired books and a wooden stand to add interest and create varying heights for the display.

 

Create Christmas Magic: My Farmhouse Table Display

Before I began decorating this space, I knew three things:

1. I wanted it to be a great farmhouse statement.
2. It had to be a continuation of neutrals with only pops of green as my color.
3. I tried to incorporate the book theme.

I’m pretty excited about the way it turned out.

 

 

 

As the decor emerged, I was surprised that an additional theme emerged: deer. I’m in love with deer, antlers etc. and even more so during the holidays. They look like they belong among the evergreens. Plus, they say “farmhouse Christmas,” don’t you agree?

Nordic Inspiration Meets Farmhouse Christmas

I love to have fun with my decor and try new things. This Nordic-inspired tree was the perfect opportunity to give my hallway a fresh feel this year. I love the simplicity of the birch log tree and decorating with natural elements. It blends beautifully with the rustic mood of farmhouse decor but adds its own unique twist.

When I was in England recently, I found the perfect decorations to use with the tree. After donning four sets of mini battery-operated light sets, I added white ceramic stars and one fabulous pom-pom banner and voila.

It took longer to create the right decor to frame it. I wanted to keep things rustic and neutral, beginning with my chippy white farmhouse bench, a white throw, a slew of candles set in a couple of twig bird nests. You can also add a rustic basket, a couple farmhouse neutral pillows, a distressed side table and two small faux trees.

Create Christmas Magic: A Mini Winter Wonderland

I had so much fun creating this wintertime vignette. Last year, my 9 ft. tree stood here, and while I loved it, I wanted to do something different. I purchased a slew of mini trees to create a small winter forest feel (all shoppable below). I created the look of snow by using a faux fur blanket like a rug and a chunky wool knit tree skirt. Purchase the tree skirt from Becozi using our coupon code TWINS10 to save 10% off your entire order.

I framed the large arched leaning window-pane mirror with two faux evergreen garlands, added a dried magnolia wreath in the center. The vignette is framed by several of my solid wood candle holders. Details like white sparkling winter doves, antlers and candles add just the right amount of character without overdoing the scene. Shop the items available online below.

Evolving Christmas Magic

My spaces are continually evolving, that’s just how I roll. It’s hard to stop playing and tweaking. A few days later the small trees were visiting another area. I added some sparkling branches to the top of the garland. I swapped the small table out for a slightly taller, more elegant table. Then, the table-top vignette evolved as well. I removed a rustic candle and replaced it with shimmery silver Christmas trees that reflect beautifully in the mirror. The effect is double.

The trees will probably come back, but I think the rest of the changes will stay, but who knows. I try to never let any of my decor get too comfortable.

Create Christmas Magic: The Heart of My Christmas Home

Besides my front porch, you’ll notice that I’ve kept all my hallway vignettes neutral, using pops of greenery, white and gold. But my family room is where I let all the red reign. I’ve nicknamed this room, “the red room” and this tree the “red tree.” Plenty of splashes of cheerful Christmas red create a festive mood in the center of our home. The surprise color announces to everyone, “This is where the party is!”

Create Christmas Magic: The Christmas Tree

The 9-ft. pre-lit King Flocked Christmas tree is from King of Christmas, and it really is a stunner. I love how easily it sets up. This year I wanted the red theme to pop so I added four strands of 100 mini red lights. My family and I love that it creates multiple looks:

• no lights
• just white lights
• red and white lights
• only red lights

Each look is a different mood. For a decorator who loves change, this was an added bonus. Everyone in the family has a different favorite, so we have fun each having our turn to choose. I added three large garlands of sparkling crystals to add glitter and sparkle. I chose dozens and dozens of red bulbs to continue the red theme. Specialty tartan ornaments add detail.

Underneath I used two tree skirts to achieve my desired effect. I created a vignette under the tree with a cute rustic-handled tray, some red books, a mini sled, pinecones, and faux greenery. I added a few faux presents to finish the look.

Create Christmas Magic in the Details

Last year I found a vintage sleigh that added charm to my front porch Christmas display. I knew I wanted to use it again for the porch. This year, I wanted to bring that fun vintage Christmas charm inside. So, when I recently went to a vintage market on my “must-find” list was another antique sled and hopefully a pair or two of vintage ice skates to decorate the sleds. I just love the charm and character these pieces add to my holiday decor.

I created a “snowy” backdrop with my faux white birch trees and a white faux fur throw. The mantel is framed with festive red berries & frosted pinecone garland. I used similar, but different sized joy signs on either side of the room. Both serve as “exclamation points” that balance the red and help define the room.

 

 

Create Christmas Magic in the Dining Room

I took my dining room inspiration from the red tartan Merry Christmas runner and matching napkins I purchased last year (available to shop below).

As I decorated this room for Christmas and began adding red it was the final straw in my battle to keep the blue decor that had originally defined this room. I have been decorating with color season after season, and it has clashed more often than not. So, I took down the beautiful silk drapes and rolled up the rug. I’m still on the hunt for the replacement rug, but I hung white linen drapes. Moving forward it was a practical move on my part.

I love the layering of the place settings. These awesome shiplap inspired chargers are from my friend Jackie @sawdustangel and I adore them. Of course, they look great here, but the best part for this practical girl is the fact that you can bet they’re going to look good all year long.

I topped the settings with mini boxwood wreaths and a simple pinecone. The look is Christmas festive, yet simple and nature inspired.

Lots of people ask me where I got my plates. I have never found the exact ones, but I do have two similar sets, the exact table runner and matching napkins available to shop below.

Christmas Magic for the Bedroom

 

Can you say, “Too much fun?” I really did have a ball decorating this room. If you follow me on Instagram, you know all about the shenanigans that went on in order to put this “snowball scene” together. I may have created a teeter-totter type of chair balancing situation to climb on over and over again to put up these hanging snowball garlands.

I shared the antics on my stories and flat out scared many people. Oops. I didn’t mean to, but it was worth it, don’t you think? Also, the outpouring of motherly concern was amazing and even though part of me felt a bit like a scolded child, I mainly felt love.

The white all-linen hand-made coverlet is the star of the show all year long. In this winter scene, it feels like a blanket of snow. This is created by my amazingly talented friend Rhonda at Hallstromhome @hallstromhome. The beautiful chunky knit wool tree skirt is from another awesome friend Larissa at Becozi @becozi. You can use our coupon code to save 10% across her site, TWINS10.

The best mini Christmas trees ever come in their own little baskets and were the most important element in creating Christmas Magic throughout my home, inside and out. I bought them in two sizes and basically plopped them down anywhere and everywhere for instant Christmas.

Christmas holds treasured memories for most of us, but the stress to do it all can sometimes sabotage our holiday spirits and ruin the beauty and happiness of the holidays.

My Stay-Merry Christmas To Do List

• Try not to let outside pressures determine what’s important to you.
• Don’t try to keep up with the Jones.
• Stay focused on what makes sense for you and your family in this season of your lives.
• Keep things in perspective.
• Perfection is overrated.
• Remember your priorities.
• Plan ahead.
• Let unimportant things go.
• Focus on the people.
• Stay in the moment.
• Create memories.
• Cherish each other.

It’s not necessarily about the perfect decor but the right attitude. It’s important to keep everything in perspective in order to create truly magical memories for you and your family. I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas Magic Home Tour as much as I have enjoyed creating it and presenting it to you. Jodie and I sincerely appreciate your kindness and support and would absolutely love to hear from you in our comments below.

Quick, grab another beverage of choice, but don’t go anywhere. We have so much more incredible inspiration coming. Please continue the Christmas Home Tour by visiting the other homes on our tour. We are sure you will find tons of beautiful decor ideas!

Merry, Magical Christmas to All!

Many Blessings,

P.S. Stay tuned in just a few days to take Jodie’s Christmas Home Tour. She’s outdone herself so be sure not to miss it.

Make sure to visit our Christmas Home Tours!

Amie @ Memehill | Gloribell @ Know How She Does It

Ashley @ Modern Glam | Kathleen @ Lindsay Hill Interiors

Sheila @ Maison de Cinq | Julie & Jodie @ The Design Twins

Kim & Lacey @ Styled with Lace | Janine @ Happy Happy Nester

Oscar @ Oscar Bravo Home | Mysha @ Remington Avenue

 

Martha @ Simple Cozy Charm | Joan @ 2 Ladies and a Chair |

Jackie @ Finding Lovely | Summer @ Summer Adams

Judy @ Life is Better at Home | Amy @ Crazy Chic Designs

Liz @ Home and Fabulous