4 Simple Decorating Ideas for the Holidays

Guest blog by Jill O'Gorman, professional designer

The holidays can be an exciting—but also stressful—time of year. The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas goes by so fast. We often find ourselves scrambling to shop, decorate, cook, and clean. As a designer, I love holiday décor, but I have learned to simplify my approach to decorating my home during the holidays. I apply the “less is more” concept to holiday decorating, just like I do when staging homes to sell. In this blog, I’ll share simple and budget-friendly holiday decorating ideas. I hope these tips save you time and allow you to sit back and enjoy the holidays!

The Bowl

Grab any large pottery bowl or serving bowl. Depending on your taste, you can style this bowl a few different ways. For a simple rustic look, fill the bowl with pinecones. If you want cozy holiday smells, add scented pinecones to your bowl. If you desire more color, mix the pinecones with some pine sprigs or greenery. You can also mix pinecones with holiday ornaments in whatever color you like. This holiday bowl can be used on a coffee table, entry table, or kitchen island.

Table Décor

Most holiday gatherings happen in and around the kitchen, so I like to add a holiday centerpiece to the dining table. Whether you are hosting loved ones or just want a little holiday cheer, here are some easy kitchen table centerpieces. Do you have a cake stand? I love using a cake stand for décor because of the added height it brings to the table. Wrap the cake stand with a pine garland, add a candle, and finish it with a glass tree or holiday figurine.

Bring the outdoors inside! If you have glass jars or vases, add a spruce tip and a simple sprig of berries. Place this centerpiece on a table or set it on the bathroom vanity. You could use a faux spruce tip or get spruce bundles from a grocery store or nursery. If you have the right tree in your yard, you may also be able to trim that tree and save some money.

Holiday and Winter Art

If you have a gallery wall or simple framed prints in your home, you can change out the prints for the holidays. This will take some initial expense, but it is so easy. Plus, you can enjoy them for years to come. I found digital downloads I liked on Etsy a few years ago. You simply select the prints you want, pay, and download them to your computer. If you have a nice printer, you may be able to print at home, or you can send them to an online printing company or printing store to have them printed in the size you want. I purchased and printer six photos for less than $60. After the holidays, I keep them in the frame behind the other pictures. When it’s time to decorate, switching to the holiday scenes only takes minutes. You will have an instant holiday spirit to fill the room!

Garland

I’m always a fan of spruce garland, whether it’s fresh or faux. However, the last couple of years I’ve played with alternative garland options to add a fun twist. First up, bells! I found boxes of bells that come in three assorted colors at the dollar store. All you need to do is thread the bells on string, tie the ends, and hang from a mantle, put on a wreath, or wrap around a tree. In this example, I layered the bell garland with traditional spruce greenery. (I also incorporated one of my Etsy winter prints on the mantle!)

Did you know you can use chunky yarn as garland? White or ivory yarn looks like fluffy snow. If you know how to crochet, you can weave a fancy yarn garland for your tree, or just use it as-is. Trust me when I say that this is a fun and inexpensive way to spread some holiday cheer through your home.

Festive Scents

Lastly, do you want to make your home smell good for the holidays? I love a scented candle, but if you have kids or a large group, it may not be practical or safe. Stovetop potpourri to the rescue! A couple simple ingredients from your fridge or pantry can make your home smell great in minutes. During the holidays, I like to use cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices. Another favorite combination of mine is fresh rosemary sprigs and sliced lemon. Just bring two cups of water to boil, add your ingredients, and simmer. You can transfer the mixture to a mini crockpot to keep warmth and scent going for hours.

Holiday Inspiration

Using items from nature and repurposing items you already have can often feel better than buying new store-bought items. You will not only save money but also time, which will bring more joy to your holidays. I hope you loved these simple holiday decorating ideas and are inspired you to create new holiday traditions and décor for your home. Happy Holidays from Ravishing Rooms!

Jill O’Gorman values the powerful connection between home presentation, perceived value, and market time. In 2008, Jill combined her interior decorating background and real estate expertise to launch Ravishing Rooms. She provides staging consultations to Realtors® and homeowners, helping them prepare homes for the market or stage vacant homes. Ravishing Rooms also offers interior design and interior decorating services.