Updated date:

Jul 25, 2017

Christmas at Home - Decorating Ideas & Tips for the Holidays

Author:

Christmas Ann should be her name.

It seems that there is always one person in the family that makes Christmas at Home seem special. My sister Ann is such a person, and she has some great ideas for decorating for the holidays.

Read on to discover Christmas ideas for decorating the 3 most visited rooms in your home at Christmas: the kitchen, bath and living room.

Included are suggestions and tips for quick fixes to bring holiday cheer into a room without breaking the budget. See how a splash of color, a few candles and antique pieces can transform a room in a matter of minutes.

Take a look at some of Ann's decorating ideas, and let me know what comes to your mind when you enter into her Christmas home.

Image credit by Favored1 vis Ann

Copyrighted Material by Favored1. Do not copy. Photo credit byFavored1 or Amazon unless otherwise noted. This artwork is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Poll: Christmas at Home

How do you deck your halls for the Holidays and Christmas?

It's easy to get into the holiday spirit at home. My entire family decks not only the halls with holly, but their entire home. I suppose we got this from my mother who totally loved Christmas. However there was something different when you visit my sister's house... you feel at home.

Christmas has always been a special time for our family. Over a period of a week we would go from house to house and see one another’s decorations.

There would be a specific list though as to how we would go about our plans. Christmas eve used to be at our home, Christmas morning at my parent’s and then Christmas dinner at my sister’s house. Each visit brought new memories and laughter, but ending up Ann’s was something more.

Maybe it was because her youngest son's birthday is Christmas day or that her house was a central location for all of us that made Christmas at her home special. It could be that the smells of her fabulous Christmas dinner would hit your senses as soon as you walked into the front door. Christmas presents covered the living room floor as the handmade ornaments dangled from her family tree always reminding you of Christmas past. Perhaps it's a combination of things that I could qualify as a gathering at Ann's would mean Christmas at Home, but somehow I don't think so.

Christmas is about a person, Jesus and His love. When you enter into my sister's house it's not the reflection of the candles that warms you, but the Light of Christ shining from her heart.

Photo of my sister's 4 grown sons on Christmas Day 2009.

A Trip Back Home on Memory Lane - Does this remind you of Christmas past?

Christmas at Home

Setting the Perfect Table - ... means you set the room as well.

Photo by Favored1 of Ann's Christmas Table

Setting a beautiful table includes taking in the entire room. Notice the surroundings and the simple elegance of draping a decorative napkin over the side chairs, and moving the table in front of a picture window. Everything is positioned perfectly to catch your attention when you enter the room.

Pretty Ribbons & Holly Tablecloth - Lenox Fine Holiday Linens & Tableware

Using Candles to Refect Color

By using clear goblets in this holiday place setting, the candlelight highlights the poinsettias and dinnerware.

Double the Beauty ~ Simplify Your Work

For a more elegant look, try usiing double napkins slipped in a decorated ring. Incorporate the colors on the table by placing a smaller napkin of a different color on top of a large one. Use the larger one for dinner and the smaller one for dessert.

Change the Silverware

My sister uses a gold utensil setting for this table to match the gold rim on the dinnerware.

Matching Accessories

Every holiday place setting needs additional items on the table. Some dinnerware sets have matching accessories such as a salt and pepper shaker seen here.

Spode Christmas Tree 12-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4 - Matching accessories are available.

I love this set because it has over 50 items to match it, including the linens. Go head over heels in decorating with this Spode Christmas Dinnerware line.

Christmas Dinnerware Place Settings - Matching Accessories Available

These sets have matching accessories such as: salt and peppers shakers, sugar/creamer, serving plates, serving bowls, butter dish, casserole dish, goblets, tall glasses, bread basket, pie plate, gravy boat, silverware, pitcher, vegetable dish, teapot, cups and saucers, cheese tray and knife, dip bowl and spreader, candy dish, condiment dish, spoon rest, dessert tray, napkins, tablecloth . Not all sets have each of these items.

Lenox Holiday Platinum 12-Piece Dinnerware Set with Bonus Caddy, Service for 6

Close Up and Personal Decorating Tips - An invitation into a great dinning experience.

A simple swag centered over the curtain with no wall items to take away from the view. The outside appears to be drawn into the room making it an elegant but cozy environment on a cold winter's day.

Decorate a side hutch from top down. Place holiday pieces inside the glass doors as if you are peering through a house window.

Colored balls in a crystal ice bucket and collector's Christmas plates make their own little Christmas scene. The wood is highlighted by natural light. A small puffed placemat does not overwhelm the space or take away from the attractive pieces.

Use what you have. Decorate inside a cake dish and set out your best goblets for decorations. My sister used lots of clear glass, antique family candle holders and gold throughout the house for this Christmas at home theme.

Side boards and carts on wheels are really put to use here. One side cart has extra utensils, napkins and plates. They are displayed in the matching dinnerware pieces. You can hardly notice a matching radio for background music that is tucked away a

A simple swag centered over the curtain with no wall items to take away from the view. The outside appears to be drawn into the room making it an elegant but cozy environment on a cold winter's day.

Decorating with Christmas Candles

Tips on Selecting Candles

Candles add a sense of warmth to any room.

Where should I use candles, and which ones for what room? Here are some suggestions that won't overwhelm your guests when they enter into your holiday home.

Living Room, Den or Great Room: pine, evergreen, bayberry, cinnamon

Kitchen Candles: (scents to use when your wonderful dinner isn't cooking) pumpkin, apple pie, french vanilla, caramel apple, gingerbread, spice

Bathroom Candles: bayberry, ocean breeze, tropical, peppermint

Photo by Favored1

Just A Touch

This is a "clean" look for a bathroom that could easily be cluttered. Try adding only a few items using candles or wall plug-ins to brighten the room. A decorative soap dispenser adds to the look without adding more items to the countertop.

Lenox Christmas Boxed Fingertip Towel

Less is More ~ Adding Color

When trying to decorate your bath for Christmas adding less is always more beautiful. This blue and white bathroom is transformed by a little red that pops when you enter the room. A few items change the entire appearance of the room without doing a complete make-over. An added benefit is that the decorations are small enough to fit under the cabinet after the holidays.

Take Down & Replace Ordinary Decorations

Redo a shelf with Christmas colors that match the room color.

Decorate the Entire House

Do you think it's ridiculous to decorate the entire house for the holidays? This is what some people think:

No, I like decorating it all.

anonymous 4 years ago I think that Christmas decorations are a part of Christmas spirit (they are a must in my home).

Darcie French 4 years ago from Abbotsford, BC My mother in law loves to decorate the entire home for Christmas, so much fun for visitors :)

Scullyvan 4 years ago Not at all. Christmas is a time to celebrate, however much you want.

aquarian_insight 4 years ago No way - it's Christmas!

oddobjective 4 years ago No I love it!

Margaret Schindel 4 years ago from Massachusetts I think it's wonderful to decorate the entire house. I love it when it's festive everywhere I look during the holiday season!

What do you think?

Decorating Coffee and End Tables

Remember to keep the coffee table simple. Your guests may need room for their plates or beverages. Don't forget the coasters though.

A dusting of snow adds beauty to this holiday display.

Reason to Rejoice 4-Piece Nativity Centerpiece

My mother used to sell Enesco products in her gift shop. They were always a best seller and made a great display.

Change out Everything

Decorating for the Season

Years ago my husband built these shelves to divide a large room for my sister. Each holiday everything is removed from the shelves and replaced with holiday figurines or trinkets.

It's a nice change from the everyday do-dads and is the main focal point when you enter the room. Notice how the decorations are facing on either side so all can see the display.

Adding a red doily changes the appearance of the chair.

"Spruce" up A Shelf

A holiday towel is folded nicely and hangs from a newly decorated shelf. Placing two of the same item with different colored flowers makes each item stand out, breaking up what apprears to be a matched set.

It's alright, go ahead and take down paintings and display holiday ones.

No Fear of Heights

Decorate high and change pictures. Ann used winter scenes with a gold frame to carry out her theme throught her home..

Daily Bread Prayer Wall Print

Christmas at Home ~ Decorating Ideas

Decorating with Candy Canes is Easy
Use a pillar candle, rubber band, candy canes and ribbon to make a candle centerpiece in minutes.
HOLIDAY Decorating 101
From mantle to staircase, quick ideas that will make your home look more festive without spending a lot of money.
Christmas Home Tour.mov
Beautiful home tour to give you some Christmas ideas for filling your home full of lights.
2011 Christmas Home Tour
Decorating ideas for the home using wreaths inside and out, switching photo and paintings for Chirstmas ones and more.
Christmas Home Decorations 2009
So many beautiful ideas to use. Enjoy the tour.
Christmas Lawn Lights Illuminated Outdoor Decoration, LED,
Decorating your lawn - a fun new idea for Christmas.

Make it Yourself

You can change an ordinary candy dish into a beautiful centerpiece in seconds. Place a few ornaments and flower heads in a decorative piece and there you have it ... a new centerpiece that looks great without the expense.

Decorating with Christmas Wreaths

What do they see first?

Place special items you wish others to see near the front door or entrance to a room. Be sure they are not in a position where they can easily be knocked over or broken. (Notice the balls, bad idea, but their dog didn't think so.) Use lit garland around inside windows and doors. Even under the end table has a small centerpiece.

Small Snow Covered Village Houses

I have been a collector of Department 56 Christmas village items for years. Look for more of their products from this site.

Something old ... an antique nativity gives renewed meaning to Christmas.

Transform A Mantle or Shelf

Highlight a mantle or larger shelf with gold decorations to accentuate the pieces you already have. An antique clock looks festive surrounded by glittering lights, a gold beaded chain and gold ball ornaments placed randomly on evergreen sprigs.

Ideas for Christmas Home Decorating Using Garland

Christmas Decorating a Girl's Bedroom

DIY Nail Polish Ornaments Video

Cupcake Ornaments for Christmas Trees

Marbled Ball Ornaments Video

Swirl Design Christmas Ornaments

If video selection isn't working use this link.

Cupcake Ornaments ! How to Make Cupcake Christmas Ornaments
Glittery and pretty! Easy to do.
Sparkly Christmas Decorations for Teen Christmas Decorating
So much fun. These are great.
Christmas Decorations and Decorating a Girls Bedroom for the Holidays
Fun ideas for a girls bedroom for the Holidays - tutorial
DIY Nail Polish Christmas Ornaments
Great project for the family. Use up those half full bottles too.
How to Make Marbled Ball ornaments
Marbled ball ornament tutorial.
How to Make Swirl Design Christmas Ornaments
Christmas Ornaments - Swirl Design

Happy New Year!

anne mohanraj on January 17, 2013:

Beautiful lens! I especially liked the video 2012 Ideas for Christmas Home Decorating!

anonymous on January 02, 2013:

This is good information, I think I like them. :)

Little Linda Pinda from Florida on January 01, 2013:

Such pretty decorations. Lennox makes lovely decor.

anonymous on December 25, 2012:

I love your tastes! Merry Christmas!**********

Kay on December 24, 2012:

Such beautiful ideas. I love them. Merry Christmas to you!

LynetteBell from Christchurch, New Zealand on December 23, 2012:

No tree this year as we have to move out soon to have our house fixed after the earthquakes. I've used a pot plant as my tree this year:)

Fay Favored (author) from USA on December 23, 2012:

@squidoopets: She used to store things at my parents, now she has to put things in storage. This year she rented a small UHAUL truck. I told her to take some new tree pics.

Darcie French from Abbotsford, BC on December 23, 2012:

What a beautiful lens that you obviously put your heart and soul into - especially loved the personal touch of the Christmas decorating pictures. Your sister must need an entire room to store the decorations for the rest of the year :)

KarenCookieJar on December 21, 2012:

Nice lens, thanks for sharing.

Scullyvan on December 21, 2012:

I've enjoyed it very much. A very lovely lens. Thanks for sharing, and merry Christmas!

viscri8 on December 21, 2012:

Lovely, lovely, lovely lens! Good tips for people enjoying Christmas at home. Very nice and affordable Christmas decoration ideas. Blessed!

Fay Favored (author) from USA on December 20, 2012:

@aquarian_insight: I'll be sure to tell her. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Fay Favored (author) from USA on December 20, 2012:

@montanatravel52: Thanks exactly what my sister did ... she is the oldest. I'm sure your family appreciates all you do.

Fay Favored (author) from USA on December 20, 2012:

@Margaret Schindel: Oh I would love to see your tree! How nice that you still have so many treasures.

aquarian_insight on December 20, 2012:

Great ideas from you and Christmas Ann! Merry Christmas! *Blessed*

montanatravel52 on December 18, 2012:

Lovely ideas for decorating and getting the Holiday spirit in your home - I always have spent Christmas at "home" and that is special for me... as I grow older, I have become the hostess for the family and taken "mom's" role, so love your ideas, thanks for sharing!

Margaret Schindel from Massachusetts on December 18, 2012:

This is a wonderful and inspiring lens! I've been a Dept. 56 collector for many, many years as well and setting up the village along with my husband's train set (a vintage set from his uncle's childhood that he has been adding to for many years as well) is one of my favorite parts of decorating for the holidays...along with trimming the tree with decorations that I and my family have made over the course of five decades. Blessed!

Rosyel Sawali from Manila Philippines on December 18, 2012:

I love your photos! Lovely indeed! Merry Christmas! ^_^

yogibollc on December 16, 2012:

Nice suggestions

I have also an idea to decorate home with yogibo bean bags.visit :

http://www.squidoo.com/new-age-bean-bags

WriterJanis2 on December 14, 2012:

You have so many beautiful ideas here.

Fay Favored (author) from USA on December 12, 2012:

@SusanRDavis: I'll tell my sister. Have a Merry Christmas Susan.

Susan R. Davis from Vancouver on December 12, 2012:

I really enjoyed this lens. I love to decorate the home for Christmas and we put up the Santa Brigade (our Santa collection) yesterday. Thanks for these great ideas for decorating.

Camden1 on December 06, 2012:

Now I'm motivated to go get the rest of my Christmas decorations out. Thanks for the inspiration and great decorating tips!