5 Christmas Decorating Tips For a Fun & Festive Holiday

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I’ll proudly admit it. We are “that family.” And I’m not quite sure if the early onset of holiday enthusiasm can be attributed to the size of our brood (the more kids, the more holiday spirit), or if mom is simply smitten by transforming the house into a festive wonderland once again. Truth be told, I am the kind of mom who looks forward to decking the halls all year long, so the earlier the stockings go up and lights start twinkling, the sooner we’ll feel the magic.

Last year, my friend bought an apartment and was asking me how she should decorate for the holidays. It’s my favorite time of the year and there are so many things you can do to decorate. I am such a sucker for the holidays, so when Pottery Barn from Westfield UTC had stopped by to give me the following Christmas decorating tips and ideas, I was tickled pink.

Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names. But male reindeer shed their antlers in winter, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are more than likely female.

Use What You Have For Decorating

Yes, you heard that right. My friends at Pottery Barn say that it’s okay to use what you have. We all know that it’s not realistic to purchase the entire holiday catalog, and I’m here to tell you that integrating Christmas decor from years past can still bring the WOW factor.

Buying items to complement what you already have is the best way to go. A simple solution to making your living space look festive is replacing worn pillows with oversized ones, furry throws and decorating the mantle. We also decided to add pieces to the coffee table, which for many years, served as Grand Central Station for my kids’ toy trains and now sits bare.

America’s first batch of eggnog was made in the Jamestown settlement in 1607. Its name comes from the word “grog,” meaning any drink made with rum.

Decorate Your Bedroom & The Guest Bedroom

We might not get many guests this year, but I still wanted to make my master bedroom and the guestroom have that holiday feel. Of course, the girls over at Pottery Barn from Westfield UTC had the solution without breaking the bank. Bedrooms are the one place that many people forget to decorate. I didn’t realize this could be done without buying bedding.

For the master, we added garland, a vintage sign and a few festive oversized pillows. The furry throw really warmed up the space and decorating the nightstands with Christmas trinkets was a great tip! Nightstands are the perfect place to recycle old ornaments and any festive trees or Santas. I also added a sparse little Christmas tree in the corner of my room (remember, Charlie Brown?) and it truly completed the space.

For the guestroom I did the same, keeping the current bedding, adding just a few festive and cozy pillows, a throw and mini trees to the nightstands and entryway.

The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is donated to the people of London every year by the people of Oslo, Norway in thanks for their assistance during World War II.

Add Wreaths & Garlands

In the coming weeks, wreaths and garlands are going to be on sale! And that means it’s the best time to stock up on as many as you can! In addition to my front door, I like to add them down the stairs and on my rustic barn doors to my master bedroom.

I love live greenery, but faux wreathes and garlands can be a little easier to work with and will last a lot longer! Pick and choose your favorite, or what works best with your current theme and pieces you already have, then add your fresh elements around the house! Greenery is great around the entry and doors as it helps to bring the outdoors in.

Check out all my Christmas decorating ideas on the City Girl Gone Mom Pinterest board!

Use Ornaments As Place Settings

The best way to enjoy your dining space is to keep your table set for the month (or two!). I have my children eat on the island most days. But when we do choose to sit at the dining table, it’s magical and festive for any meal.

A fun tip from the folks over at Pottery Barn is to use a Christmas ornament when decorating a place setting. In the past we’ve used photo ornaments and bells, even paper ornaments my littles crafted! My kids loved this idea and guests love the little surprise of going home with something so precious.

Santa Claus would have to travel at more than the speed of light to deliver gifts to all the kids in the world. He would have only 31 hours (considering all the time zones) to get the job done.

Set The Table As If You’re Hosting Queen Elizabeth

The saying is true, “More is more.” And when it comes to a festive table, twinkling lights and sparkle bring the magic. To get that “WOW” factor, you have to think in layers. A furry placemat is a great place to start. Pottery Barn used two-layered and perfectly stacked chargers to set the tableware.

The center of the table is adorned with two pieces of garland and lights. And using two different styles of Christmas trees is the perfect way to set the tabletop holiday stage. The birch trees light up, and thankfully for the five-hour timer, I don’t have to worry about turning anything off! With Pottery Barn’s help, the Schaffer Chateau is #winning this holiday season!

Have you listened to my podcast? Check out The Mom Confidential!

Coca-Cola was the first company that used Santa Claus during the holiday season for promotion.

Home For The Holidays

Almost every year, we travel back to NYC to celebrate the holidays with family. But with four kids and three dogs, it’s a blessing to stay put for once. Especially when it feels as beautiful and festive as this! As our home has a neutral slate, I love how the earth tones of Pottery Barn’s selection complement the natural palette of our home.

From the fur placemats to the natural chargers, birch candles, and various decorative tree options, the simplicity of nature prevails. Decorating with little pops of reds and greens, along with fun lighting really unifies the Christmas look. I hope these decorating tips inspire you to have a merry and bright Christmas this year!

Almost 28 sets of LEGO are sold every second during the Christmas season.