The holiday season should be a time of joy, but many people report feeling less than elated this time of year. In fact, a Thumbtack survey reveals that 58% of Americans stress out when thinking about the holidays. At least 25% identify preparing for the holidays (cleaning, organizing) as their major source of stress. Also, 10% say decorating the home is their top stressor – and 25% have suffered injuries while either putting up or taking down decorations.
On the other hand, some people are renters, and lament that they are limited in their holiday decorating efforts.
Kendra Sinclair, Thumbtack’s home design trends expert recommending using what you have. “Use your everyday home decor as a foundation and add a few festive touches here and there,” she says. “You don’t need to overhaul your space to bring in the holiday spirit.”
Whether you hate decorating, you’re too busy for full-blown decorations, or you’re an apartment dweller looking for ways to express the holiday spirit, these are some quick and easy Christmas decoration ideas and tips that won’t take much time, energy, or money.
Incorporate Greenery
According to Cathleen Gruver of Virginia-based Gruver Cooley Interiors, greenery can do a long way toward creating a festive environment. “Incorporate it on a dining table, mantle, and/or a light fixture to instantly make your space more festive,” she says.“You can go faux if you don’t want to deal with cleanup, or use extra branches from your yard or Christmas tree.”
Create A Festive Entryway
If you only decorate one space in your home, consider the entryway. “The holidays are the perfect time to welcome guests with a festive entryway,” explains Imani Keal, renter-friendly design expert at Yale Home. She recommends adding a holiday-themed wreath to your door and/or a holiday-themed doormat out front.
Decorate with Ornaments
Christopher Grubb, president of Arch-Interiors Design Group in Beverly Hills, recommends putting ornaments in clear cylindrical vases. Another idea: if you have an abundance of ornaments, Grubb says you can wire them into garland. “For a sentimental touch, I’ve used my mother’s and grandmother’s costume jewelry as ornaments,” he says.
And Keal suggests making DIY ornaments. “You can get clear plastic ornaments from a craft store and fill them with anything from fake snow to glitter or little holiday trinkets,” she says. “It’s a great way to personalize your space, whether that’s hanging around your home, or on a tree. In addition, she says they make great personalized and inexpensive gifts.
Set A Festive Table
The dining room table is another place to create a festive environment. “Use two solid fabrics (red and green, silver and gold, solid and holiday patterns) and twist/wrap them together to create a unique runner on your table or buffet,” advises Grubb. “It is more interesting than a traditional runner, and candles mixed in add a beautiful touch.”
Also, if you have a chandelier, Grubb recommends adding shades with a holiday pattern, and then using table linens and candles that complement colors in the shades. And here’s a unique idea: “A twist on having place cards, write in your guest’s name, inserting them into ornaments that hold photos or photo frames,” Grubb says.
Dress Up The Bar Cart
Keal recommends transforming your bar cart into a mini winter wonderland. “Use festive glassware, a bowl of cranberries for garnish, and a small vase of evergreen branches – and bonus points if you mix in some string lights or faux snow for a whimsical touch.
Incorporate Festive Bedding
A festive bed can serve as a statement piece. “Mix in festive blankets, bedding, and pillows—think deep greens, plaids, or cozy flannels,” Keal says. She recommends a mix of patterns, like tartan sheets paired with a solid-colored blanket, and says velvet accents can also add a layer of opulence and coziness. “Go big with blankets or throw pillows in jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire, or burgundy paired with gold for perfect holiday vibes.”
Swap Out Pillows
Gruver likes the idea of swapping out throw pillows or pillow covers. “Pillows are such an easy way to change the feel of your space to be more holiday-centric – and you can easily rotate your pillow covers for the season to change the look, without a hefty price tag.”
Use Wall Art
Swapping out some of your wall art for festive choices is another easy way to decorate the holidays. Also, Keal recommends a DIY Christmas card display. “String-up cards from friends and family on twine using mini clothespins to create a heartwarming, personal gallery wall for holiday cheer and personality,” she says.
And Keal has another tip: Home. “Do like restaurants do during the holidays and wrap your wall art with festive wrapping paper,” she says.
Bring In Holiday Scents
You can also bring in the Christmas spirit using fragrances. Keal recommends splurging on your favorite candle that has a festive looks and smell. “It’s the easiest way to cozy up your whole space.” She also loves programmable fragrance diffusers that release holiday scents like cinnamon, pine, or cloves.
Gruver recomends flameless candles. “I love how cozy they can make a space feel and that you can put them on a timer to turn on when it starts to get dark.
Consider A Window Wonderland
If you don’t want to hang decor on the walls, Keal says you can use your windows. “Clings, removable decals, and suction-cup hooks are all renter-friendly ways to decorate your windows – and add fun both inside and out.
Experiment With Paint
If you’re feeling more adventurous – or need to do some touch-up painting anyway, Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, has some great ideas. “Traditionally, we tend to see a lot of red, green, blue, and metallics throughout the holiday season.” She recommends simple projects that use color that will either pop against these holiday hues or serve as the perfect backdrop to let these metallics shine.
“One easy project is to paint a planter using cabinet and furniture in a color that will pop against a red poinsettia or the blue undertones of a spruce tree.” Light purples pull the warm and cool shades of traditional holiday colors while adding a touch of refreshing shades through the winter season. “If you’re considering painting your door, the Valspar Green Garlands color works well against potted ever greens, a seasonal wreath, and green patterned doormat.”
These are some of the items that can help you easily decorate your home.
Pull Up Christmas Tree
If you dread putting up your Christmas tree, consider the Hammacher Schlemmer Decoratable Pull Up Christmas Tree. It’s 6 feet tall and has 567 branch tips with dark green needles. The tree is also pre-strung with 200 incandescent lights, and can be set up in just seconds.
Wreath and Doormat
This Pre-Lit Snowey Pincone LED Wreath from The Company Store can be used outdoors on the front door, or indoors as a centerpiece or to hang on a wall. The lifelike pine cones are frosted with faux snow. There are also 35 pre-strung LED lights. The wreath operates with 3AA batteries.
The Holiday Coir Doormat is available in two sizes (18 inches x 30 inches, and 24 inches x 36 inches). It’s handcrafted of natural coir, which is a durable fiber made from coconut husks. The doormat is also fade-resistant.
Festive Bedding
The luscious color of the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set and Duvet Cover Set adds luxurious comfort to any bedroom. Made of 100% premium viscose from bamboo fabric, the sheet set includes a top sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. It can fit both regular and deep pocket mattresses. The Bamboo Duvet Cover is also made of 100% viscose from bamboo, and the silky material is also temperature-regulating. The duvet cover has interior snap closures and concealed bottom zip closure.
Another option is the Bedsure Linen Cotton Duvet Cover Set in forest green. Made of 55% cotton and 45% linen, the set is breathable and moisture-wicking. The pre-washed set is also soft and lightweight. The Christmas Penguin Green Sherpa Throw Blanket can be used to layer bedding or tossed across a sofa or chair. The material is warm and can be machine washed and dried.
Easy Peasy Holiday Lights
Incorporate holiday lights in your driveway backyard with the Linkind StarRay Solar Outdoor Lights. The 9 fixed colors include red, green, orange, yellow, blue, cyan, purple, warm white, cool white and a color cycle mode. The waterproof, battery-operated lights last for 12 hours on a single charge. Linkind also makes TV lights to create a festive vibe around your entertainment center.
The eufy Indoor Floor Lamp E10 is a space-saving lamp that produces up to 1700 lumens of brightness and incorporates RGB, cool, and warm white LEDS so you can find the right festive hues. The heavy-duty base is also wobble-free and can be tilted up to 25 degrees. The lamp can also be controlled via smartphone, which makes it easy to customize colors, brightness, and select holiday presets – and the lamp can be controlled via Alexa and Google Assistant as well.
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