Stress-Free Christmas Decorating Ideas and Tips for the Holiday Home

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, but many people report feeling less than upbeat during this time of year. In fact, Thumbtack research shows that 58% of Americans feel stressed when thinking about vacation. At least 25% consider preparing for the holidays (cleaning, putting things in order) as their main source of stress. In addition, 10% say decorating their home is a major source of stress for them, and 25% have been injured while installing or removing decorations.

On the other hand, some people rent and complain that their holiday decorating efforts are limited.

Kendra Sinclair, home design trends expert at Thumbtack, recommends using what you have. “Use your everyday home decor as a base and add a few holiday touches here and there,” she says. “You don’t have to overhaul your space to bring in the holiday spirit.”

Whether you hate decorating, are too busy to fully decorate, or live in an apartment and are looking for ways to express the holiday spirit, here are some quick and easy Christmas decorating ideas and tips that won’t take up much time. , energy or money.

Turn on the greens

According to Kathleen Gruver of Virginia-based Gruver Cooley Interiors, greenery can go a long way toward creating a festive atmosphere. “Place it on your dining table, fireplace and/or light fixture to instantly make your space feel more festive,” she says. “You can use a trick if you don’t want to clean up, or use extra branches from your house. yard or Christmas tree.”

Create a festive entrance

If you’re decorating just one space in the house, consider the entryway. “The holidays are the perfect time to greet guests with a festive entrance,” explains Imani Keel is a tenant-centered design expert at Yale Home. She recommends adding a holiday wreath to your door and/or a holiday rug out front.

Decorate with ornaments

Christopher Grubb, president of the design group Arch-Interiors in Beverly Hills, recommends placing decorations in clear cylindrical vases. Another idea: If you have a lot of decorations, Grubb says, you can weave them into a garland. “To add sentimentality, I used my mother’s and grandmother’s costume jewelry as jewelry,” he says.

And Keel suggests making your own jewelry. “You can buy clear plastic ornaments at 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 it’s hanging around your home or on a tree. Plus, she says they make great personalized and inexpensive gifts.

Set the festive table

The dining table is another place to create a festive atmosphere. “Use two solid colors (red and green, silver and gold, solid and festive) and twist/wrap them together to create a unique runner on your table or buffet,” advises Grubb. “It’s more interesting than a traditional runner, and the candles add a beautiful touch.”

Additionally, if you have a chandelier, Grubb recommends adding shades with a holiday pattern, then using tablecloths and candles to complement the shade colors. And here’s a unique idea: “Change up place cards: Write your guest’s name by inserting them into decorations that hold photos or picture frames,” says Grubb.

Dress up the bar cart

Keele recommends turning your bar cart into a mini winter wonderland. “Use festive glassware, a bowl of cranberries for decoration, and a small vase of evergreen branches—and get bonus points if you add garlands or fake snow for a whimsical look.

Include holiday linens

A festive bed can become a bright accent. “Mix up holiday blankets, bedding and pillows—think dark greens, plaid, or cozy flannel,” says Keele. She recommends mixing patterns, such as tartan sheets paired with a solid-colored blanket, and says velvet accents can also add a luxurious, cozy feel. “Pair blankets or pillows in jewel tones like emerald, sapphire or burgundy paired with gold to create the perfect holiday ambiance.”

Change pillows

Groomer likes the idea of ​​changing throw pillows or pillowcases. “Pillows are such an easy way to change the feel of your space to be more lounge-oriented, and you can easily change the pillowcases seasonally to change up the look without breaking the bank.”

Use wall art

Replacing some of your wall art with festive ones is another easy way to decorate for the holidays. Additionally, Keele recommends making your own Christmas card. “String cards from friends and family onto twine using mini clothespins to create a heartfelt, personal gallery wall for holiday cheer and personality,” she says.

And Keel has one more piece of advice: go home. “Do as restaurants do during the holidays and wrap wall art in holiday wrapping paper,” she says.

Bring on the holiday scents

You can also create a Christmas atmosphere with scents. Keel recommends investing in a favorite candle that has a festive look and smell. “It’s the easiest way to make your entire space feel cozy.” She also loves programmable aroma diffusers that emit holiday scents like cinnamon, pine or clove.

Groover recommends flameless candles. “I love how cozy they can make a space feel, and that you can set them on a timer to start when it starts to get dark.

See the wonderland outside your window

If you don’t want to hang decor on the walls, Keel says, you can use windows. “Tags, 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 adventurous or still need a little touch-up, Sue Kim, Valspar’s director of color marketing, has some great ideas. “Traditionally during the holiday season we tend to see a lot of red, green, blue and metallic colors.” She recommends simple designs that use colors that will either contrast with those holiday hues or serve as the perfect backdrop to let those metallics shine.

“One simple project is to paint a pot using cabinetry and furniture in a color that contrasts with the red of the poinsettia or the blues of the fir.” Light purple colors combine the warm and cool undertones of traditional holiday colors, adding a refreshing touch to the winter season. “If you’re considering painting your door, Valspar Green Garlands pairs well with potted greenery, a seasonal wreath and a green patterned rug.”

Here are some of the items that will help you decorate your home easily.

Raise the Christmas tree

If you’re nervous about putting up a Christmas tree, consider the Hammacher Schlemmer Decorative Retractable Christmas Tree. It is 6 feet tall and has 567 branch tips with dark green needles. The tree is also pre-equipped with 200 bulbs and can be set up in seconds.

Wreath and rug

This Snowey Pincone Pre-Lit LED Wreath from the Company Store can be used outdoors on your front door, indoors as a centerpiece, or hung on a wall. Realistic pine cones covered with artificial snow. There are also 35 pre-strung LED lights. The wreath runs on 3AA batteries.

The Holiday Coir is available in two sizes (18 x 30 inches and 24 x 36 inches). It is handcrafted from natural coir, a durable fiber made from coconut shells. The rug is also fade resistant.

Holiday bedding

The rich color of the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet and Duvet Cover Set will add luxurious comfort to any bedroom. Made from premium 100% viscose bamboo fabric, the sheet set includes a top sheet, a fitted sheet and two pillowcases. Suitable for both regular mattresses and deep pocket mattresses. The Bamboo duvet cover is also made from 100% viscose bamboo, and the silky material is also temperature regulating. The duvet cover has internal snap closures and a hidden zipper at the bottom.

Another option is the Bedsure Linen and Cotton Duvet Cover Set in Green. The set is made of 55% cotton and 45% linen, breathable and moisture-wicking. The pre-washed set is also soft and lightweight. The green Sherpa Christmas Penguin blanket can be used to layer bedding or thrown on a sofa or chair. The material is warm and machine washable and dryable.

Easy Peasy Holiday Lights

Decorate your backyard with holiday lights with Linkind StarRay Solar Outdoor Lights. The nine fixed colors include red, green, orange, yellow, blue, cyan, violet, warm white, cool white and color cycle mode. Waterproof, battery-powered flashlights last 12 hours on a single charge. Linkind also makes TV lights to create a festive atmosphere in your entertainment center.

The eufy indoor floor lamp E10 is a compact lamp that delivers up to 1,700 lumens of brightness and features RGB LEDs in cool and warm white to help you find the holiday shades that suit you. The durable base also won’t wobble and can tilt up to 25 degrees. The lamp can also be controlled via a smartphone, allowing you to easily adjust colors, brightness and select holiday settings, and the lamp can also be controlled using Alexa and Google Assistant.