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Young House Love » Our First House » Holiday Roundup: 18 Christmas Decorating Ideas & Projects

| By Sherry Petersik | December 23, 2009 | 54 Comments

Holiday Roundup: 18 Christmas Decorating Ideas & Projects

With Christmas right around the corner we thought we’d toss together a fun little roundup of a bunch of holiday projects (both old and new) that we’ve whipped up over our last three Christmases as bloggers. Let the festivus begin!

Our first stop is a fun table decorating post from last year. Here are just a few of our favorite seasonal set-ups (see more arrangements and additional details here):

Tablescape Table Runners Ch

Christmas Holiday Table Set

Setting The Table Creative

Here’s how we decorated our tree the last two years, full of tone on tone texture and gleaming metallics (see more pics and get more details here):

Img 9633

Img 9587

Img 9666

And here’s a little treat Martha Stewart my sweet hubby tossed together for us while we decorated back in ’08 (see the full “recipe” here):

Img 9474

These are some fun ornaments that we made last year with cheap and simple things like feathers, glue, and glitter. We love how airy and sweet they feel and how perfectly they fit in with the rest of our gleaming metallic ornaments (more deets and pics here):

Glass Ornament Craft Projec

Diy Holiday Crafts

Make Your Own Ornaments

And of course we have our Christmas tree from this year, chock full of new DIY ornaments like actual dried fruit slices and faux-lemons wired to the ends of some of the branches (see more photos and get the deets here).

Christmas Tree Citrus Decor

Christmas Green Orange

Here’s a fun little place card idea from last year using ornaments and a cheap paint pen to create a sweet personalized favor for your guests to take home (find more pics and info here):

Placesettingsmall

And here’s another way to use ornaments in unexpected ways. Just glue magnets to them and use ’em to display all of your holiday cards en masse on your fridge (find more details and photos here).

Fridgesmall

For a splash of winter white blooms, planting paperwhites is always simple and sweet (here’s a full tutorial with pics galore):

Flowering Paperwhite Bulbs

Here are some mossy and metallic side table creations that we whipped up with a cheap pack of craft store moss and a few silver ornaments (full details and more pics here):

Christmas Decor Decorating

Holiday Decorating Ideas Ch

And here’s an ornaments-meet-edibles idea that’s super easy for holiday entertaining (more details and pics here):

Christmas Ornaments Decorat

This is how we decorated our console table this year, with fun greenery and gleaming green ornaments along with a giant feather tree to really set the scene (more details and pics here):

Holiday Sparkle Console1

Holiday Sparkle Console2

Then we have our den which got decked out in a subtly seasonal wreath and some ornament-riddled hurricanes (more photos and details here):

Holiday Sparkle Den1

Holiday Sparkle Den3

And here’s the living room mantel all gussied up with ornament-topped candlesticks and DIY labeled stockings (more photos and details here):

Holiday Sparkle Fireplace1

Holiday Sparkle Fireplace2

Holiday Sparkle Fireplace3

So that does it for our fun and festive holiday roundup. We hope you’ve enjoyed this whirlwind tour of seasonal posts (both old and new) and we also hope that you have a fabulous time with your friends and family… whether you’re hosting or just showing up and getting fed! We still have posts planned for tomorrow and all of next week, so feel free to drop by between sips of eggnog.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

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Filed Under: Decorating, Holiday & Entertaining, Our First House

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Comments

  1. Avatar for RemodelaholicRemodelaholic says

    December 23, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Can you believe that it is Christmas eve, eve? This December just flew by!

    I love all your ideas especially those feather trees! They are beautiful!

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for SusieSusie says

    December 23, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Merry Christmas to you guys!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Kasey at Thrifty Little BlogKasey at Thrifty Little Blog says

    December 23, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Love the round-up! Looking at all of those beautiful images and ideas totally set the mood for the holiday weekend :).

    Reply
  4. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    December 23, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    I love that first table! Really love the fridge, too! I am a sucker for anything with bright colors. My husband just lovvves that.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    December 23, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    This post was a festivus miracle!! ;) Hahaha.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for KelseyKelsey says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Note to self: must get green feather tree!! I`d be tempted to leave it up year round though, it`s gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    I love your tree this year with all of the fruit! It’s really cute.

    (I also tried clicking the link to look at the hot cocoa recipe, but a pic of your living room popped up instead…)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 2:17 pm

      Hey Katie,

      Thanks for the heads up! All fixed.

      xo,
      s

  8. Avatar for CelesteCeleste says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    Love all your Christmas decor–thank you for the round up. I also love the music in the videos–I’ve been Googling “Anup” but havn’t had any luck finding anything-where did YHL find that lovely music?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 2:33 pm

      Hey Celeste,

      We love using music that’s “released” for public use (so we’re never caught inadvertently stealing anyone’s tunes). Here’s the site where we found the music for our tree decorating videos: http://www.hermann-uwe.de/blog/10-100-creative-commons-christmas-songs

      Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  9. Avatar for Mrs. AMrs. A says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    found your blog while searching for ideas for mine and my husband’s future home. We’ll be buying our first home shortly after the holidays and I was trying to think of Christmas decor I might want for next year and stumbled onto your blog. I’m looking forward to reading through your archives and reading future posts. I am most definitely a new follower.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 2:39 pm

      Welcome Mrs. A! So glad you found us. And good luck with your new home!

      xo,
      s (& j)

  10. Avatar for FJTranFJTran says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Love what you did with the paper whites! I planted some this year and they completely all fell over and I didn’t even think of something as simple as a ribbon to keep them up! Duh! I love it, beautiful.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for angelaangela says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    After seeing your hot cocoa pic, I ran out and bought some cute snowflake themed irish coffee mugs from target and some target brand mint hot cocoa mix and taught my hubby how to assemble the delicious treat, but instead of the chocolate shavings, he used red sprinkles for a festive though. very yummmmy!!!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Jacquelin HicksJacquelin Hicks says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    I love all of your holiday decor. it is so simple and chic. Thanks for all of the wonderful ideas!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for AnneAnne says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Love the festivus reference.

    Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    December 23, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    I have a question. From reading, I know you switched up the decorations since last year. I’m wondering, do you just hang on to everything you used before to eventually re-purpose? Specifically, I am talking about the tree ornaments. The switch from the white, feather-y stuff to the citrus decor is pretty drastic. I can’t tell if you used the same stuff again and just re-did it to fit the theme or if there is a vast cache of Christmas goodies stashed somewhere in your house, lol. What gives?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 3:11 pm

      Hey Amy,

      Good question! Thanks to our newly transformed basement we have two large green storage bins to accommodate holiday decor and a bunch of extra ones in the armoire down there (should we need them for our expanding ornament collection). We also love tossing silver ornaments into clam shells, vases, and even glass-based lamps… so any silver ones that didn’t make it onto the tree this year just got displayed elsewhere. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  15. Avatar for Lisa MLisa M says

    December 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    I love your site, even though I have owned a home for 28 years. It is awesome to get fresh ideas! I made your dried orange sliced ornaments this year and passed it on to a few people who also made them! I love how the lights shine behind the oranges. Unfortunately, my golden retriever (who drools when we eat oranges) ate the bottom row off the tree. Oh well…I guess she deserves a nice Christmas too.

    Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Jackie SmithJackie Smith says

    December 23, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Every year, I shop for some new stuff after Christmas to get great deals. This year I have my eye on so many things from an antique mall close by! They had so much- every color tree imaginable, vintage ornaments, etc. Who would’ve thought?

    Reply
  17. Avatar for MrsLimestoneMrsLimestone says

    December 23, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    Everything looks fabulous. Have a really merry Christmas!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Danielle@Newlywed Paradise[email protected] Paradise says

    December 23, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    I have to say, even though both were pretty, I love love love the tree you decorated this year! The color is fab in the room!

    Great ideas! Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for kristykristy says

    December 23, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    Hello! I’m a new reader and found your ever so lovely blog from ‘Times Online’ Cute cute Christmas decorating ideas.

    Merry Christmas (all the way from England!)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks so much Kristy! So glad you found us. And happy holidays right back atcha, all the way from the states!

      xo,
      s

  20. Avatar for EmalieEmalie says

    December 23, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    everything is beautiful! is that a christmas card with burger on your fridge? do you have a close-up?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 5:16 pm

      Good eye! Here’s a link to a close-up of our DIY Burger card. Poor guy has to put up with a lot, but at least it was Photoshop and not actual antler and nose wearing!

      https://www.younghouselove.com/rudolph-sighting/

      xo,
      s

  21. Avatar for Emily A. ClarkEmily A. Clark says

    December 23, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    What a beautiful little Christmas house you have. So inviting! Other background details I loved–the big framed P in your living room and the horns on the mantle in the den. Perfect!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for KeeleyKeeley says

    December 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Your home is so beautiful! You inspired me to go out and replace our gold decorations with silver… today! Fortunately, everything was 70% off! Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 23, 2009 at 6:29 pm

      Thanks Emily! Here’s a link that shows how you can make your own magazine monogram, just like the one above our console table!

      https://www.younghouselove.com/how-to-make-a-magazine-monogram

      xo,
      s

  23. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    December 23, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    Saw this and it IMMEDIATELY made me think of you guys:

    http://thecreativeplace.blogspot.com/2009/10/tuesday-tutorial-paper-lantern.html

    They’re cheap (or free, if you use paper you already have!) and you can display them year-round (if you don’t use obviously holiday paper) or if you do, they pack flat!

    Anyway.. keep up the great work! Love reading here!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for 2828 says

    December 23, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    You guys never cease to amaze me! I love the brighty, citrusy ornaments and that white wreath on the mantel is really cool.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for Live a Colorful LifeLive a Colorful Life says

    December 23, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    Really amazing ideas. Almost makes me want to redo things this year. Almost. I will save these great ideas for next year.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for CherylCheryl says

    December 23, 2009 at 11:42 pm

    Beautiful! I especially love the homemade ornaments and the ornament magnets:) Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for SuSuSuSu says

    December 24, 2009 at 12:03 am

    Just read that the Times UK has rated your blog as one of the best in the design world! Congratulations – what a great Christmas present!

    Have a very Merry Christmas and keep up all the good work!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 24, 2009 at 12:05 am

      Thanks SuSu! We’re still piching ourselves over here! So exciting.

      xo,
      s

  28. Avatar for Sugared HarpySugared Harpy says

    December 24, 2009 at 12:29 am

    Gorgeous! I love the look of paperwhites, but found out one year that I totally think they smell like urine. Sad!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for CeceliaCecelia says

    December 24, 2009 at 9:15 am

    My favorite tablescape is your green and white one.

    So fresh and pretty! Lovely as Alpine snow!

    I saw those feather trees in Target last year and could kick myself for not grabbing one in every color!

    I love the silver and white fairy land Christmas you’ve had for the past couple of years, but the citrus one you’ve got going on now is so festive and must make your house smell like Christmas.

    Merry Christmas and thanks for your terrifically entertaining and informative blog!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for micaela @ hishouse;herhelp.micaela @ hishouse;herhelp. says

    December 24, 2009 at 11:05 am

    i NEED one of those white feather trees! where did you get it?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 24, 2009 at 11:11 am

      Hey Micaela,

      We actually grabbed ours at a local shop last year (called Buford Rd Pharmacy here in Richmond) but we’ve since seen similar versions at places like Target, TJ Maxx and even on ebay. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  31. Avatar for KyleyKyley says

    December 26, 2009 at 11:24 pm

    It would be awesome if you did a post sometime about different ways to display holiday cards. I’m always at a loss of what to do with mine….that is “different”.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 27, 2009 at 9:43 am

      Hey Kyley,

      Thanks for the idea! We actually created the ornament magnets in the post above to show how cards could be displayed on a fridge with a bit of cohesion (thanks to the matching ornament magnets). A few other ideas would be Pinned up on a bulletin board, taped to a ribbon draped over a door or a curtain rod, or even displayed under the glass of a coffee table or clear glass tray. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  32. Avatar for LibbyLibby says

    December 27, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    This is my first visit to your blog and I just had to say how much I loved your Christmas decorating videos. Thanks for taking the time to make them. Your home is absolutely beautiful and I look forward to exploring your blog some more.

    Libby

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 27, 2009 at 5:39 pm

      Hey Libby,

      Thanks so much for the kind words! We’re so glad you found us!

      xo,
      s

  33. Avatar for RuthRuth says

    December 27, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    I love the decorations. They are beautiful!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for Melissa WellingtonMelissa Wellington says

    December 30, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    I LOVE your videos… how fun! How did you do that? :) All your decorations looked great, of course! And I must say, Sherry, I’m very impressed that you did all that bending and moving on video without showing any skin… that’s hard to do in maternity clothes! :) Merry late Christmas & happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 30, 2009 at 11:51 pm

      Hey Melissa,

      As for how we make our videos, we film them on our Flip Mino camera (here’s the same one on sale on Amazon) and then we edit them with iMovie 09 (which came free with our MacBook). That’s how we speed things up and add music. It takes a while (and a bit of getting used to) but we love working with it to put together fun little videos to share. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  35. Avatar for BelindaBelinda says

    January 18, 2010 at 1:51 am

    You may have already answered this before but what do you do with the Christmas cards you guys receive? I haven’t seen any photos that display anything that resembles a Christmas card.

    B :)

    Reply
  36. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    November 14, 2010 at 11:25 am

    Hey Guys!
    I know this is an old post but I was wondering where you got your Christmas stockings? I’m looking for something similar- something not too busy and I love yours!
    Thanks!!
    Megan

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 14, 2010 at 11:43 am

      Target! Love them.

      xo,
      s

  37. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    December 7, 2010 at 10:06 am

    I know this is an older post but I just have a question about your fridge. I noticed its magnetic, but my Stainless steel fridge is not magnetic. Do you know why that is?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 7, 2010 at 10:21 am

      We have no idea why some are and some aren’t! Ours is but we’ve seen some that aren’t!

      xo,
      s

  38. Avatar for ShirleyShirley says

    April 23, 2011 at 11:27 am

    I just discovered your blog last week and I am hooked. I get on your blog as soon as I can after my work day and I cannot stop at night and go to sleep. Keep up the good work. Can you tell me where you got the table runners with vine-like flowers that you used in your holiday decor??

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 23, 2011 at 3:54 pm

      Those were from Pottery Barn a while back. Maybe try eBay?

      xo,
      s

  39. Avatar for EFritzEFritz says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    I am thinking of Christmas 2012 a little early. I started with Halloween decorations and worked my way to Christmas :) This are some wonderful ideas! Thanks for gathering all the ideas up!

    Reply

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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