21 Adorable Christmas Decorating Ideas
'Tis the season to get festive and add cute Christmas decor to your home. Look no further for inspiration than here
Emily Hutchinson
11 December 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
This time of year is all about the home and making it a warm, inviting and merry place to be. Why not make this season’s decor extra special with a cute DIY, or resourceful outside-the-box ideas? Here are 21 of the most adorable Christmas decorating ideas that would even bring a smile to Scrooge’s face.
1. Use branches as your tree
This homeowner has ditched the classic Christmas tree and opted for a more minimalist look. Next time you’re out on a walk, collect a number of branches that are around the same height, shape them into the form of a Christmas tree and string them together for a Scandi-style look.
This homeowner has ditched the classic Christmas tree and opted for a more minimalist look. Next time you’re out on a walk, collect a number of branches that are around the same height, shape them into the form of a Christmas tree and string them together for a Scandi-style look.
2. Make your own wreath
Add to the festive vibe by making a fresh wreath to hang on your door. This one by Rhiannon Smith from San Francisco’s Farmgirl Flowers is perfect to greet visitors with.
Find out how to make this pretty wreath
Add to the festive vibe by making a fresh wreath to hang on your door. This one by Rhiannon Smith from San Francisco’s Farmgirl Flowers is perfect to greet visitors with.
Find out how to make this pretty wreath
3. Customise your wrapping paper
Nothing says you’ve put a lot of thought into Christmas more than when you design your own wrapping paper. Personalise the gifts you give by drawing on plain paper, or even attaching photos to the parcels, as this crafty gift giver has done.
See more inspiring ways with gift wrapping
Nothing says you’ve put a lot of thought into Christmas more than when you design your own wrapping paper. Personalise the gifts you give by drawing on plain paper, or even attaching photos to the parcels, as this crafty gift giver has done.
See more inspiring ways with gift wrapping
4. Roll out your own decorations
For a fun activity with the kids, try making some ceramic decorations to hang on your tree. You can paint them, or leave them white for a more sophisticated look. The pieces pictured were made from white air-dried clay. To complete the look, add ribbons through the holes at the top and tie into a festive bow.
For a fun activity with the kids, try making some ceramic decorations to hang on your tree. You can paint them, or leave them white for a more sophisticated look. The pieces pictured were made from white air-dried clay. To complete the look, add ribbons through the holes at the top and tie into a festive bow.
5. Spell it out
Another cute idea for items to hang on the Christmas tree are these decorations made from Scrabble tiles. If you have an old set lying around – or even better if you can pick one up at an op-shop – just drill a small hole vertically all the way through each tile, then string them together to create festive words such as ‘joy’ or ‘noel’. Extra points if you spell out international festivities. Happy Kwanzaa everyone!
Another cute idea for items to hang on the Christmas tree are these decorations made from Scrabble tiles. If you have an old set lying around – or even better if you can pick one up at an op-shop – just drill a small hole vertically all the way through each tile, then string them together to create festive words such as ‘joy’ or ‘noel’. Extra points if you spell out international festivities. Happy Kwanzaa everyone!
6. Show-off your card collection
Sometimes a Christmas greeting card can be a true work of art. Instead of tucking them away in a drawer, show them off as an extra layer of decor. This homeowner has used a pinboard decked out in festive colours to curate her own Christmas card display.
Sometimes a Christmas greeting card can be a true work of art. Instead of tucking them away in a drawer, show them off as an extra layer of decor. This homeowner has used a pinboard decked out in festive colours to curate her own Christmas card display.
7. Bake presents
If you’re a bit low on cash this time of year, it may be time to get baking! Mince pies, gingerbread and fruit cake are all perfect gifts for those with a seasonal sweet tooth. Why not pick up some pretty baskets and make up some tasty hampers for your nearest and dearest, packed full of homemade goodies.
If you’re a bit low on cash this time of year, it may be time to get baking! Mince pies, gingerbread and fruit cake are all perfect gifts for those with a seasonal sweet tooth. Why not pick up some pretty baskets and make up some tasty hampers for your nearest and dearest, packed full of homemade goodies.
8. Make your home smell festive
Walking through the door and smelling Christmas in the air is a magical thing – fresh fir and gingerbread are my nostalgic scents. To have the whole house smell cheery, make your own Christmas-scented candles – you can also give them away as gifts.
Discover how to make your own soy scented candles
Walking through the door and smelling Christmas in the air is a magical thing – fresh fir and gingerbread are my nostalgic scents. To have the whole house smell cheery, make your own Christmas-scented candles – you can also give them away as gifts.
Discover how to make your own soy scented candles
9. Deck the roof
Don’t stop at the tree when hanging Christmas decorations. If you have exposed beams as seen in this house, add some red and green baubles to them so that every bit of your house celebrates the holidays.
Don’t stop at the tree when hanging Christmas decorations. If you have exposed beams as seen in this house, add some red and green baubles to them so that every bit of your house celebrates the holidays.
10. Look to the planter box
If you are thinking about changing the flowers in your planter box this time of year, you could opt for a Christmas theme. Trimmings from the tree, a touch of red and some silver baubles are all you’ll need for a traditional-style display.
If you are thinking about changing the flowers in your planter box this time of year, you could opt for a Christmas theme. Trimmings from the tree, a touch of red and some silver baubles are all you’ll need for a traditional-style display.
11. Decorate the bannister
Another spot in the house you may not have thought to decorate is the bannister. A very simple addition of green Christmas tree trimmings is a cheap and cheerful decorating option.
Another spot in the house you may not have thought to decorate is the bannister. A very simple addition of green Christmas tree trimmings is a cheap and cheerful decorating option.
12. A European-style Christmas
Who knew wooden blocks had so much potential as Christmas decor? Shaped into little houses with a hole to hold a taper candle, these pieces give a certain European feel to the design.
Who knew wooden blocks had so much potential as Christmas decor? Shaped into little houses with a hole to hold a taper candle, these pieces give a certain European feel to the design.
13. Look at new ways to use leftover corks
Waste not, want not – in the centre of their Christmas display, this homeowner has set a small and simple reindeer ornament made from leftover corks. After you’ve had a few festive bevvies with friends, save the stoppers from the wine bottles and deck them out as low-cost but charming decorations.
Waste not, want not – in the centre of their Christmas display, this homeowner has set a small and simple reindeer ornament made from leftover corks. After you’ve had a few festive bevvies with friends, save the stoppers from the wine bottles and deck them out as low-cost but charming decorations.
14. Add some greenery
If you prefer fake as opposed to fresh when it comes to your tree and decorations, you can still add some greenery to the walls of your house with some fake vines. Most discount shops sell them in bunches, and they look their best draped around doorways.
If you prefer fake as opposed to fresh when it comes to your tree and decorations, you can still add some greenery to the walls of your house with some fake vines. Most discount shops sell them in bunches, and they look their best draped around doorways.
15. Try a mini tree
Grab some small branches and twigs from the garden, set them in a small vase and hang some jewels or small ornaments from them for a glamorous looking tree in miniature form.
Grab some small branches and twigs from the garden, set them in a small vase and hang some jewels or small ornaments from them for a glamorous looking tree in miniature form.
16. Craft some snowflakes
There’s an art to it, but cutting snowflakes out of paper can be both a fun DIY and thoughtful decor. It may be 30 degrees outside, but we can still pretend the weather outside is frightful.
There’s an art to it, but cutting snowflakes out of paper can be both a fun DIY and thoughtful decor. It may be 30 degrees outside, but we can still pretend the weather outside is frightful.
17. Make snowflakes from sticks
For some cheap but cheerful wall decor this season, red-painted paddlepop sticks or red straws are easily crafted into beautiful snowflakes, which can then be hung around your home. Because both sticks and straws are quite lightweight, you can make large decorations with them that are still quite easy to hang. Try them in different colours too, to suit your home decor or Christmas decorating scheme.
For some cheap but cheerful wall decor this season, red-painted paddlepop sticks or red straws are easily crafted into beautiful snowflakes, which can then be hung around your home. Because both sticks and straws are quite lightweight, you can make large decorations with them that are still quite easy to hang. Try them in different colours too, to suit your home decor or Christmas decorating scheme.
18. Greet Santa with chalk
Sending messages to Santa can be hard for the kids – he’s in the North Pole for 364 days of the year and when he does drop by, it’s bed time! With a cute chalkboard little ones can write their messages on, they can still make him feel welcome, even if they’re not around to catch a glimpse.
How to make a country-style blackboard
Sending messages to Santa can be hard for the kids – he’s in the North Pole for 364 days of the year and when he does drop by, it’s bed time! With a cute chalkboard little ones can write their messages on, they can still make him feel welcome, even if they’re not around to catch a glimpse.
How to make a country-style blackboard
19. Use wrapping paper for bunting
After all the presents are wrapped, there somehow always seems to be those awkwardly shaped clippings of paper left over. Instead of throwing them away, cut cute messages out of the scraps and hang them on the wall as Christmas bunting.
After all the presents are wrapped, there somehow always seems to be those awkwardly shaped clippings of paper left over. Instead of throwing them away, cut cute messages out of the scraps and hang them on the wall as Christmas bunting.
20. Paint some festive artwork
This ombre tree mural can be a fun replacement for the real deal, especially if you don’t have the funds for a fir or a convincing fake. All you need is some butcher’s paper, some paint – get creative with the colours for something truly unique – and a touch of Christmas magic. Even better, this tree can be simply rolled up at the end of the season and packed away until next year. Too easy!
This ombre tree mural can be a fun replacement for the real deal, especially if you don’t have the funds for a fir or a convincing fake. All you need is some butcher’s paper, some paint – get creative with the colours for something truly unique – and a touch of Christmas magic. Even better, this tree can be simply rolled up at the end of the season and packed away until next year. Too easy!
21. Hang unique Christmas stockings
Making a Christmas stocking from brown paper and a statement paint colour is the perfect modern take on the traditional. If you want stockings that can be stuffed, however, why not try crafting them from hessian or calico for a similarly contemporary look.
TELL US
What adorable Christmas decorations have you used this season? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Read through some great DIY projects
Making a Christmas stocking from brown paper and a statement paint colour is the perfect modern take on the traditional. If you want stockings that can be stuffed, however, why not try crafting them from hessian or calico for a similarly contemporary look.
TELL US
What adorable Christmas decorations have you used this season? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Read through some great DIY projects
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Our Homemade Christmas Tree - an old timber outdoor umbrella
Such great decorating ideas for the festive season ahead. Here's what we put together using greenery from the garden and our range of LED flameless candles to create Christmas Ambience without the risk of fire. Enjoy!!