Holidays & Entertaining Holidays Christmas 62 Creative and Elegant Christmas Decoration Ideas Take our suggestions―from a DIY Advent calendar to a holiday candy centerpiece―and make them your own. By Morgan Noll Morgan Noll Morgan Noll is a digital home editor for Real Simple covering home, real estate, and holidays. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 29, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Johnny Miller It's true: You can transform your home into a festive gathering place for family and friends this holiday season, even if Christmas crafts aren't your strong suit. Whether you're intimidated by DIY projects or don't have a fortune to spend on holiday décor, most of these Christmas decorating ideas take just minutes to pull together, use up stuff you already have, and can be crafted while enjoying your favorite Christmas movies on Netflix. For example, let your beautifully wrapped presents serve as decorations until they're ripped open on Christmas morning, or consider hanging holiday cards from your stair banister to add a pop of color and cheer. Add some elegant Christmas trees to your repertoire of decorations, or create an edible version to sweeten your entryway. Using our simple ideas as inspiration, we'll show you how to procure what's already around your house to customize a festive look this Christmas. Read on for decorating tricks and styling tips for your most beautiful holiday home ever. 14 Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas That Take 5 Minutes or Less 01 of 62 Faux Fire Basket Nicole Franzen If you don't have room for a traditional tree, create the same look on a smaller scale. Instead of a 7-foot fir tree, opt for a 3- or 4-foot-tall one, and use a decorative metal planter in place of a typical tree stand and skirt. Keep ornaments minimal, so you don't overwhelm the branches. For a faux hearth to accompany your small tree, wrap birch logs in fairy lights and set them in a wire basket. Your room instantly looks warmer. 02 of 62 Wow-Worthy Mantel Decor Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan For an unexpected and sophisticated mantel display, keep your pairings minimal. This grapevine wreath of evergreen branches, pomegranates, and amaryllis blooms makes an impressive holiday decoration when paired with a trio of elegant candlesticks. 03 of 62 Holiday Card Garland Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan For a clever way to display holiday cards that come your way, use clips or clothespins to string them along the staircase. 04 of 62 Beautified Bar Cart Johnny Miller Gilded accessories and pretty bottles of your favorite alcohol look decadent and festive when displayed during the holidays. And when an impromptu visitor comes to your door, you're ready to entertain. 05 of 62 Striking Wreath Accents Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan For a traditional-yet-updated winter wreath, welcome holiday guests by mixing classic elements (in this case, spruce and olive branches) with unexpected accents (echeveria succulents and seeded eucalyptus branches). 06 of 62 Lit Birch Logs Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but your fireplace looks so delightful. Set a cozy scene by wrapping twin birch logs in twinkling holiday lights. Position mercury-glass candlesticks and votives alongside for an extra boost of shine. 07 of 62 Glass Candlesticks Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan For a hassle-free holiday display, take over an end table or deep windowsill by grouping contemporary candlesticks and mercury-glass votive candles. Add colorful glass ornaments for a pop of color and cheer. 08 of 62 Special Delivery Advent Calendar Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan Transform a large bulletin board into an Advent calendar with lined envelopes and stick-on numbers. Fill each envelope with treats that are joyful and surprising such as candy canes, gift certificate to the ice cream parlor, or a coupon good for an extra hour of video games. With the promise of a small treasure each day, the young and young at heart will love counting down the days to Christmas. 09 of 62 Silver and Gold Palette Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan If red and green aren't your thing, lean on tones that complement your existing décor. Paper medallions in silver, gold, and bronze look right at home atop the mantel. Add a warm finishing touch by draping sprigs of evergreen garland embellished with berries and ornaments. 10 of 62 A Sweet Scene Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan Greet holiday guests with a sweet indoor winter wonderland entry display. Decorate foam cones from the craft store with rock candy to create your own sparkly scene. 11 of 62 Window Snowflakes Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan Dreaming of a white Christmas? Dangling from a window, these cascading strands of silver and white gift bows create the illusion of falling snow. Shovel not required. 12 of 62 Center of Attention Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan 'Tis the season for glitz and glamour on the holiday table. For this show-stopping statement, nestle sparkly, color-dipped vintage bulbs in a decorative glass bowl. 13 of 62 Double-Duty Decorating Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan Pretty wrapped presents can work overtime as last-minute decorations. To pull this off, focus on the finishing touches: Adorn festive wrap with clever tie-ons (like a strand of color-dipped wooden beads), a fancy bow, and a peppering of metallic ornaments. 14 of 62 Cohesive Candles Tom Merton/Getty Images Group pillar candles for ambiance and extra light. Wrap festive ribbon around a few to compliment your décor and add texture. 15 of 62 Eye-Catching Table Runner Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan Forgo the fine china, fancy linens, and extravagant centerpiece in favor of a unique runner to steal the dinner scene. Place pins along the sides of a gilded poster board and artfully weave colorful string from pin to pin to create a modern, textured focal point. 16 of 62 Fireside Forest Nicole Franzen Layer an assortment of tree-shaped objects in varying heights and textures atop the mantel. Below, hang a metallic, leafy garland to reflect the firelight from below. 17 of 62 Twist on a Traditional Wreath Anastasia Timonina/Getty Images Instead of traditional evergreens, make a wreath of citrus fruits. Start with a circular piece of florist's foam and then use wooden florist picks to secure large items, such as oranges. Fill in with smaller fruit―kumquats, clementines, and limes―and finish with a thick velvet ribbon. 18 of 62 Celestial Doorway Nicole Franzen Trick out a door or window frame with an asymmetrical assortment of stars. Use adhesive strips to hang a strand of cascading star lights accentuated with ornaments and various-sized lanterns. 19 of 62 Stockinged Stairwell Nicole Franzen Hang stockings from a banister trimmed with garland (live or faux) using floral wire or zip ties hidden amid the greenery. 20 of 62 Leaning Ladder Nicole Franzen Attach stockings to a decorative ladder and then liven it up with a swag of pine garland. In January, replace the stockings with throw blankets. 21 of 62 Modern Simplicity for Stockings etsy.com For a breathtaking white mantel, we highlighted this gorgeous mirror with a charming border of decorative golden deer and white stockings. 22 of 62 Charming Countdown Netrun78/Getty Images This unique adaptation of the traditional Advent calendar speaks to the spirit of the season. Replace a leaning mirror for the month of December and fill pint-sized numbered bags with your family's favorite treats. 23 of 62 Frosted Tablescape KristianSeptimiusKrogh/Getty Images Set a simple and sophisticated winter–white table to make your holiday gatherings extra special. Start with a delicately embroidered ivory runner for a hint of warmth and texture. For dazzle, fill silver mint-julep cups with beautifully frosted pinecones. 24 of 62 White Christmas Tree Getty Images A monochromatic tree sets a festive tone that's soft, airy, and completely captivating. Accentuate its pure richness with ornaments in clear glass, shimmery silvers, and brilliant white. 25 of 62 Playful Accessories Juanmonino/Getty Images Think outside the overflowing bins and boxes of decorations for a clever way to embellish bare tabletops. Turn Friday's game night staple into an innovative holiday prop. 26 of 62 Wintery Scene Stitchie/Getty Images At your entryway, welcome a few unexpected characters to your décor by animating a tabletop with enchanting wintry wildlife. 27 of 62 Pinecone Table Topper William Meppem For this simple and elegant centerpiece sure to impress dinner guests, start with a garland of lush winter greenery that runs the length of your table. Enlist the kids to collect pinecones, and then secure them to the garland to serve as rustic toppers. 28 of 62 Centerpiece Simplicity Dana Gallagher Load a simple glass jar or bowl with multiples of the same fruit, nut, or holiday candies. We filled trifle bowls with walnuts and the colors of Christmas—red apples and green baby artichokes. For a pop of brightness, display lemons or limes in a clear bowl, or put extra Christmas decorations to use. And think outside the table: Display clear containers of monochromatic ornaments in any room. 29 of 62 DIY Outdoor Decor James Baigrie You don't have to leave your outdoor planters stark until planting time. For a weatherproof display that lasts until spring, arrange pinecones in window boxes or pots on your porch, positioning the largest ones on the bottom and the tiniest on top. 30 of 62 Holiday Crafting for Kids Anna Chaplygina/Getty Images Crafting aluminum-foil ring chains is a perfect, zero-supervision craft for kids—no scissors, glue, tape, or (huzzah!) sparkles. Cut them squares of foil (or buy precut sheets), wait several hours, and then help the little ones display their chains wherever your home needs some extra shine. For easy removal in January (and damage-free paint and wallpaper), hang using Command strips. 31 of 62 Holiday Cut-Out Message Dusan Stankovic/Getty Images Stencil letters to express your holiday joy loud and clear. Back some—or all—of the letters with brightly colored construction paper, and then attach with a removable adhesive so painted walls stay undamaged. 32 of 62 Starlight Balls John Dolan Wind a strand of battery-powered fairy lights around a medium-sized Styrofoam ball. Tie it off, and then tape the end of the strand to the ceiling or loop it around a curtain rod. For an even brighter arrangement, group three or four balls of varying sizes. 33 of 62 Indoor Snowman Sarsmis/Getty Images Use the same frosting as for the vanilla wafer trees (beat 6 egg whites with 3¾ cups powdered sugar) to build snowman decorations from oranges or clementines. Stack the fruit, holding the pieces together with toothpicks until the frosting sets. Add cloves for eyes, peppermint sticks for arms and a nose, and licorice for a scarf. The hat is a vanilla wafer and peppermints sandwiched with frosting. 34 of 62 All-Purpose Candlelight Display Silvia Jansen/Getty Images Streamline seasonal decorating with a mantelpiece tableau that takes you from Thanksgiving to New Year's with a mix of ivory and white candles. For Thanksgiving, tuck wheat around the candles' bases and add walnuts. Later, replace with greenery. 35 of 62 Wrapped Up Art Lucas Allen Blank canvases in assorted shapes make an artful (ha!) mantelpiece display when wrapped with cheerful ribbons. 36 of 62 Band Together Andy Roberts/Getty Images Make "ornaments" by wrapping multicolored rubber bands to form balls. (Maybe you have a few of these started...) Attach a bit of ribbon and cord to suspend in your windows. 37 of 62 Cookie-Cutter Approach Lucas Allen These unique window decorations take just minutes to create. String tin cookie cutters of assorted shapes—angels, bells, and stars—on pretty ribbons, and then tack them to the window casing. 38 of 62 Holiday Card Display David Prince Using greenery from outside, attach ribbons to a branch and then hang your Christmas cards using a pretty binder clip or safety pin. Recruit the kids for this afternoon project. 39 of 62 Monochromatic Color Palette Tetra Images/Getty Images Spare can be beautiful. Decorate a small, artificial white tree with objects that share a color scheme―in this case: candy canes, peppermints, and red bows―and place it on a side table or a coffee table. 40 of 62 Front Door Flair DNY59/Getty Images Let visitors jingle all the way into your home. Tie big silver bells to the front doorknob with festive ribbon. 41 of 62 Seasonal Finds Olga Miltsova/Getty Images Opportunities abound for sweeping displays of lavish greenery along the mantel. This warming seasonal vignette calls for apothecary jars filled with cranberries, accented by sparkling fruit and pinecones. 42 of 62 Modern Mobile Chandelier Bogdan Kurylo/Getty Images Use wooden quilting hoops to create a mobile that floats over a table like a weightless chandelier. Turn the inner ring 180 degrees and wood-glue it to the outer ring at the top. Use clear fishing line and thumbtacks to hang various-sized spheres at different lengths. 43 of 62 Silver Bells Arrangement Lucas Allen Add sparkling style to your dining room table by filling a snifter to the brim with an array of shiny silver bells. 44 of 62 Alternative Tree Assortment Steve Giralt Brighten a corner with an alternative to the traditionally inspired Christmas tree like this one with a retro-inspired palette on the exotic side. Delicate chartreuse, lavender, and pink balls scattered amid the branches make an attention-worthy display. Instead of garland for texture, feathers provide an unexpected twist. 45 of 62 Glowing Tealights JJPaden/Getty Images To create soft, flickering light for a mantel or a table in a dark corner, group inexpensive frosted-glass vases of different sizes, add tealights, and enjoy the glow. 46 of 62 Lighted Stairway Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images Create an enchanted stairway by stringing a banister with fairy lights entwined with feather trim. You can twirl the swag around the banister or attach it every few inches with ribbon or clear fishing line. 47 of 62 Family Photo Display ArtMarie/Getty Images Collect your family's holiday picture cards from previous years and use lights or a clothespin them to display them along the wall. Display them in chronological order and, if you're particularly detail-oriented, date the pins. 48 of 62 Lighted Hurricane Lamps Wavebreakmedia/Getty Images Strands of holiday lights coiled in bottomless hurricane lamps make a glowing addition to a mantel or sideboard. Run the socket and plug ends of each strand out from underneath its cylinder, connect the cords to one another, and insert the last plug into a wall outlet. 49 of 62 Lush and Natural Greenery Fancy/Veer/Corbis/Getty Images A staircase looks festive with a garland of greenery. Instead of looping it around and around, lay the evergreens on top of the banister, fasten in place with floral wire, and wrap with extra-wide ribbon. 50 of 62 Holiday Throw Pillows Heliopix/Getty Images Make your bedding festive for the holiday season by incorporating Christmas throw pillows on your bed, couch, and more. This is an easy way to add the holiday spirit in your home. 51 of 62 Christmas Mantel Bloom_JennyBrooks Decorate your mantel for the Christmas season by adding garland with bells and snowflakes. Match the stockings to the mantel colors for cohesive decor. For an added touch, light candlesticks that match the mirror and mantel to tie in the design. 52 of 62 Sparkly Ornament Display Melanie Acevedo Nest vintage ornaments with leaves on a cake stand for a stunningly simple centerpiece. 53 of 62 Fabulous Window Dressings Steve Giralt The ultimate preppy power couple―hot pink and lime green―make an unexpected debut in this modern all-feather composition. The dangling ornament adds just the right pop to this decorative piece. 54 of 62 Mix and Match Centerpiece Miki Duisterhof To make this five-second centerpiece, mix clementines or oranges with peppermint candies in a single glass compote or a grouping of three. 55 of 62 Cookie Forest Melanie Acevedo Decorate a buffet table with a trio of snowy cookie trees. Start with a base frosting by beating 6 egg whites with 3¾ cups powdered sugar. Spread a thin layer of the frosting on a Styrofoam cone and then, working up from the bottom, overlap vanilla wafers (use straight pins to hold them in place until the frosting dries). For a snowy effect, use a small sieve to dust each finished tree with powdered sugar. 56 of 62 Extra Ornament Displays Steve Giralt For a dramatic, high-impact window display, turn a bare windowsill into a stylish nook by filling glass jars of varying heights and shapes with leftover ball ornaments. 57 of 62 Sweet Centerpieces Steve Giralt Bring colorful delight to the table with a sweet setup of treats that never goes out of season. We filled our no-fuss arrangement with red-and-white peppermint balls and fluffy marshmallows. Call on ribbon candy, multicolored chocolates, and candy canes as the perfect sides. 58 of 62 Subtle Arrangements Steve Giralt Pull off a show-stopping arrangement that speaks to your style by keeping decorative elements simple. Fill a glass hurricane with an assortment of holiday ornaments, and then surround it with lush greenery. 59 of 62 Wintery Mix Annie Schlechter Don't overlook a simple window ledge as a decorating opportunity. Pine boughs look charming in a large vase, while white starfish evoke snowy weather, even when it's sunny. 60 of 62 Overhead Opulence Steve Giralt Don't restrict magnificent baubles and sparkly snowflakes to the Christmas tree. Accentuate overhead lighting with shimmery decorations in a fresh winter palette like pale blue and silver. Finish with an elegant satin ribbon gently dangling from the chandelier. 61 of 62 Indoor Topiaries Lucas Allen Light up a room with twinkling topiaries, which look especially magical flanking a fireplace. Buy them ready-made, or insert five-foot-tall bamboo plant stakes around the perimeter of a potted evergreen, tie them at the top with florist wire, and then swirl white lights all around. 62 of 62 Flanked Entryway Lucas Allen Nothing like a pair of inexpensive plastic urns to instantly dress up a front entryway. Place a tall foam cone in each urn and anchor it with sand. Then use florist sticks and wire to attach greenery and Christmas balls. 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