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Holiday Decorating Ideas

Christmas Decorating Essentials Checklist

Ready to deck the halls? This list covers everything you might need, from the tree to the Santa plates stashed in the back of the storage closet.

Indoors

  • Christmas tree
  • Ornaments
  • Tinsel
  • Tree skirt
  • Tree stand
  • Multiple strings of lights
  • Fresh poinsettias
  • Fresh or artificial garland for mantels and/or staircase banisters
  • Natural accents, like pinecones to place on the table or cranberries to nestle around pillar candles
  • Wide ribbon for tying garland or making bows around vases or planters
  • Stockings and stocking hooks
  • Scented candles
  • Holiday linens (tablecloths, table runners, napkins, and placemats)
  • Holiday serving platters or dishware
  • Nativity scenes, wooden nutcrackers, or other seasonal decorations that might sit on a table or windowsill

Outdoor

  • Wreath for front door
  • String lights for lining the house or decorating trees
  • Web lights for tossing over bushes
  • Lawn figures (eight tiny reindeer!)
  • Extension cords for lights and light-up (or blow-up) figures
  • Holiday flag
  • Bow or decoration for the mailbox

Related Content

Christmas Tree Guide

Charlie Brown taught us that a little TLC can transform a bunch of twigs into something special. Follow these tips to pick a tree and keep it healthy until January.

Did we forget anything on this checklist? What would you add?

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