15 Easy and Elegant Christmas Decor

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Transform your home into a festive gathering place for family and friends this holiday season. By sprucing it up with our simple show-stopping trimmings, you will turn your home into a merry residence while you prep and celebrate the holidays. If you are intimidated by DIY projects, we have found crafts that are as elegant as they are easy to create. They are a great way to add some holiday spirit to your home in a classy and stylish way (without spending a fortune). If you do not have tons of extra time to craft and spend hours decorating, keep reading. Our easy effort ideas are perfect for you. Let your beautifully wrapped gifts serve as decorations until they are ripped open on Christmas morning. Or, consider hanging your holiday cards to your banister to add a pop of color and cheer instead of tucking the greetings away. Want to add some elegant Christmas trees to your repertoire of decorations? We can help you create edible versions that will sweeten up your kitchen or entryway. Here’s another tip to keep your décor elegant: stick to a similar palate. Metallic accessories look great in most spaces and add some shimmer and shine to create that festive feel.

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Mantel Piece

Mantel wreath with flowers and pomegranates

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

For an unexpected and sophisticated display, keep your pairing (wreath and trio of candlesticks) minimal. This grapevine branch wreath makes a wow-worthy decorative piece with its combination of evergreen branches, pomegranates, and amaryllis blooms.

Want to make this wreath? Get the how-tos here.

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Season’s Greetings

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Looking for a clever way to display the holiday cards that come your way? Use clips or clothespins to string them along the staircase.

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Warm Welcome

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. Sprinkle mercury glass candlesticks and votives along the sides for an extra boost of shine.

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Glass Act

Window with holiday decorations and candles

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

For a hassle-free holiday display, take over an empty end table (a deep windowsill will also work) by setting up a multitude of contemporary candlesticks and mercury glass votives. Rely on colorful glass ornaments for adding a pop of color and cheer.

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Table Trimmings

String and poster board holiday table runner

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Forgo the fine china, fancy linens, and extravagent centerpiece for a unique runner that will steal the dinner scene. Place pins along the sides of a gilded poster board and artfully weave colored string from pin to pin to create a modern, textured focal point.

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Special Delivery

Advent calendar from bulletin board and envelopes

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Make your own Advent calendar using lined envelopes and stick-on-numbers to transform a large bulletin board. Fill each envelope with treats (candy canes, gift certificate to the ice cream parlor, a coupon good for an extra hour of playing video games) that are joyful and surprising. With the promise of a small treasure each day, the kids (both young and young at heart) will love counting down the days to December 25.

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Pick Your Palette

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

If red and green aren't part of your decorating color scheme, 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.

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Crafty Confections

Trees from foam cones decorated with rock candy

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Turn candy into an indoor winter wonderland that will greet holiday guests at the front door. Make your own sparkly scene by decorating foam cones from the craft store with rock candy.

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Let It Snow

Silver and white gift bows hanging in window

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.

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Center of Attention

Glass bowl full of glittery holiday light bulbs

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

'Tis the time of year for glitz and glamour on the holiday table. Nestle sparkly, color-dipped vintage bulbs in a decorative glass bowl to make a show-stopping statement.

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Double-Duty Decorating

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Pretty wrapped presents can work overtime as last-minute decorations. The secret to turning a pile of presents into a table-worthy display? Focus on the finishing touches: Adorn festive wrap with clever tie-ons (like a strand of color-dipped wooden beads) and a peppering of metallic ornaments.

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Striking Accents

Steve Giralt; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan

Mix classic elements (spruce and olive branches) with unexpected accents (echeveria succulents, seeded eucalyptus branches) for a traditional, but updated way to greet carolers and other holiday visitors.

Interested in making your own wreath? Get the how-tos here.

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Beautify a Bar Cart

Johnny Miller

Gilded accessories and pretty bottles of your favorite alcohol will look decadent and festive when left on display during the holiday season. And when an impromptu visitor comes to your door, you’re ready to entertain.

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Shed Extra Light

Tom Merton/Getty Images

Couple together pillar candles to add ambiance and extra light. Wrap a piece of festive ribbon around a few to compliment the palate of your other decorations while adding texture.

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Take It Outside

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Adorn your door with a simple big red bow to greet guests as they enter your home this holiday season.

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15 Easy and Elegant Christmas Decorating Ideas

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Mantel Piece

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Season’s Greetings

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Warm Welcome

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Glass Act

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Table Trimmings

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Special Delivery

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Pick Your Palette

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Crafty Confections

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Let It Snow

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Center of Attention

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Double-Duty Decorating

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Striking Accents

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Beautify a Bar Cart

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Shed Extra Light

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Take It Outside

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