Hey, friends! Before we get too far away from 2024, I wanted to share and document the traditional Christmas decorations we used throughout our home this year.
Typically I lean towards traditional Christmas decorations when decorating our home for the holidays and this year was no different.
We got a super late start this year. We were expecting to have our new windows and siding installed 2 weeks before Christmas but our vendor had to push our start date. Even though I was a bit frustrated to have lost that time to decorate, it ended up working out for the best. I think it would have been even more chaotic to have tried to complete such a big project and then do a massive cleaning to get the house ready.
our traditional Christmas tree
Every year we head about 45 mins south to the Pine Tree Barn in Wooster to pick out our tree. Usually, we go the first weekend in December. But with Thanksgiving being late and some last-minute travel, we didn’t get there until mid-December. And let me tell you, the pickings were slim for pre-cut trees.
Over the years we’ve had full-size and tabletop trees. For the last couple of years though, we’ve opted for tabletop because of Lily. She’s a curious pup and we didn’t want to take the chance of her pulling ornaments off and trying to eat the branches.
When we arrived, we headed straight for their small trees. I LOVED this little fat one but we ended up purchasing a full-size tree that we cut to size.
It’s decked out with 600 warm white lights and all of our favorite old and new ornaments. I added candles and a stuffed Moose topper in memory of our pup Moose and called it done.
Mike was on the hunt this year for a full-size faux tree for the family room and found one at Lowes. Our renovation of this space is almost complete. I had this vision of a tall, fluffy white tree with just lights tucked into the corner near the built-ins. It adds to the warm and cozy vibe of the space and I’ll be so sad to see it go.
styling our built-ins for a traditional Christmas
Speaking of built-ins, I had so much fun styling our new shelves for the holidays. Tucking traditional Christmas decorations like bottle brush trees into the nooks and adding ornaments to dishes and under a cloche to add color and texture.
I debated sourcing some new garland to drape across the top but then had the idea to create a paper chain.
The first time I ever made a paper chain was in grade school. It was one of our Christmas crafts one year and the way we counted down to the big day. I loved the idea of it! Each day we removed a link until we got to Christmas Day.. I recreated this for a couple of years growing up but then forgot about it.
This year, I purchased some simple craft paper on Amazon and got to work one night cutting and taping strips together. I got a little carried away and made double the length of what I needed! So, I added a small strand to our half bath located off the family room and tucked the rest away in a bin for future years. I love the call back to my childhood and the whimsy feel it adds to the spaces.
exterior and interior wreaths
Every year I like to hang wreaths in our front-facing windows with white lights. I set them on timers to come on in the evening. I love the soft glow they add to the exterior of our home.
Usually, I put up outdoor lights as well but decided not to this year with the new siding and windows on the way. Instead, I just added some leftover greenery from the tree to the dried hydrangeas and some stick lights for a wintery porch pot.
I like to DIY fresh wreaths for Christmas to use on our front door and above our kitchen sink window. This year though, I snagged 4 new faux wreaths from Walmart at a great price I couldn’t pass up.
I added simple red traditional Christmas bows to 2 of them and placed them on the inside of the windows in the snug (what I’m calling our family room). A third wreath also received a classic red bow and a swag of brass bells and hangs above the kitchen sink. The fourth received a simple green satin bow and hung on our front door.
The final wreath in our home hangs in the center of our dining room window. It has a very traditional Christmas decor vibe about it with faux red berries, pine cones, and white lights. I used caramel-colored velvet ribbon from last year to hang it from our curtain rod.
garland and greenery
Our dining room is another favorite room of mine to decorate for Christmas. Knowing we were hosting Christmas Day dinner, I kept our dining room table decor simple. A small faux tree with a simple red velvet bow sits in a brass pot adding to the traditional Christmas decor vibe.
Fresh greenery and more velvet red bows hang from the chandelier. Not only does it smell incredible but It brings in that festive, holiday feel to the space.
Complimentary faux garland with pine cones and caramel-colored velvet bows hangs between the living room and dining room entry. Tying the two spaces together. A small display of trees and my favorite winter candle complete the space.
traditional guest bedroom Christmas decor
The last space I really go all out in is our guest bedroom. Every year my mom comes and stays with us for a week. I want the space to feel cozy and inviting and get our guests into the holiday spirit. I pretty much have the decor down for this room but change up the style slightly each year.
A few years ago, we added board and batten moulding to one of the walls and added a mantle across the top. I had dreams of decorating that mantle at Christmas time and this is one of my favorite spots to play with.
In 2020, I had some fun styling the mantle for Christmas and created 3 different looks for the shelf. One uses traditional Christmas decorations for a classic feel.
This year, I stuck with the traditional Christmas theme here as well. Tucking in different branches of greenery and pine cones for texture to our cascading garland from Grandin Road. I also added some crystal icicles and a silver beaded garland for some glitz. To finish it off, I layered a burgundy velvet-wired bow on top of a caramel-colored velvet bow.
Two needle-point vintage stockings found at a local antique mall flank the sides of the mantle. Brass candle sticks with green fluted tapers and some vintage books fill in the little bit of space left on either end of the mantle.
I carried the same burgundy ribbon and silver beaded garland over to the small corner tree and added some vintage silver candle holders with tiny cream-colored candles I found at an antique store.
The finishing touches in the guest bedroom include a tiny tabletop tree in a green planter with a simple velvet bow topper. More stockings, one for each family member visiting, hang from the dresser, and door knobs, completing and personalizing the space.
When the garland and tree lights come on, along with the wreath hanging in the window, the room is simply magical.
Our 2024 Traditional Christmas Decor
I hope you enjoyed this little look back on our home during the holidays. I’ve slowly begun to take our decor down in preparation for our new windows and this was fun to see it all again in photos. It’s a bit sad but also exciting as we look forward to some new projects.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year! I hope this year is off to a great start with lots of fun ahead!
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