30 Spooky (But Delicious!) Get every inch of your home into the holiday spirit with these creative ways to deck the halls. Think in LayersThink in LayersUse objects with different heights to create interest, says Bryan Rafanelli, the White House's Christmas designer. Start by hanging oversized snowflakes, and building up the table with tall candlesticks. For the mantel, hang a garland made with olive branches. It's both pretty and symbolic. Double UpDouble UpTwo wreaths are definitely better than one. Stacked on a front door, your entryway will look twice as merry. 8 Baby Shower Foods People Secretly Hate When You Should Take Your Christmas Tree Down 10 Annoying Christmas Gifts and What to Do With Them Why Florida Is the Best Place to Spend Christmas 51 Unique Christmas Traditions from Every State in America The Reason We Leave Oranges in Christmas Stockings The Half-Tree Trend Is Made for Homes Short on Space Don't Give Up on Eggnog Until You Try George Washington's Recipe

Read This Before You Take Wrapped Gifts Through Airport SecurityDo not limit your decorations to the inside of your house or your front porch; take advantage of the South’s mild winters. Bring decorative Christmas cheer all the way out to your backyard. This warm and cozy backyard retreat is beautifully decorated for the Christmas season, and serves as a perfect place to cozy up with a blanket on a brisk winter night. A beautiful Christmas tree takes center stage, spun in classic red garland and gold lights. The mantle is adorned with fresh, aromatic greenery. A simple evergreen wreath above the fireplace completes the stunning scene. Stock your outdoor bar, and light a blazing fire for a cozy outdoor gathering. 100 Fresh Christmas Decorating Ideas Bring cheer to your house this holiday season with these easy decorating ideas. Everyone loves decorating for Christmas. Grab your garland and get ready for wreaths, because here, the editors of Southern Living share some of their favorite new ideas for Christmas decorating.

These decorating ideas for your mantel, front door, mailbox, Christmas tree, and more will surely fill you with Christmas cheer. We show you how to give a twist on tradition with handmade willow-branch wreaths that you can use inside or out. We show you how to welcome your guests in memorable southern style, how to go festive with place card holders as you welcome your guests to a beautiful holiday meal, and how to give your dining table a vivid focal point. However lavish or simple your Christmas decorating may be, these ideas will help you bring the beauty of the holiday to every corner of your home.Here's how to get into the holiday spirit without going over the top. And in focusing on the table, feel free to deviate from the standard red-and-green. "Rather than the traditional red and green scheme, try something new like a fabric in malachite and hot pink peonies," says designer Grant Gibson. "Layer in black and white for a graphic pop. The plates [here] are antique French." We repeat: Do not go overboard, though it is easy.

"I keep decorating for the holidays simple," says designer Mark D. Sikes. "I fill the house with potted paperwhites and potted white amaryllis. what kind of paint for exterior mobile homeI scatter votives all around. best paint for steel exterior doorI also put wreaths on the doors made out of evergreen and bay leaves, and drape the banisters and mantles with swags of the same."ideas to decorate office table When company calls, pull out the treats. wall decor canvas paintingsHoliday-hued cake stands and trays are stylish staging areas for baked goods and candies. where to buy home decor in bangalore

Keep a stack of bright white plates ready along with napkins and forks. Here, a vintage bread box is repurposed as a container for baby's breath, greens, and berries.ideas for wall decoration diy It's a bit of an investment, but if you have an especially important gift to wrap, use wallpaper. "More expensive, but, there are amazing pattern options that I use for my wrapping paper," designer Scot Meacham told House Beautiful. "The wallpaper is a much stronger weight than regular wrapping paper, so there are never any issues with the paper tearing." Take inspiration from nature for your decorating scheme. "Use fresh evergreen boughs, garlands and wreaths combined with in-season citrus like lemons, tangerines and oranges," says designer Tobi Fairley. " It will give your home a beautiful natural look, and it smells heavenly." To improvise a holiday napkin ring, top your favorite ribbon with a simple sprig of pine.

This instant hit can be complemented by dotting a few glass ornaments around your place settings (and if you so please, tell your guests to take them home as party goodies!). If a real tree leaves a mess in your living room, don't feel married to it. Besides, artificial trees often have wires that are easy to curve and bend to better hold ornaments. Miss the scent of pine? A few scented candles (just not too close to the tree!) should do the job. Bring one of nature's best color schemes to your mantle: green and white. "There's nothing prettier than pairing fresh greens — whether boxwood or pine — with mercury candle votives and white lights," says designer Susanna Salk. "Try interspersing the trio across your mantle or as a runner come to life along your dining room table. It's a holiday look you'll never get tired of." Small brown paper bags filled with of tasty peppermints and dressed with cheerful ribbons make a thoughtful gift or party favor. These tags are emblazoned with the words God Jul ("Merry Christmas" in Swedish), but personalize to add your own favorite holiday sentiments.

Atmosphere is everything when it comes to Christmas decor, so make sure your surroundings appeal to the nose too. "As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I keep a kettle on the stove with water, a sliced orange and cloves," says designer Lindsey Harper. "I turn it on low heat whenever I'm home so my entire apartment smells like Christmas to me!" Some decorations may be quirky, but if they're nonetheless you, incorporate them into your overall scheme. "My husband Steve's last name means little owl in German, so we have a collection of owl-shaped ornaments," designer Alessandra Branca told House Beautiful. "Surround yourself with the people you love and the things that make you smile." Shelves beg to be a holiday vignette, so turn your attention toward organizing them with seasonal cheer. "Use your bookshelves as an opportunity to inject a bit of holiday flair," says Nicole Gibbons. "Mix in bowls of ornaments, tabletop trees and other holiday accents into your bookshelves for the ultimate holiday "shelfie," as shown here in my Instagram."

Deviate from the norm when it comes to hanging your outdoor lights. Try draping them around trellis, birdbaths and other landscaping features to illuminate your yard — not just your house. (If you live in a warm climate, this also makes for gorgeous outdoor entertaining.) If filling bowls with pinecones is beginning to get boring, check crafts and home stores for natural ornaments, and display them with seasonal greenery. Added perk: The greenery, such as pine needles, will add a fresh aroma to the room. Accent a neutral color scheme with gold. "For holiday decorating, I love incorporating natural elements, lights (candles or simple Christmas lights) and a little gold (be it in the ribbons, ornaments or objects)," says designer Sara Story. "Magnolia leaves are always a favorite of mine, especially in wreaths strewn with beautiful gold ribbon. These make for an elegant statement on any door and you can add some great glass pieces or ornaments to really make it gleam." For a beautiful statement decor piece, follow this easily formula.

"Christmas means three things to me: paperwhites, citrus and magnolia. I go to the flower market (or the backyard) and cut magnolia and place it on mantles," says designer Miles Redd. "I intersperse lemons or clementines (sometimes studded with cloves), and paperwhites — either the individual bulb — or just mossy pots of 6 bulbs. The smell of the combination is wonderful." Add an unexpected element to your traditional decor scheme. "With Christmas decorating, you have to give it a little quirk... a little personality," says designer Summer Thornton. "One thing I do which always stirs conversation is hanging ornaments from my chandeliers. It's easy to do and adds some great color to the room." "Years ago in Taos I picked up a big vintage brass and leather sleigh bell horse harness that I hang on my front door wrapped in evergreens and lights," says designer Windsor Smith. "I do the same on staircase, wrapping evergreens and leather straps in those tiny strings of lights that you never have to plug in.