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If your Christmas decor feels a bit incomplete and something seems a bit off when you compare it to the beautiful spaces you see on Pinterest, it’s time to go back to basics with these foundational Christmas decor pieces.
There’s a lot of noise from retailers when it comes to Christmas decor. It seems like everyone is insisting that you need all the decorations in the latest trending color, or some adorable Christmas-themed novelty that will just look so cute sitting on your table at Christmastime. Of course, all these pieces are so fun, but if I’m being honest, a lot of them are things that you’ll probably get tired of really quickly, and they take up a lot of storage space as well. If your Christmas decor feels like it’s missing something, you probably don’t need more knick-knacks to fill more space, you probably just need to get back to basics with a focus on the foundational Christmas decor pieces that you start your decor plans with. Have you ever seen a home that was decorated very simply for Christmas, and yet everything looked just right, and nothing seemed to be missing? That’s because they were working with a great foundation, and when you have that, that’s really all you need.
Pictured Above: Similar faux garlands (for a full look with one piece) | Inexpensive faux garlands (what I used above, doubled up) | Brass bells | Similar bell jar pendant light | Lamp | Doorknob
I should also note that it makes such a difference when you start with a room that is already beautifully decorated with year-round decor. When you have a room design that feels complete on its own, it doesn’t take much to make it feel festive for any season. If your space feels like it’s missing something, this post might offer some tips to bring it all together quickly and easily before you start layering in your Christmas decor: Seven Things Every Traditional Room Needs to Feel Complete.
Christmas Decorating Basics: Foundational Pieces to Start With in Every Room
The wonderful thing about these pieces is that they can serve as the first layer of decor, to set the stage for almost any kind of Christmas decor you can dream up, even if your style changes a bit every year. They can also be used on their own for simple Christmas decor that still feels perfectly complete if you like a more toned-down, natural Christmas look.
40-piece faux greenery set | Good quality faux greenery is such a game-changer when it comes to Christmas decor. All you really need to do is plunk it into a favorite vase and suddenly your home feels festive. I’m a big fan of real greenery, but I have to admit that I love the set-it-and-forget-it ease of faux, so this is what I often use in vases and vessels around my house to keep things looking great all season long.
Oversized burgundy bow | Nothing makes things feel cheerful and Christmassy faster than a beautiful bow. Whether you tie your own with a collection of basic ribbons or you use premade bows like this oversized burgundy option, bows are simple, impactful, and always a welcome sight at Christmastime.
The best stocking holders in existence | I’ve been using these stocking holders for a few years, and I anticipate that these are the same ones I’ll keep hanging our stockings with for decades. They’re sturdy, elegant, and sleek enough to fit under a garland or to get the job done without blocking the beautiful decorations on your mantel.
LED Christmas tree candles | These bring such an old-world charm to your Christmas tree, and this is a look that will really never go out of style. Truthfully, with your Christmas lights and these candles, a tree really doesn’t need anything else to look beautiful and complete. Read my explanation of how to use these candles on real and faux trees here: Christmas Tree Candles – Everything You Need to Know Before Trying Victorian LED Candles
Faux cedar garlands | If there’s one essential piece of Christmas decor that you need, other than your Christmas tree, of course, it’s garlands. With a tree, garlands, and a little bit of extra greenery here and there, your decor will feel cohesive and complete, even if you do nothing else. Without garlands and greenery, it almost doesn’t matter what you add to your space; it will feel like something is missing. Good quality faux garlands like this incredible set make your life easier, because you just hang them and you’re done. If you don’t have garlands quite this full, though, you can double them up and add in some real greenery here and there to make them fuller and more impactful.
15′ real-touch Norfolk pine garland | These real-touch Norfolk pine garlands are so charming and natural looking, and I love that this one is an incredible 15′ long. Perfect to hang over a door or up a long stair railing without having to fuss with multiple garlands.
Vintage style brass bells | I’ve had this set of brass bells for years, and I’ve used them in so many different ways. I’ve had them hanging on a doorknob, as the base for a door swag made with foraged greenery, and at the bottom of my stairs to finish off the look of my stair garlands. They’ve been exposed to the elements for an entire winter, and honestly, they only looked better and more authentic after that. They’re quite affordable, but I highly recommend!
Faux cedar and berry garland set of 2 | These natural-looking garlands are so pretty, and I love that they have classic red berries built right in. Garlands like these become pieces that you can rely on year after year for your mantel, over a doorway, or resting on top of a console table. They’re an easy solution that brings instant festive charm to your space in a matter of minutes.
Wicker trees set of 3 | I have a set of wicker trees like these that I got from Wayfair ten years ago this Christmas, and I bring them out every single year. They make such a beautiful, classic statement on top of a buffet, outside on my porch steps, or on the ground in front of a fireplace. They never go out of style and just bring a bit of texture and festiveness to any little corner. I just love them. 🙂
Do you have a set of foundational Christmas pieces like this? What do you have on your list of essentials that I’ve left off here?
Read next: 5 Reasons Why Your Christmas Decor Doesn’t Look Quite Right
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Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.