A Whimsical Christmas
My goal for Christmas decor at home is to bring a bit of colorful charm into every corner with lots of happy, festive details. I want the house to feel joyful, playful and a bit nostalgic– full of little surprises and absolutely whimsical.
Luckily, a lot of the pieces we already have fall into the category– things like special ornaments from when my husband and I were younger, kid crafts, red & green bits & bobs. I like to layer in more color with bows, bottle brush trees, construction paper garland, dried oranges, twinkly lights… little by little each space comes to life.
I thought it would be helpful to break down the little pieces that add up to a very festive space so that you can bring some charm into your own home for the holidays, too! See below for all of the details!
Start With Color
(the more the merrier!)
Color is a great place to bring Christmas charm into your home. Instead of sticking to a strict red and green palette for Christmas, I love mixing in all the colors. Mustard yellow and pink are my go-tos.
On our tree, that means ornaments in all sorts of textures, finishes and colors living happily together. There’s no need to match perfectly– contrast is what gives the room energy and life.
Other places to add color for the holidays: pillows, stockings, stocking holders, mugs, cookie tins, candles, etc.
ALSO! And this is a bigger picture discussion. I am certain our house looks amazingly more festive because of the color I have added over the years. The blue brick by the Christmas tree, the green trim, the yellow trim, the green by the fireplace. It provides a great backdrop for the holiday touches. SO! Maybe this is your sign to start adding color to your house if you want an over the top festive Christmas at home.
Tie Bows Everywhere
(And don’t overthink them!)
One of my favorite details is all the ribbon tied into bows on our tree. I used ribbons in different widths and colors, all tied a little differently. Some with really long ends, some with ends that curl up.
On my tree the ribbon is velvet because that’s what I had on hand, but truly, use what you love! Satin, grosgrain, plaid, vintage ribbon scraps… it all works. I don’t have any ribbon with wire but it’s just because it intimidates me!
The charm comes from variety. Let the bows feel slightly imperfect, as if they were tied by hand (because they were!) Once you start, you’ll want to add bows everywhere… on stair rails, cabinet knobs, wreaths, even tucked into garland. Go for it!
As far as how to hang it, I just drape ours at the ends of the branches. Other people use floral wire to tie the ribbon.
Need some help Finding ribbon?
- This velvet ribbon looks perfect! It comes in several colors and sizes. It’s a good time to repeat something important: charm comes from the variety! I’d go with red, yellow, pink and light blue in a mix of 3/8″ to 1.5″ sizes. Leave the ends long when you are ready to trim them– it’ll look great!
- This pink velvet ribbon is really pretty, and this one. Gosh, you can’t go wrong with pink ribbon!
- Here’s some larger velvet ribbon that’s similar to the kind I have. I purchased mine from Anthropologie a few years ago but I never saw it in stock this year. The red, pink and dusty blue colors all look great for a whimsical Christmas.
- And oh my gosh this yellow velvet ribbon!!! A pop of yellow adds so much joy to a tree.
Let Kids Be Part of the Story
If you have kids in your life, get them involved! Kid-made ornaments and crafts don’t need to be hidden or saved for a ‘kid’ tree. They deserve center stage! And trust me, they’ll make you smile.
Our tree is filled with kid ornaments collected over the years, alongside little crafts and creations. They add color, personality, and a whole lot of heart. These are the pieces you’ll smile about years from now, and they’re what make a home feel lived-in and loved during the holidays.
Don’t Forget The Paper Chains
One of the most joyful details in our home this Christmas is a simple paper chain made from colorful construction paper, zig-zagged across the ceiling. It’s playful, nostalgic, and incredibly easy to do. And honestly, looking at these photos makes me want to add even more!
This is a great reminder that holiday decor doesn’t have to be fancy to be magical. Sometimes the simplest, most childlike ideas bring the biggest smiles and instantly make a space feel festive.
If you want to recreate the same look, I just used a regular pack of Crayola construction paper and removed the purple, brown, black and dark blue sheets. I taped each of my rings together but you could also staple them. Easy, easy!
Also, and this is important, I use this same paper chain year after year. I just drop them all into a paper bag and store them away until next year. Just don’t squish the bag and you’ll be fine!
Layer Garland with Natural Touches
I kept things classic with green garland but added whimsy through texture and detail. A full garland runs across the mantel, layered with dried orange slices strung on simple twine. We also tucked red berries and eucalyptus throughout. After that, stockings!
It was fun seeing each layer bring a bit more joy to the space. The garland looked great on its own, but once the orange slices were added it immediately looked a bit more festive.
Then the berries… you get it.
All of the little details add up!
The dried oranges add warmth and a slightly old-fashioned feel, while the berries bring in bright pops of color. It’s a mix of cozy, cheerful, and just a little bit unexpected– exactly what a whimsical Christmas is all about.
Repeat Details Throughout the House
To make everything feel cohesive, I repeated a few elements throughout the house: bows in different rooms, pops of the same colors, and small festive moments tucked on shelves and in corners.
I’m probably a broken record at this point, but I think homes work best when they feel collected over time, not styled all at once. Add things slowly. Move pieces around. Layer, layer, layer.
The Most Important Rule: Have Fun!
JOY is at the heart of this. If something makes you smile, use it! If it feels too serious or too perfect, loosen it up. Tie another bow. Add another color. Let your kids help.
Your Christmas decor doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to feel like yours.
For me, that means a rainbow of ornaments, crooked bows, paper chains on the ceiling, and a mantel full of garland and dried oranges. What’s your whimsical Christmas look like?
