Decorating with lights and bows on the exterior of your house is a great deal of fun for your neighbors and friends who enjoy driving around the neighborhood in search of excellent Christmas light displays, but decorating the interior of your home can bring you and your family closer to the joys of the season. Simple decorations can make your home warm and inviting and take you away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. The following will provide a few decorating ideas for Christmas, but use your imagination to create a wonderful holiday display in your own home.

Decorating for Christmas

Garland is one of the easiest decorations you can add to your home to give it a festive feel. Using artificial garland is the least expensive and will last many years with the proper care. Nicer garland is sold at Home Depot, Menards, and Meijer or specialty shops such as Linens ‘N Things. Prior to purchasing garland, think about how you will store it for the rest of the year.


The garland we use takes up an entire Rubbermaid container which may pose a problem for some people with limited storage. Using a Rubbermaid container keeps the garland looking nice for the next year. Dirt and dust is kept off the garland along with keeping it dry while in storage. Garland can be used over windows and doorways, in hallways or above a fireplace mantel. It is quite versatile and can be decorated in many different ways.

Hanging Garland

Step 1: Purchase the proper length of garland for your project. For this example we are decorating a door leading from one room in our house to another.

Step 2: Using a drill, make a small hole at the top-corner of the door way above any trim.

Step 3: Insert a brass hook into the hole and screw it in. The hooks can be purchased at any local hardware store such as Home Depot or even grocery stores such as Meijer.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the center and other corner of the door frame.

Step 5: Hang the garland on the hooks and fluff the garland up.

NOTE: You can attach the garland to the hooks by simply twisting one of the garland branches around the hook.

Step 6: Decorate the garland with bows, pine cones, ornaments, and other items.

NOTE: Create a theme for your garland such as red and gold or blue and silver to give it a more professional look.

Add Touches of Christmas Everywhere

After decorating major places above windows and doors, you may think you have enough to provide warmth in your home and you may be right. But if you want to give your family and guest more to look at you can place Christmas everywhere. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Red and green dish towels
• Holly leaves and berries
• Ribbons and bows
• Baskets filled with glass ornaments (kept out of reach of small children)
• Jingle Bells
• LED Lights
• Department 56 Village Scene
• Christopher Radko ornaments and decorations
• The Elf on the Shelf
• Candles
• Snowman
• Mistletoe
• Candy canes or candy dishes
• Flowers
• Gift wrapped boxes
• Poinsettias

Everything on this list is a simple addition to your holiday decorating. Many items can be purchased at Meijer, Home Depot, or from on-line companies such as Christmas Central or Linens ‘N Things or look for vintage items at local thrift stores, flea markets, and antique stores.

Tip: If you don’t have many decorations and don’t want to spend a fortune on products, simply wait for after-Christmas sales to stock up on the things you need. This method can save you 50%-75% or more depending on when and where you shop. Don’t be tempted to simply buy a lot of junk you may not use even when it is on sale. Think about each purchase and what you would do with the item. Then next Christmas you will have plenty of items to decorate your home and you didn’t have to spend a fortune!

Nativity Scene

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a nativity scene. Many stores sell really nice products you can use to decorate a table top or add to your decor. You can find many items at  the Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, TN, or online at Christmas Central or Linens ‘N Things.

Remember to only buy a product you believe you will enjoy for years to come. This could be a small porcelain display or an elaborate display. Keep in mind your ability to store the nativity scene when you are not using it. You don’t want to purchase a $100 nativity scene only to have it break because it was improperly stored.

Minor Christmas Touches

If you are having a Christmas party you can add simple things such as background Christmas music and the smell of scented candles or air fresheners. Cinnamon is a popular aroma around this time of year.

Have fun with your decorating ideas and Merry Christmas! Do you have any decorating ideas? Where do you like to purchase your Christmas decor? Our readers would love to hear from you. Feel free to start a discussion.