Taking pictures of our home at Christmas has become one of my favorite traditions that I do here every year.
When I scroll back through our old Christmas home toursI see how much our house and family has changed over the years. Different rooms. Various furniture. Different phases of life. And yet, somehow, it always still feels that way us.
This year’s tour looks a little different than I originally planned. Earlier this week we experienced a water leak that resulted in some very messy water softeners in part of our lobby. So, while I didn’t get to photograph the entire space before the chaos began, I still wanted to share the rooms that were finished, along with a few easy decorating tricks to pass on to you.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Christmas decorations don’t have to be complicated to feel meaningful.
Today I’m sharing our Christmas Home Tour along with 12 easy decorating tips you can steal for your own home.
(You can also click on any photo in this post to shop our home if you want to know where to find the decor I used.)
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The dining room
Ours dining room is where so much of the holiday magic happens: school projects strewn across the table, family dinners that linger longer than usual, and family board game nights that get super competitive here.
Effortless Tip #1: Use rechargeable table lamps instead of candles.
I love the cozy candlelight, but rechargeable table lamps they have become my new favorite for the dining table. They’re less messy, don’t require constant battery changes, and aren’t a fire hazard like candles can be, especially when you’re hosting or juggling kids at the table.
Easy Tip #2: Tie ribbon around your napkins like DIY napkin rings.
This might be one of my favorite low-effort tricks. Just a simple piece of ribbon tied around folded napkins instantly lifts the table. No special consumables. No storage required. Just easy and beautiful.
Easy tip #3: Use artificial roses instead of winter-only flowers.
I like to use instead of poinsettias or super seasonal flowers realistic artificial roses mixed with greens. They feel classic rather than themed, and the best part is that you can keep them after Christmas. (I totally plan on using ours again for Valentine’s Day.)
Effortless Tip #4: Reuse Porch Planters Indoors for Christmas Trees.
Instead of buying a special tree collar, I brought pots we already owned and used them to display our Christmas trees. It adds weight, texture and a sense of togetherness and is one less thing to store the rest of the year.
The media room is where our family spends so much time together in December. Movies, games, Christmas sleepovers, holiday crafts.
Easy Tip #5: Don’t stress about matching ornaments; make them intentional.
You do it no need a perfectly selected, designer collection of ornaments. Our tree is full of handmade, sentimental, mismatched ornaments that we’ve collected over the years since Robert and I were kids.
The trick is to tie it together with a ribbon in one color. This year I used leftover khaki ribbon on our family tree and I really like how it turned out.
Effortless Tip #6: Arrange Christmas books or games under the tree.
We love this tradition that we do every year: we scatter Christmas story books under the tree so the girls can grab one each night before bed. (We’ve also stacked board games under the tree in recent years.) When they’re visible, we’re much more likely to put down the screens and actually use them together.
Easy tip #7: Double the shine with mirrors.
I put battery candles on the mantelpiece and placed them in front of a mirror. The reflection instantly doubles the shine and makes everything feel extra magical without adding more decor.
The master bedroom
I keep Christmas in ours bedroom very simple. Just enough to make you feel special without overwhelming the space.
Effortless tip #8: Place a garland on the headboard.
I had an extra piece of garland and just placed it at the top of our headboard. No hooks, no securing; it just lays there thanks to the wall behind the bed. Easy, convenient, ready.
Effortless Tip #9: Use illuminated branches for instant glow.
If you want that magical feeling of Christmas light without moving another tree, illuminated branches are the answer. I put some in a vase on our dresser. Combined with the garland and it was honestly all the Christmas decor the room needed.
The living room
Ours living room is where Christmas feels most lived in, and that’s just the way I like it.
Easy Tip #10: Place a game board on your coffee table.
I found it beautiful burgundy velvet backgammon board which serves as decor and entertainment. A checkerboard works just as well. When games are already out, we’re more likely to actually use them.
Easy Tip #11: Use letter keychains as sock tags.
Years ago I found letter keychains at Michael’s and spray painted them to use as sock tags. They’re simple, reusable, and personal, and I still love them just as much as I did then.
Easy tip #12: Tie a ribbon on the light fixtures.
I added burgundy ribbons to the sconces above the fireplace and it instantly made the whole room feel dressed up for Christmas. It’s such a small detail, but it has a big impact. Fair warning: once you start adding bows to everything, it’s hard to stop.
A note about the lobby
I had planned to share more of our lobby on this year’s tour, but real life had other plans. Between the unexpected water leak and the mess that followed, photographing the rest of the space just wasn’t in the cards. But honestly? It feels appropriate.
Homes are meant to be lived in, not frozen in time for photos.
A grateful heart this season
As always, thank you for being here. For reading, for following year after year, and for welcoming me into your homes through the screen. This little corner of the internet with you means more to me than I can put into words.
As we head into the heart of the Christmas season, this verse feels especially appropriate this year:
“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overtaken it.” —John 1:5
May your homes be filled with light, warmth and a reminder of the greatest gift of all, the Light of the World.
Merry Christmas my friend. 🤍
More Christmas decorating resources
