Looking for simple, affordable ways to add holiday charm to your home? Try these easy neutral Christmas decorating ideas.
Are you excited about decorating your home for Christmas?
We are!
We enjoy decorating our homes for winter, spring, summer, and fall, but like Buddy the Elf, Christmas is our favorite.
If you love candlelit Christmas tours, check out AnnMarie’s modern farmhouse at Christmas and Anne’s traditional home by candlelight for inspiration.
Our styles differ slightly, but we both favor a neutral, timeless vibe for holiday decor.
These easy ideas will help you bring a little Christmas into your home this year.
The best part? Even if you prefer a more colorful Christmas, these neutral ideas can be adapted to work with brighter palettes.
Please tell us your favorite idea in the comments below.
We’re Anne (shorter, on the left) and AnnMarie (taller, on the right) — together we’re Simply2Moms. We live across the street from each other and share simple ideas for home decorating, easy DIY projects, entertaining, healthy eating, and tips for raising teens and beyond.
Enough about us — let’s talk Christmas!
Here are 13 easy ideas to dress up your home for the holidays. We saved our favorite for last.
Note: Some posts on Simply2Moms may contain affiliate links, which could earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Put Wreaths on Your Chairs
Small wreaths tied to the backs of dining chairs add instant charm and help draw the eye outward from the table. Affordable picks from stores like Target make this an easy, budget-friendly upgrade that elevates a simple farmhouse centerpiece and chandelier greenery.
2. Create a Christmas-in-a-Box Vignette
Greenery ties any holiday look together. Fill a large container with real or faux greens, add candles and a small tree or bottle brush tree, and include textured accents like burlap or vintage spools. Mix and match containers you already own for an approachable vignette.
3. Decorate Your Chandeliers
Adding faux greenery and a garland of clear or mercury-glass ornaments to a chandelier creates an elegant focal point. It’s an easy way to elevate the room without overwhelming the space.
4. Christmas-Scented Candles
Scent plays a big role in holiday atmosphere. Choose warm evergreen or “tree farm” scents to instantly evoke Christmas. Place candles in groups on trays or mantel displays for both fragrance and soft light.
5. Use Trays for Simple & Moveable Centerpieces
Trays contain decor and make it easy to clear a surface when needed. Combine faux boxwood garland, pillar candles, ornaments, mini trees, or small decorative figures to create moveable, cohesive centerpieces that suit any room.
6. Layer Different Sized Candles
Mix pillar candles with candlesticks to add visual interest through varying heights and widths. Painting or coordinating candle holders can create a more unified look while keeping the display simple and elegant.
7. Don’t Forget About Wreaths!
Wreaths are versatile: hang one on the front door, on the inside of the door to enjoy daily, or mount a wreath on a vintage window frame for a mantel display. Bells, ribbon, or natural accents add charm without overpowering a neutral palette.
8. Themed Christmas Trees
Alongside a family tree filled with sentimental ornaments, add smaller themed trees in other rooms. Try a white-and-burlap tree, a pencil tree with wooden ornaments, or a natural tree with dried citrus, berries, and neutral ribbon for texture and warmth.
9. Two Words: Miniature Trees
Mini trees are playful and portable. Scatter them on trays, side tables, mantels, and shelves to carry the holiday look throughout your home. Use scarves, runners, or other textiles as bases for an extra cozy touch.
10. Transform Inexpensive Garland
Fluff and layer budget garland to create a fuller, more luxurious look. Add pears, berries, or ribbon to customize colors and textures. Small tricks can make inexpensive garland look high-end for mantels and stair railings.
11. Decorate with Holiday-Inspired Words
Words and signs add personality. Display simple holiday words like “Joy,” “Believe,” or “Merry” on shelves, mantels, or leaning against a wall to complement neutral decor without overwhelming it.
12. Create a Neutral Christmas Centerpiece
Neutral centerpieces can be striking. Use cream-colored DIY trees, cedar-look sprigs, washed-linen runners, candles, and natural accents like pears or wooden beads. Mini wreaths at each place setting add a thoughtful finishing touch.
13. Don’t Forget the Twinkle Lights!
Warm-white twinkle lights add instant magic. Weave them through garlands, around mantels, and across porches. Lights alone can make a room feel special, and they transition beautifully from holiday to winter decor.
We hope these ideas inspired you to try a few neutral, budget-friendly touches this season. Tell us your favorite idea or share your own tips in the comments below.
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Christmas in July Continues with More Inspiration from Our Friends
Next on our Christmas in July blog hop is Cindy from Country Road 407, sharing five favorite Christmas decorating projects. Enjoy the rest of the tour for more seasonal inspiration.
If you have any questions or suggestions, contact us or leave a comment below. Don’t miss any of our tips — follow us on social media for more ideas.
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