12 Easy Holiday Decorating Tips to Simplify the Process

November 15th has been on my calendar for a month now. After school, the kids will go down and pull out the Christmas tree bag and drag it up the stairs, as they’ve done for several years. Then, we’ll turn on the tunes, put up our Christmas tree, turn on the Christmas lights (hopefully), pull out the ornaments, and decorate the tree as a family.

While decorating can sometimes feel like a chore, one of my favorite tweaks to bring magic to the mundane is to turn a chore into an experience. And that’s what the “Merry Made Easy” series is all about helping you sidestep Scrooge and simplify the season so you, the holiday MVP and merry magic maker, can truly enjoy this special time of year.

Decorating for the holidays should feel joyful, not overwhelming, and I’m here to share my best tips and tricks to make that happen. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform your home into a festive winter wonderland that’s beautiful and stress-free. So, let’s dive in and make holiday decorating an experience of wonder, warmth, and laughter!

Psst…Get caught up on the rest of the series here: Week 1 Holiday Planning 101 and Week 2 Holiday Shopping Made Easy.

12 Easy Holiday Decorating Tips to Simplify the Process

1. Subtract First: Clean and Declutter

Before I even think about pulling out my holiday decorations, I start by subtracting. I like to collect all the fall decor and anything I won’t need at Christmas and place it in a central location (for me, that’s my dining table) to stow away. Not only does a little cleaning and decluttering create a calm and organized space, but having negative or white space can also make your home feel more serene and less chaotic. Remember, less can be more, so start by subtracting!

Most thrift and resale stores only want holiday decorations during the season. As you decorate, if there’s something you no longer need or want, instead of stowing it away again to make the same decision next year, put it in your declutter bin (that box you keep in the garage so clutter has a place to go).

Then, when you are out and about, you can drop it off. Ask around about places to donate. Our town has a Christmas room where eligible families can go and shop for decor and gifts for free, which makes letting go of things we no longer need or enjoy easier, knowing someone else will!

2. Shop Your Own Home First

One of the best tips for a budget-friendly approach to decorating is to shop your own home. The other day, I saw a cute coat and almost bought it at the store. I opened the coat closet and totally forgot I owned a similar one. In the same way, I think I know everything I have for holiday decorations, but I am always happily surprised by a few items.

Like me, you might be surprised by what you find tucked away in a closet or cabinet. Look for festive throw pillows, faux greenery, or a wooden dough bowl filled with seasonal elements like pinecones or cinnamon sticks. Before heading out for new decorations, use what you already have to create a personal touch.

3. Restock Holiday Essentials

Ensure you have the basics: command hooks, extension cords, and batteries. These small items can make a huge difference when hanging lights or powering up your favorite Christmas ornaments. This year, I grabbed some battery-operated string lights to add holiday cheer to your front door. I use command hooks to hang all my garlands and outdoor wreaths. I have rounded up some of my favorite decorating essentials here.

Not only is it nice to stock up on these items now but come Christmas morning, having plenty of batteries, a screwdriver, and such in a place you can easily access will make things much jollier!

4. Refresh and Repair

Check your holiday decorations from last year. Refresh wreaths and garlands with festive ribbons or natural elements like fresh greenery. Use florist wire or hot glue to attach new branches or pinecones. Repair any broken ornaments or light strings, and quickly polish your decor to keep everything looking its best.

I love to grab new picks and ribbons from Hobby Lobby to make a sun-bleached wreath new again. Make sure to grab shatter-proof balls to affix to wreaths and garlands. Ask me how I know that’s a must!

5. Maintain Form and Function

I love all the decorations, but one year, I strung my garland on the fireplace, and all season long, we couldn’t turn the TV on with the remote. By the end of the season, it was more than a little pesky. It taught me an important lesson: consider how your family uses the space when decorating your living room or dining room table.

While I adore a beautifully set holiday table, I like to keep the decor on trays so it’s easy to move when it’s time for family dinners. This way, form and function work together seamlessly.

Keeping things elevated and off the floor makes your space feel more open and ensures that daily-use items, like remotes, remain easily accessible. If you have little kids, placing festive decorations higher up, like on a fireplace mantel or as a tree topper, is a great way to keep everything safe.

By intentionally leaving some areas clear, especially in small spaces, you can create a sense of calm and avoid the feeling of clutter. It’s all about striking the right balance so you can enjoy a joyful, stress-free holiday season.

6. Create Calm with a Cohesive Holiday Look

As someone who struggles with anxiety, visual clutter can feel like a lot to handle. One of my favorite ways to keep things calm yet festive is to choose a cohesive color scheme and a few intentional focal points.

Sticking to a classic white Christmas theme or a timeless mix of red and gold can create a beautiful, unified look—and the best part? You don’t have to start from scratch each year. While the internet might have you believe you need to reinvent your holiday decor annually, it’s perfectly okay to keep things simple.

If you love switching it up every year, go for it! But if not, take pictures of how you decorated and do it the same way next time. Most of my Christmas decor has been accumulated over the years, and I’ve had the same classic red and green scheme for as long as I can remember, just updating and refreshing pieces as needed.

I’ve found that having one focal point per room works wonders.

Whether it’s a stunning centerpiece on the holiday table or a festive coffee table arrangement with candles and miniature Christmas trees, these focal points create visual interest without overwhelming the space.

In my kitchen, I don’t add much to the counters since I use them daily—it’s just not practical. Instead, I tie little wreaths to my barstools to add a festive touch without adding clutter. This approach keeps my home feeling merry and bright while helping me keep my peace during the holidays.

7. Use Everyday Items to Decorate

Use what you already have and get creative! I love filling a wooden dough bowl with festive ornaments, fresh greenery, or even a little faux snow to make an easy yet beautiful Christmas display.

One of my favorite simple tweaks is attaching mini wreaths to the back of dining chairs with a hot glue gun and some pretty Christmas ribbons—it’s such a sweet, unexpected touch. When it comes to wrapping presents, they can be used as decor too. Pick some beautiful wrapping paper, secure your gifts with ribbons, and you’ve got fun decor!

9. Don’t Forget About Scents

You might not think of it, but scent can be a game-changer for holiday decor. It’s one of those little tweaks that can make a big impact inside of your house, transforming a beautifully decorated space into an immersive holiday experience. By adding scents like pine, cinnamon, or vanilla, you layer in a sense of warmth and tradition, making your decor feel alive and welcoming.

You can incorporate scents in simple, purposeful ways: a pine tree candle in the living room, a simmer pot with cinnamon sticks and orange slices in the kitchen, or festive essential oil blends diffused throughout your home.

Even something as subtle as tucking a few cinnamon-scented pinecones into a bowl of ornaments or placing fresh wreaths on your front door can create that perfect holiday atmosphere. The beauty of scent is that it engages more than just your eyes—it pulls at your heartstrings and makes your home feel like the coziest place this season.

10. Music adds to the Ambiance of Your Home

Music, just like scent, has a magical way of transforming the ambiance of your home and is an easy way to elevate your Christmas decor with little effort. While it may not be “decor” traditionally, it’s a powerful element that brings festive and joyful energy to any space.

The right music can set the tone for the whole day—whether it’s the calming notes of Christmas piano music while I work or read or the upbeat holiday favorites we turn on while cooking dinner and decorating the tree.

Music wraps your home in holiday cheer, making every moment feel more special. It evokes memories, inspires smiles, and even turns simple tasks, like cooking or tidying up, into joyful experiences. Like scent, music makes our spaces feel alive and full of heart during this magical time of year.

11. Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Safety and durability are key when decorating outdoors for the holiday season. First, use only outdoor-rated lights, extension cords, and decorations to prevent electrical hazards. Before setting them up, inspect all your lights and cords for damage, such as frayed wires or burnt-out bulbs. Once everything checks out, secure your decorations properly with weather-resistant hooks and heavy-duty zip ties to withstand wind and harsh weather conditions.

. If you’re hanging lights or decorations high up, always practice ladder safety: set the ladder on a stable, level surface and have someone nearby assist if needed. I still remember when I was a little girl, our neighbor fell out of a tree and was severely injured. Also, be cautious around power lines and keep all decorations at a safe distance.

For an energy-efficient and safer option, consider using LED lights. We switched a few years ago and still get a warm white glow. Not only do they use less energy, but they also produce less heat, which reduces the risk of fire and less changing of lightbulbs year after year.

Plugging lights into automatic timers is another great trick to save energy and avoid overheating while giving you one less thing to remember daily. Keep cords elevated off the ground and dry (our good friend ran over his with his snow blower after a snowstorm). Use cord covers if needed. Never overload circuits (Remember Clark Griswald?)—spread the load to different outlets to prevent electrical issues.

12. Add a Personal Touch & Embrace DIY Christmas Decorations

Display favorite ornaments from past years, or hang up Christmas cards from loved ones. These small, personal touches make your holiday season feel special. Consider using a flea market or dollar store finds to add a unique flair to your décor.

Get creative with easy Christmas DIYs, like making mini wreaths with florist wire or creating custom tree decorations with a hot glue gun. Even decorating a thrift store vase with twine and festive ribbons can be fun for the family.

It’s a perfect way to add personality to your home without spending a fortune. We love our annual Christmas ornament showdown; you can read more here. Plus, gingerbread houses can be fun decorations too. I always hot glue mine together so they stay standing better!

Just Remember…

Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be stressful. With these simple ways to bring the holiday spirit into your home, you’ll have more time to savor the season with the people you love most. The “Merry Made Easy” series is about making those little tweaks to simplify your holiday—to turn chores into experiences by inviting others to join in, adding music and festive scents, and basking in the glow of twinkling lights.

The best part is creating a home that feels joyful, warm, and welcoming, from using natural elements to embracing negative space. Have fun decorating, and remember: sometimes, the most beautiful Christmas decorations come from the heart. I wish you a Merry Christmas filled with laughter, love, and festive cheer!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Merry Made Easy Series for tips on simplified holiday planning and gift giving, and tune into the podcast for even more ways to sidestep stress and make the season magical! Plus,, I have rounded up some of my favorite decorating essentials here.

12 Easy Holiday Decorating Tips to Simplify the Process