I love traditional Christmas decorating, but after 23 years or so of decorating my own house for Christmas, I am really inspired to to find some new fresh ideas to mix things up a bit this year. I want to do something a bit different and a bit unexpected.
To be honest, the thought of dragging out 25 boxes of dusty old stuff makes me a little tired, is that a sign of old age? Don’t answer that. Seriously.
I do love traditions and the memories involved with some of our things, but I am finding it fun to stretch myself and modernize my look a bit.
So, here are three ways to mix things up this Christmas and come up with something more unique!
1. Put a tree or other holiday decor in a new room.
This is an easy one, why not try some of your traditional items in a new room? Putting a tree in the bedroom seems very romantic to me (top photo). I’ve often thought about it but I don’t think I have ever actually had a tree in my master bedroom. Even some branches with lights would be very pretty in the bedroom, wouldn’t it? Hmmm…I think I really need to do this.
Two years ago I hung a wreath from my bed to try something a little different. The wreath is traditional but you’d expect to see it on a door or window. It was really pretty until it started getting crunchy and dropped leaves every time we rolled over at night.
2. Try a non-traditional shape for your trees.
Some rooms just do not have enough space for a chubby Christmas tree. These almost bonzai style trimmed trees (above) would make an interesting statement even in a small space, wouldn’t they? Confession: We’ve almost trimmed our tree branches like this on accident while trying to get the tree to fit in our tree stand, but never on purpose. This shape of tree would look very cool in a dining room or entry too.
Even sticks and twigs can give a real wintry and festive look in a room. I love how these sticks are in a container of white rocks, it looks like snow!
3. Look for ways to reinterpret the expected.
Think outside the box. What are some ways you could make a new statement this year? Maybe instead of (or in addition to) a tree you could try something like this table arrangement with the brightly wrapped gifts below it. The table and greenery stand in for the traditional tree quite well.
images: Remodeling Center/BHG except for my own wreath photo
Want more Christmas decorating ideas? Here is a link to my Christmas and Seasonal Decor Category!
Hi Melissa. Your wreath is my favorite of these inspirational photographs! Thanks for beginning another fun series where we can visit you and each other. Happy Thanksgiving! ~Arleen
.-= Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home´s last blog ..Thanksgiving’s Elegance =-.
I’ll have to think of something non-traditional to do this year.
Your crunchy wreath comment reminded me of the year I asked my husband and 5 year old son to go out into the woods and find a hemlock tree for us. I was 6 months pregnant and not feeling very well so I didn’t get to tag along. They brought home a good size tree and we get the tree decorated and situated in front of the window in the living room. The next morning when we get up… all… and I mean ALL of the needles had fallen to the floor! It was such a funny site! That was the year we had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree! Well, honestly ours looked even sadder, but we kept it till after Christmas.
.-= Lana of Simple Joys Paperie´s last blog ..1888 French Book Paper Wreath with Fleur De Lis MTO =-.
The wreath on the bed is so charming!! I really like the Bonsai trees too, and I love the rug that they’re sitting on! Thanks for hosting this fun Holiday party.
.-= Karen – The Graphics Fairy´s last blog ..Free Vintage Clip Art – Christmas Cherub Boy =-.
Love the fresh ideas and want to incorporate the wreath somewhere in my room. Thanks for getting me started on my holiday decorating even if it’s only in my head!
LOVE the wreath on the bed!!! But the reality is, the naughty four-legged elves I live with would have that shredded in no time! I can dream tho….
m ^..^
.-= m´s last blog ..Inspite of Imperfections… =-.
I really like the wreath at the foot of your bed. Thanks for the Linky party this week!
.-= Carolyn´s last blog ..Ornament Wreath =-.
Melissa,
I love the table with the gifts below. I do a version of that at my house with a tall skinny tree on the table. The branches in white rocks are a fresh idea. You could even string white lights in them. All great ideas. I’ve been thinking of doing something different this year. I like the idea of mixing it up – a little tradition and a bit of something fresh and new. Great post.
.-= Bonnie @ Savoring Simplicity´s last blog ..Bedroom For The Grandkids – On A Budget =-.
Beautiful post, Melissa. I just love the variety of styles in these. The wreath on the foot of the bed….divine! I forgot that this was holiday linky, not beautiful life linky and I’m sorry to say that my link is not holiday focused in the slightest! In my defence I haven’t had a cup of coffee for a few hours and things are getting a bit fuzzy. I’ll do better next week….promise. Meredith xo.
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..loving this week…. =-.
I know how you feel Melissa. Since my kids have grown up I feel a new freedom to decorate for the holidays for ME a bit more. I still use elements that mean a lot to the whole family but I feel more free to edit some of the really old stuff out and try new things, like editing the colors on the tree and using the decorations in different areas and different ways. The family seems to enjoy a change too:>)
.-= Kathleen Grace´s last blog ..The Skylight Project =-.
When my mother was extremely poor, living in a small space (read: starving artist), she filled a big round vase with branches that she painted white and hung glittery white angels on them. It was beautiful! The ornaments were probably not cheap, but she didn’t need many of them, and added a few silver balls, too.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Monday, Monday =-.
I love the topiary pines! A great idea.
Wow, so many people have posts ready already! I haven’t even brought my bins up from the basement yet! If things go as planned I hope to do that sometime this weekend and just take a look see at what I’ve got, ponder ideas and plan for what I need to get.
These are great ideas! I put up 7 trees and have a theme on each of them. I’ve been trying to come up with another idea for this yr.
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Thanksgiving ~ Frugal Place Settings =-.
I love the mix of rustic and chic! This makes me want to decorate every room….I’ll have to restrain myself!
Love the wreath on the bed!
.-= Stephaine @ Geezees´s last blog ..Watching old wedding video… Mommy, why are you smiling so much? =-.
Hi Melissa, I love the unexpected little touches that you have shown. A wreath in the bedroom is a lovely idea.
Susan
.-= black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..BITTERSWEET =-.
Your own photos are always so fabulous that for every photo you post I think “wait, is that her house?”. I like these ideas…..my wheels are spinning!
.-= Holly´s last blog ..Thrifty Gifty #1—Repurpose Clothing as Pillows =-.
We put a tree in our bedroom last year, quite by accident. We have a small home, only 4 rooms total (including an enclosed porch) and we had inherited another Christmas tree. Without a place to put it, I decided to see if it would squeeze into our bedroom. BEST HOLIDAY DECORATING DECISION EVER! It was so very holiday and yes, very romantic. I personalized some ornaments to hang on the tree by writing all the things I love about my husband on them.
If you have an “extra” tree about the house, I highly recommend adding it to your bedroom decor, it was such a treat to wake up to Christmas ever morning, and go to sleep next to the glow of the Christmas lights every night. (I recommend a dimmer if you want to leave the lights on all night ;)
.-= Brittany´s last blog ..17. Kadon =-.
I love to add touches of Christmas all around the house, plus it is always a reason to buy an extra Christmas decoration or too!
.-= Janmary, N Ireland´s last blog ..Christmas Traditions shared (or are they Rules?) =-.
Fun ideas! I’m doing a tree in the master bedroom this year, too!
.-= Christi´s last blog ..up and running =-.
I love the idea of two trees in pots! But I think I’m just going to use what I have for this year again, more or less anyways. I’m slowly getting into the Christmas Spirit…, and I’m sure I’ve got something to share later. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
.-= Maya@Completely Coastal´s last blog ..Why not Mount a Bow Maiden Ship Figure Head! =-.
Those are fantastic suggestions Melissa, thanks for sharing! I just pulled out a few Christmas goodies today and I’m going to try to do some different things with them this year too. I would LOVE a little tree in the bedroom-great idea!
Hi Melissa–
I linked a post I wrote earlier this week. It’s not a holiday post, but it highlights a holiday giveaway! I’m celebrating my 100th blog post, and I am giving away a Rudolfo chip and dip set by Vietri. Vietri is headquartered right here in North Carolina, and they have a wonderful outlet store. Maybe you or one of your readers would enjoy entering the giveaway!
.-= Richella´s last blog ..My favorite things =-.
wow … what a nice decorating ideas.
I love the idea of a wreath hanging from a foot board. I think it is the vertical rods behind the wreath that are eye-pleasing.
.-= Gussy´s last blog ..{Featured Artist: ElmStudiosOnline} =-.
Hi Melissa,
I’m with you! Dragging dusty boxes up from the basement isn’t fun and it ususally takes me 2-3 days to get everything exactly where I want it. Thanks for the suggestions.
Hugs,
Charlotte
.-= Charlotte ´s last blog ..The Thanksgiving Turkey… =-.
My mother-in-law goes wild at Christmas – although I tease her for it, I secretly think some of it is lovely, and one thing that is completely charming is the tiny 2 foot christmas tree in almost every single room – even the bathrooms in her house! It makes for a lovely quality of light for middle-of-the-night trips to the loo! She also put a wreath studded with fairy lights over our bed – rather pagan, but very romantic.
I apologize for my complaints about Christmas here a couple of weeks ago – I hope I didn’t come across as overbearing. As we have family in the US (we live in the UK) we have to start thinking about Christmas presents now, which brings me very naturally to thinking about trees and wreaths.
.-= Passementerie´s last blog ..Autumn Colours, Textures: Tan Leather =-.
I love all your holiday idea- I particularly like to decorate with branches fo r the season!
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Fall at the Homestead =-.
I’m so thankful for this post!
I live in teeny loft in San Francisco, and have been wanting to get into the spirit this year for our second Christmas, but wasn’t sure how to do it in our space. These ideas are great. :)
.-= {JeLisa}´s last blog ..“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” =-.
Love the beautiful wreath on the bed! So romantic!
I LOVE the twig branch idea, however my girls tend to be allergic to the outdoor stuff. Do you think spraypainting them- with eaither a color or some kind of sealant would help? Anyone?
.-= gina´s last blog ..hey retailers-(and shoppers can get cash back on every purchase!) =-.
Oh, and i love the wreath on the bed idea- I’m so going to do that in the master! thanks!!
.-= gina´s last blog ..add a little something. =-.
Beautiful pics and wonderful ideas (and the container of socks? super creative!). We have a lot of dusty boxes too, Melissa, and yet when I think of leaving them in the attic for the season, I feel a little queasy. :-) What we’ve been doing the last few years to make use of some smaller artificial trees (with sentimental value) that were bequeathed to us:
* We turn one into a “here’s our ‘family tree’ on the tree” theme, using ornaments that date back through our childhoods all the way back to my grandparents. It’s a lovely hodgepodge of items that takes shape into both a vintage look and a sweet familial display.
* We let our son, now five, have a small tree in his bedroom …
* We put a three-foot tree atop a cedar chest in a spare bedroom; it looks full-size from outside and, because we have a lot of windows (and have a light in most), another tree provides a nice addition to our house’s overall look.
* And we always have a live tree downstairs that serves as our “official” tree for the year and can take on different looks depending on the year/mood. We go to a family-owned tree farm nearby and select it each year, so the very act of getting it is also special.
Thanks for getting me excited about changing out all my autumn decorations next week!
I loved the wreath at the foot of the bed, but we don’t have a foot board bed frame, nix that idea. . . I love the Christmas tree in the master bedroom. . . WHAT master bedroom? Ours is so small, I have to walk sideways to get to my side of the bed. That one is out the window.
I purchased a very tall artificial tree that was the display model in the local store. It came with a rotating tree stand. It is a pain to put up and take down, as you add the 8 layers of branches. I add the lights as I do this.
It used to be fun when my oldest daughter was there. She would turn the rotating stand on and off and hand me lights as I decorated. It is lonely without her now.
To inspire me to get on the stick and quit procrastinating one year, I invited one of my married kids with children home for Thanksgiving. The rest of my kids had other plans. I purchased and wrapped all their gifts. They were the only ones under the tree. After dinner, they opened the gifts. It was so fun.
The only regret was this. We should have opened the gifts the next morning, as those kids were so wound up, they had a hard time going to sleep.
but it is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
No special decorating ideas here, just a memory.
~a
.-= annie´s last blog ..Pulled Hamstring =-.
Hello, I loved all the Christmas decor pic, especially the wreath on the bed. Very cute.
I have been searching your blog because I am pretty sure that I had visited here a couple of weeks ago… you had some really neat redo ideas in your family room with a new mantle. I loved the blue/gray paint that you had painted it. Anyway, if you could reply back to me I would appreicate it.
Thanks in advance~
Michelle
Such cute ideas…..I was thinking the wreath would be so pretty at the end of our bed until I remembered we fold back the bedspread at night….Yeah, that one’s out. For YEARS we had a HUGE Manzanita tree branch as our tree. I spray painted it white and used the white lights with the white cord on it. We used to go to Hawaii the day after Christmas every year so this saved having a tree drying up while we were gone and we could still enjoy Christmas before we left. I LOVED it.
Warm blessings,
Spencer
.-= Spencer´s last blog ..Ahhhhh…….Now THIS Is Really Silly Stuff!…… =-.
I’m giggling thinking about that wreath dropping leaves like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree.
Beautiful trees! I sooooo wish I had another room to put at least one more tree up, but I just don’t have room. Bleh.
.-= Heathahlee´s last blog ..My Husband Still Rocks! =-.
So nice to have options, hey?! I must be honestI love the traditional look, hoeever do very much enjoy the simpler more modern look with twigs/ tree branches as a tree as well … at home tho we still do the whole big tree with lots of tinsel and baubles – it’s lmost expected, what can I say?!
.-= Gena´s last blog ..3 Country styled bedrooms =-.
This is such a great idea- I’m hoping to be back to normal life soon, so I can join in the fun.
Thanks any for being awesome!
Have a wonderful day!
.-= teresa´s last blog ..Adding Warmth to your Home =-.
My mother used to have a Norfolk Island Pine in a terra cotta pot and for a few Christmases in a row, we just decorated that with a few ornaments and tinsel. Other times we just decorated houseplants.