How to Decorate for Christmas with Items you Own
You can easily create holiday cheer and embrace the magic of the holiday season without spending a fortune. Decorating for Christmas doesn’t mean you have to rush out and buy the latest bits and baubles. Some of the most charming and meaningful decorations are already in your home. From vintage treasures, family mementos, to holiday items you have had for years, let’s explore how to transform what you already own into a holiday wonderland that feels warm, personal, and timeless. Let’s chat about how to decorate for Christmas with items you own.
I am wearing what I plan to wear Christmas morning, Quince cashmere joggers, cardigan, cotton ribbed sweater (I own in black and olive) and my monogrammed velvet birdies.
How to Decorate for Christmas with Items you Own
My color palette this year is blue and gold.I love to combine faux greenery with foraged items from my yard. FYI juniper stays green for years. I love faux because it doesn’t shed, but you can’t beat the smell and look of real greens. If you like the smell of fresh greens grab a Thymes Frasier Fir Candle. Above my fireplace mantel I have a wreath from Park Hill Collection that I have owned for years. I sometimes add berries, faux fruit, or other various elements to it. This year I left it plain with pinecones and ribbon from my favorite Etsy source Promenade Fabrics (I am not a personal fan of bows). You might enjoy my post How to Make a Faux Wreath Look Natural on how I have dressed it up in years past. They carry wide widths of vintage ribbon. The garlands (also from Park Hill but sold out) I have also had for years. These are very similar here. I added magnolia and a few extra pinecones, nothing more.
Come on inside; on the front doors I have simple faux green christmas wreaths from Park Hill that I have had for years. Some years I add fresh evergreens, more pine cones or other elements. You can see how I have This year I kept them simple with wide vintage gros grain ribbon from Promenade Fabrics on Etsy. You might enjoy my tutorial on how to make a faux wreath look natural and other holiday tips here.
How to Decorate for Christmas with Items you Own-Entry
When you walk in the front door to the left is an entry cupboard and bench. I added a few vintage german silver stars (I have had for years), fresh greens from the yard, some vintage sheep and santa and friends. The stocking were crafted by Trish from Cottage by Design. I rarely take the time to decorate small areas but I just got carried away this year. I think Summer will like it!
How to Decorate for Christmas with Items you Own-Great Room
The glitter stars and Noel and Magic garlands are vintage (very fragile they are so old) from Wendy Addison. You can learn more about her studio in Port Costa here. If you are in the area I highly recommend a visit. The German glitter ages over time, so the stars are in multiple shades of silver. You can find some of her treasures on eBay here.
We still only have one rug in the great room (Scout still chews) so it looks a little bare. I haven’t wrapped any Christmas gifts yet either! I will share my color scheme and wrap on Sunday. If you follow me on Instagram you know that the tree normally has a fence around it for the same reason. I took it down for the photos.
I don’t have a “decorator tree” that looks different every year. The tree is filled with 49 years of collected christmas ornaments with special meaning. Some are christmas projects and diy projects of my kids. Most I can remember exactly where they came from. The tree is from Terrain. We bought it when we moved to this house. We have been really happy with the tree, It was not pre lit, but we have managed to store it for three years with the lights on.
The sideboard in the dining area has a few vintage santas that I have owned for years.
On the dining room table (in lieu of a complicated chirstmas centerpiece is a vintage bowl filled with greens, from the yard (magnolia from Trader Joes),and faux pairs. I added some faux greens and my german glitter glass garland to the chandelier. Pottery Barn has a similar garland here.
Christmas decor on the antique tavern table consists of a vintage basket filled with faux pears, greens and magnolia. I add the wings to my vintage (not antique) Santos (usually in my bathroom with necklaces ). You can find one on eBay here.
How to Decorate for Christmas with Items you Own-Kitchen
In the kitchen I filled a couple bowls with pears and greens and added wreaths from Amazon.
The candle is Sequoia Fir by Votivo.
The monogrammed towel is from Cottage by Design, the antique riser is from Atrium Mercantile (local). You can find similar on Etsy here. You can find the norfolk pine wreaths on Amazon here.
The only holiday decor on the kitchen banquette area is an antique french sink filled with pears and greens from the yard.
You can find many of the ornaments and christmas decor that I own in my Amazon storefront here.You can also shop my entire Amazon storefront here.
Thank you for being here and reading How to Decorate for Christmas with Items you Own. Remember decorating for Christmas with items you already own isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creating home decor that tells your story and celebrates the season in a way that’s uniquely yours. By reimagining familiar pieces and layering in personal touches, you can craft a holiday look that feels both fresh and timeless. The charm of Christmas doesn’t come from how much you spend but from the love and creativity you pour into your home. So, shop your house, and let your personality shine through every festive detail and welcome your guests in style. Happy holidays!
Hi Cindy, your home is so gorgeous. Your taste is impeccable. I have been collecting our ornaments since my husband and I began dating. Our tree is filled with ornaments from our kids activity of the year, the ones they made in school, gifts from friends and family and our travels over the years. It is the centerpiece of our home each Christmas. My husband insists on a real tree every year. We are 69 and 73. I asked him this year if we will still be doing this when I’m 90 as I was on the floor screwing the tree trunk into the stand. He said “I love your optimism”. These ornaments tell the story of our life.
All the best to you and yours in 2025!
Cindy,
So beautiful! I love the garland over your mantel and the bowls with pears and Christmas greens. You have great ideas!
Hi Jan
Thank you so much! Happy Holidays!
Like you my tree is decorated with 40 odd years of memories and decorations collected from my travels. Has made for an eclectic, but much loved collection. My front door wreath is one my sister (who is artsy crafty) made me nearly 30 years ago and it has a musical theme complete with a little violin. Anything made with love, whether a little decoration, or in my case, a wreath, is what this time of year is about. However, I don’t do any natural greenery as it is summer here and it looks pretty crook after a few hot days, so faux it is. Your home looks very inviting and can imagine how cosy it would be with an open hearth fire on Christmas Day. Happy Christmas to you and your family
I always eagerly await your holiday home post – and this year’s is beautiful! So much inspiration – the touches of nature, treasured ornaments adorning the tree, wreaths and garland and the beautiful french sink – stunning! Your decor is welcoming and an extension of you. Love it! To me that’s what embodies the holiday (and hopefully) is the feeling that guests get when coming to our home. We didn’t have a tree up last year (we moved 5 days after xmas – absolute chaos) But we’re settled, purged some of the old/damaged decor and it’s company ready! Thanks for the inspiration and wishing you a happy birthday and Merry Christmas!
Your home is so beautiful! I love to decorate as you do, with collected finds and old ornaments that have memories attached. Thank you for sharing and for the inspiration!
I love all of your posts! You make everything easy and affordable! I have so many of my decorations from many years past that my girls don’t want and I’m sad that I can’t see them again! I was at a Christmas party last weekend and their tree was decorated with everything from forever! I should have taken a picture, but their girls are still in their 20’s!
Ha! Next time take a pic!! We all need to go back to Italy.
So very beautiful! I love a home that is not overdone. Yours is perfect!
Love the whole house! Beautiful.
I rarely buy anything new – I am trying to get rid of things. Bins and bins of stuff from the shop!!
Hi Cindy, Looking at a photo of Summer that you posted recently, I realised how long I have been following you — well before she was born, in fact. Love the way you style yourself, your home and your garden! Thank you for my daily read and I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
Hi Helen
Thank you so much for being a long time follower. Happy Holidays!!
I love the warmth and inviting feeling from your Christmas decorations. At my age, I feel certain I don’t need any more decorations. That said, I manage to find one or two treasures each year to add to the collection. Haha. Your posts are always filled with beautiful ideas.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
Unfortunately that can be the case ha ha!!
We moved to a retirement community earlier this year and had to leave a lot of things behind. This year we have a small faux blue spruce decorated with my mother in law’s Gorham Christmas stars. They look beautiful and put a smile on my face when I look at them.
Your house is stunning.
Merry Christmas.
Hi Carole
Your tree sounds beautiful!!
Cindy,
Love your Christmas decor! My husband and I have saved many of our parents’ decorations and we love to unpack them and reminisce. Our tree is a crazy assortment of items—some vintage, some our children made over the years, some gifts from family and friends, and many we have purchased on trips. As we have gotten older, I have challenged myself to simplify my decorating but these things have to come out. They’re what makes our Christmas special. Merry Christmas!
Hi Diana
Your tree sounds like mine!!
Dear Cindy,
Using what you own, while adding natures bounty, creates unpretentious elegance throughout your home. Summer will surely be enchanted by your entry cupboard and bench. The Santos on the tavern table with the mirror reflecting your lovely garland on your chandelier, caused me to linger.
Thank you for the calm beauty which draws us into peace,
Christmas hugs,
Diney
Hi Diney!
Thank you so.much my friend!!
So many interesting holiday touches in your lovely home. I like it.
Hi Linda
Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing!
Please tell me.more about the French sink.
What is it made of?
Have A happy holiday.
Hi Nan
My friend Debra from 5th and State (or Scentimental Gardens) convinced me to buy it in Carmel several years ago. It is wood has a hole in the bottom of it and has the initials GL. I think of Debra every time I look at it which makes me happy!!~
Natural simple decor is always timeless and pretty. I decorated for Christmas about 20yrs similar to your decor but called it country Christmas. Then I started decorating with all the glamour but I miss the cozy simple look. Love the wreaths from Amazon but site don’t work.
Hi Nancy
Sorry here is the link https://amzn.to/4iwvb2g
Hi Nancy
I fixed the link. I am so sorry! Country Christmas works!
I too have a nostalgia tree full of ornaments from school and Sunday school projects to a small tree full of old glass ornaments that were my mother’s. It brings back many memories from years gone by as I am now 76. Your home is beautiful.
Hi Pam
It’s fun to reminisce about the ornaments and where they came from isn’t it?
I don’t dislike bows but find the new trend of putting bows all over your tree and on everything around your house…well… fussy, and over done, and too sweet. Every tree is starting to look the same.
I don’t have ornaments that I’ve owned for many, many years but some go back to the late nineties, very early 2000s. I used to decorate with Father Christmases, then snowmen, then deers. I’ve stayed with the deer for years now. We have deer wandering our streets and even in yards in our small town so they seem appropriate.
Every year, I promise myself I’m going to decorate less but once I get started it’s all out. lol
Your decorations are simple and it suits your style. And, so much less to pack away in totes for another year. Love the lambs! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home, Cindy.
Hi Joanna
I agree with the “bow thing”. I would love to see your deer. I love that idea. I do the same every year Joanna…once I get going…
Beautiful, so beautiful. Puts me to shame. My home is a mess!
Hi Rory
So was mine! The blog & my upcoming 70th forced me into action!!
Cindy My tiny tree was a find at an after holiday sale about 30 years ago. It holds ornaments made by my daughter during a crafting phase when she was in middle school and also small gold ornaments from stores that are no longer present. I guess most of the trimmings can be said to be vintage now as I am! My wreaths are also old; one was purchased at a drugstore chain [that is gone] in the late 90s..unusual as it had gold pears and other sparkly fruit..the arranger for that store was different in that the offerings were always beautifully displayed. After NewYears it’s all boxed up and labeled for another year . We did have a huge tree in the late 80s but the cats we had tore it down despite our efforts. They have long gone to cat heaven.
Hi Donnie
I just love these Christmas stories. We did have to purchase a new tree (tall) for this home, as my faux tree from Chualar was on its very last legs (literally falling apart). I love having a big tree where I can hang every single ornament from the past. I passed my bright red ornaments on to my daughter and several of the neutral ones on to my son and dil. I am glad they are able to enjoy them and the memories behind them.
Your home is just so beautiful. Thank you for sharing! Nice that you went with the using what you have idea. I love it when decor has real meaning.
There was a great article in The New York Times last week. It was called The Art of Decorating Holiday Mantles by Bunny Williams. It describes how she gathers greens, branches, and leaves from her yard and the countryside around her. It has a video of her placing them just so. It mentions that she holds the branches in place with painters tape! When all of the natural materials are down, she adds ornaments and objects with a common color or theme (she has seven mantles in her home!) A fun read if you can access the Times!
Hi Lisa
We were very fortunate to find a home that suits us so well. I love Bunny Williams. I will see if I can access the article.
So lovely! I could spend an hour looking at those shelves on your wall. Your granddaughter will be smitten, I am sure!
I was out and about yesterday, stopping by two very nice greenhouse/garden center/home decor businesses. I really saw nothing new that captured my attention, thought maybe I was having a serious case of “bah humbug”. Walked around a bit more then overheard a comment between two other women “we should have held onto what we had!” I realized then I have what I need at home.
In the second shop, I did take notice of items that were similar to what I’ve accumulated over the years. The only thing that made me stop and take a double look was the use of tree toppers sitting on a faux mantle vs the tree. Silly me, I never once thought to do that. I came home refreshed, inspired and happy that I have held onto what I have. Dug deeper into my storage bins, pulled a few more items, then went into the garage and retrieved a 1980 something tree topper out of the “donate carton”, and placed it in my office.
I love your repeat use of pears and greens! I feel like that is where holiday – winter decor may be heading, items that are live, or appear to be so. Meanwhile, it is so fun to make what is old, new again!
Hi Linda
What a clever idea displaying toppers on a mantel. Love that!
Cindy,
I love this post about using what we have to decorate for Christmas. Our Christmas tree is covered with 45 years of ornaments with so many memories attached to each one. Our angel is 45 years old and looks a little “sad” but one year I decided to replace her with a star and my family revolted against it. Lesson learned. Our children are scattered across the United States from Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri and Arizona, so even though some can’t be here for Christmas they are still with us. I love the pears and the greenery and I’m going give it a try this year. Your style always inspires me.
Hi Chiquita
Our star had fallen apart as well. We almost didn’t use it this year, but Steve rescued it by drilling a whole in the bottom and plopping it on top. It is probably at least 30 years old…no wait more like 40+