Decorating for Winter vs. Christmas

Decorating for winter versus Christmas is a harder task than you may realize. Similar to how a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square, winter is not Christmas even though Christmas embodies winter elements.

In my experience, I have found that it is important to do five things when decorating for the winter season that will ensure your home radiates warmth and delight without feeling like elves took over your shopping cart. Go grab your warmest blanket and let’s settle in!

1) Realign Color: Blue and Brown vs. Red and Green

What colors come to mind when you think of Christmas? Red and green! These colors are iconic for a reason and are rarely seen together in any other context other than the most wonderful time of the year. As you transition into a winter aesthetic, try to lean away from the reds and greens and focus more on blues and browns.

Now I am not saying you can’t have red and green in your decor; they just should not be the star. Blues and browns nod to “snow” and “wood”. Further, adding glass accents to the mix will enhance the space with the crystal-like wonder that comes with the winter season.

Links to Featured Items

• Antique Charger Plates
• 10 inch Porcelain Dinner Plates
• French Stripe Tabletop Collection Farmhouse Style Dining Table Linen Napkin Set
• Clear Crystal Plastic Napkin Holder Rings
• Clear Tall Crystal Vase Glass Vase
• Retro Farmhouse Outdoor Buffalo Tartan Decorative Throw Pillow Case
• Vintage Blue and White Porcelain Flower Vase
• Decorative Linen Solid Throw Pillow Covers Navy Blue 
• Trivets for Hot Dishes
• Blue Glass Bud Vase Set of 12

2) Incorporate Nature: Pinecones and Berries vs. Trees and Garland

Here is the best place to incorporate red and green into your winter home. Instead of relying on a grand Christmas tree and long rows of garland to add a bit of life your space, sprinkle in some pinecones and berry stems to bring some winter magic.

In my house, I love my large bowl of pinecone potpourri on my kitchen table and a tall vase of red berry stems dispersed with evergreen branches on the dresser in my bedroom. This celebrates the season without having our majestic pine overstay its welcome.

Links to Featured Items

• Evergreen Pine Scented Potpourri
• Artificial Rose Bouquet
• Faux Evergreen Cedar Sprigs Branches
• Artificial White Berry Stems
• Holly Berry Stems
• Snow Pinecones Set
• Decorative Wooden Dough Bowl

3) Feature Animals: Birds vs. Reindeer

Incorporating critters is one of my favorite things. Because I am allergic to practically all of God’s creatures, having cute reminders of fuzzy innocence is a lot of fun. For Christmas, the one animal always featured is the reindeer as it is an ode to Rudolph and the rest of Santa’s levitating sleigh team.

Rather than having Dasher and Dancer sitting on your mantle, opt for celebrating the bright cardinal or wise owl. Winter birds bring a sense of home into a room and encourages its occupants to nest. Perfect for winter’s chilly days!

Links to Featured Items

• Cardinal Table Decoration
• Red Acrylic Cardinal Figurine
• Rustic Carved Owl Figurine
• Furry Gray Owl Set of 2
• Master Vintage Owl Poster
• Cardinal Snow Globe Lantern

4) Create Atmosphere: Candlelight vs. Twinkle Lights

There is no one on the Earth that loves well-placed twinkle lights more than I do; however, twinkle lights are more of a Christmas accessory than a winter one. Twinkle lights serve as a visual display of Christmas magic that coats the room and makes seeing unopened presents under the tree that much more special, but it should be reserved for those moments only.

Instead, look for opportunities to incorporate candlelight. Candlelight represents the allure of a crackling fire or the initial tingle of walking into a warm room after trudging outside. It is soft and relaxing and everything you need to recover after holiday festivities.

Links to Featured Items

• Cottage Farmhouse Lantern
• Handmade Wooden Tea Light Candle Holder
• Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar
• White Decorative Candle Lantern
• Ginger & White Musk Scented Candle
• Birch Bark Flameless Pillar Candles

5) Add Charm: Textiles vs. Trinkets

It is the little things that make a space uniquely yours. During Christmas, we dress every surface with porcelain figurines and adorn our tree with colorful, mismatching ornaments from our childhood. This is charming in a nostalgic way as we remember being children wanting every room to reflect the glittering abundance of Santa’s workshop.

As an alternative to purchasing more and more trinkets to fill the blank corners of your home, consider adding charm to your space with cozy textiles. Whether you love chunky knit blankets or cross-stitched artwork, featuring a variety of textures will entice the eye and turn your sparkly workshop into a warm winter cottage.

Links to Featured Items

• Ivory Sheer Lace Curtains
• Blue and Privacy White Curtains – Jacquard Slub Texture
• Chunky Knit Blanket
• Reversible Jacquard Towel Set
• Traditional Medallion Border Area Rug, Midnight Blue
• Large Cotton Kitchen Hand Towels

Here’s A Toast

It goes without saying that these are more guidelines than hard rules. If winter for you means keeping up the twinkle lights and leaving your tree to peak through the front window until spring, then by all means keep those traditions alive! Your home should be first and foremost your own whatever that may look like.

As for me, I am the kind of person that sees Christmas and winter as separate entities and enjoys celebrating each season and their accompanying occasions distinctly. The above comparisons have shaped how I transition my home from autumn to Christmas and from Christmas to winter effectively and with appreciation of the beautiful passing of time. If you have other ways you transition into winter, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Cheers!

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