Christmas Decorating Ideas You'll Love with a Cozy Traditional Feel

For the last couple of months I’ve been thinking a lot about the Christmas holiday and how I wanted my home to feel this year.

Clearly, it’s been a wild year that I feel we wish would just come to an end!

With that in mind, I really wanted my home to have a cozy and warm feel, reminiscent of Christmases from my childhood, where I didn’t have a care in the world.

Because of this, I would like to share Christmas decorating ideas with a cozy traditional feel.

In fact, as you scroll through this post I hope you’ll reflect on Christmases from your childhood.

And as you do, you’ll be inspired to add elements from your past Christmases into your holiday decor this year.

We’re both so excited to be participating in “A Very Merry Christmas Home Tour” blog hop this year!

A special thanks to Carrie at Lovely Etc. for arranging everything!

Please be sure to scroll down towards the bottom of our post for tons of inspiration from 16 talented home decor bloggers and see their beautiful homes this Christmas.

In this post . . .

How Can I Decorate My House for Christmas?

Christmas Decorating Ideas, sofa table decorated with wrapped Christmas gift, Santa, and a collection of cozy and pine tree decor.

Have you been wondering “how can I make my home feel extra special this year for Christmas?”

Clearly, that has been on my mind.

Our Christmas will definitely be different.

Such as, there will not be our big family parties, work parties, or church parties.

Everything will be centered with our immediate family in our own home.

With this in mind, my Christmas decorating ideas center on my family and memories we have shared in the past.

And we’ll be sharing memories and stories with our children and grandchildren to make this year special for them.

In fact, we’ve already created a bucket list of fun things we want to do as a family in our home.

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Christmas Decorating Ideas, railing decorated with pine garland embellished with red plaid ribbon and white faux fur.

If you were to look back to last January or February the trending theme and colors for Christmas were classic blue, the same as the Pantone color of the year.

However, once the pandemic struck our thoughts changed.

Clearly our thoughts turned to creating a traditional, cozy Christmas.

For this reason, the trending colors for Christmas are red and green.

You guessed it, we all want to go back to the way things used to be.

Likewise, months ago when I started thinking about my Christmas decor for 2020 I was drawn to the traditional red and green.

For years, I’ve been decorating for Christmas with blues, greens, silver.

However, this year I felt like we needed a change in our home.

How Can I Decorate for Christmas on a Budget?

Two slim Christmas trees decorated with traditional red and white ornaments with hints of black, faux fur garland, popcorn garland and personalized photo ornaments.

If you’re like me you’ve got a collection of Christmas ornaments and decorating ideas that you’ve used from Christmases past.

Rummage through what you have and see what you can use or repurpose this year.

If you have items that need a little updating, the most economical way to refresh them is a little paint.

In fact, over the years I’ve repainted ornaments or updated them with ribbon or fabric.

Purchase items second hand, such as through Facebook Marketplace, vintage stores, thrift stores, etc.

For example, a couple of months ago I was browsing through the thrift store and spotted a large box of ornaments for for $2.

When I say large, I mean large!

There was probably close to 75 beautiful glass ornaments in the box.

Never pay full price for Christmas decor.

Not only do I look for sales and coupons, but purchasing Christmas decorating ideas at the end of the season will save you tons of money.

And if you like to repurpose, you need to see these Christmas decorations made from toilet paper rolls!

You won’t believe the transformation!

Cover image for Christmas planner, two decorated Christmas trees with traditional red and white colors.

Do you always feel that you’re running around with your head cut off during the holiday season?

There’s always so much to do!

Not only are there gifts to buy, parties to plan, and Christmas baking on your to do list, but you also want to enjoy the season.

After all it is the most wonderful time of the year.

To help you stay organized this Christmas we’ve put together a FREE printable Christmas planner.

Just click on the button below to download you planner today!

Looking for a few gift ideas, then take a look at our latest gift guide.

Free Printable Christmas Planner

DIY Christmas Decor

Personalized Christmas ornament of little girl sitting on Santa's lap on a flocked Christmas tree

Making your own ornaments or Christmas Decor clearly will save your budget.

This year we had a few left over arabesque tiles from a project and we made these unique handmade ornaments.

In fact, at our Thanksgiving dinner everyone couldn’t stop talking about these nostalgic ornaments.

Everyone was looking for their ornament and we reminisced about those who are no longer with us.

Last year I made some vintage style ornaments from my grandma’s costume jewelry.

Think outside the box and create some unique ornaments or decor for your Christmas this year.

Using sentimental pieces really makes your Christmas decor special!

In order to create this cozy Christmas feel this year I wanted to add some faux fur garland.

I found some faux fur Christmas ribbon, but it would have cost me a fortune!

However, I got that same look by purchasing 1 yard of faux fur fabric and ripped it into strips.

Red box tied to the pine greenery garland on the railing.

Not only did I have plenty to decorate my 2 slim Christmas trees, but I had plenty left over to add it to my garland along the railing.

Another Christmas decorating idea that will save on your budget is ribbon. It can give you a lot of bang for your buck.

One of my favorite places to look for ribbon is Sam’s Club. The rolls are large, usually containing 50 yards and the price is so low.

More Budget Friendly Christmas Decorating Ideas

Use your gifts as decor. For example this large package on my sofa table is my granddaughters Christmas gift.

I wrapped it to coordinate with my decor this year, however I left the tag off for now.

If she knew it was her present she would be shaking it to see if she could guess what was inside.

Christmas decor ideas, Cozy trees and houses layered with snow.

Create Christmas decorating ideas from thrift store finds.

These cozy trees were DIYed from a thrifted sweater and poster board.

Or create Christmas decor with yarn, such as this finger knit tree or the wrapped tree.

Don’t forget to check out the Dollar Spot at Target.

That’s were I found these cute wooden houses this year.

Grey sectional decorated with green and red plaid flannel pillows and a chunky white throw blanket. Coffee decorated with a galvanized tray filled with 2 farmhouse style candlesticks, candles and a pine candle ring.

Clearly by now you know that I love to change my pillow covers with the seasons.

Not only does it make a dramatic change to the feel of a room, but it’s also so budget friendly.

This year I purchased plaid flannel fabric to create these festive pillow covers.

In addition to this, I discovered some cute kitchen towels that we turned into throw pillows as well.

Such as, the red and white “Merry and Bright” lumbar pillow.

The plaid throw on the blanket ladder I also found at the Dollar Spot at Target.

Use Fresh Greenery

Christmas Decorating Ideas, the dining table with ribbon, fresh greenery and grandma's vintage ornaments.

Not only are fresh greens economical, but they add that Christmasy scent to your home.

Here we tied a bough of pine to each chair with this fun plaid flannel ribbon.

Grandma's vintage ornaments on a white faux fur table runner.

We also used fresh greenery in the centerpiece along with my grandma’s vintage glass ornaments.

Christmas Decorating Ideas, use fresh greenery and fruits when decorating for Christmas.

In the kitchen we also added more greenery to a tray of fresh pomegranates.

Add a Hot Cocoa Bar

Vintage style Santa mugs are reminiscent of Christmases past.

Clearly, this Christmas decorating idea is one of my grandkids favorite spots.

Christmas Decorating Ideas, hot cocoa bar with a collection of mugs and a chalkboard sign.

The cute little Santa mugs I picked up from Dollar Tree last year.

They reminded me of mugs my mom had when I was young.

More Christmas Decorating Ideas for the Kitchen

Adding greens and a few red elements brings Christmas cheer into the kitchen

Christmas Decorating Ideas, adding greens and a few red elements brings Christmas cheer into the kitchen

Along with adding a little greenery to my vent hood and cupboards, bring out your favorite Christmas recipe book and put it on display.

A styled tray for Christmas adds decor easily to the kitchen

Finally my last Christmas decorating ideas for the kitchen is this festive little display on a raised tray.

First we filled an apothecary jar with Epsom salts, then added bottle brush trees and a sparkly red truck ornament.

Another apothecary jar is filled with soft peppermint candies, which happen to be my grand-kids favorite.

We then added a cookie jar and last but not least more fresh greens.

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Christmas Decorating Ideas That Are Sentimental

Christmas Decorating Ideas, black wall shelf decorated with a collection of vintage Santas. Vintage window frame hung over the shelf with children's photos.

Without a doubt, this has to be one of my favorite Christmas decor pieces.

I admit it, I’m a proud grandma!

Look at those adorable babies!

It’s been part of my Christmas decor for 14 years now.

Clearly, this is an easy DIY project anyone can do.

First, I took photos of these precious babies their first Christmas.

Then I embellished them with ribbon and scrapbook paper and mounted them in an old window frame.

Finally, I added some adhesive vinyl letters to spell out “Santa Baby”. That’s it!

Everyone who visits my home loves to see this Christmas Decorating idea.

Christmas Decorating Ideas, built- in bookshelves decorated with vintage Santa photos, greenery picks.

On my bookshelves I love to put out old pictures with Santa, as well as other sentimental pieces.

Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas, vintage typewriter with a note from Santa, nutcrackers, vintage photos with Santa and greenery picks.

On this shelf I have a picture of my mom, who is no longer with us, sitting on Santa’s lap.

Also I have her little treasure box and a doily crocheted by my grandma.

The typewriter belonged to my grandpa and I’ve just added a fun little saying.

Christmas Decor Ideas, built-in shelves decorated with Santa, photo with Santa and greenery picks.

On this shelf I have a picture of my children when they were young visiting with Santa.

I’ve also included a vintage clock that belonged to my husbands grandparents.

White glitter ice skate ornament hanging on a flocked Christmas tree.

Not only did we include the unique sentimental ornaments on my tree this year, but I also incorporated other ornaments that have meaning to me.

When I saw these ice skate ornaments, I knew they needed to be on my tree this year.

When I was 5 years old my Christmas gift from my parents was a pair of ice skates with fur covers.

Along with an adorable outfit my mom made for me.

She made me a turquoise felt skirt that twirled and a sweater.

Along with this outfit, I was given ice skating lessons.

Undoubtedly, it was a gift I have cherished and will always remember.

Besides, I love sharing this little memory with my grandchildren.

Letting them know a little what my childhood was like, as well as learning more about their great-grandmother.

In fact, sharing memories and stories with our family is an important element of Christmas.

Are you ready for more incredible Christmas decorating ideas?

Then click on the links below to see 16 amazing homes decked out for the holidays.

Lovely Etc * DIY Beautify * Up to Date Interiors * What Meegan Makes * Sunny Side Design

Chatfield Court * Sweet Pea * Repurpose and Upcycle * Hey There Home

At Lane and High * Postcards from the Ridge * Making it in the Mountains * Lehman Lane

Newly Woodwards * Thrifty and Chic * Bright Green Door * Refresh Living

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Shop This Look

As we look back on this difficult year, it’s more important than ever to find ways to make our homes feel cozy and warm.

What better way to do that than by taking inspiration from Christmases past?

By incorporating elements from your childhood into your holiday decor, you can create a space that is both nostalgic and comforting.

So let’s get started making your home feel extra special for Christmas.

What elements will you incorporate into your Christmas decorating this year?

If you’re looking for festive ideas for your yard you’ll want to see the best outdoor Christmas decorating ideas made easy.

Thank you for spending a little time with us today.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy Holiday season.

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Christmas Decorating Ideas. Pinterest image two chairs with red, white and black pillows.

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