I know it’s pretty early to be thinking about Christmas decorating (I usually don’t start mine until around Thanksgiving) but if there was ever a year that I was ready to bring on the Christmas magic, it’s this one! My holiday decor is always a mix of traditional elements that I re-use year after year plus some new finds. I thought I’d share a room by room peek into my already-scheming-about-the-holidays head to hopefully get your wheels turning too! (post includes some affiliate links; full disclosure statement is available {here})
Our Holiday Family Room
The past two years I set up our Christmas tree at the front of our family room and I loved it since we got to appreciate our glowing Christmas tree lights while hanging out and watching TV. So that same location is going to go on repeat for this year:

Christmas 2018

Christmas 2019
Scroll & Click/Tap Image for Family Room Sources:
One new thing I’m planning to do is flock my tree! I’ve been wanting a flocked tree for our family room but didn’t want to spend the money since I already have a beautiful tree (mine is {this gorgeous 6.5′ Noble Fir tree}) but flocking the one I already have would be really inexpensive. Who knows, I may wimp out but I ordered {this flocking powder} and will share how it goes! As far as a color scheme, my plan is a mix of silver and gold metallics like I did two years ago…
with the additions of some soft matte green and plaid into the mix:
Sources: Silver Christmas tree collar | Large green, bronze, & silver ornaments | Green & gold wired ribbon | Green & gray plaid ribbon | Faux magnolia flowers | Capiz star tree topper | White tassel pillow cover | Green velvet pillow cover | Antelope tassel pillow cover
I also have a gorgeous new tree topper – I’ve been wanting one that lights up but hadn’t found what I had in mind until I stumbled upon {this capiz star tree topper} – I’m so excited to see it on top of my tree:
Our Living Room Fireplace
For our living room fireplace mantel, I’m going to reuse a lot of the holiday decor pieces I’ve had for the last few years:
I’ve used these same stockings for years and simply change them up with new ribbon every year – it gives them a whole new look without much money ( I used {this 2″ velvet ribbon} in dark grey last year):
I’ll also probably reuse {these brass hurricanes} (I have a pair in each size) that I filled with two of {these 6″ x 6″ pillar candles} in white for the large hurricane and two of {these 4″ x 4.5″ pillar candles} for the small hurricanes. For greenery, I used two of {these eucalyptus garlands} and intermingled some magnolia leaves, sparkly ornaments, frosted pinecones, and frosted blueberries throughout. Just like with the stockings, I’m planning to use the same garlands but change things up with new add-ons that I intermingle throughout them. I’d also love to work in {this pretty wood bead garland} that I bought last year.
And while I’m not doing much holiday decorating for our NC home, I did get four of {these darling stockings} with red & white ribbon and the cutest little pocket – I’m totally smitten:
Our Floating Wood Shelves
I’ll be adding small things here and there to smaller rooms in our home, including on the floating wood shelves in our new master bathroom. I’ll be swapping out the springy tangerine tree for one of these three options (I still haven’t decided… which is your favorite?):
Sources: Option 1 (Pre-lit birch tree) | Option 2 (Frosted tree with pinecones) | Option 3 (Bottlebrush tree)
(Source for shelves and all other shelf accessories are in {this post})
I’m also going to change out my butterfly art print for a more seasonal one – right now {this beautiful watercolor print} is my top contender:
Our Bonus Room Christmas Decor
Two years ago I added a second tree in our upstairs bonus room outside of the girls’ rooms that had a blue and white theme just like the rest of the space:
Scroll & Click/Tap Image to Shop This Space:
This 7.5′ frosted fraser fir found {here} will be on repeat for the most part including the same ornaments (Balsam Hill’s midnight frost ornaments and {these winter wishes frosted ornaments}) and {this same woven tree collar}:
but I’ll be mixing in some fun new ribbon including {this blue, white, & gray plaid}:
and possibly {this polka dot ribbon} too.
I also have a few new sheer ribbon options to use on both of our Christmas trees (I like to decorate our trees with a mix of sheers and solids) including these four beauties:
Sources from left to right: Sheer silver stripes | Sheer gold plaid | Sheer gold mini dot | Sheer silver lattice
Our Front Door Christmas Decor
My front door is a spot where I’ve always gone traditional and done the same thing every year since moving in. I’ve always clipped greenery from the ginormous tree in our front yard, berry branches from our back yard, and added {these bells} (currently out of stock) and some ribbon for a quick and easy door dec!
Sadly the huge tree evergreen in our front yard that I clip my greenery from was struck by lightning earlier this year:
I was home when it happened and didn’t know where the lightning hit but never felt our house shake that hard before so knew it was crazy close! It actually even turned our well water orange for a few days because the close hit shook up the sediment at the bottom of it – so nuts! A few months later I noticed the tree was turning brown so had an arborist out who said he could see a split in the tree all the way down to the trunk from lightning and it would eventually fall if we didn’t remove it. So sadly, we had to take it down which means that I’m going to have to get creative with what I clip from this year…
I might stick with the gold bells I have and love but since the loss of our tree is forcing me to change things up, I’m considering using {these gorgeous woven bells} for something new:
So that’s where things are at! I wanted to start deciding on my decor early because shipping on some things is taking FOREVER lately but it will be a bit before I start. I’ll be sure to share my progress as my decorating gets into full swing!
XOXO,
Darcy says
Anyone who lives near a Home Depot….
you can get some greens for free as soon as they start selling the cut trees.
So perhaps you can get your greens for the front door from there. They trim the bottoms for people so the tree will fit in their Christmas tree stands. All of those branches trimmed from the bottom just go in a pile. My sister and I have gotten some every year. You can also try local Fresh Christmas tree lots but Home Depot always has some when we go.
I know it had to be heart breaking to lose that tree.
Tami says
Thanks for the tip. I will definitely check that out!
Deb says
I love option 1 to replace the tangerine tree and the watercolor to replace the butterfly print is awesome. Gave me inspiration for sure!
MARY HELLER says
I LOVE your decor and gives me so many ideas. I just finished remodeling my bathroom and kitchen, all new flooring throughout my small 1bd 1ba condo. White quartz “sparkling white” countertops, LVP floors in a driftwood like look & light beige plush carpet. I can’t wait to decorate for Christmas now! LOVE those Balsam Hill ornaments and I can’t believe that those poufs in front of the coffee table are from Target! I think I’m going to go with the bottle brush tree for my floating shelve in my bathroom.
SHAWN HERBERT says
I like tree #2 best. I also love the new art you’re considering and the NC stockings. Some good inspiration in your post!
Could you possibly provide a source for your family room TV stand? I don’t see it listed.
Please and thanks.
Judy says
I love all of your great Christmas ideas and I like that you are sharing your holiday ideas early. I for one am looking forward to decorating even more then usual this year. We are debating with extended family about the possibility of forgoing our Thanksgiving day celebration, because Covid is on the rise in our area. We’ll see as Thanksgiving gets closer. I LOVE the holidays starting with Thanksgiving, so this is really putting me in a bit of a funk. Your post has given me the uplift that I needed today. Thank you.
Maybe I am going blind…but what happened to your door and window in the family room between Christmas 2018 picture and the 2019 one?
Annie says
Thanks for giving us an early peek, Kris. Your decor plan and especially your color palette is cozy and welcoming as well as wintry fresh. I have always decorated our Christmas home with shades of green, white and ivory, accented with silvery metals. for Christmas. I add either burgundy or navy or plum in the centerpiece and on the mantels but I’ve never thought about changing out the metal color. The bronze in your decor plan enhances all of your other color choices beautifully! I’m stealing your bronze idea, Kris. I think bronze metals will add a new dimension of warmth to our Christmas home, thank you for sharing your creative genius!
Katie Hahn says
Love your Christmas inspiration! I love your three options to replace the the tangerine tree, but number two option is best. Not only does the green color pop, but it reminds me of your front yard tree that you sadly had to remove. (Sorry about that. Glad the tree protected your home!) I think it gives good vibes 😊.
Seasons Greetings🎄
Cindy says
Your colors and textures are beautiful and elegant. Although I am a sucker for bottle brush trees, I think choice #1 will look the best with the holiday watercolor print. Thanks as always for the inspiration!
Karen B. says
Kris,
This is exactly what I need to begin the thought and planning for Christmas here. I always enjoy your home at Christmas and love your ideas. I vote to the little pre-lit birch tree for the space where the small orange tree is.
I’ve been thinking about a flocked tree as well. Let us know if you end up self-flocking your beautiful tree.
xo,
Karen
Daphne says
Good ideas!really injoyed your post, sad about the tree..
I pick # 1
Tami says
I love your Blog! Your master bath makeover hooked me. I’m redoing my bathrooms and used yours as inspo. Now I come back regularly to see what’s new. Looking forward to the holiday decor.
Angie Kelley says
That makes me so sad about your tree! I loved your tradition of making the door hanging wreath every year and I love the bells. Bells are my favorite during the Holidays. You inspired us to make wreaths out of a magnolia tree in our yard and is now a new tradition for us.
Jenny says
Where did you find the felt blue ribbon and bells for the natural wreath? 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Jenny – I think you’re talking about my front door wreaths from last Christmas – if so, this post has the links to the ribbon and bells: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/best-black-friday-cyber-monday-deals-home-fashion/