18 Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas and DIY Projects for the Holidays

With Christmas just around the corner, here’s a cheerful roundup of holiday projects—some new, some tried-and-true—from the last few seasons of our blog. Whether you’re looking for decorating inspiration or simple DIY ideas, there’s something here to spark a little festive creativity.

First up, a few favorite table settings from last year that blend seasonal charm with easy entertaining. We loved creating layered place settings, textured centerpieces, and small personal touches to make each place feel special.

Holiday table setting 1

Holiday table setting 2

Holiday table setting 3

Our tree decor from the past couple of years leaned into tone-on-tone textures and gleaming metallic accents for a cohesive, grown-up holiday look. The result feels warm, layered, and festive without being over-the-top.

Metallic Christmas tree 1

Metallic Christmas tree 2

Metallic Christmas tree 3

One simple treat we enjoyed while decorating was a cozy holiday snack whipped up by my husband—easy to assemble and perfect for nibbling between ornaments.

Holiday snack

Last year we made delicate, airy ornaments using inexpensive supplies like feathers, glue, and glitter. They add a light, whimsical touch and blend beautifully with metallic baubles for a balanced tree aesthetic.

Feather ornaments 1

Feather ornaments 2

Feather ornaments 3

This year’s tree includes fresh DIY elements—dried fruit slices and faux lemons wired onto branches—that give the tree natural texture and a handmade feel.

A quick and charming place-card idea: write guest names on ornaments with a paint pen. It doubles as a thoughtful party favor and looks lovely arranged at each place setting.

Ornament place card

Another clever reuse is turning ornaments into fridge magnets—glue a small magnet to a lightweight ornament to display holiday cards in a festive cluster.

Ornaments as magnets

For a simple burst of winter white, force paperwhites in a shallow vessel. They’re easy to grow indoors and bring a clean, fresh floral note to any room.

Paperwhites

We also created moss-and-metallic displays using inexpensive craft moss and a handful of silver ornaments. These make great low-profile accents for side tables, mantels, or entryways.

Moss and metallic decor 1

Moss and metallic decor 2

We combined ornaments with edible treats for an easy party display—an elegant, whimsical way to present small bites during holiday gatherings.

Ornaments and edibles

This year’s console table features fresh greenery, green glass ornaments, and a striking feather tree that anchors the vignette and adds height and texture.

In the den, a subtle seasonal wreath and ornament-filled hurricanes provide a quiet, elegant nod to the holidays without overwhelming the space.

On the living room mantel we used ornament-topped candlesticks and custom-labeled stockings to create a cohesive, polished look that ties the room together.

That wraps up our festive roundup. We hope these ideas give you inspiration for decorating, gifting, or simply making your home feel special this season. Enjoy the time with friends and family—whether you’re hosting or simply soaking up the celebrations. We’ll be sharing more posts in the coming days, so feel free to check back between sips of eggnog.

Update: You can also view a curated list of favorite holiday decor finds—many budget-friendly options—to help finish off your seasonal look.