We made this quick, easy holiday decorating video before finishing our tree (which we shared last week), but because we like to keep things in order, it made sense to publish this follow-up after our first tree video. Good things, as the cliché goes, come to those who wait. So here’s a short video showing simple, budget-friendly ways to decorate every corner of your home using items we already owned—no extra spending required. You can watch it below or on YouTube:
If you can’t watch the video right now, here’s a concise rundown. We started with the mantel: inexpensive stocking holders paired with neutral stockings that we personalized with simple DIY name tags. We topped a pair of silver candlesticks with ornaments instead of candles to add instant color and sparkle—an easy way to brighten the mantel without lighting more flames.
For the stockings, we used neutral stockings from Target hung on $5 stocking holders, then attached small sparkly ornaments and homemade cardstock name tags tied with twine. It’s a quick, inexpensive personalization trick that looks custom without costly monogramming.
On the sofa we swapped the usual ivory and cream pillows for green silk ones we’d stashed in another room. The silk pillows echo the mantel tones and complement our citrus-themed tree. Adding a green-accented throw with playful fringe and a faux sheepskin draped over the back layered in texture and warmth. These changes don’t scream “holiday” but they harmonize beautifully with the room’s overall palette.
We also fill glass-based lamp bases with ornaments every year. Filling the lamp bases with 15 silver ornaments each yields a gorgeous, cohesive look. To make the process effortless, we store each lamp’s ornaments in labeled zip-top bags—“lamp base #1” and “lamp base #2”—so decorating becomes practically automatic. You can change the contents seasonally with pinecones, faux snow, family photos, or clipped pine boughs for a different vibe.
We’re not above adding festive touches to decorative animals, either. A ribbon tied around our ceramic dog’s neck or hung on a wall-mounted deer head adds a whimsical holiday accent in seconds. Similarly, our iron bull gets holiday “earrings” from time to time—a silly, festive tradition that makes us smile.
In the kitchen we cleared the clam shell fruit bowl and filled it instead with a mix of shiny silver balls and frosted ivory and gunmetal ornaments. The arrangement resembles oversized pearls, which suits the clam shell perfectly and makes a striking centerpiece when guests arrive.
On the console table we switched to a green-themed vignette: a feather tree centered on a green tray, a cylinder filled with green ornaments, and a touch of real greenery to reinforce the color motif. The feather tree was a budget find from Target, picked up on sale after the holidays.
In the den we gave the mantel a seasonal refresh by hanging a neutral wreath with green accents above a layered framed print. We kept the artwork in place because the wreath’s size didn’t obscure the mat, and the layered look felt intentional. We finished the mantel with green glitter vase filler orbs placed in hurricanes for a soft, balanced display that looks especially cozy when the candles are lit and the gas fireplace is on.
Overall, most of our seasonal accents were neutral—gleaming silver ornaments, tan stockings, an ivory wreath—with pops of green tying everything together. Our bright citrus tree brought an extra burst of color that made the rest of the decor feel lively and festive. In fact, it inspired a few last-minute swaps, like adding orange ornaments to the mantel to play up the citrus theme.
From our orange-, lime-, and lemon-loving hearts: we hope you have fun decorating your home this season. What seasonal touches do you bring into your house beyond the tree? Do you hang a fresh wreath on the door, set out candy and treats, or string lights across the exterior? Share your traditions and tips—it’s always inspiring to see how other people set the scene for the holidays.
* Note: there are a couple of unintentional “that’s what she said” moments in the video for fans of The Office—totally accidental.
For more holiday decorating and entertaining ideas, check the other posts on our site for inspiration and budget-friendly finds.