Is your December being gentle with you? As the weather grows cold here, I am feeling relieved that we recently made changes to our bedroom to keep it toasty. It is becoming the retreat we need it to be, but there is much work to do. (The bath has been gutted, and I am busy painting trim in the bedroom.) Oh that there were a quick hack for house remodeling! Let’s start things off with the easiest hack of all hacks: LIGHT CANDLES. I lit candles today as morning was breaking and the first snow fell. (See a short video I took this morning below.) Candles elevate everyday moments, bring a sacredness to the ordinary, and they make any and every room feel cozier. Pin the ideas you favor below for easy Christmas decorating hacks to save for future reference.
Christmas Decorating Hacks & Silly Christmas Movies Now
Light the Candles
Peek inside our home as the snow fell this morning:
Everlasting Topiary With Real and Faux
I love how Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home studded faux clementines with cloves for this sweet topiary arrangement. Wonderful with real tangerines, but if you need it to last for photoshoots, holiday parties, or just because…give it a whirl.
That same idea was also applied to Amber’s Christmas wreath in the kitchen below:
Dried citrus slices were added to the everlasting wreath which is suspended on the cupboard door with ribbon.
Add Romantic Lighting With a Chandelier & Without an Electrician
Not sure if you spied my sconces in our entry in my video above, but even though they are electric, I chose to insert real candles and not use them as light fixtures. I just wanted the glow. Don’t forget about the magic of real candelight!
Please Pin this Post to save it for future reference!
Restraint With Mercury Glass
For an elegant monochromatic look, mass the mercury glass and skip the other metallics and traditional Christmas colors.
Embellish a Wreath With Sheet Music
I love a hood wreath! But if it seems too bare for your taste, embellish it simply like this:
Here’s a printable if you decide to do something similar with sheet music:
So Much Beauty Here:
Paper Ornaments and Window Decor
Scandi style is so charming for Christmas decorating ideas, and don’t you love how the paper ornaments are simply hung from branches in this vase?
Let Food Be a Decoration
Buy the donuts and decorate them!
Snow Globe Placesettings
How special to include a sweet simple snow globe at each place as a favor and decoration.
Rustic Wooden Bowl & Sparkly Ornaments
Whether it’s a rustic wood dough bowl or something thrifted, create a centerpiece with plain ol’ bulbs.
Set the Table & Leave it Set
Should you have a dining table that isn’t used every single day, leave it decorated and pretty in between occasions!
Pretty Raspberry Accents
Consider delicious colors beyond the typical crimsons like this yummy hue for ribbon:
Isn’t all that plum romantic?
Swag Simple Lights in a Rustic Bedroom
It can be tricky to decorate a bedroom for Christmas, but for the easiest hack – add twinkly lights.
Paint Your Front Door Green
It’s kind of a thing now to paint your front door…with the season! If you don’t mind a little labor and like changing it up, go for it.
But which green? See THIS and THIS and THIS.
Preserved Boxwood Wreaths
If you have never lived with preserved boxwood, ooh la la – I do love it. I spritz mine occasionally with water, but talk about no fuss!
Tone on Tone With Green
We get so used to combining red and green during the holidays that it is rather remarkable to see shades of green combined!
Isn’t it interesting to see the green tree against a green wall?
Combine Pink With Red
It’s such a cheerful combination that isn’t just for kids rooms!
Bring Out A Collection
Incorporate a favorite collection or start a new one this year. (A few years back, for me, it was all about my pointe shoe collection and the sugarplum fairy cozy vibes!).
Don’t Hide the TV
Does the big black box above the fireplace have potential to be a star?
Accent the Kitchen With Festive Linens
Mine truly are useful as dish towels, casual napkins, and even guest towels in the bath at Christmastime.
Go Fuzzy Wuzzy Wonderland in a Bedroom
You can leave the cozy to linger all winter long!
Message on a Mirror
This message was handlettered over a mirror, but you can also skip the chalkboard paint and paint directly on the glass for an etched look. (Wash it off later!)
Vintage Tree & Retro Color
Folks are so creative with their tabletop trees, and for a country look, the proportions here are just right.
I know it’s tricky to find these oversized Christmas bells which I find locally.
Mums & Lemony Cypress in a Window Box
I snapped this of a window I passed by in London and loved the combo.
Delicious Candy Stripes
I love these stripes especially when they are softer reds and raspberry!
Candlelit Path on the Stair
Let’s face it. Candles everywhere are my all-time favorite holiday decorating tip!
Don’t Forget the Citrusy Scents!
If citrus aromas lift your spirits (they have a profound mood altering effect on this girl), do indulge.
Silly Movies
Is it really possible we are 22 days from a new year?
I hope December is being extra gentle with you, friends. We need lots of time to just BE or to escape in stories and movies. Every family has their favorite holiday movies, and what an eclectic genre it is!
I’m sure you’re familiar with these:
That English Cottage in THE HOLIDAY!
The Holiday is one of my favs, and this tent scene will usher us right into cozy loveliness:
You’ll find favorite Christmas movies from last year spotlighted below.
My own favorite? It was released the year I started writing (and did you know I started a now-defunct blog, two years before Hello Lovely debuted in January of 2010???)
Christmas Movie Favorites
Take these Christmas movie snippets for a spin to remember, to laugh, discover, and to support this site (time spent on Hello Lovely = support to keep it afloat).
Love Actually
It’s a Wonderful Life
A Christmas Story
White Christmas
The Family Stone
While You Were Sleeping
Christmas Vacation
From the Christmas movie scenes above, No. 5 is my favorite…yours?
Winter Cozies to Wear
Whimsical HOLIDAY Finds
Pillows With Whimsy
Christmas Tree Topper
Christmas Wreaths
Sleigh Bells
For Holiday Mantels & Windows
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Stop the press !! This just in – A local home designer ,Lucy Small of State and Season in GA is currently building a replica of the Honeysuckke Cottage as seen in the Holiday. It will be called the Rose Hill cottage and will be available as an Air BNB type rental . Here’s an excerpt from the article –
The cottage won’t be ready to visit until fall 2023, but you can book your reservation starting Dec. 1, 2022 at this link. The home officially opens Oct. 1, 2023, the ideal time of year to enjoy colorful fall foliage, and is open for reservations throughout the holiday season. The Rosehill replica contains three bedrooms, starting at $290 per night, serving as a romantic getaway or festive family setting to soak up the season.
I don’t live far from there , so I’m thinking it would be the perfect place next year for a girls Rom Com binge watching , wine drinking, happy holiday weekend .
Check it out.
Author
Hahaha – they contacted me a few weeks back sharing the news, and I thought “well it’s about time someone replicated that cottage!” Yes – a perfect place to gather, and I would love to visit too. 🙂