It’s cold as heck outside here so it’s the perfect time to make a list of holiday-related cozy little things to enjoy before the season passes. I know I need to be reminded to slow down, step out of my comfort zone, and open to joy and wonder…maybe you do too. Please do pin any ideas that strike you as worth saving so others can discover simple Christmas cozies for now and for years to come.
Simple Christmas Cozies
Christmas Cozies: The Best & Simplest of All
Light the candles. If you prefer flameless, that’s good too.
Light the “good candles” that weren’t picked up at the grocery store. Light the grocery store candles. Light them inside and out. But just light ’em each night and notice how something within you may shift.
Does this sound too woo-woo? Because I get it. But with so much information overload, uncertainty, and downright confusion everywhere in the culture, we all need help with perspective. Small gestures such as lighting candles and enjoying the glow may open a channel…to hope, to blessings, to gratitude, to wonder…to a transformed way of seeing reality.
One of the things I learned from my training as a psychotherapist is that no one takes advice. It’s a gift, and folks may remember it down the road, but rarely does anyone conclude “yep, you know me better than I do so I’m gonna __________.” I think that is one of the reasons images are powerful inspirationally and aspiration-wise.
Just seeing photos of candlelight calms me!
And my oh my my candles often make a mess here at home, but I can live with that. Peek inside my house after the first dusting of snow last year:
Citrus Fragrance & Beauty
Whether it is added to a simple pot on the stovetop…
or plays a starring role in garland:
or simply rests in its colorful glory on the counter…
Citrus during the holidays can be so pleasing to the senses!
And not just for our sense of smell. I love how Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home studded faux clementines with cloves for this sweet topiary arrangement.
Real tangerines are wonderful, but should you need your arrangement to hold up for photoshoots, holiday parties, or just because…give it a whirl.
Old Fashioned Ambient Light
Not sure if you spied my sconces flanking our front doors in the entry in my video toward the beginning, but even though they are electric, I chose to insert real candles and not wire them as light fixtures. You can see one of them here:
I wanted Old World glow. Don’t forget about the magic of real candelight, and even chandeliers can be used without wiring them!
Restraint With Mercury Glass
For an elegant monochromatic look, mass the mercury glass and skip the other metallics and traditional Christmas colors.
Christmas Carol Sheet Music
I love almost any wreath including hoop wreaths! But if it is too bare for your taste, embellish it simply like this:
Here’s a printable if you’ll be crafting with sheet music:
So Much Beauty Here:
Paper Embellishments
Scandi style is so charming for Christmas decorating ideas, and aren’t these paper ornaments hung simply from branches just magic in this vase?
I love working with paper for holiday decor whether it is tissue paper, watercolor paper, or plain ol’ white paper bags. Here’s a floral garland that is no longer available from Ballard, but it continues to inspire me:
Oh mercy, I just need three whole days to make a garland myself since I can’t buy it readymade!
Let me know if you have seen a similar paper garland anywhere else in the marketplace!
Food Can Be Cozy, Doncha Know
I meant to do this last year and never got around to it. Why not buy donuts and decorate them as you would cookies?
Another possibility? Store-bought cakes that you can display on a pedestal as is or decorate fancifully.
Snow Globe Placesettings
Do you love placing small favors at each place setting?
How special to include a sweet simple snow globe (handmade or not) at each place for decoration.
Rustic Bowl With Sparkly Ornaments
Whether you have an antique dough bowl or not, create a centerpiece with plain ol’ bulbs.
I think it’s the contrast of rough and smooth, matte and sparkly that works so well in a rustic elegant setting.
Leave the Table Set
It’s the little things, and sometimes we need to be reminded of their power! Whether your dining table is used daily or rarely, let it stay pretty in between meals and occasions!
Doesn’t this make perfect sense!?!
Pretty Pink Accents
You know I’m all for delicious colors beyond the traditional ones. Just look at this yummy hue for ribbon:
Isn’t all the delicious plum romantic?
Is it truly as simple as a pink ribbon in lieu of a red one?
Oui!
Simple White Light Strings
It can be tricky to decorate a bedroom for Christmas, but for the easiest simple Christmas cozy tweak – add twinkly lights.
Festive Front Doors
Have you noticed from your social feeds how it is sort of typical to paint your front door seasonally? If you don’t mind a little labor, changing it up for the holidays can give your entrance a fresh look.
But which green? See THIS, 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 Holiday Greens
We are so accustomed to traditional red and green contrasts during the holidays that it is more remarkable to see tonal shades of green together!
Isn’t it interesting to see this Christmas tree against a green wall?
And now we must pause to pay homage to squirrels in winter!
Aren’t they delightful?
Decorate What Others Hide
Does the big black box above the fireplace have potential to be a star?
Here’s a cozy touch to add to the kitchen…I have these, and the quality is better than you may expect:
Fleecy Fuzzy Wuzzy Nubby Sherpa Serenity
Oh that the fuzzy wuzzy cozy could linger all winter long!
Mirror To Magic
I realize some of these cozy making suggestions may not appear “simple” at first blush; however, if you can paint a surface black and rub on letters or stencil a phrase, you can create magic. You could also skip the chalkboard look and stencil directly on the glass mirror for an etched look. (Wash it off later if you like!)
Retro Tree in a Bucket
Folks are so creative with their tabletop trees, and for a country look, the proportions here also feel just right.
I know it’s tricky to find these oversized Christmas bells which I find at Urban Farmgirl.
Mums, Ivy & Lemony Cypress Together
When these three varieties get together? So dang cozy. I snapped this of a window box I loved in London.
Delicious Stripes
I love these stripes especially when they are softer reds and raspberry!
Silly Movies
Is it really possible we are 26 days from the birthday of the King?
I hope December will be extra extra gentle with us. We need afternoons that stretch long to just BE. We need quiet evenings where we can escape in a book or film.
Are these on your list?
That English Cottage in THE HOLIDAY!
The Holiday is one of my favs, and this tent scene will also usher us right into cozy loveliness:
You’ll also find favorite Christmas movies spotlighted below.
My own favorite was released the year I started writing. In case you’re curious, I started another blog in 2018 even before Hello Lovely launched in January of 2010!
Christmas Movie Favorites
Take these Christmas movie snippets for a spin to remember, to laugh, discover, and also 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?
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I laughed out loud when I read your comment, and remembered the best piece of advice my Dad ever gave me. It was this. “Don’t ever try to tell anyone anything, because they’re not going to listen anyway.” So true!!! He raised 3 daughters so he should know. None of us listened, but we always remembered his advice!! Wish he was here today. I would be asking all the time. I agree about lighting the candles. We need the simple pleasures to give us comfort and a bit of peace. We also need a home that is decorated in a fashion that we love. We need a haven to escape to for a moment, and if candles help I will light a million of them!! I will look for the little moments we need. The world is not an easy place right now. Thank you for your insight. Hope all is well with you, Merry Christmas!!
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I love this idea that we take advice and keep it in our pocket as a remembrance – hahahaha. I can’t say I understand the power of candlelight. I allude to it in today’s hygge post as well – so mysterious and powerful. We are drawn to the flame and calmed by its presence. There are so many unhealthy ways to escape pain and anxiety, so it’s extra important now to create spaces where hearts can heal and minds can rest. I’m learning that it’s not so much an escape that I need as a new entrance into joy. Joy that does not depend upon my circumstances or any outcomes. This is where all the fruit is. Merry Christmas, friend. Thank you for being here on the journey with your lovely heart open.