Want to see how we decorated both our house and the beach house for Christmas? We have lots of photos to share, so let’s jump right in. Since we recently gave our exterior a full refresh and now have white brick, we had fun trying some new ideas for the front of the house.
Out front we kept things simple with warm white exterior LEDs wrapped around the trees on either side of the door. I upgraded to taller faux tree lights because they’re practically indestructible and the height looks better with the white brick. The pots are ones we’ve had for years; I refreshed them quickly with a coat of “Copper Rose” spray paint—the built-in primer made it a 30-minute job. We also swapped the lantern-style lights by the door for slightly wider, larger versions to better suit the new look.
I added my magnolia wreath that I make each year at a Wine & Wreath event with friends. It seems to grow a little larger every year, but I’m learning to embrace that. This season we used fresh 14′ evergreen garlands from Trader Joe’s—such an easy, affordable touch—and we love the scent and texture of real greenery. John wove warm white LEDs into the garlands and set the garland lights and potted plant lights on an automatic timer so everything turns on and off each evening without us having to remember.
Inside, we used LED battery candles in the front windows and put them on timers for effortless evenings. I briefly campaigned for some decorative white deer for the porch, but John wasn’t convinced—so our exterior stays understated. That said, we have four Christmas trees inside, so full-on holiday spirit is definitely alive here.
I can’t wait to see the house covered in snow—the ultimate holiday decoration. I’ll share a photo when that happens.
We also added a fresh 14′ garland around the kitchen windows. Hanging it only took a few minutes: we used small picture nails tapped into the top of the window trim so the fasteners are practically invisible. I’m tempted to leave those tiny nails in year-round so the garlands are ready to go each December.
Around the house I scattered a few of my favorite festive items, like the pink wooden trees I picked up years ago that I grouped on the living room built-ins. They add a playful pop of color among more muted pieces.
The mantel stayed relatively simple this year. I used a large pink bottle-brush tree and a pink mercury glass tree with tiny battery-powered lights inside. On the other side I placed a small faux flower pot I picked up earlier in the year and a pink vase filled with a strand of battery lights—together they balance the mantel without feeling crowded.
The main living room tree is eclectic and personal, no single theme. We load it with handmade ornaments from the kids, silhouette and handprint pieces, art-made ornaments, and small mementos collected over the years. That mish-mash of memories is exactly what makes it special.
The kids’ stockings are the same ones from previous years; each year I add a little elephant chain for a pop of color. It’s a small, silly tradition that the kids enjoy—and a compromise since John passed on the leopard-print stockings I once suggested.
In the dining room I grouped several bottle-brush trees on our green sideboard for a simple vignette that feels festive without being over the top.
We’re intentionally minimalist with most holidays, but Christmas is our exception. We love having a small tree glowing in the bonus room window at the end of the hall—it’s a cozy sight during movie nights and when we pull into the garage. The kids enjoy hanging felt and plush ornaments on it, and we use a faux sheepskin rug around the base of several trees for a soft, finished look.
One of the other trees lives in our son’s room: a retro green tinsel tree with colorful lights that he chose last year. It looks great against his bright green closet door and he loves the quirky ornaments, like a sequin banana. A wooden reindeer handmade by John’s grandpa sits nearby for a sentimental touch.
Each night the kids ask our smart speaker to turn their tree off, and it switches off like magic. We use a smart plug for at least one tree so we can control it remotely from a phone if needed. It’s convenient to be able to turn multiple trees on or off with a single command, especially on busy mornings or when we’re rushing out the door.
Our daughter has a tree she redecorates frequently, and I like placing it inside a colorful painted basket instead of a traditional tree skirt. It’s a cheerful touch that suits her bold closet color and makes her corner of the house feel extra special.
This year we intentionally pared down our decorations to keep things simpler and avoid undoing months of decluttering. That decision left us with an “overflow” of decor that we happily repurposed at the beach house, so we were able to decorate it with mostly items we already owned. I did buy one tree for the beach house, but all the ornaments were things we had saved from earlier years.
At the beach house the red boots with faux evergreen branches found a new home on the porch, and a wreath with tiny gold bells brightens the entry. Inside, a faux magnolia garland sits on a table in the entryway and looks lush doubled up on the marble top. A single purchased tree in the living room—chosen because I love the sparse “Charlie Brown” style—was dressed with ornaments we’d kept from themed trees of past years. That pared-back tree feels perfectly at home in the pink house.
Small touches in the kitchen—painted letter boards, painted nutcrackers, feather trees, and a hammered bowl of ornaments—made the space feel ready to host friends and family. I love how just a few thoughtful pieces can transform a room into a festive gathering place.
So that’s our holiday house tour: a mix of new touches and well-loved pieces, all arranged with a light, personal hand. We’d love to hear how you’re decorating this season—share what you’re doing and any traditions you’ve kept or adapted. Happy decorating!
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- How to make ornaments with kid art
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- How we pack up and store our Christmas decorations
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