Christmas Candlelight Home Tour

It’s around this time every year I begin to crave quiet… more than my introverted self normally craves it.

After all of the parties, all of the busy projects, all of the talking I do on Instagram stories and in person to friends and family, I run out of words. My brain officially cannot produce any more conversation.

One of the things that fills me back up when my social battery starts running low is silent nights in the Christmas glow. I’m a night owl, so once the kids are in bed and Robert, the early bird, is snoozing on the couch in the middle of a movie, I walk around our home to take it all in… in the quiet.

I drink in the peace, savor the glow, and let that feeling of our home’s warmth embrace me like a hug.

I always say home is more than a place; it’s a feeling. At Christmastime, that rings more true than ever.

So for this year’s annual Candlelight Christmas Night Tour, I won’t “talk” (type). I’ll leave the photos of our home here for you to scroll. And I hope it leaves you with a feeling of peace as much as it does me.

Christmas Night Photography Resources

Before I dive in, if you want to photograph candlelight photos of your own home, here are a couple of resources to help.

How to Photograph Christmas Tree Lights at Night

Shop the Bless’er House Christmas Glow Photo Editing Presets

I am so very grateful for you; I can’t even put it into words. You are the reason I keep sharing and creating. And I hope this space helps you create that same feeling of peace in your own home.

Wishing you merriest Christmas ever and a joyful New Year!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

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We put up one tree in the living room with all of the kids’ homemade school ornaments (which was still beautiful by the way), and that was that.

It certainly gave me an appreciation for minimalism and doing less around the holidays to make space for quality time. So we skipped the decor in the kitchen and bedrooms this time around and focused only on the spaces where we gather the most.

Brick Colonial Christmas Porch

This year, it was a gradual decorating process, savoring the small details along the way.

We found a new appreciation for all of the projects we’ve done since 2022 dressed up in twinkle lights – the new front door, the foyer refresh, the dining room ceiling, the traditional mantel, the moody media room.

The balance seems more “us” in this season of life where we’re constantly busy but enjoy being homebodies too.

We fully embraced red ribbons and bows everywhere while exhibiting restraint on an abundance of ornaments or knick-knacks. And that feels just right for someone like me who craves minimalism and coziness to be in harmony together.

Modern Traditional Christmas Living Room

You can click any photo of our home tour below to get access to all of our decor resources on the Bless’er House LTK page.

I’ll link all of the DIY tutorials and decorating guides in each room section as well.

Mantel | Mantel Garland | Sofas | TV Frame | Fandelier | Limewashed Brick Fireplace | Christmas Tree

Curtains | Console Table | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Decor | Coffee Table Books

Moody Christmas Media Room

Our media room tree is always the “family tree” that we’ll fill up with all of my and Robert’s childhood ornaments, the girls’ homemade ornaments from over the years, and keepsake ornaments from our travels.

Robert and the girls decorated it themselves, and I stepped back to let them enjoy doing it on their own.

I threw in some blush colored ribbon as a nod to pointe shoes in The Nutcracker and called it done. Maybe some would call this tree I mess, but it’s a beautiful mess I wouldn’t have any other way. Every single piece of it has a story to tell.

Every year, we place either boxes of board games or Christmas storybooks under this tree to encourage our family to turn off the screens and spend unplugged time together.

Media Room Furniture | Curtains | Sunburst Light Fixture | Ruggable Rug | Built-In Shelving & Movie Screen | Wallpaper | Teal Paint

Modern Colonial Christmas Dining Room

We only use this space for special occasions or when we have guests over. And sometimes I wonder if we should turn it into a less formal room that we would use more often.

But when we dress it up for Christmas, it reinforces in me that this space should always be one of those special rooms that feels a little bit over-the-top.

Like a party dress or a nice suit. Sure, we don’t use it every single day, but when we do? It feels magical. And that’s just what this dining room feels like to me.

Mural Wallpaper | Chandelier | Furniture | Curtains | Tree Ribbons | Navy Blue Paint | Decor

Colonial Christmas Foyer

I’ve already shown a full tour of our newly refreshed foyer and staircase. But it’s extra cozy all lit up at night.

I’ll share our annual candlelight Christmas tour of it and the rest of our house soon.

Stained Cabinet | Staircase Molding | Gallery Wall | Sage Green Paint | Staircase Garland

If you want to know any of the decor sources in our home, you can visit the Shop Our Home page or click any photo in this post to find everything linked on LTK.

Merry Christmas, y’all!

More Christmas Decorating Sources

• 5 Minute Christmas Bow Ribbon Art
• Outdoor Christmas Lawn Decorating Ideas (No Ladder Required)
• Simple Christmas Dining Room Decorating Ideas
• The Most Realistic Fake Garland + How to Make It Even Better
• 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself

The post Modern Colonial Christmas Home Tour 2024 appeared first on Bless'er House.

Last Christmas, our entire family was hit with a virus, and we had to forgo our holiday gatherings with extended family. The kids were so disappointed, as were Robert and me. 

So we donned our festive pajamas, made to-go cups of hot cocoa, cranked up the Christmas carols, and drove around to enjoy an impromptu holiday light tour. It was the perfect free, no-contact way to cheer us up on our lonelier-than-usual Christmas Eve.

That special memory along with our new front door makeover this year were two big reasons why Robert and I wanted to install outdoor Christmas decor this year! (We’ve spent 8 Christmases in this house, and this is the first time we’ve ever done lights… that’s a crime, really.)

Thankfully, Lowe’s has lots of outdoor decor and lighting accessories on sale for December Deal Drops. We were able to pull off this decorating project for less than we planned.

Outdoor Christmas Lawn Ideas That Don’t Require a Ladder

We really didn’t feel comfortable climbing two stories on a ladder to hang lights from our roof. And we really didn’t want to spend $1,000 to hire a holiday light hanging contractor.

So we used outdoor holiday light displays and some decorating hacks that considered our aversion of heights. 

Related: Limewashed Brick Exterior Makeover

If you want some outdoor Christmas decor ideas using lighted displays, here are some no-ladder-required Christmas yard decorations you can easily install yourself. 

1. Front Door Garland & Tree Set

I can’t get over how great of a deal this front door Christmas decor set is with pre-lit garland, two mini trees in urns, and a wreath.

Because our door is so large with the transom and sidelights, I did have to beef up the garland with 2 extra pre-lit garland strands. The extra garlands I bought can switch between white or multicolored lights, if you like having the option for both.

Related: How to Make Fake Garland Look Real

2. Lit Twig Trees

These lighted twig trees are so magical! Perfect for flanking a porch for some symmetry. They anchor right into the ground so you don’t have to worry about them blowing over. 

3. String Lights for Windows

Avoid climbing on a ladder by mounting these battery operated fairy lights on the inside of your window frames!

I attached the light strands right to the glass with some clear shipping tape. The windows are so charming framed with lights when viewing them outside!

These did require quite a few batteries, but thankfully batteries are on sale for Lowe’s December Deal Drops too. 

Related: The Best Battery Operated Christmas Lights

4. Pre-Lit Window Wreaths

Tie floral wire around a wreath, open the top of your window sash, and suspend the wreath on the outside of the window by anchoring the wire from a screw hook.

Related: How to Hang Wreaths on Interior Windows

5. Walkway Luminaries

These pathway lanterns remind me of the ones displayed at Biltmore Estate during their Christmas candlelight tours.

They look charmingly traditional like the paper versions but are made of durable material to withstand wet weather conditions. 

6. Mailbox Cover

This was definitely the easiest outdoor Christmas decor. Just attach this battery operated pre-lit swag to your mailbox and you’re done!

7. Display Deer

There’s something quintessential about having a set of light-up deer in the yard at Christmas. These are a great size and were very easy to set up.

8. Merry Christmas Pre-Lit Sign

Honestly, this pre-lit Christmas sign was a splurge, but the price was easier to swallow being on sale. I love the big statement they make in our yard!

Fair warning: they didn’t arrive with stakes, so we attached the letters to some rebar spikes we had using electrical tape.

You can hang the sign on the side of your house too, if you prefer. We added these light-up present stacks for a little extra fun.

Related: How to Hang Outdoor String Lights Anywhere in a Backyard

Related: 4 Best Flame Light Bulbs for a Gas Lantern Look: Ranked

Essentials to Set Up Christmas Yard Light Cords

I was intimidated by the technical aspect of setting up our Christmas lawn decor because our 1960s colonial has no access to an electrical outlet on the front. But these tools made it possible to connect all of our lights together and run a cord to the outlet on the side of our house.

3-Outlet Landscape Cord

This landscape cord is the BEST for yard decorations because it has an outlet access built into the extension cord spaced 8 feet apart. We were able to connect multiple light strands together and plug them into the cord in those 3 places. 

Outdoor Extension Cord

We plugged the 3-outlet landscape cord into this extension cord to reach our far away outlet. It’s green to blend right into the lawn so it’s less distracting. 

6 Outlet Countdown Analog Lighting Timer

This outdoor timer has an integrated light sensor to turn on all of your lights automatically at night. Its 6 outlets provide more than enough room for lots and lots of light plugs. 

Christmas Lawn Decor Sources

If you want to put together a holiday yard display similar to ours last minute, many items can be purchased in stores or online for same-day pickup. 

Much of Lowe’s storage/organization, appliances, tools, and seasonal/outdoor decor is on sale right now for December Deal Drops, so I’ve rounded up all of my favorites to stock up your home workshop or give as gifts. 

Shop our outdoor Christmas decor on sale here or click the image below.

You can check out my Instagram story highlights for some Christmas light decorating tutorials in action.

More Christmas Lighting Resources

• Best Battery Operated Christmas Lights
• How to Make DIY Antique Style Christmas Tree Candles
• How to Photograph Christmas Tree Lights at Night + Candlelight Tour

The post Outdoor Christmas Lawn Decorating Ideas (No Ladder Required) appeared first on Bless'er House.

Christmas in the foyer has finally arrived!

Ever since we installed our DIY stair wainscoting, contrasted the trim with a muted green paint color, and hung antique brass frames on the staircase gallery wall this fall, I have been dying to fill this space with Christmas cheer.

Paint: Sherwin Williams Willowleaf & Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace | Garland | Twinkle Lights | Nativity Set | Flameless Candles | Pedestal Bowl | Mini Tree | Burgundy Ribbon | Orange Slices | Rug | Picture Frames | Mirror | Light Fixture (similar)

This is the first time I’ve been able to fully deck this space in two years with a whole new look. I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together.

Natural Christmas Decor Elements

I wanted to lean into the style of Colonial Williamsburg, Little Women, and A Christmas Carol as much as possible. So I added dried orange slices to garlands using wire ornament hooks for a traditional detail.

Adding natural elements to artificial garlands, wreaths, and trees is one of my favorite ways to make them look real. It totally tricks your mind.

Related: 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself

Related: The Most Realistic Fake Garland + How to Make It Even Better

A few months ago, I gel stained this cabinet a coffee color. It was definitely the right choice.

Entryway Table Vignette

For more traditional decor touches, I placed a basic mini tree inside of an antique style pedestal bowl. And I found this chinoiserie nativity set to feature front and center of our Christmas entryway decor.

Battery Christmas Lights & Candles

I used several different battery operated Christmas lights in this space since none of the lights can be conveniently plugged in.

These flameless twisted taper candlesticks look vintage, but they’re battery operated so we don’t have to worry about our kids knocking over an open flame. The best part is they can be set on a timer, so I don’t have to remember to light them in the evenings.

I’ve had these for 3 Christmases now, and they’ve held up perfectly!

My favorite realistic Christmas garland doesn’t come pre-lit, unfortunately. So I like to add this strand of battery operated twinkle lights.

I usually hide the battery pack underneath the greenery and weave the strand of lights through the leaves, twisting around a few branches here and there to secure them.

Related: How to Hang Garland on Stairs + Entryway Christmas Decor

For our stair railing garland, I hid the battery pack on the floor just underneath the trailing garland.

I hang the garland on the railing using these decorative twist ties so they blend right in.

I do the same to our doorway garland, mounting the twinkle light battery pack to the wall with a Command velcro hanging strip.

It frames our dining room Christmas tree so perfectly and is my favorite view each year.

No one ever even notices the battery pack tucked behind the garland hanging on the wall. It definitely wouldn’t be the same without those twinkle lights.

Christmas Bows

Adding burgundy velvet ribbon with a few bows on the greenery creates the best little pop of color.

I seriously thought about adding Christmas bows to picture frames on the gallery wall, but less is more. (And less means less cleanup in January.)

This entryway finally feels exactly as I hoped it would all of these years. (You can see more about our traditional foyer makeover HERE.)

It took some tweaking and adjusting and figuring out our style as it evolves, but since this house is, in fact, a colonial, colonial traditional Christmas just seems right.

I hope some of these little Christmas entryway decorating tricks helps you out in your own home a bit.

Traditional Christmas Decorating Ideas

• Simple Christmas Dining Room Decorating Ideas
• 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself
• How to Put Christmas Tree Ribbon Decorations on Trees
• How to Make DIY Antique Style Christmas Tree Candles

The post Colonial Christmas Entryway Decor appeared first on Bless'er House.

Best Stocking Stuffers

It’s a Christmas miracle, y’all! I have all of our Christmas present shopping finished for everyone on our list with still plenty of time until the big day. How in blue blazes?

I have way too much fun gift shopping every year, but a lot of times, I go a little overboard by accident on the stocking stuffers because they are my absolute favorite to shop for. There are always a million cute stocking stuffer ideas running through my head, and I end up wishing that stockings were bigger to fit them all.

So if you need some great stocking stuffer inspiration, I’ve rounded up 250 of my favorite great gift ideas for family: men, women, teens, kids, toddlers, and babies, if you’ve gotten to that point in your Christmas shopping.

I usually compile a big shopping cart of little stocking stuffers and have them all sent to our house at once so that “Santa” won’t have them scattered all around leading up to Christmas Eve.

(Because Santa is scatterbrained around here and will end up finding a long lost stash of stocking stuffers in a cabinet smack in the middle of July.)

_{As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.}

Custom Luggage Tag | Portable Tire Inflator | Streaming Dice | Echo Auto | Old Fashioned Mixer | Saw Pizza Cutter | Cologne Sampler | Rechargeable Hand Warmer | Submission Soap

50 Stocking Stuffers for Men

I ran all of these past Robert as I was compiling this big list to get the guy stamp of approval, and everything has 4-5 star ratings online.

Get sentimental with it too by throwing in a sweet love note, movie tickets, a date night gift certificate, something handmade by you or your kids, etc.

If you need a jump start of what to look for in stores beyond the recommendations above, here are some stocking stuffers for men to keep in mind.

(All prices listed are based on the time of post publishing.)

Under $10

1. Poppy & Pout lip balm
2. Cooling towel – super handy if your guy works out a lot
3. Nite Ize Original Gear Tie
4. Meat shredding claws – I got these for my BBQ smoking dad several years ago and they were an instant hit!
5. Scalp massager
6. Wooden eyeglass holder – I love how this looks like a sculpture on my nightstand while still being useful.
7. Star Wars Mad Libs – My husband got this in his stocking last year, and we had so much fun doing some Mad Libs as a family.
8. Universal socket
9. Car cleaning gel – Works great in the office too!
10. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands – Really handy for the dry winter months especially.
11. Magnogrip magnetic wristband

Under $20

1. Dress socks
2. LifeStraw – A great idea for the survivalist/outdoorsy type.
3. Custom leather luggage tags
4. PowerCore power bank
5. Circular saw pizza cutter
6. BIIB 9-In-1 Multitool Pen
7. Slice ceramic box cutter – If your man always has to break down boxes, this is really helpful.
8. Magnetic phone holder
9. Fitness dice
10. Mini Tobasco hot sauce keychain – For the guy who needs hot sauce on everything.
11. Classic aviator sunglasses
12. Knitted fingerless wool gloves
13. Streaming decider dice – No more scrolling for hours on Netflix and Prime. The dice decide.
14. Grill scraper
15. NFL golf balls
16. Tile Mates – THE solution if your man is constantly losing his keys.
17. BBQ rub set
18. Submission Soap – Robert uses this every time after working out at his Brazillian Jiu Jitsu gym – great for guys who do contact sports.
19. Rechargeable hand warmer – So much better than constantly buying disposable hand warmers for football games or camping.
20. Dewalt drill bit set
21. Mini Bluetooth speaker – This thing is tiny but mighty! We packed it in our carry-on to Jamaica and it was perfect to enjoy on the beach without taking up any packing space.

Under $40

1. Carhartt beanie cap
2. Jack Black beard oil
3. Woodford Reserve old fashioned cocktail mix
4. Wild game jerky sampler
5. Beer chiller sticks
6. Chocolate peanut butter bites
7. Leather men’s grooming kit
8. Corkcicle whiskey wedge
9. Divi hair growth serum
10. Echo Auto

Worth the Splurge

1. Portable tire inflator – Literally just got this after a scary flat tire situation recently. It’s the best to always have in the glove compartment!
2. Maison Francis Kurkdjian cologne discovery set
3. Brickell men’s anti-aging cream
4. Meater Plus smart Wi-Fi meat thermometer – An awesome idea for the avid griller who doesn’t want to constantly check meat temps.
5. Fossil Minimalist watch
6. Digital tape measure – Hands down the best tape measure ever. No more counting tick marks.

Bow Earrings | Polo Cap | Retro Oval Sunglasses | Hidden Pocket Scarf Camera Strap | Custom Silhouette Portrait | Primally Pure Soothing Mask | Pura Car Diffuser | Bandolier Wristlet | Tortoise Frame

50 Stocking Stuffers for Women

I’d be happy with absolutely every single thing on this list- jewelry, spa goodies, makeup, a little photography gear, some cozy weather essentials, and a cocktail book that combines literary knowledge with drink recipes (which I’m really hoping for this year… hint hint, babe).

If you need a jump start of what to look for in stores beyond the recommendations above, here are some stocking stuffers for men to keep in mind.

Under $10

1. Crystal glass nail file
2. Kitsch satin hair scrunchies
3. Book reading light
4. A Year of Self-Care book
5. Gua Sha and face roller set

Under $20

1. Mini UV manicure light
2. Body Restore shower steamers – I especially love using these when I’m stressed or sick with a cold.
3. Retro oval sunglasses – The 90s have made a comeback, and these are big time trending.
4. Touchland rosewater hand sanitizer
5. Tocca mini hand cream
6. Tequila Mockingbird cocktail recipe book – I love that these cocktails have a literary twist!
7. Bow statement stud earrings
8. Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush – I’ve noticed a significant decrease in hair fall since I started using this brush.
9. Primally Pure Soothing Mask
10. Satin pillowcase – Ever since I started using this pillowcase, my damaged hair has started healing and my break-out prone skin is improving.
11. Hammered bar pendant necklace
12. Ugg cozy chenille socks
13. Harney & Sons Paris tea – If your lady is a tea drinker, this one is absolutely the best.
14. Thermal fingerless gloves
15. Hair tie bangle bracelet – My favorite way to dress up the hair tie always stuck on my wrist 24/7.
16. Hot iron holster – If you’re a crafter who loves using a hot glue gun or hair obsessed using a curling iron often, you need this.
17. Travel jewelry case
18. The Women novel
19. Electric wine aerator dispenser – This has been in my Amazon cart for weeks.
20. Mini phone tripod
21. Minute Mimosa trio
22. Capri Blue Volcano tin candle – This scent has a cult following for a reason. It’s addictive!
23. MakeUp Eraser

Under $40

1. Clever Fox planner for productivity
2. Custom silhouette portrait – Such a sweet keepsake for a mama! Use it as a framed ornament or hang it on the wall.
3. Cheese knives set
4. Light up compact mirror
5. iWalk power bank – I never leave home without this.
6. Chef’n lime juicer – The Cadillac of lime juicers. My mom gave it to me last year, and I’m so surprised how often I use it.
7. Coco & Eve hair mask
8. Tory Burch phone ring
9. Grace & Stella under eye mask
10. GrandeLash Enhancing Serum – I swear by this stuff for growing super long lashes.
11. Sol de Janeiro ’68 Jet Set – I have to admit, my daughter got me hooked on this scent.
12. Camera strap scarf with pocket – A cute and handy way to always keep up with your USB cards and lens caps that tend to go missing.
13. Merit Mini Flush Trio
14. Polo baseball cap – Cute and a total classic.
15. Tortoise scalloped picture frame – Gift it with a sentimental photo inside.
16. Minute mimosa sugar cube trio

Worth the Splurge

1. Machete smart watch band
2. Pura Coconut Calm car diffuser refill and Pura Car Pro – We use this scent in our home and it smells incredible! Simply clean and fresh.
3. Bumble & Bumble Hydration Heroes set
4. Ouai Detox Set – My absolute favorite shampoo and leave-in treatment! A little goes a long way with this stuff.
5. Bandolier phone wristlet – I got this phone case for travel and love how it stays on my wrist when I need to use my hands and keeps my wallet handy.
6. Omnilux LED Light Therapy Mask – I can’t get over how much this has done for my skin! I gave one to my mom earlier this year, and she absolutely loves the difference it has made for her too.

She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm | Dude Perfect Blitz Ball | Skateboard Trainers | Primally Pure Teen Skincare Set | Gift Card Puzzle Box | Game of Phones | Wreck This Journal | Calligraphy Kit | Body Mark Temporary Tattoo Pens

50 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teens and Preteens

Teens can be hard to shop for, but these teen stocking stuffer ideas are SO much fun! I can’t believe we’re already starting to creep into the teen years now that Olivia is 12.

The coolest is the portable hammock that can be folded into a pocket-sized pouch. I seriously wish I had the scrunchies with secret compartments as a teen since they ended up on my wrist most of the time anyway. And even as a grown adult, I still want the beginner calligraphy set.

If you need a jump start of what to look for in stores beyond the recommendations above, here are some stocking stuffers for men to keep in mind.

Under $10

1. Chapstick holder keychain
2. 97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School book
3. Pop Tarts the Game
4. Bag of Reindeer Farts cotton candy Because every teen stocking needs a gag gift, right?
5. Light up trick yo-yo
6. Stanley tumbler charm – To go with the current teen obsession with Stanley cups.
7. Welly glow-in-the-dark bandages
8. Uno Elite NFL Draft Pick
9. Harry Potter snitch hot chocolate bomb

Under $20

1. Unicorn Snot body glitter
2. Fidget pen
3. Initial makeup bag set
4. Suction mount phone case
5. Relative Insanity game
6. Clip on ring light – A good idea for all those TikToker teens walking around.
7. Therapy dough
8. Pacifica Beauty perfume set / Goodfellow cologne sampler set
9. Retro square men’s sunglasses / cateye women’s sunglasses
10. Cable knit beanie for girls / Cable knit beanie for boys
11. She’s Birdie personal safety alarm – I so wish I’d had this back when I had to walk alone across my college campus at night.
12. Moodibars chocolate
13. Game of Phones
14. Hidden pocket scrunchies – Hair accessories with secret compartments? Genius!
15. Photo clip fairy string lights
16. Thumbs up phone stand
17. Mood color changing nail polish
18. Pocky variety pack
19. Gift card/money puzzle box
20. Wreck This Journal – The perfect journal for the creative type who doesn’t like to stay inside the lines.
21. Portable hammock
22. Squish cube
23. Sneaker balls – A MUST if you have a teen athlete in your house. Thank me later.
24. Dude Perfect Blitz Ball
25. Hydro Star pimple patches
26. LED bike wheel lights – Since it gets dark at like 4 in the afternoon anyway, this is a cool way for kiddos to still enjoy some bike riding time.

Under $40

1. Crock-Pot lunch food warmer
2. Nike performance crew socks
3. Owala water bottle
4. Nike Air Max wallet – The perfect wallet for a sneakerhead.
5. Electric ball pump
6. Quip sonic toothbrush
7. Skateboard trainers – A great idea for a beginner skateboard who wants to start mastering some tricks!
8. Portable hammock
9. Crochet animal DIY kit – Definitely would be a big hit with a craft-loving teen.
10. Body Mark temporary tattoo markers – You know how teens tend to draw all over themselves in class? If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right? Might as well let them get creative.

Worth the Splurge

1. Brush lettering calligraphy kit
2. Canon Ivy mini photo printer
3. Primally Pure teen skincare bundle – This skincare brand has completely erased my adult acne; I know it’ll do wonders for teen acne too.
4. JBL clip-on Bluetooth speaker

Kids’ Digital Camera | LEGO Brick Popper | Play-Doh Scents Set | Road Tape | Harry Potter Uno | Bus Bottle | DIY Fortune Teller Kit | LEGO Wicked Play Set | Baff Bombz Magic Brush

50 Stocking Stuffers for Kids

Regan just recently turned 6, so we’ve hit this fun stage where she can still play with preschool activities, but she loves being challenged with science experiments and cooking in the kitchen with me. So many of these are super interactive and good for a wide range of ages from 3 to 9 years-old, if you have a little explorer’s stocking to stuff.

For something personal, throw in tickets to the local museum or aquarium, their favorite candy, or a letter from their favorite Disney character. We love showing Regan how we caught Santa on camera in our living room on Christmas Eve too.

If you need a jump start of what to look for in stores beyond the recommendations above, here are some stocking stuffers for men to keep in mind.

Under $10

1. Road tape for toy cars – Perfect idea for the Matchbox car enthusiast!
2. LEGO brick popper – Super helpful for little hands that have difficulty separating LEGO bricks.
3. Glow in the dark stars
4. Paper airplane kit
5. Guess Who? game
6. Kinetic Sand Dino Xcavate
7. Uno Harry Potter game – So much fun for any little Potterheads!
8. Silly Putty variety pack
9. Trouble game
10. Lip Smacker Coca-Cola pack – If you have multiple kiddos, split up this variety pack in all of their stockings.
11. Where’s Waldo? Santa edition Remember these? They were the best!
12. Welly Dino bandages
13. Wikki Stix – We pack these in our carry-on bag to keep the 5 year-old entertained on airplanes.
14. Nerf Vortex Howler football
15. Classic Slinky

Under $20

1. Baff Bombz Magic Brush – My go-to stocking stuffer! Kids at every age (even my pre-teen) loves this that turns bath water bright colors.
2. Alphabet cards – It’s fun but also sneaks in a little bit of reading education. Shhh.
3. Instant snow powder – It’s kind of a science experiment, and it’s oddly satisfying.
4. Train in a Tin
5. Safari puzzle
6. Light up electric timer toothbrush – So helpful for making sure those kiddos brush well. But it’s fun too.
7. Secret decoder ring – Christmas Story, anyone? Just don’t make your kids decode “Ovaltine”.
8. DIY fortune teller kit
9. Boys’ earflap beanie hat / Girls’ pom beanie hat
10. Scratch art rainbow mini notes
11. Spokester bicycle noisemaker – Did you ever put playing cards in your bike spokes to make motorcycle sounds while biking around the neighborhood? Well, this gave it an upgrade.
12. Mini fossil dig set
13. Kids’ cooking knife set – We gifted this to our daughter along with a Disney cookbook, and it was the best decision to teach her how to make her own fun snacks.
14. Hair chalk
15. Bus water bottle
16. Paint-by-numbers canvases – The kids love painting with us at the kitchen table when they need some unplugged time. Just turn on the French Cooking Music playlist on Spotify and pretend you’re in Paris.
17. Bubble blowers
18. Bubble Podz
19. Girls’ socks box / Boys’ socks box
20. Little Golden Books set – All the classics! Did you read these as a kid?
21. Washable window markers
22. Sandwich shapes cutters – A must-have for the PBJ enthusiast in your house.

Under $40

1. Kids’ Bluetooth speaker
2. Edible bubbles
3. Build-a-snowman foam set
4. Star projector nightlight
5. Piggy Paint nail polish set
6. Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel hair set – Absolutely get this if you have any elementary aged kids! We learned the hard way when we had a not-so-fun run in with lice recently. I stay stocked on Rosemary Repel now.
7. Kids’ digital camera
8. Light up Bluetooth headphones
9. Time teaching watch – Such a great idea to give your kids real world practice to read an analog clock.
10. Walkie talkie set
11. Fishing game

Worth the Splurge

1. KidiZoom smart watch – My kids loved running around taking pictures of everything with this on their wrists.

Moo Baa Fa La La La La Book | Custom Baby Print Ornament | Reindeer Teether/ Rattle | Fleece Booties | Snowman Stacker | Play Cookie Set | Laugn & Learn Coffee Mug | Sleeved Bib | Hatch Portable Sound Machine

50 Toddler & Baby Stocking Stuffer Ideas

There are so many sweet, little stocking stuffer ideas for babies and toddlers that I honestly could have added like 100 more.

I absolutely LOVE this baby’s first Christmas footprint ornament set. The “picky eaters” construction dinnerware set is pure genius. And really I’m a little salty that this Ted Lasso Little People set wasn’t around when my kids were babies.

If you need a jump start of what to look for in stores beyond the recommendations above, here are some stocking stuffers for men to keep in mind.

Under $10

1. Baby Print ornament kit – Absolutely the sweetest idea to document baby’s first Christmas forever.
2. Laugh & Learn coffee mug
3. FridaBaby Not-Too-Cold-To-Hold Teether
4. Moo Baa Fa La La La La board book
5. NanaNubs teething massager – This totally saved us during some rough teething days.
6. Greek yogurt buttons
7. Wooden shaker set
8. Grain free puffs
9. Crayola palm grasp crayons – The perfect first crayons.
10. Once Upon a Farm pouch
11. Itzy Ritzy pacifiers
12. Hello training toothpaste
13. Color changing nightlight

Under $20

1. Silicone bib set
2. Reindeer rattle/teether
3. Mary Meyer lovey
4. Snowman stacking toy set – The absolute cutest stacker!
5. Training cup
6. Era Organics Baby Balm
7. Woodpecker bird feeder game
8. Sensory buckle pillow
9. Toddler scavenger hunt game
10. Melissa & Doug linkable farm animals – Fun while teaching toddlers about matching.
11. Pretend food rattle set
12. Checked sleeved smock
13. Infantino Super Soft Building Blocks
14. Room and bath thermometer duck
15. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas board book – Definitely one to keep in the Christmas storybook stash.
16. Lovevery Montessori rolling rattle
17. Ergonomic baby cutlery
18. Sensory pegboard
19. Comotomo bottle pack

Under $40

1. Melissa & Doug Christmas cookie play set
2. Muslin swaddle blanket set
3. GUND play gingerbread house
4. Ted Lasso Little People set – I don’t even have a baby anymore… but I want this.
5. Dimpl Digits toy
6. Converse bootie socks – Because baby needs a little dose of punk rock style, yes?
7. Fat Brain pipSquigz
8. Easy Clean Finger Paint
9. Montessori busy book
10. Constructive Eating placemat & plate – Get this if you have a picky eater. Works every time.
11. Fleece booties – Our babies would never keep shoes or socks on during winter. These were the only things that would stay on and keep their feet warm.
12. Hatch Portable Sound Machine – We credit the Hatch for any length of sleep we got during our baby’s first year.
13. Baby Einstein Toddler Jams boombox
14. Lovevery Peg People

Worth the Splurge

1. Solly Baby Wrap – I would have never gotten any task done around the house during the baby days without her snuggled against me in this.
2. The North Face Fleece Snowsuit
3. Tubby Todd bundle – Yeah, it’s on the pricey side, but it is a God send for diaper rashes and baby eczema. It worked so better than anything else we tried.

Do you have any stocking stuffer favorites you usually add to the list? Or anything you’re hoping to find in your stocking this year?

In the end, as long as I get to sip coffee in our living room surrounded by family and laughter on Christmas morning, that’s really all I need. The Christmas gifts are just a bonus.

More Christmas Gift Ideas

• 100 Best Cheap Gift Ideas for Christmas Under $25
• 100 Best Cheap Gifts for Kids Babies and Teens for Christmas
• 115 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
• 50 Unique Christmas Gift Basket Ideas
• Quick DIY Mason Jar Gift Ideas

The post 250 Best Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Family in 2024 appeared first on Bless'er House.

This post is sponsored by Wayfair.

Every year, I get asked this one question over and over about how to hang Christmas wreaths on windows. It’s a little decorating tradition we’ve done every season since 2017. And it’s so simple that I’ve hardly ever thought about sharing a tutorial.

But as I was putting up Christmas wreaths on our living room windows, I finally remembered to document the process.

Related: How to Make Beautiful DIY Mantel Garland for Christmas

8 years ago, we bought $5 clearance bin wreaths for our windows, but they desperately needed replacing this time around.

So I found the perfect realistic wreaths from Wayfair to use along with several other seasonal decor pieces on sale for Wayfair’s Black Friday Extended deals.

One of the things that sold me about this house was the many windows and French doors in our living room. So accentuating them with these artificial cedar and hemlock wreaths seems like a no-brainer. They look so real!

Wreaths | Ribbon | Console Table | Lamp | Horse Statue

What You Need to Hang Wreaths on Windows

• Suction cup hook
• Wreath (Choose one at least 2/3 the width of your window for scale. My wreaths are 22″ wide and my windows are 30″ wide, for reference.)
• Ribbon (I recommend wired 2.5″ wide ribbon.)
• Scissors
• Push pin

See the video tutorial included below the steps.

Step 1 – Set Hook

Place the hook near the top of your window on a window pane.

Step 2 – Loop Ribbon

Cut approximately a 2.5′ to 3′ length of ribbon and loop it inside of the wreath. Place the backside of the ribbon in the middle of the wreath hanger on the back.

To change the look of our wreaths every year, I like to use different colored ribbon.

Step 3 – Hook Wreath

Place the wreath hanger on the hook with the ribbon in between them.

Step 4 – Attach Ribbon to Trim

To make the wreath look like it’s hanging from the ribbon, pull the ends of the ribbon up to meet the window trim. Fold over the ribbon and attach it to the trim with a push pin underneath to keep it hidden.

Step 5 – Add Embellishments

To personalize your wreaths a little further, you can attach dried fruit, ornaments, berry picks, bows, or bells to the stems with floral wire.

Wayfair’s Black Friday Extended Holiday Decor Deals

If you’re gearing up to deck your halls, I found some of my favorite wreaths, Christmas trees, garlands, holiday accents, and cozy decor marked down for up to 55% off for Wayfair’s Black Friday Extended Sale.

Everything sitewide is up to 80% off with free shipping from now until December 1st.

Pre-lit Pine Christmas Tree | Electric Fireplace | Candle | Reindeer Figurine | Holiday Dinnerware Set | Wreath | Garland | Lighted Branches | Norwegian Spruce Tree

You can explore more of Wayfair’s Black Friday Extended deals here.

Related: Most Realistic Christmas Trees for All Budgets

I’ve been adding little bits of Christmas here and there in the living room. With it being pitch black by 6pm, the twinkle lights do my mood SO much good.

I’m a totally crabby person in winter. It probably explains why I don’t live in a state where it snows often. Ha!

Twinkle lights and cute wreaths and pretty ribbon is my saving grace right now.

Are there any other Christmas decorating tutorials you want to see?

More Christmas Decorating Tutorials

• How to Put Christmas Tree Ribbon Decorations on Trees
• The Most Realistic Fake Garland + How to Make It Even Better
• 5 Minute Christmas Bow Ribbon Art

The post How to Hang Window Wreaths + Black Friday Decor Finds appeared first on Bless'er House.

Did you see the Martha Stewart documentary recently?

It gave me an important reminder I already knew deep in my soul that has stayed etched in my mind for the past week.

You can have the prettiest home in the world, but chasing perfection and consuming an endless abundance of material possessions will never result in contentment. Especially not when you have to sacrifice everything else in your life in return.

Wall & Ceiling Color | Mural Wallpaper | Curtains | Rug | Christmas Tree | Tree Candles | Dining Table and Chairs | Chandelier (ours was a FBMP find)

1. Add a Simple Christmas Figurine to Your Regular Decor

Add a nutcracker or a mini tree on a table, and you’re done. Seriously. Why does Christmas decorating have to be complicated? (It doesn’t.)

When January rolls around, I could easily remove that little nutcracker and tree figurine, and keep the rest of this bar tray exactly the way it is. The less time you spend managing stuff, the more time you have to make memories.

2. Go Big on Scale to Use Less

If you want to fill up a sideboard with Christmas decor, you probably have two options:

1. Add a bunch of small accents, vases, picture frames, etc.
2. Or use 1 big piece of decor that makes a statement.

If a huge vase costs you $50, isn’t that still better than adding 8 small accents that cost $10 each? Maybe $50 for a vase seems pricey, but if it’s large enough to make a statement, it doesn’t need anything else to be placed alongside it.

The end result is a streamlined, no-clutter vignette.

This vase will definitely be staying months after Christmas is over.

3. Rely on Lighting

When in doubt, add a lamp to a credenza, sideboard, console table, wherever. Because every room is just made better with soft lamp light, especially in winter.

Related: Best Light Bulbs for Every Room In Your House

4. Leave the Tree Naked

The Christmas police will not show up and arrest you for not putting ornaments on your tree. It’ll be okay. Add some twinkly fairy lights, maybe a few battery operated tree candles, and be done.

I love that this Christmas tree we used in here doesn’t create a lot of fuss, just ambience.

Related: Most Realistic Christmas Trees for All Budgets

5. Keep the Centerpiece Low

It drives me crazy when I sit down at a dinner table, and I can’t see people sitting across from me to have a conversation because the centerpiece is 3 feet tall.

If decor isn’t pretty and practical, it’s not serving us well.

Spread out some garland and simple pillar candles. Or place a few ornaments on a cake stand or in a bowl in the middle of the table. Boom! You’re done!

Related: Simple and Inexpensive Christmas Table Centerpiece

6. Use the Everyday as Holiday

We don’t have to buy holiday-specific everything. Our plates don’t have to have Christmas trees on them and napkins don’t have to have Santas embroidered on the hems.

If I buy a set of classic, neutral dinnerware at $100 and a set of Christmas-themed dinnerware at $100, aren’t I going to get my money’s worth much more using the neutrals dressed up with just a few evergreen stems on the table?

And it never has to be put away in storage taking up precious space until the next season.

Maybe it’s a sign of getting older and slightly wiser. Maybe it’s the “you-can-have-it-all” mentality from Working Girl mixing in with a 21st century reality check.

Yes, we can have it all. The pretty Christmas decor, time to attend the many holiday events on our calendars, energy restored by having rest. We can have it all.

But balance is the key ingredient to all of that.

Whether it’s how I decorate my house or plan my schedule or set my priorities or establish boundaries, mental well-being should play a factor in how I handle every aspect of the holiday season. Even if that means saying no sometimes.

You don’t need this from me, but basically I’m giving you permission to do less. Whatever you do in this season is enough. You deserve grace and peace and rest. If there’s anything my own health journey has taught me it’s that. ❤️

More Simplified Christmas Decorating Ideas

• 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas Using What You Already Have
• 5 Minute Christmas Bow Ribbon Art
• Simple and Inexpensive Christmas Table Centerpiece

The post Simple Christmas Dining Room Decorating Ideas appeared first on Bless'er House.

I’m a greenery snob. I’ll be the first to admit it. When it comes to Christmas trees, faux flowers, and fall stems, I want the low maintenance, mess-free convenience of fake while still looking like the real deal.

And since we like to decorate early for Christmas, the real, fresh greenery becomes a crispy fire hazard by December 25th anyway. I’ve bought enough pipe cleaner looking fake garland in my day to know the realistic garland is worth the splurge, at least to me.

So I’m rounding up a few in this post along with some tricks to make your fake garland (even the lower quality kinds) look super real!

Best Faux Garlands Ever

I’ve gradually added to our garland stash a little at a time every year, have tried many different ones, and found several of my favorite realistic garlands on Wayfair.

All of these not only look real; they feel realistic to the touch. They have the right weight, pliability, softness, and draping quality very much like fresh garland.

I’ve had some of these garlands for over 4 years, and they come out of storage looking beautiful every single time. (I can’t say the same for the cheaper fake garlands I’ve bought in the past that come out of storage bins looking completely mangled.)

So even though these fresh look artificial garlands do cost a bit more, I’ve found they pay for themselves in longevity and require fewer embellishments when I’m decorating our doorways and mantels.

The great news is much of my favorite lush green realistic greenery is on sale at Wayfair right now for their Black Friday Sneak Peek. So I’ll link them all down below.

Best Faux Pine Garland

I’ve had this Norfolk Pine garland since 2021 and have been a fan ever since. I love that it is available in multiple different lengths, so I can use one long enough to span our large doorway between the breakfast nook and living room.

This faux sugar pine garland with pinecones mixed in is another very realistic alternative.

Best Artificial Cedar Garland

This cedar garland is soft and pliable with a weight and real touch feel very much like fresh cedar garland.

I attached two 6′ strands from two Command hooks anchored in the center of our breakfast nook wall above my winter landscape art. I added this burgundy velvet ribbon tied into a bow to hide the hooks where the garlands are attached.

Best Juniper Garland

This juniper garland is my favorite when you want a whisper of blue in your decor or want to weave through pillar candles as a simple Christmas table centerpiece.

Best Eucalyptus Garland

I love having eucalyptus garland on hand because you can get away with using it any time of year. But at Christmas, it’s beautiful when woven through evergreen garland. I’ve even used it with the cheapest of cheap fake garland before to help it appear more realistic.

How to Add Garland Embellishments

To give my garlands some character and add a pop of color, I like to snip fake fruit, flowers, or leaves from artificial stems. Then, I twist each clipping with floral wire to attach to garland strands.

I cut up these stems of artificial pomegranates to embellish our pine garland just a little bit and still had plenty leftover to make an arrangement.

I use floral wire to attach ribbons and bows to garlands to keep them secure too.

How to Add Lights to Garland

Many of my favorites aren’t available as pre lit garlands, so I add battery powered fairy lights by attaching the battery pack to a wall or mantel with a Command hanging strip.

Just cover the battery pack with a few garland stems and you won’t even notice it.

How to Add Dried Fruit to Garland

I’ve shared before how to dry fruit and preserve leaves that you can weave into garlands as well.

My favorite thing is to add dried orange slices to strands with wire ornament hooks poked through the orange flesh and attached to leaves.

More Realistic Garland Picks

Here are a few more realistic Christmas garlands from Wayfair that look beautiful all on their own or with embellishments.

For this Christmas season, I styled up our breakfast nook with a vase of faux winter greenery, brass candlesticks, and ribbed taper candles.

So now one room is fully decked, and we have who knows how many more to go.

We’ve never really fully dressed this doorway with so much garland before, but I have to say, it’s my new favorite thing that we definitely plan to continue for all other Christmases year after year in the future.

Robert said the only thing missing is a ball of mistletoe hanging in the very middle (as an excuse to kiss in front of the kids and fully gross them out, you know).

So I guess I’ll have to add that as the last finishing touch. And maybe some fairy lights? The joy of starting to decorate early is we’re able to take our time.

Decor Sources

You can find all of our breakfast nook Christmas decor sources from Wayfair below.

• Faux pine garland
• Faux cedar garland
• Burgundy ribbon
• Fake pomegranate stems
• Faux winter stems
• Spode tea cups
• Brass candlesticks
• Ribbed taper candles

More Christmas Decorating Resources

• Best Realistic Christmas Trees for All Budgets
• 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself
• How to Make Beautiful DIY Mantel Garland for Christmas
• How to Hang Garland on Stairs + Entryway Christmas Decor

The post The Most Realistic Fake Garland + How to Make It Even Better appeared first on Bless'er House.

A round-up of the 16 most realistic Christmas trees for all kinds of budgets and decorating styles.

Budget: 1 2 3 4 | Mid-Range: 1 2 3 4 | Investment: 1 2 3 4 | Flocked: 1 2 3 4

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure

The Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Trees

Budget

• Pre-Lit Aspen Fir
• Feel-Reel Pre-Lit Norwegian Spruce
• Pre-Lit Mountain View Spruce
• Pre-Lit Foxtail Pine

Mid-Range

• Pre-Lit Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir
• “Feel Real” Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir Tree
• “Feel Real” Pre-Lit Frasier Fir
• Pre-Lit “Feel Real” Frasier Grande

Investment

• Pre-Lit Norway Spruce
• Pre-Lit Natural Cut Monaco Pine
• Frasier Fir “Quick Shape” Pre-Lit Tree
• Noble Fir Pre-Lit Slim Profile Tree

Flocked

• Flocked Pre-Lit Aspen Fir
• Pre-Lit Flocked Mountain Pine
• Prince Flocked Pre-Lit Tree
• Glitter Flocked Pre-Lit Balsam Fir

We’ve had our fair share of the good, the bad, and the ugly with Christmas trees over the years.

Recently, they’ve come SUCH a long way that sometimes it’s difficult to tell apart the real from the fake until you really get up close and personal with them.

Best Sparse Christmas Tree

We bought this artificial sparse Christmas tree for our living room three years ago, and we’re still completely happy. It’s a beaut without costing a lotta moolah. It’s by far the ultimate winner of “budget Christmas trees”out there.

If you love the look of a charmingly sparse Christmas tree, this one is the perfect budget-friendly pre-lit option under $300.

We have 8 foot ceilings, and the 7.5 feet tall option fit with just enough room to spare for a star tree topper. It’s on the slim slide making it great for small spaces.

The scrawny Alpine tree look is best suited for rustic, cottage, Scandinavian styles. They’re so easy to decorate because they’re so beautiful in their perfect imperfection without any ornaments at all, if you prefer the minimal look.

But there are wide spaces between branches making decorating boughs easier than other tree types.

The high quality “pine needles” on its branches are rigid, yet slim making them appear lifelike even up close.

This tree is definitely much more easy to assemble than any other tree we’ve owned because the branch tips need very little fluffing when we pull it out of its storage bag each year.

It comes with a foot pedal switch to make turning on lights easier too (though hooking up a smart plug to your outlet is even better).

Best Full Christmas Tree

We bought this very full, fluffy “Feel Real” Frasier Grande Christmas tree in 2022 and were really happy with it. Overall, it felt like it took up too much room in the small corner of our living room, which is why we didn’t keep it. But that was just our personal preference.

It turned out to be way more “grande” than we anticipated.

For a dose of nostalgia, we covered it with tinsel. You can see how realistic the needles look up close in the photo below.

Best Flocked Christmas Tree

The best part about this heavily flocked Christmas tree is it makes any colored ornaments pop beautifully against the white, snowy branches.

But if you prefer a neutral look, the fluffy white branches create a glamorous almost metallic look against twinkle lights.

We loved using a flocked Christmas tree in our girls’ playroom filled with handmade ornaments our family has collected over the years, brought home from preschool or doing arts & crafts with Grandma.

The white flocking helps those hodgepodge ornaments actually look cohesive with a little ribbon thrown in.

The flocking on this tree is very thick and fluffy. Despite being in and out of the attic over four years, it really held up! It does require vacuuming underneath frequently as the flocking tends to fall, but that’s to be expected.

Best Traditional Christmas Tree

This traditional pre-lit Christmas tree we used in our dining room, the spruce kind that is a full but not “fat” shape, works so well if you prefer a standard tree.

If your family has mixed preferences between white, colored, or twinkling LED lights, this tree has different settings for all of them so you can change the look or effect at the click of a button.

Best Microdot Pre-Lit Christmas Tree

We bought this Faux Twinkling Pre-Lit Norway Spruce this year on sale, and it is by far the most gorgeous tree we have ever owned!

Granted, it’s a pricey one. But if you’re willing to spend more for the best quality Christmas tree, it is the ultimate winner.

Realistic Cheap Christmas Tree Tip

If you want a fake Christmas tree that looks as realistic as possible but you don’t want to shell out more than $200, buy an unlit tree instead and add lights yourself.

It might require an extra few minutes in the decorating process, but it can sometimes save a couple hundred bucks this way. And it gives you the flexibility to add multicolor lights if you prefer that more retro style instead.

We used this unlit sparse Christmas tree several years ago that took some extra effort in the decorating process, but I loved having that natural look for cheaper than the pre-lit version.

We totally went overboard with the lights by adding the strands ourselves. That made it extra glowy at night. Not a bad problem, right?

How to Make a Fake Tree Look Realistic

Here are a few more tips you can try to make your artificial tree look like the real thing.

• Separate each of the branch tips on every bough of the tree to make tree look more full
• Add battery powered candle lights clipped onto ends of branches
• Weave ribbon through the tree to hide any holes or bare spots
• Tuck some artificial pine garland or pine picks through the branches to make it appear full
• Add a tree collar at the base to hide the metal tree stand (or get creative by stuffing it inside of a large basket or barrel planter)
• Hang some Scentsicles all over the tree to make it smell like the real thing!

Got any other tips you’d add?

Or other fake tree recommendations you would add to the list this holiday season? The more the merrier (literally). Ho Ho Ho.

More Christmas Decor Resources

• Best Battery Operated Christmas Lights from Amazon
• Vintage Christmas Decor Favorites That Never Go Out of Style
• How to Put Christmas Tree Ribbon Decorations on Trees
• How to Hang Garland on Stairs + Entryway Christmas Decor
• 5 Minute Christmas Bow Ribbon Art
• 18 Christmas Wall Decor Ideas and Holiday Art Printables

The post Most Realistic Christmas Trees for All Budgets in 2024 appeared first on Bless'er House.

Whenever I think about Christmas, I think about the Charles Dickens era Christmases, the Colonial Williamburg Christmases, and the Little Women Christmases.

None of them were plastic or store-bought. They were foraged, crafted, made with careful hands while loved ones gathered around to spend quality time together.

Gosh that’s the good stuff! And to me, those natural Christmas decorations from the bygone days feel like a big hug from the moment I see them.

The best part? Despite being more beautiful than any store-bought Christmas decor, they can cost next to nothing! (Especially if you have access to places you can forage.)

1. String Dried Orange Garland

Making dried orange garland has sort of become a tradition at our house over the years. (If you don’t want to dry orange slices yourself, you can be readymade dried orange slices ready to hang.)

String them up with cotton twine or simply attach them to your store-bought artificial greenery using wire ornament hooks.

Related: Vintage Christmas Decor Favorites That Never Go Out of Style

2. Make Pomanders

If you’ve never made pomanders, they smell like quintessential Christmas.

Using a pin or the end of a paper clip, poke holes all over a whole orange, making a pattern, if you choose. Then, force whole cloves into the holes.

They make your whole house smell sweet and spicy, and you can display them anywhere.

3. Put Pine Cones in a Bowl

Pine cones are so simple but it’s the best little natural element you can forage.

Bake them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes to display them in bowls or nestle them into a wreath.

Related: 13 Cozy Christmas Living Room Decor Ideas

4. Force Paperwhite Bulbs

You can enjoy paperwhite narcissus flowers all winter long. Here is how to force paperwhite bulbs to grow indoors. Grab a pretty bowl, add rocks, water, and bulbs, then watch the magic happen.

5. Weave Real Leaves Into Fake Garland

This is my favorite trick to make fake cheap garland look real!

1. Cut some fresh leafy stems (like eucalyptus or magnolia)
2. Preserve the leaves in glycerin or spray them with Wilt Stop for longevity, if desired.
3. Attach stems to the fake garland using florist wire.

You can also add fresh berry clusters, pine cones, dried fruit, etc.

Related: How to Make Beautiful DIY Mantel Garland for Christmas

6. Add Cinnamon Sticks

It’s so easy to get cinnamon sticks in bulk to nestle inside of wreaths, garlands, and Christmas trees.

You can even tie cinnamon sticks around pillar candles with twine to activate their smell even more when warmed up.

7. Set Up a Sangria Bar

I guess this is more like decor and drink all-in-one, but a Christmas sangria bar is a good idea for any gathering. Fill bowls with cranberries, orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon sticks so guests can craft their cocktails.

8. Make an Evergreen Runner

Budget Tip: Sometimes Christmas tree lots will give away their tree clippings for free! You just have to ask. You bought a Christmas tree anyway, so you might as well take home the extra greenery when they trim the trunk.

Spread out the evergreen trimmings on the middle of your dining table, add some candlesticks, and you’re done.

9. Display Pomegranates

Pomegranates are like nature’s ball ornaments. They’re so pretty everywhere! I love displaying some in a bowl on a tabletop.

Related: How to Mix Old Sentimental and New Decor & Our Swedish Christmas

10. Cut Juniper

I totally cut these juniper berries from a tree in a parking lot (but I had permission, I swear). If you want a pop of blue in your Christmas decor, juniper is beautiful sprinkled anywhere.

11. Hang Fresh Garland

Spray fresh garland with Wilt Stop to make it last longer and enjoy. They don’t need anything extra to be beautiful.

Related: How to Hang Garland on Stairs + Entryway Christmas Decor

12. Add Pine Cones to Gift Wrap

Sprinkle pine cones everywhere! But especially on wrapped presents with a strand of cotton ribbon because it’s just too adorable.

13. Embellish an Advent Candle Holder

This candleholder was my grandmother’s, and I love wrapping fresh evergreen branches around it every year.

You can find all kinds of vintage Advent candleholders in antique shops or on Etsy, and they make beautiful centerpieces on round dining tables especially.

Related: Advent Bible Verse Christmas Story Countdown Printable

14. Mix In Blooms

Next time you’re at the grocery store, grab a bundle of roses to mix in with some fresh cedar in a vase. The combination is divine!

15. Use Rosemary on Place Settings

Tie a stem or two or rosemary into a circle or heart shape for the sweetest little mini wreath to put at each place setting on your dining table for Christmas Eve dinner.

(Side note: jingle bells make great place card holders, if you want to be extra fancy about it.)

16. Hang Evergreens From Chandeliers

Loop a strand of evergreen garland or some branches around the arms of your chandelier. If you need to, you can secure it with a little florist wire, but mine did just fine placed on top.

17. Display Fresh Garland Around Doorways

Frame your doorways with evergreen garland using Command hooks. If you want to add some twinkle, weave a strand of battery operated fairy lights throughout.

18. Make Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough is so fun to make, and adding cinnamon smells amazing. Add some white puffy paint to make cinnamon salt dough ornaments look like gingerbread cookies.

Related: 14 Natural Decor Ideas to Bring Nature Indoors

Do you use any natural Christmas decor in your house? We’re always looking for more.

I’m not usually a crafty person, but when it comes to Christmas and nostalgic nature details, I’m willing to make an exception.

More Cheap Christmas Ideas

• DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make Inexpensively
• 115 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
• 18 Christmas Wall Decor Ideas and Holiday Art Printables
• 100 Best Cheap Gift Ideas for Christmas Under $25
• Quick DIY Mason Jar Gift Ideas

The post 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself appeared first on Bless'er House.