Day 1: Setting the Christmas Decor Theme

Let’s kick off our 12 Days of Christmas decorations with something that sets the whole holiday vibe: choosing a theme and color scheme!

Day 1 is all about laying the groundwork for that festive feeling throughout your home.

Picking colors and a theme isn’t just about what looks pretty; it’s about creating a flow that feels warm and cozy from room to room.

Kind of like putting together the perfect outfit for a special event, you want everything to feel coordinated and just right.

This first step is the foundation for the holiday cheer you’ll be spreading all over your space to make your holiday setup uniquely yours.

These are my favorite ideas for Christmas Color Schemes.

Day 2: Cozy Christmas Living Room Decor

Now let’s move into our living rooms the heart of Christmas cheer with some cozy living room decor.

First off, the Christmas tree is a must-have, obviously. So, take your time to get your favorite ornaments together as well as your ribbon, lights, and of course a cool tree skirt.

I like to make sure the throw pillows fit my Christmas color scheme along with adding in some little touches to any shelves or end tables you might have.

Another fun idea, if space allows, is to sprinkle in a few smaller trees around the room too! I mean how many trees is too many… asking for a friend.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Throw Pillow Sizes

Day 3: Christmas Mantel Magic

The Christmas mantel is one of my favorite places to decorate for the holidays. I like to start out with some garland to give it that full, lush look.

Then you can add other types of Christmas decor, including candles, trees, angels, words, etc. I like to look for decor that is more flat because the width of my mantel is not very big.

Stockings are also a great addition to the mantel. My kids like to pull on them, so we keep our stockings in the front room on the bookshelf ladder.

Lastly, personalize it with a fun piece of artwork or festive wreath. I also like to add some fun to the hearth too with things like lanterns filled with ornaments, a basket of cozy throws, or little mini presents.

Day 4: Festive Entryway Foyer Greetings

Who doesn't love coming home to a doorway that screams holiday cheer, right!?

My favorite add ons for the entryway include cute little bells on the door, simple throw pillows, and something festive for the back of the door, like my Santa head above.

If you have an entryway table, this is the perfect place to add your nativity scene and some candles along side fun winter greenery.

I also love to add garland to our staircase railing to give it that warm and cozy vibe. You could even change out the wall decor too if you have the space.

Day 5: Christmas Cheer in the Kitchen

I like to keep the kitchen decor fairly simple, but still festive since we spend a ton of time in there during the holidays.

Adding a few mini wreaths to your cabinets is a great place to start. I bought a box of the clear 3M hooks and grabbed these little wreaths from Michaels.

I also switch out any centerpieces and/or vases with wintery fresh or faux greens and some pops of sparkle, too.

The kitchen doesn't have to be the main decorating event, but a few little touches here and there will go a long way to make sure it feels like cozy Christmas throughout your home.

Day 6: Setting the Christmas Dining Table

When we host, we typically use our dining room square table and/or the kitchen table. I don't love having too much to see over when talking to guests on the table, so I would recommend keeping the centerpiece low profile and maybe adding in a few taper candles here and there.

You could get creative with fun napkins, plates, and even placemats or even a cheerful runner to add some holiday cheer to your table.

Day 7: Adding Christmas Lights… Everywhere

Nothing says cozy holiday vibes quite like the gentle glow of twinkling lights. If you’re anything like me, this will give you those instant festive cheer vibes you are after during the holiday season.

I like to add these little battery-pack fairy lights to literally everything. They are so easy to wrap around decor and really make the holiday magic shine. And since they're battery and not plug-in, you can put them on shelves, up the banister on the stairs, or even on the mantel.

Day 8: Create a Cozy Christmas Bedroom

Let's talk about turning our bedrooms into winter wonderlands because who says holiday decorations should only stay in the living room? Not me!

Since we host overnight guests for the holidays every year, I like to make sure they have the feeling of home in the guest bedroom.

Unfortunately, there is not a ton of room in this space, but I found the perfect solution.

This half Christmas tree is the best idea ever. Not only does it look real and fit in a small space, but it actually makes the room feel bigger. I'm obsessed.

If nothing else, I definitely recommend adding a tree to your guest room and your bedroom… and maybe even your kid's bedrooms to keep the Christmas magic throughout the house.

Related: Our Modern Vintage Guest Bedroom Reveal

Day 9: Add in Holiday Scents

Who doesn't love walking into a room that smells like the holidays, right?!

One of my absolute favorite scents around the holidays is the Fresh Balsam. Since we typically do artificial Christmas trees, it's nice to have the smell of pine wafting in the air.

You could also do cinnamon, peppermint, or even apple scents – another one of my favorites.

Adding some nostalgic scents is the easiest way to boost that festive feeling without doing a whole lot. I love having a good candle to create that cozy holiday atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a good book or a cup of hot cocoa… or in my case hot apple cider.

Day 10: Bathroom Touches

Don't sleep on adding a little bit of holiday cheer to the bathroom too! You don't have to go too crazy, but a few festive branches and some woodland creatures on a shelf will keep the vibes all through the house.

I also like to switch out my soap for a festive scent like this one. And maybe even add in a festive hand towel too.

Day 11: Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Fun fact… our entire neighborhood is “required” to wrap all of their trees near the street in lights. I put the required in quotes because it's really more like a do it because we've always done it kind of thing, but I will say it does make the neighborhood look really awesome.

I’m all about adding outdoor lights for the holidays because it’s like welcoming everyone with a big, warm hug. I love driving through and seeing all the yards look like a winter wonderland.

Another fun addition to your outdoor Christmas decorations is to line your walkway to the front door with solar lights or lanterns. They give off such a cozy vibe, especially on cold nights.

And of course, I always hang a pretty Christmas wreath on the door to make everyone feel festive before they even step inside.

Day 12: Final Personalized Touches

We’re almost there! On Day 12, it’s all about adding those final personal touches to really make the space feel like you.

My favorite way to add cozy personalization is to put a holiday throw blanket on every chair and couch for maximum snuggles.

We also have little trinkets that hold memories for us that I add in to the decor around the house. Whatever brings the memories, add those personal touches and then get cozy and enjoy!