21 Essential Christmas Decorations | The Basics
Just starting out in a new home or want to make the most of your holiday decorating? Start with these essential Christmas decorations.
I have been wanting to write this post for a while because there are certain things that are seriously essential for making your holidays at home extra special.
Today I'm going to take you through my list of essential Christmas decorations to make sure you have everything you need or at least know what you should have to make this years holiday decorations the best on the block.
Let's get to it!
Jump to…
- Christmas Tree (and Stand)
- Tree Skirt or Collar
- Ornaments & Tree Topper
- Christmas Wreath(s) Indoors & Out
- Christmas Stockings
- Garland and Lights (Indoor & Out)
- Nativity Scene
- Christmas Linens
- Candles and Mistletoe
- Festive Ribbon
- Holiday Serving Platter
- Net Lights for Yard and Lawn Figures
- Essential Tech
- Mailbox Swag
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Christmas Tree (and Stand)
This should be the most obvious of the whole list, but to ensure your Christmas holiday is in tip top shape, you'll need at least one Christmas tree.
If you're going with a real tree, you'll also need a stand.
But, if you're into the whole pack it away for later game, no mess-type of tree, an artificial tree is the way to go.
I prefer an artificial tree because of the easy clean up, but I do need my balsam candle going in every room to make it smell like there is a real tree.
I always had real trees growing up, but I remember the dry needles being a nightmare when it was time to kick it to the curb.
I included some of my artificial tree picks below.
And for the record, it's definitely not essential, but we have, over the course of 6+ years acquired 6 trees.
If you're just getting started or doing an overhaul, one tree is totally fine.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Tree Skirt or Collar
To give the tree a finished look, you'll want to pick a tree skirt or tree collar.
This is all personal preference, but I do find it to be an essential item to making sure no one is playing with the base of the tree.
I go back and forth.
Some of my trees have tree skirts and some have collars.
I think I prefer the collar look, but they're all nice.
I included some fun options below too.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Ornaments & Tree Topper
Another probably no-brainer, but ornaments and a nice tree topper always make give the tree a finished look.
Don't get me wrong, there are a couple trees we leave sans ornaments, but only a couple.
The ornaments should tell a story – either a color or theme story or a walk down memory lane.
I can never decide which I want, so that's why we have so many trees lol.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Christmas Wreath(s) Indoors & Out
What would Christmas be without at least one wreath somewhere on your property, right?
Whether you put one on the front door, in your entryway, or on every window, wreathes are the perfect way to bring that Christmas cozy spirit in for the holidays.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Christmas Stockings
Essential? Absolutely!
Where would you put all those random gifts that are too small to live under the tree?
We love hanging Christmas stockings off of our bookshelf ladder, but this year I might add some to the banister as well.
I would put them on the mantel, but toddler fingers tend to grab and pull, so we've stayed away from that for the time being.
And don't forget one for your furry pets!
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Garland and Lights (Indoor & Out)
Garland is one of my favorite Christmas decorations because it brings that outside feeling indoors.
Garland is great for the mantle, under your television, above doorways, on banisters, or even on top of your kitchen cabinets.
Greenery garland is my favorite, but I included some other types of garland finds below, too!
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Nativity Scene
Christmas just isn't complete without the nativity scene!
That's the whole reason for the season.
Some nativity scenes can run you a bushel of money, but consider this piece more of an heirloom-type item.
For instance, my nativity scene was my grandma and grandpa's.
I still remember looking at it as a kid… it's funny the things you end up finding significant as you age!
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Christmas Linens
This is especially essential Christmas decorations if you are hosting, but I also like to up-level our kitchen table too as part of our Christmas decorating process since we spend so much time sitting at it.
Not only am I talking about table linens, but also bedding!
I have found all kinds of holiday bedding that would really make jumping into bed around the holidays so fun.
Now the Christmas bedding isn't suuupppppeeerrr essential like how I feel about table linens, but it would be nice to at least update the guest bedroom if you're having guests.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Candles and Mistletoe
No Christmas is complete without the smell of Christmas, amiright?!
There are so many amazing Christmas candles, but my favorite scent is always Balsam which I linked in the picture below.
And don't forget about mistletoe!
We hang a faux mistletoe above our living room entryway and it's always a family favorite.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Festive Ribbon
Festive ribbon is a great Christmas essential because you can use it in so many ways.
I use my Christmas ribbon to decorate my tree, wrap gifts, decorate the banister and even some door knobs.
Find your favorite Christmas color scheme and pick ribbon to complement it.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Holiday Serving Platter
Whether it be to serve Santa some cookies or your best dish at Christmas dinner, you can never go wrong with a Christmas serving platter.
This is another one of those nostalgia items for me because my grandma always had the best Christmas dishes to present our holiday treats.
You never know what your kids or grandkids will hang on to, so at the very least snag a holiday serving platter this season.
I included my favorites below.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Net Lights for Yard and Lawn Figures
And of course, as part of the whole Christmas experience, you have to dress up the front of your house too!
For us, we are required by the neighborhood lol (but seriously) to wrap all our front trees, which does make for a cool drive through the neighborhood, but isn't essential.
What is essential is at least throwing some net lights over your bushes and a lawn inflatable or two to at least give you those warm and fuzzies when you pull up to your house.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Essential Tech
And since we're talking about jazzing up your outdoors with lights, don't forget to fully equip yourself with an outdoor timer.
The days get shorter and chances are if you do anything outside your home, you won't always be ready to plug in those lights right at dusk.
An outdoor timer is an absolute must in my book.
And so are the
I gather a few more every year to automate all the trees and lights I have setup in the house.
This is the best way to take the hassle out of turning them on and off manually every day and night.
You can set a specific time from an app on your phone to have them go on and off and no matter where you are at the time they turn on, you can always walk in the door to a magical Christmas wonderland.
It's literally the best.
I linked a few of my favorites that we use below.
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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Mailbox Swag
This may not seem like a super essential, but it's definitely one to consider.
They have so many really cute, and seriously easy, ways to give your mailbox a little holiday boost.
I included my favorites below, but for not a lot of hassle, you could have the best looking holiday mailbox on the block!
Note: Shop my finds for this category by clicking any pictures below
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So there are my 21 (maybe a few more) essential Christmas decorations!
If you're just starting out in a new home, these basic essentials will help you focus on the quick-win decorating for the holiday and then you can always add on more each year.
If this isn't your first holiday rodeo, how many of these do you still need?
You can shop all my favorite picks for essential Christmas decorations below plus a few more fun Christmas finds I found along the way.
Happy decorating!
Shop all my Christmas Decoration Essentials Below
(click on any of the images to shop the products)
Lots of fun finds! This is getting me excited for Christmas season.
You found great decor items to use for Christmas decorating. It is crazy to think that Christmas is just around the corner.
Great list of essentials! I can’t wait to begin decorating for Christmas!
So many great options for Christmas! I had no idea about Alexa plugins. What?!
So many pretty pieces. I switch from tree collars to tree skirts
.This year is a tree collar.
Such great ideas! I love the idea of a Christmas mailbox swag! Pinned!
I’m still growing my Christmas collection after buying my house three years ago. A little bit each year is my motto. Next stop, a beautiful wreath like yours.