How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry & Bright

christmas decor tips: how to create Christmas magic in your home, Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas, Christmas Home Tour

Learn how to create holiday magic with fabulous decorating ideas, easy to follow tips, and great advice to avoid stress during the holidays. Let’s get started.

Welcome, Friends. I can’t wait to take you on my Christmas Magic Home Tour. I’ve decked the halls embracing some brand-new elements as well as some tried and true traditions. As ever, I love to mix things up, and the holidays are no exception. While I share my easy decorating tips, I will also give you my best advice to not just survive this season but thrive. Before we get started, don’t forget to check out the holiday decor we created last yearJodie’s Christmas Home 2016 and Julie’s Christmas Home 2016.

We have included some shopping links for your convenience. These are affiliate links and help us support our blog. We truly appreciate it when you shop with us so we can continue to bring you The Design Twins.

Create Christmas Decor Magic with poinsettas and evergreen garlands

Create Christmas Magic with Traditions

Holidays are all about family and tradition, time-tested traditions and brand-new ones you decide to create. Why are traditions so important? They knit a family together and provide constants in a world of change, reliability in a world of unknowns. They tell our children this is who we are, this is what is important. Traditions bridge generations, link us to our past, and pave a solid road toward the future. They are a family’s love language spoken over time. So, what are yours?

What will your family’s story be? They are told through the traditions you create, and the traditions you uphold.

Christmas Home Tour front porch decor with red boots

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Create Christmas Magic: Begin at the Front Door

Keeping with tradition I kept my front entry festive with classic green and red. Large poinsettias greet visitors. A simple evergreen bough frames the double doors. Two unadorned Christmas trees in baskets flank the entrance. The bench is covered with bright red comfy pillows and a thick woven blanket inviting friends to grab a cup of cocoa and sit awhile on the covered porch. Red boots and a traditional sled adorned with evergreen and vintage skates finish the look.

I hope my front porch says “Welcome!” Now, it’s time to come inside. Welcome to my home.

Holiday Home Tour entryway decor with stockings and christmas accents

Create Christmas Magic in your Entryway

My goal for my entrance was to make a statement with refined elegance. For my color scheme I chose green & gold (against the black chest). Once I decided on the mood and the colors, I collected what I owned and began to build. I removed the two side-by-side mirrors that hung here for years and replaced them with this holiday scroll. The scroll itself made a huge statement on its own, but I still needed to frame it. I chose this playful yet elegant antique brass advent garland and some greenery. I like how the two gold conic trees frame and balance, but their slightly different sizes don’t make it too perfect.

Decor Tip: When decor is too balanced and matching, it can feel expected and boring. The goal is to create balance without perfection.

Best Christmas decorating ideas O Holy Night sheet music decor

I used all faux greenery here to create a look that would last through the holidays. You can also use old vintage-inspired books and a wooden stand to add interest and create varying heights for the display.

 

Create Christmas Magic: My Farmhouse Table Display

Before I began decorating this space, I knew three things:

  1. I wanted it to be a great farmhouse statement.
  2. It had to be a continuation of neutrals with only pops of green as my color.
  3. I tried to incorporate the book theme.

I’m pretty excited about the way it turned out.

Farmhouse Christmas decor wood table and magniola home clock

 

Farmhouse Christmas with Magnolia Home

 

Create Christmas Magic with holiday vignettes

 

Farmhouse Christmas magic with deer accents

As the decor emerged, I was surprised that an additional theme emerged: deer. I’m in love with deer, antlers etc. and even more so during the holidays. They look like they belong among the evergreens. Plus, they say “farmhouse Christmas,” don’t you agree?

Nordic Inspiration Meets Farmhouse Christmas

Holiday Home Tour Decorating Ideas christmas lights

I love to have fun with my decor and try new things. This Nordic-inspired tree was the perfect opportunity to give my hallway a fresh feel this year. I love the simplicity of the birch log tree and decorating with natural elements. It blends beautifully with the rustic mood of farmhouse decor but adds its own unique twist.

When I was in England recently, I found the perfect decorations to use with the tree. After donning four sets of mini battery-operated light sets, I added white ceramic stars and one fabulous pom-pom banner and voila.

Home for the Holidays Tour

It took longer to create the right decor to frame it. I wanted to keep things rustic and neutral, beginning with my chippy white farmhouse bench, a white throw, a slew of candles set in a couple of twig bird nests. You can also add a rustic basket, a couple farmhouse neutral pillows, a distressed side table and two small faux trees.

Create Christmas Magic: A Mini Winter Wonderland

Christmas Home Tour Decorating ideas

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I had so much fun creating this wintertime vignette. Last year, my 9 ft. tree stood here, and while I loved it, I wanted to do something different. I purchased a slew of mini trees to create a small winter forest feel (all shoppable below). I created the look of snow by using a faux fur blanket like a rug and a chunky wool knit tree skirt. Purchase the tree skirt from Becozi using our coupon code TWINS10 to save 10% off your entire order.

I framed the large arched leaning window-pane mirror with two faux evergreen garlands, added a dried magnolia wreath in the center. The vignette is framed by several of my solid wood candle holders. Details like white sparkling winter doves, antlers and candles add just the right amount of character without overdoing the scene. Shop the items available online below.

Deck the Halls Home Tour

Evolving Christmas Magic

My spaces are continually evolving, that’s just how I roll. It’s hard to stop playing and tweaking. A few days later the small trees were visiting another area. I added some sparkling branches to the top of the garland. I swapped the small table out for a slightly taller, more elegant table. Then, the table-top vignette evolved as well. I removed a rustic candle and replaced it with shimmery silver Christmas trees that reflect beautifully in the mirror. The effect is double.

The trees will probably come back, but I think the rest of the changes will stay, but who knows. I try to never let any of my decor get too comfortable.

Traditional Christmas Home Tour with red pillows and throws

Create Christmas Magic: The Heart of My Christmas Home

Besides my front porch, you’ll notice that I’ve kept all my hallway vignettes neutral, using pops of greenery, white and gold. But my family room is where I let all the red reign. I’ve nicknamed this room, “the red room” and this tree the “red tree.” Plenty of splashes of cheerful Christmas red create a festive mood in the center of our home. The surprise color announces to everyone, “This is where the party is!”

Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour

Create Christmas Magic: The Christmas Tree

The 9-ft. pre-lit King Flocked Christmas tree is from King of Christmas, and it really is a stunner. I love how easily it sets up. This year I wanted the red theme to pop so I added four strands of 100 mini red lights. My family and I love that it creates multiple looks:

  • no lights
  • just white lights
  • red and white lights
  • only red lights

Each look is a different mood. For a decorator who loves change, this was an added bonus. Everyone in the family has a different favorite, so we have fun each having our turn to choose. I added three large garlands of sparkling crystals to add glitter and sparkle. I chose dozens and dozens of red bulbs to continue the red theme. Specialty tartan ornaments add detail.

Christmas Home Tour Decorating ideas

Underneath I used two tree skirts to achieve my desired effect. I created a vignette under the tree with a cute rustic-handled tray, some red books, a mini sled, pinecones, and faux greenery. I added a few faux presents to finish the look.

Home for the Holidays Home Tour christmas tree

Create Christmas Magic in the Details

Last year I found a vintage sleigh that added charm to my front porch Christmas display. I knew I wanted to use it again for the porch. This year, I wanted to bring that fun vintage Christmas charm inside. So, when I recently went to a vintage market on my “must-find” list was another antique sled and hopefully a pair or two of vintage ice skates to decorate the sleds. I just love the charm and character these pieces add to my holiday decor.

Holiday Home Tour Decorating Ideas

I created a “snowy” backdrop with my faux white birch trees and a white faux fur throw. The mantel is framed with festive red berries & frosted pinecone garland. I used similar, but different sized joy signs on either side of the room. Both serve as “exclamation points” that balance the red and help define the room.

Deck the Halls Home Tour holiday living room

 

Create Christmas Magic in the living area with candles and deer

 

holiday family room decor

Create Christmas Magic in the Dining Room

Christmas Decorating Home Tour

I took my dining room inspiration from the red tartan Merry Christmas runner and matching napkins I purchased last year (available to shop below).

Holiday Decorating Home Tour dining room tablsecape

As I decorated this room for Christmas and began adding red it was the final straw in my battle to keep the blue decor that had originally defined this room. I have been decorating with color season after season, and it has clashed more often than not. So, I took down the beautiful silk drapes and rolled up the rug. I’m still on the hunt for the replacement rug, but I hung white linen drapes. Moving forward it was a practical move on my part.

Holiday Home Tour Decorating for Christmas dining room with greenery and pinecones

I love the layering of the place settings. These awesome shiplap inspired chargers are from my friend Jackie @sawdustangel and I adore them. Of course, they look great here, but the best part for this practical girl is the fact that you can bet they’re going to look good all year long.

I topped the settings with mini boxwood wreaths and a simple pinecone. The look is Christmas festive, yet simple and nature inspired.

Lots of people ask me where I got my plates. I have never found the exact ones, but I do have two similar sets, the exact table runner and matching napkins available to shop below.

Holiday Home Tour dining room hutch

Christmas Magic for the Bedroom

 

Decorating and Stress Free Holiday Advice

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Can you say, “Too much fun?” I really did have a ball decorating this room. If you follow me on Instagram, you know all about the shenanigans that went on in order to put this “snowball scene” together. I may have created a teeter-totter type of chair balancing situation to climb on over and over again to put up these hanging snowball garlands.

I shared the antics on my stories and flat out scared many people. Oops. I didn’t mean to, but it was worth it, don’t you think? Also, the outpouring of motherly concern was amazing and even though part of me felt a bit like a scolded child, I mainly felt love.

Holiday Home Tour bedroom with pom pom garlands and mini trees

The white all-linen hand-made coverlet is the star of the show all year long. In this winter scene, it feels like a blanket of snow. This is created by my amazingly talented friend Rhonda at Hallstromhome @hallstromhome. The beautiful chunky knit wool tree skirt is from another awesome friend Larissa at Becozi @becozi. You can use our coupon code to save 10% across her site, TWINS10.

The best mini Christmas trees ever come in their own little baskets and were the most important element in creating Christmas Magic throughout my home, inside and out. I bought them in two sizes and basically plopped them down anywhere and everywhere for instant Christmas.

Create Christmas Decorating Magic in Your Home

Christmas Decorating Ideas Home Tour master bedroom

Christmas holds treasured memories for most of us, but the stress to do it all can sometimes sabotage our holiday spirits and ruin the beauty and happiness of the holidays.

My Stay-Merry Christmas To Do List

  • Try not to let outside pressures determine what’s important to you.
  • Don’t try to keep up with the Jones.
  • Stay focused on what makes sense for you and your family in this season of your lives.
  • Keep things in perspective.
  • Perfection is overrated.
  • Remember your priorities.
  • Plan ahead.
  • Let unimportant things go.
  • Focus on the people.
  • Stay in the moment.
  • Create memories.
  • Cherish each other.

It’s not necessarily about the perfect decor but the right attitude. It’s important to keep everything in perspective in order to create truly magical memories for you and your family. I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas Magic Home Tour as much as I have enjoyed creating it and presenting it to you. Jodie and I sincerely appreciate your kindness and support and would absolutely love to hear from you in our comments below.

Quick, grab another beverage of choice, but don’t go anywhere. We have so much more incredible inspiration coming. Please continue the Christmas Home Tour by visiting the other homes on our tour. We are sure you will find tons of beautiful decor ideas!

Merry, Magical Christmas to All!

Many Blessings,

jodie & julie

P.S. Stay tuned in just a few days to take Jodie’s Christmas Home Tour. She’s outdone herself so be sure not to miss it.

Make sure to visit our Christmas Home Tours!

Amie @ Memehill | Gloribell @ Know How She Does It

Ashley @ Modern Glam | Kathleen @ Lindsay Hill Interiors

Sheila @ Maison de Cinq | Julie & Jodie @ The Design Twins

Kim & Lacey @ Styled with Lace | Janine @ Happy Happy Nester

Oscar @ Oscar Bravo Home | Mysha @ Remington Avenue

 

Martha @ Simple Cozy Charm | Joan @ 2 Ladies and a Chair |

Jackie @ Finding Lovely | Summer @ Summer Adams

Judy @ Life is Better at Home | Amy @ Crazy Chic Designs

Liz @ Home and Fabulous

 

How to Create Christmas Magic pin

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Summary
How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry and Bright
Article Name
How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry and Bright
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Creative and traditional Christmas decorating ideas, easy to follow tips, and great advice to manage it all while avoiding stress during the Holidays
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The Design Twins
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  1. Eszter says:

    Oh Julie, this is so magical!!! You are a wonderful inspiration and your house is a true Christmas Wonderland. ☺️
    Merry Christmas to you and Jodie and your families! ????

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Eszter,
      We miss you! We’re so busy, busy, busy! Lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your generous kindness. We wish you the very same! Happy Holidays and many blessings to you, our beautiful friend! With love, Julie & Jodie

  2. Jackie says:

    Such a beautiful Christmas tour! I love every detail. SO much Christmas magic.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Ah Yay! Haha! That’s what I was going for 🙂 Thank you, Sweet Friend! Putting the finishing touches on our next Christmas home tour and then I can’t wait to go visit your home and see the beauty I know you’ve created. With love, Julie & Jodie

  3. Anita Williams says:

    One of the most magnificent Christmas home tours I’ve ever been too. It seemed so magical seeing all the decor displayed in beautiful colors and each home unique to the designer of their home. All These homes shinning bright
    This Christmas season. Merry Christmas to all and thank you to the designtwins for a spectacular show! ????❤️

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Oh Anita, I’m simply thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour as you did. As you can see, so much work has gone into the creation, that we each just pray that it will be appreciated. And your words have done just that. Thank you for coming on the tour and mostly for taking the time to express your enjoyment. Blessings this holiday season and throughout the new year. Julie & Jodie

  4. Debbie says:

    What a gorgeous, magical Christmas tour. Every inch of your home is so inviting, warm and full of love. Yours and Jodie’s homes are truly magical Winter Wonderlands. You inspire me and your followers. Your creativity, caring and loving hearts are shown in every aspect of your homes. Thank you for sharing with me your homes, your families and your loving hearts…oh, and for making me smile and laugh at times. Best Wishes to you, Jodie and both of your families. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2018! -Debbie

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Debbie, Debbie, Debbie, You express your gratitude, and now let me express mine. Your kind words, sweet praise, loving heart, all expressed to me daily mean so, so much! I see “Gabbycat” and my heart begins to smile. You leave in your wake gifts for me to enjoy regularly and I am grateful, truly! So thank you honey and many blessings to you always, With love, Julie & Jodie

  5. Ashley says:

    Julie you have outdone yourself here! Your home is so cozy and inviting- can I come over?! Seriously, this is what Christmas dreams are made of. What a special scene you have created for your lucky family!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Ashley, Yes, you can come over! I wish! Perhaps one day…stranger things have happened 🙂 I told you, I can’t wait to meet you in person next time I visit CA! That is definitely happening. Until then, so grateful to be connected here…checking out your post next 🙂 Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  6. Mysha says:

    Hands down, the scrolls are my favorite! What a great tour. Your home looks so cozy

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Mysha, Aren’t they special? I know…and I love how easy they are to hang. Drama without the heavy weight of so many of the things that I put up! And the girl behind my scrolls is as amazing as her work (actually more amazing) so I just love supporting people who I love. Heading over to see your tour next! With love, Julie & Jodie

  7. Esmeralda says:

    Su casa esta may bonita y hermoso! Come me encantaría mi casa a si.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Gracias mi amiga! That’s about all my Spanish writing ability, but at least I understand what you write. Feliz Navidad! Julie & Jodie

  8. Becky says:

    Your home is just beautiful. You didn’t skip a detail and the layers of style look so natural. You truly have a God given eye. Blessing to you and yours. Sit back and enjoy the beauty that is your home.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Wow Becky! What a thoughtful and kind reply! It really means a lot. So happy you made it to our blog. We hope you will come back often for continued inspiration. In fact, as early as tomorrow Jodie will have her entire holiday home tour so we hope you will revisit us! Blessings for a happy and healthy holiday season, Julie & Jodie

  9. Martha says:

    Like seriously so gorgeous!! So much awesome inspo and tips!! My favorite is the Nordic-inspired tree!!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Martha, I am thrilled you liked it and so fun to hear your favorite is the Nordic tree. I envy the homes that are totally cohesive, flowing perfectly from room to room but I just can’t do it haha! I think I’ve finally given up on that dream and so I just do me 🙂 Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  10. kathleen says:

    Julie you truly have created a magical space for your family and friends to enjoy the holiday in! Love all the cozy lighting and the pretty little holiday touches everywhere!

    xox

    Kathleen

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Thank you so much, Kathleen. I’m so happy you liked what I created. Now I can’t wait to relax and enjoy it 🙂 Bet you feel the same way! Happiest of holidays to you and yours! Love, Julie & Jodie

  11. Joan says:

    Unbelievable!!!! I don’t know how you do it …This is stunning! Gorgeous decor! I must say I think my favorite are the snowballs hanging over the bed! Fantastic tour ladies!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Joan! Really? Gosh, coming from you it means so much…Thank you dear friend! As always, an honor and a joy to be connected! Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  12. Pam says:

    Absolutely breath taking Julie!!!! You are an awesome inspiration and encouragement to many!!!! XO

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Pam! That means so much! Wow, thank you for taking the time to support me with your kindness. It really does mean a lot. Hope you’ll come back often to enjoy continued inspiration. Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  13. Doreen says:

    Everything is so cozy and festive, love it. Where did you find the scrolls?

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Hi Doreen, We are so happy you enjoyed the holiday tour. We hope you will come back tomorrow when Jodie’s entire home will be on tour for the holidays! You can find the scrolls by clicking on any of them offered in our shop section of our blog! They are amazing…and great for many occasions and year-round! Plus we know the artist, and she is an absolute love! Always so important to support amazing people. Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  14. Kim Hazel says:

    Wow, wow, wow!! Such a merry and bright home for sure! Everything looks so beautiful and festive, Julie! really loving the addition of the red lights to your tree! 🙂 So fun “hopping” with you!

    xoxo
    Kim & Lacey

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Thank you Sweet Kim! It really means the world to us to not only be connected here but to feel your genuine love and support. We hope you feel it just as genuinely back from us. With love and happy holidays, Julie & Jodie

  15. Bette Anderson says:

    Loved seeing all your dramatic Christmas splendor. Now, I’m really in the mood for Christmas! God’s blessings be upon all our family.
    Mom & Dad

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw thank you, Sweet Mama! It makes me so happy you enjoyed the post. God is so good, always. With love and gratitude, Your Twins, Julie & Jodie

  16. Each an every corner of your home is so magical. An amazing Christmas tour jam-packed with so many inspiring ideas.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Gloribell, You’re the sweetest! Thank you, Girl! That means a lot 🙂 We appreciate being connected and the added benefit of learning from each other. Happy Holidays, Julie & Jodie

  17. Summer Adams says:

    Oh my goodness Julie! This is just so fun! What a beautiful Christmas home you have made! Your entry is out of this world amazing… So gorgeous and festive! I love your beautiful tree and those cute ice skates! Your mantel is so beautiful and your bedroom is so serene and romantic for the holidays! Everything is perfect. A very merry Christmas to you, dear friend!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Summer Dear, Your reply is so appreciated. It’s always lovely to hear from you, but I know it’s painful for you to type so it means even more that you took the time and effort to reply and send such love and kindness. Praying for healing in your arms and hands (I know only too well the challenges!) With love and blessings throughout the year, Julie & Jodie

  18. Judy says:

    Julie your whole home looks amazing!! So festive and welcoming! I especially love the nordic tree and your cozy and romantic bedroom retreat 🙂 So much love to both of you this holiday season xox

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Thank you Judy, Your appreciation means a lot! It’s such a pleasure to be connected on our tours. Wishing you and your family all the best of the season and a glorious New Year! Love, Julie & Jodie

  19. Sheila says:

    Julie I enjoyed your tour so much – there is literally so much here, it’s hard to even know where to start with what I love! But I would have to say that your bedroom really is gorgeous and almost magical! It is such a pretty and serene Christmas scene, I just love it (and it’s making me think I need to decorate a bedroom next year!)

    And your porch is always stunning in any season! Happy Holidays to you!

    Sheila
    xo

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Sheila, Your reply is making me smile ear to ear. From someone whose aesthetic I admire it just means so much! I too especially love the way my bedroom turned out. I have to say, I’m personally enjoying it every day, so yes, I highly recommend adding it to the decor list next year 🙂 Happy holidays to you and your family. With love, Julie & Jodie

  20. […] Sheila @ Maison de Cinq | Julie & Jodie @ The Design Twins […]

  21. […] How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry & Bright […]

  22. […] How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry & Bright […]

  23. […] How to Create Christmas Magic While Staying Merry & Bright […]

  24. […] Sheila @ Maison de Cinq | Julie & Jodie @ The Design Twins […]

  25. Wow what a Christmas tour! I just love your foyer! Its so magical! The tour was so magical! Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent! The entrance sure prepares you for spectacular!

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