Enjoy the Simpler Side of Christmas Decorations

beardog I couldn't agree more, a hint of the festive season in the home is far more fitting in these austere times than a gluttonous excess which can look incredibly tacky if not executed with real style!!

Melinda Faranetta Love these ideas.

Laurie at Bird in Hand VTG Great, easy ideas! I love bringing nature indoors too. Cut branches from my outdoor evergreens, forcing paperwhites.

wildwood201 Wish more people would come aboard the 'minimalist' boat for Christmas. I live in a lovely historic residential district and we all promote white lights only...however, new folks on the block have littered their yard with a disgusting parade of 'blow up' characters...let's de-tacky-FY Christmas! Less is MORE...

bellefonte I agree, I like to challenge myself to decorate without any mass produced holiday decor. It's surprisingly easier than you think.

junnie99 I love it. Every year I have "minimalized" more and more. My family enjoys the uncluttered feel. White lights, fresh greens and antique ornaments...

Hilary Walle-Jensen Ahhhh.... so refreshing! Growing up celebrating Chanukah with my family, I married into the Christmas traditions. A minimalist at heart, I have always kept the Christmas decorating simple... using white lights, folk art pieces and home made decorations. We have two small children, so it has to stay cozy and friendly, but here is a bit of what we have done this year:

Hilary Walle-Jensen Ahhhh.... so refreshing! Growing up celebrating Chanukah with my family, I married into the Christmas traditions. A minimalist at heart, I have always kept the Christmas decorating simple... using white lights, folk art pieces and home made decorations. We have two small children, so it has to stay cozy and friendly, but here is a bit of what we have done this year:

eimear I love simplicity too, but I also think there's room for everyone and every style - to my mind, Christmas is not a time to be judgmental about other people's taste.

Hilary Walle-Jensen I 100% agree with you, eimear. It is a time to be true to oneself....

Shannon Brennand Great ideas for empty nesters whose kids haven't given them grandkids yet. We took a break this year because we are too lazy to go to the rented storage unit to get our decorations. We shouldn't have ever taken them there in the first place! Our only decoration is a pine cone we brought back from Lake Tahoe two weeks ago!

Andy Gardiner Simple would be great in our house, unfortunately my partner wants lights and garlands everywhere. I really like the minimal look in these photos.

picabelle We recently remodeled and last year when we were in a rental I had to scale back by necessity. Loved it and did the same this year. Takes much less time and can be just as beautiful. Have to admit that I've got a nostalgic bent, though, so my minimalism is peppered with an eclectic mix of some of my grandma's things plus accents made by my kids throughout the years that only a mother could love. But we treasure them and each has its own story which makes it all seem a little more special.

Carlita love these...simplicity is always more festive.

Mona Lisset Thanks for these stylish yet simple ideas! Liked them all.

almalexuss99 Mantel Idea is just so sweet and christmasy

houzyadoin I love the stick tree! If prone to evergreen allergies this is quite elegant and can whatever size your space can handle and I think is quite magical with the silver/gold metallic bulbs. Have those old crackled xmas bulbs which I love and it just adds to it.

kaydimmell I was always a big decorator and used any available space in the house for holiday decorations. The past few years I have scaled down what I do and it looks better and the clean up in the new year is less stressful. Instead of a real Christmas tree, I use a fallen birch tree and decorate it with crystal ornaments and tiny string lights I purchased from restoration hardware. It is easy to do and it is still nice to look at it Jan. Love it!

kgbrn Can anyone comment on the "flat flatware" in the 3rd pic from the bottom? Look like decorations with a message....

Britastina I have come to absolutely love the minimalist school of holiday decorating. I used to fill my home with (up to 3 trees), garlands and lights around all the doors, and I won't even mention the fireplace. Maybe it is just age, but I found I could hardly breathe (figuratively speaking). The house looked beautiful but by the time the house was full of people and the kitchen was full of food, you could couldn't move. Then you add empty boxes, mounds of tissue and wrapping paper. Now I find that the people, gifts and food are far more important. The house still looks beautiful AND festive and relaxing. Maybe I need two houses, one to full-out decorated to look at and one to enjoy. Maybe I'll move to Martha Stewart's place - have you seen the adorable cottage she decorated for her grandchildren?

j0dy I like the minimul Christmas effect. it doesn't always have to be over the top to look nice, and it's cheaper this way too. ;)

Anned Engels I would also like to know about the grey "flatware" with messages. Is it for use, or just decorative? Who, where, what, how is it made?

babsjc This article seems to be about purchasing things. Remember that Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus.

We are forbidden to have Jesus, Mary and Joseph in public places but we can certainly enjoy such displays in our homes.

Santa and Christmas trees are part of the pagan celebrations of our Nordic people and heritage. Its a part of our history but we should also remember that its a Christian celebration and include that part in our decorations. I'd like to see some examples of that to add to my idea books.

mrsben @kgbrn and AnnedEngels: Re the flatware, click on the photo source and follow the link. She does have a blog (fewthingsinmylife.blogspot.com) where you can perhaps ask her about it.
Hope this helps.

kgbrn Mrsben, I've already scanned her blog, no reference to the flatware. It will remain a mystery.

mrsben @kgbrn: Well so much for that idea. Guess we wouldn't make very good detectives. ºÜº

Sheila Schmitz agbrn and mrsben, the "flatware" is actually a set of cards designed to keep conversation flowing. You can find them here: http://www.talkingtables.com/ranges/social-soiree/895/social-soiree-cutlery-table-trivia-/

The inscriptions read:

* In which direction should you tip your bowl when eating soup?
* Who said... Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.
* Trifle, shortbread or chocolate souffle?

Thanks to Veronika at A Few Things From My Life for the scoop! You can see more photos from her dinner party in her ideabook:

mrsben @Sheila: Ahhhhh, so that's what they are. How very original. Will have to check the website out. THANK YOU!
P.S: Would you be so kind and do me a favour and click on agbrn's "like" to notify her. (Thanks)