I’ll be sharing our home, decorated for Christmas this year, in mid-November, and if you’re an email subscriber, you already received a preview of this year’s main tree and color scheme. But, in the meantime, I thought it’d be fun to look back at some of my favorite Christmas decor moments over the past several years, since the inception of the blog in 2015. The further back I go, the fewer moments and photos I’m sharing because style evolves so much — but it’s so fun to see. The vignettes and holiday home scenes I’m sharing today are the moments that I still love today. I can’t pick a top tree or a favorite year, but I think there’s some ideas and relevant snippets throughout that I’ll highlight today. If you’re a long time reader, a lot of this may look familiar or jog your memory and if you’ve only started visiting more recently, some (or all) of this may be new! I’ll try not to get too carried away with the wordiness of it all (I mean, I did already talk about all these over the years at some point, haha), and will keep the text to a minimum. Or at least my version of a minimum ;). Read or scan on for the best Christmas decor ideas from holidays past!
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Christmas Kitchen Island & Countertop Moments
I never go over the top with kitchen decor but I do try to bring in some evergreen, a little warmth, some yummy scents (always), and maybe even a little twinkle. Here are a few favorite (simple) ways I’ve incorporated a little Christmas over the years…
Sources: Woven Backless Counter Stools | Vase (similar) | Wooden Bowl (similar) | Spiced Cider Candle (similar) | Jute Runner | Round Marble and Wood Cheeseboard | Rectangular Wooden Cheese Board | Olivewood Salt Keeper | Small Olivewood Cheeseboard | Olive Oil Dispenser | Cabinet Pulls | Backsplash Tile
Sources: Round White Cheese Board | Rectangular White Cheese Board | Small Olive Wood Cheese Board | Spoon Rest | Cabinet Pull | Backsplash Tile
Sources: Vase (similar) | Wooden Bowl (similar) | Spiced Cider Candle (similar) | Twinkle Lights
Sources: Large Round Vase | Textured Bowl | Small Olive Wood Cheese Board | Cinnamon Candle | Dutch Oven | Backsplash Tile
Sources: Olive Wood Bowl (similar) | Large White Vase | Candle
See a common theme? Citrus, berries and deep green just seems to always be a winning combo and gives a warmth I just tend to prefer over some of the other things I’ve done in the kitchen.
Table Centerpiece Moments
I’ve done simple (I never get tired of bowls with balls and/or beads!) and I’ve done elaborate (taking just about every candle holder I own and lighting a runner down the length of the table.) And between the breakfast nook and the dining room, I like both.
Sources: Black Bowl (14″) | Wood Bead Garland
Sources: Gold Pillar Candle Holders (similar)
There’s been several years where I’ve mixed up candle holders in the dining room…
Sources: Gold Flatware
Hurricanes with pillars and rock salt was an easy but pretty way to pull together a table centerpiece. You could even gather them in the center for a round table! Making note to consider that for myself this year 😉
I’ve repurposed these stars every which a way over the years but piling them all in this bowl was a moment.
Dining Room Moments
After painting the walls a deep charcoal this past year, last Christmas was probably my favorite dining room look since it was so different than prior years.
Sources: Chandelier | Dining Chairs | Dining Table – RH (similar) | Cement Lamps | Sideboard (similar)
I had a bunch of favorite “moments” in here last year.
Sources: Dining Chairs | Rug (natural; 8’x10′) | Chandelier | Lamps | Curtain Rod (120″-240″) | Curtain Rings | Dining Table – RH (similar) | Sideboard — RH (similar) | Christmas Tree Topper | Lit Bottlebrush Trees (set of 3) | White and Gold Gift Box
Sources: Bar Cart (almost identical) | Wine Glasses | Decanter | Bowl | Faux Olive Stems (similar) | Wire Twinkle Lights
But on the opposite end of the spectrum, I loved this look in the dining room the year before — decked in frosted blue and snowy white.
Sources: Dining Chairs | Rug (natural; 8’x10′) | Chandelier | Dining Table – RH (similar) | Sideboard — RH (similar) | Rug
Fireplace Moments
I typically start with some variation of the same base garland and tweak it just a little bit and love when I can mix in some fruit and other berries. It’s pretty hard to beat when I used blueberries a few years ago, in terms of what I’ve really looked back and enjoyed…
Sources: Christmas Stockings (assorted) | Fireplace Screen | Brass Party Bucket
But I also really liked the red and gold berries with more magnolia leaves and eucalyptus last year.
Sources: Christmas Stockings (assorted) | Fireplace Screen | Brass Party Bucket
And I love the drapey garlands — like cedar — that have been on the rise over the past several years. I even used to mix in live cedar with my garland but it was too messy and dried out quickly. But this garland that I embellish is still my tried and true go-to. For our banisters, too.
In 2018-2019, I used more ornaments and loved the sleek black bows as stocking embellishments. Satin ribbon in general is a cost effective way to dress up your standards in just a slightly different way…
Bedroom Moments
I love decorating this little closet area of Eliza’s simply. One year, I gave her animal art little clip art Santa hats that I cut out and colored with crayons.
Sources: Bunny Print | Mouse Print | Raccoon Print | Woven Hamper | Bear Rocker (similar) | Bell Door Hanger (similar)
And I thought it was so simple, adorable (and free!) That I did another variation the following year, with butterflies, to match her room theme for the season. Any time I can play off a theme that lets me bring in decor I already have from previous seasons is a win in my book!
Sources: Bunny Print | Mouse Print | Raccoon Print | Woven Hamper | Forsythia Wreath (similar) | Butterflies | Bell Door Hanger (similar)
I pulled this sweet fairy terrarium together her first Christmas, when her room was decorated as a little whimsical fairy land.
Sources: Terrarium | Twinkle Lights
Sources: White Cane Crib | Antelope Pillow Cover | Striped Crib Sheet | Macrame Crib Skirt | Fringed Throw | Song Lyric Art (similar) | Brass Frames | Woven Rug | Sheepskin Rug | Bear Rocker (similar)
And I love loading up the beds in cozy layers during the holidays. Looking back, there are lots of items used year after year, room after room, but I keep going back to that standard formula. Here are a few favorite bedding moments…
Sources: Bed | Glass Lamp | Nightstand | Linen Diamond Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover & Shams | Mohair Throw
Sources: Bed | Glass Lamp | Nightstand | Linen Diamond Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover & Shams | Mohair Throw
Sources: White Quilt & Shams | Mohair Throw
Nostalgic Moments
Bringing out all the nostalgic pieces, special seasonal decor, and family collections is an annual favorite. We tend to gather them together for the most past and last year’s setup in the conversation room was an all time favorite moment.
Sources: Chandelier | Sconces (similar) | Rug (8 x 10)| Bird Art Print Pair | Coffee Table | Black Carved Tray | Wooden Beads | Coffee Table Seagrass Planter (similar)| Matte Black Capri Blue Candle | Large Cement Vase | Smaller Cement Vase | Black Curio Cabinet (similar) | Woven Storage Trunk | Black Seagrass Basket | Christmas Tree Topper | Twinkle Lights
This year’s setup is incredibly similar — I’ll be sharing it in mid-November, in the full 2022 Christmas Home post.
Coffee Table Moments
And speaking of nostalgia, I loved this little functional bowl of hands-on goodies for Eliza in the main living room.
Sources: Wooden Beads | Sleigh Bells on Handle (similar)
Some other coffee table moments and photos I’ve most enjoyed in the past…
Shelf/Tabletop Moments
I typically try to keep a lot of my regular year-long decor in place in most spots, and just incorporate seasonal touches. Tabletops, consoles, dressers, and elevated flat surfaces are some of the best spots to let those collections shine. I’ve done bottlebrush forests I’ve really loved…
Sources: Console Table | Mirror | Vase | Vertical Art | Lidded Basket | Plant | Bottle Brush Trees (similar)
And along with Eliza’s bottlebrush trees on her dresser, I really loved the mirrored star mobile I created for the Christmas season this year!
Sources: Dresser (if not available, similar) | Round Mirror | Woven Hamper | Changing Basket
I have a pretty healthy collection of trees and mix and match each year to come up with different combos in different rooms. I really liked this colorful combo in Eliza’s room.
Sources: Bookshelf | Batik Forest Framed Print | Letter Board
Sources: Glass Lamp | Nightstand
And I loved the greenery-rich breakfast nook sideboard looks I had both this year…
and this year.
Sources: Round Natural Cheese Board | Round Black Cheese Board | Olive Wood Cheese Board (similar)
Last year’s console in the living room was really simple with family Christmas card photos (I use similar finishes on the frames each year I add a new one to the collection), and some pinecones (another versatile year after year staple).
Sources: Console Table | Rattan Mirror | Garden Stool | Watering Can | Vase | Brown Lidded Basket (similar)
And bowls of balls are an easy go-to but I really appreciated this color combo.
Christmas Tree Moments
I would have to sit down and count for a LONG time to consider how many trees and themes I’ve come up with over the past several years, and while I can’t name a fave, there are a few color combos and photos that stick out…
Sources: Wingback Chair | Plaid Throw (similar) | Plaid Wrapping Paper | Coffee Table
Sources: Black Watch Tartan Ribbon (similar) | Blueberry Picks (similar)
Ok, last year’s MAY be my fave. MAYBE. You can see the full Christmas home tour from last year HERE.
Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Wingback Chair | Flax Pillow | Leather X Bench | Redwood Linen Pillow | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Fireplace Screen | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches| Built In Cabinet Knobs
div>My style — both Christmas and in general — has evolved and shifted since 2016, but this may have been the era some of you found KN! Lots more white, sparkle, and glitter.
This twilight scene from 2016 is easily one of my top 3 Christmas photos and Christmas home moments over the years…
And it didn’t get a lot of “face time” but this Tiffany-blue tree, decked in all white was love for me!
Outdoor Moments
We don’t change things up a lot on the front porch and stick to a classic scheme, but here are a few favorite outdoor holiday moments…
It was a BIG deal the year it snowed before Christmas, in Georgia. It’s something that’s rare and it was special to see a little Christmas in the snowy scenery.
These days, you can probably find our porch looking like this — this year, I finally got a classic addition I’m stoked about that I’ve been wanting to incorporate for at least 10 years!
Other Moments
A few other standouts when I consider past decor and photos that come to mind…
This spray of red bittersweet against the blue and white was another top favorite of all time. It also lasts a LONG time!
Sources: Sconce (antique brass) | Mirror (Brass) | Vanity | Faucet | Vanity Knobs | Foaming Soap Pump Dispenser | Turkish Hand Towel | Rug | Wallpaper
The year of all mix and match plaid…
The time I layered a spring fern wreath with a winter wreath to create a custom wreath for the “meadow” themed dining room that year…
Wreaths on the backs of stools are beautiful, but you can come up with other embellishments that are free from what you have on hand. I really liked these ornament/ribbon situations from one year…
Sources: Woven Bar Stools
And a simple, easy idea is to wrap a book (or really, anything!) in a bow. Instant holiday.
I even wrapped a scarf around a pillow this year for a free, custom look.
I can’t wait to finish this year’s holiday home and get it published! I heavily shop my home and even though I come up with new color combos most years, I repurpose over and over again, mix and match, and use my holiday decor in different ways. If you aren’t already, you can subscribe to emails at the bottom of the post to be alerted when this year’s Christmas home tour launches ;). Cheers to a fabulous holiday season and all the Christmas things ahead!
The year you did the two white trees in the dining room was one of my favorites. I look forward to all of your holiday reveals! Can’t wait to see this year’s trees.
Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for being here and for your sweet support.I can’t wait to share this year’s holiday tour and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Hi Kelley! Newcomer here and absolutely love your whole site. You put out such detailed posts with such useful information and instruction! I just signed up for your email list, is it too late to receive the sneak peak of your Main Christmas tree? Thanks so much in advance! Happy Friday!
Hi Moriah, Thank you so much for taking the time to follow along and for your kind note. I will be sharing the advance peak of our main Christmas tree again in this week’s newsletter. Have a wonderful weekend!
A beautiful look back at your Christmas home through the years. I love to see what you come up with every year, it’s always so inspiring. Love the sneak preview of this years tree and looking forward to seeing what else you have created.
Hi Wendy, Thank you for taking the time to visit and for your kind note. I really appreciate your kind support!