In the earliest days on KN, the holidays were like an explosion of decor and while I use a lot of the same pieces from year to year, I also purchased a healthy amount each year for variety and to go along with new themes for the year. In the last couple of years, I started making a concerted effort to dial it back, minimize, and simplify as I realized I had exceeded my personal threshold. After last Christmas, I purged old decor that hadn’t been used in a decade, got organized, and I finally feel like I’ve found a happy balance where I can reintroduce things here and there since I can actually see what I already have. By the way, you can see my Christmas organization system post HERE if you missed it or need a refresher. We start decorating next week so in preparation of that, I made five new purchases over the past month and today, I’m sharing those — along with ideas on how to transition your year-round decor to serve you seasonally.
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Rug | Round Side Accent Table | Stoneware Vase On Hearth
You can check out the 2023 full Christmas Home Tour HERE.
*Wayfair is hosting their Big Holiday Sale (ends 10/18!) so it’s a great time to get prepped for holiday decorating. Deals are up to 60% off and everything gets fast shipping! Browse all the holiday deals HERE.
5 Things I Bought to Get Ready for the Season
1. Reindeer Figurine
My first purchase for the season was this little reindeer cutie! I’ve actually had two tall modern silver deer for years but this past year, they were broken. This style of modern deer has been trending in the easier to find black finish (like THESE), but I love the gold finish!
When I purchased mine, there were actually two sizes (I purchased the small). Currently, the small is the only size available but it’s a budget friendly steal at $18 and you can literally put it anywhere. IMO, this one is the perfect size.
Metal Reindeer | White Stoneware Vase
Any decor that easily blends with any other decor that can be placed on any surface in any room is a major holiday decor win for me — I know it will be used year after year.
2. Evergreen Wreath
I love wreaths everywhere but I especially love wreaths on big mirrors. I also love plain-ish wreaths so that I can add my own ribbon/adornments sometimes, like I’ve done in the dining room in the past.
This year, I bought a brand new evergreen wreath for the big breakfast nook mirror…
Candlesticks (similar) | White Stoneware Vase
And I was pleased in the best way when it arrived. Wreaths — nice wreaths — can be several hundred dollars. This one — made of mixed pine, juniper, and juniper berries — is currently just $55! She’s 24″ and a BEAUTY! One of the best values for a quality evergreen wreath I’ve seen.
It’s really full, easily disguises the wreath form, and is a great option for the front door, too.
Speaking of green wreaths and putting them everywhere, how cute are these little guys? I added my own ribbon to these and I actually found an almost identical version of my big pine and juniper wreath in mini version HERE. (As an FYI, my gallery frames are the black 16″x20″ size HERE.)
Wall Frames (Black; 16″ x 20″)
Scroll & Tap for Mini Wreaths
3. Oversized 6″ Ball Ornaments
I always change up my theme in the living room and as a result, have every color ornament ever made. But, I don’t have many oversized ball ornaments — which I always try to incorporate but they’re hard to find at an affordable price. I actually spray painted some a few years ago…
This year, I am using gold and wanted large, warm gold balls and fortunately, I was able to find a set of four on Wayfair for a way better deal than I’ve found anywhere else. TBH, I couldn’t even find a large enough warm gold ball hardly anywhere — much less at a price I felt good about paying. I over-shot and bought five sets of four, but erring on the side of caution, I can always use any extras in bowls/on shelves.
Mine are the plain “gold” but get this — there are actually 14 different colors of this shatter-proof 6″ ornament HERE!
If you have a lot of gold/brass, here is how the gold color looks against the Primrose mirror and brass candlesticks — almost a dead ringer.
Candlesticks (similar) | Gold Ball Ornaments
Scroll & Tap for Large 6″ Ball Ornaments
Scroll & Tap for More Ornaments
Scroll & Tap for More Ornaments
As a side note — my mom and I both are fanatics for our 4-D tree topper stars. I loved my moms with the springs on each burst but it was discontinued so I had to get the stars without the spring tines.
Well, I can’t believe it, but flash forward a few years and if THIS star isn’t that same topper of my mom’s that I’m obsessed with (below photo on the left), it’s a DEAD RINGER! It comes in both silver and gold HERE.
I actually found it when I was browsing Wayfair’s robust ornament pages (HERE). There are so many, I definitely recommend using the filters on the left side of the screen to help narrow your search!
4. Rattan Christmas Tree Collar
The next purchase I made is something a lot of people have switched to in recent years — I appreciate them, but I also like my skirts or using a chunky knit blanket and the collars I’ve liked have been kind of pricey. But, I wanted our conversation room tree to look a little more polished at the base and I’m not sure if that desire or my stumbling upon THIS rattan tree collar came first, but it was an easy “yes” from me. Here’s a peek at how our family tree has looked in the past…
Area Rug | Large Stoneware Vase On Black Cabinet
And here is the base I purchased for it this year! It comes in two sizes and three colors — mine is the large, natural, and it’s another fantastic value. I followed the recommended sizing for our 7.5′ tree with a traditional width.
Rattan Tree Collar | Berry Cedar Wreaths
After it arrived, I decided that I’ll likely be getting another one for a tree in here. I love the idea of not having to “decorate” under every tree and the collar is the perfect finishing touch that simplifies all that.
Scroll & Tap for Christmas Tree Collars
5. Pair of White Berry Wreaths
We have a set of French doors in the conversation room and most years — for as long as we’ve lived in the house — I’ve used the same wreaths on them. I like them but really wanted something more matte to change things up. Here’s a look at our annual French door wreaths, while we were in the midst of making over the conversation room…
Area Rug | Cane Back Accent Chair
This year, I sprang for white berry wreaths and like the evergreen wreath I shared earlier in the post, they are so pretty and a fraction of what I’d expect to spend! Literally, I found these on Wayfair and was able to buy two for about a third of some of the front door wreaths I’ve purchased elsewhere in the past.
Berry Cedar Wreaths | Area Rug | Windowpane Check Low Arm Accent Chair | Large Stoneware Vase On Black Cabinet
I went ahead and hung them since we’re only a week out from decorating and I was dying to see them against my decor, and I am loving how they look against my newest rug — also from Wayfair — too! As a reminder, all orders over $35 ship free.
Along with the white, it also comes in a gorgeous red berry option HERE.
The Modern Christmas Village
My mom actually still has our old village that I grew up with — I loved setting it out each year and that was one of my holiday decorating tasks. A couple years ago, I was feeling nostalgic and almost hauled it over to set out in our home but 1. I had no idea where I’d put it, and 2. it was just too overwhelming to even consider.
But, I have had fun setting out my little modern houses and reconfiguring them into simple villages — from room to room and surface to surface — which has been way simpler and still evokes a sense of nostalgia.
White Stoneware Vase | Wall Frames (Black; 16″ x 20″)
I find myself using them every year and repurposing — the mantel, sideboard, shelf, console, dresser, coffee table, countertop, etc.
Large Stoneware Vase On Black Cabinet
If you’re into the idea of starting a collection of little homes for a modern village, here are a few simple sets to start…
Scroll & Tap for Christmas Houses
Universal Year-Round Pieces You’ll Love During Christmas
I put my year-round vessels to work during the holidays as they turn to easy ways to display nods to the holidays, In my large bowls that I use as table centerpieces, in the kitchen, in the living room, in the entry, etc., you’ll never find them short of ornaments, bells, pinecones, etc. during the ‘ber’ months!
Scroll & Tap for Large Bowls
And I can’t say it enough — the cooler months are when my biggest vases and urns shine! I fill them with berries and hearty evergreen and if you leave them out year round, you can always tie a bow on the vase to transition it to the holiday season.
Accent Cabinet (Alder White) | White Ceramic Table Vase | Bronze Accent Mirror
Marble Top Vanity | Faucet | Wallpaper (Coastal Blue) | Turkish Hand Towel
Scroll & Tap for Statement Vases
Do you have any new holiday decor to acquire or have anything on your decorating wishlist this year? Stay tuned for holiday decorating, recipes, and more to come in the next couple of months! If you aren’t already, sign up for emails at the bottom of the post so you don’t miss a thing.
Other Posts to Check Out
Big Holiday Sale Deals by Category
Christmas Trees & More (Indoor Seasonal Decor) — Up to 55% Off
Outdoor Seasonal Decor — Up to 45% Off
Area Rugs — Up to 60% Off
Bath Vanities & More — Up to 50% Off
Bedding — Up to 60% Off
Bedroom Furniture — Up to 50% Off
Cookware & Bakeware — Up to 50% Off
Curtains & Drapes — Up to 55% Off
Entryway Furniture — Up to 50% Off
Flooring & Hardware — Up to 40% Off
Home Office Furniture — Up to 50% Off
Kids Bedroom — Up to 40% Off
Kitchen & Dining Furniture — Up to 55% Off
Kitchen Faucets & More — Up to 55% Off
Lighting — Up to 55% Off
Living Room Seating — Up to 55% Off
Major Appliances — Up to 40% Off
Mattresses & More — Up to 50% Off
Mirrors & Decor — Up to 55% Off
Nursery Essentials — Up to 40% Off
Pet — Up to 40% Off
Small Appliances — Up to 40% Off
Storage & Organization — Up to 50% Off
Tableware — Up to 50% Off
Wall Art — Up to 60% Off
Fireplaces & Heaters — Up to 50% Off
Outdoor Furniture — Up to 45% Off
Surplus Sale –– Up to 50% Off
