Decorating & Design
10+ Tips For Decorating A Magical Holiday Home
Updated on January 2, 2026
Every year we are inspired by the personal ways homeowners and designers get into the holiday spirit and decorate their homes. From tabletops to trees, these rooms illustrate new ways to use your old ornaments, with ideas to update new twists on wrapping — and some new DIY projects like making reusable Hanukkah crackers. Get into the holiday spirit with these decorating ideas for Christmas and Hanukkah!
Think Multiples
Instead of a lone wreath on the door, this former worker’s cottage in Toronto doubles down with matching, symmetrical wreaths hung in front of the windows. Two pots with mini trees anchor the look, plus a garland draped over the front door.
Creative Card Display
Designer Colin Baird strung holiday cards across the window using clothespins — it’s an easy way to free up tabletops and other surfaces while adding a festive feel.
Show Off A Collection
Now is the time to show off a prized collection: they give off a nostalgic vibe (especially if they include vintage items). These nesting Santas prove the point.
A New Way To Wrap
Try this playful treatment for smaller boxes — kids will love it! Tie animal figurines (Schleich has a wide variety) to a small gift box with twine and arrange on a mantel or tabletop.
Olive Branches
Vancouver designer Gillian Segal likes to put a unique spin on decorating for Hanukkah. “A big aspect of Hanukkah is eating foods fried in oil, so there is a big focus on olive oil. In the story of Hanukkah, there was just enough oil for one night, yet it lasted eight. To bring that tradition home, we place olive branches throughout the house, including in the garland that runs up the stairs.”
Set A Fun Table
Think outside the box when it comes to dressing a holiday table. Here, a personal-sized gingerbread house is something each guest can take home or eat on the spot.
Decorate Light Fixtures
This wheel chandelier is dressed with swags of greenery for a wreath-like effect, while the sconces are tied with bunches of evergreen boughs.
Max Out Metallics
Red and green are the Christmas palette gold standard, but are somewhat… expected. Try something more ethereal such as metallics that reflect the sparkle of candlelight, psired with a pop of colour like seafoam.
Oversized Arrangement
For her Hanukkah tablescape, designer Gillian Segal goes for major drama with a cascading floral arrangement with fronds that spill over the table edge in a classic blue and white palette.
Double Up On Trees
In this new 1,398-square-foot barn, owners CeCe Krecsy and her husband Gene don’t limit themselves to one tree. One can be enjoyed from the kitchen and dining table, with another one near a smaller table. Set them apart by decorating each tree in ornaments in a different colour scheme to give each one a distinct personality.
Dress The Bar
This bar gets a festive punch with an easy display. Place branches in a vase and punch a hole in holiday cards (some can be cut into ornament shapes like bells and trees), then thread a length of ribbon through the hole and knot on branch. Tie a large ribbon around the vase and place it on a tray with bowls of clementines, nuts and chocolate.
Show Off Your Wrapping
Gifts can serve as decorative accents, so display them around the house for a hit of colour. Mix in toppers like a metallic bird, snowflake or sprig, and adorn with wide bows in a mix of textures as a polished finishing touch.
Pick A Signature Palette
In this contemporary festive table, limestone triangles evoke Christmas trees, but it’s the sophisticated rust and mustard palette in the florals, glasses and candles that bring modern flair to this onyx table.
Customize Crackers
These luxe reusable-velvet Hanukkah crackers are a fun afternoon project and can be customized to hold chocolate gelt, toys or paper crowns. Get the DIY directions here.