How about some good old fashioned Christmas decorating ideas to help you jump start your holiday. This year my thoughts are all about easy ways to add warmth and coziness to our home as we celebrate this special time of year.
The Celebrate Christmas Home Tours
I’m so happy to be participating in The Celebrate Christmas Home Tours, hosted by my friend Leen of Sand Dollar Lane. This is a five day tour with a new group of bloggers joining in each day inviting us into their homes.
With 30 bloggers participating this week, I know there will be lots of inspiration for us to explore and enjoy. All the links are at the end of this post.
If you are stopping by from DIY Beautify welcome and come on in. Cindy is one creative blogger, and I just love the cottage feel of her red and white Christmas bedroom.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Decorating Ideas
As you glance around our family room you will see simple decorations, that to me, have an old fashioned feeling. Here are a few things that I’m focusing on to create a relaxing and cozy setting.
- bottle brush trees
- dried orange slices
- pinecones
- greenery
- ribbons
- seasonal colors of green and gold
Every year I try out different ways to decorate with what I already have. It’s like a little game I play, and it’s becoming a really fun challenge.
Christmas decorating in our home usually starts with the mantel, so that’s where I’m kicking off this holiday family room home tour.
Christmas Decorating Ideas For The mantel
The mantel is the focal point in the family room, and the largest horizontal surface to decorate. I always feel that if I get the mantel just right, the rest of the room will fall into place.
The first step in decorating the mantel is layering the greenery. I’m using two 60″ faux Norfolk pine garlands securing them with hooks in four strategic places, so they will drape over the edge of the mantel.
I’m super happy with how the garlands are looking, especially after adding pinecones and dried orange slices. To me it’s a nod to simpler times when all the decorations were homemade.
Of course I prefer real greenery, but I can always add some when we get closer to Christmas.
Cream colored bottle brush trees in all sizes fill the space between the garland and the artwork. Some of the shorter trees are sitting on books to give them extra height. Click on my post Simple Bottle Brush Christmas Vignette for more ideas.
Fairy lights are the last addition which highlight the little details, and add that magical holiday element we love so much.
To create your own garlands, check out my posts How To Dry Orange Slices For Holiday Decorating and DIY Dried Orange and Cinnamon Garland.
Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Ideas
I’m not sure I’ll ever have a themed Christmas tree unless we put one in another room. Until then we will continue with what I consider our everything tree.
We have a menagerie of beaded snowflakes, nutcrackers, glitter acorns, sequined fruit and mercury glass ornaments. Dried orange slice ornaments and little bundles of cinnamon sticks are a fun addition this year.
Green satin ribbon on the ends of the longer branches gives the tree a uniform look, and also adds to the old fashioned feel that I’m going for.
By the way, here’s a helpful decorating tip for you. If you don’t like the look of the empty space between the tree collar and the tree use an artificial wreath or garland on top of the tree stand. That way you’ll see greenery instead of an ugly tree stand.
Christmas Decorating With Green and Gold
You may notice a few new additions in the family room this year such as a new sofa and coffee table. We are so excited to have extra seating with a longer sofa, and chaise at one end.
A variety of pillows with green patterns adds to coziness of the sofa. This is the spot where we will pile up to watch our favorite holiday movies, and I can’t wait!
Coffee table styling on the round table includes a round brass bowl with gold ornaments. Green plaid ribbon works so well with the gold ornaments, and I’m loving the mix of textures with the small pinecones.
My little collection of brass candle sticks is growing since I found a few more at the local antique mall. The tall one in the middle is the most interesting, don’t you think?
After Thanksgiving, I plan on making a little arrangement for the coffee table with winter greenery and flowers. So be sure to check back for that.
The other side of the room is where the arm chair and ottoman are living during the Christmas season. I enjoy sitting here so much as long as I have a fluffy throw, my laptop and a mug of hot chocolate.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with seasonal ideas that you can use right now!
I can’t wait to share the rest of our home in the coming weeks with more old fashioned Christmas decorating ideas. More on that after Thanksgiving.
Our Celebrate Christmas Home Tours continues with At Lane and High, and I’m sure you’re going love Wendy’s cozy Christmas decorating ideas.
All the links for everyone participating this week are listed by day below, so be sure to come back tomorrow to view Thursday’s tours.
Cheers!
Our Celebrate Christmas Home Tours Continues…
Sand Dollar Lane // 2 Bees in a Pod // At Home with Kristy // Exquisitely Unremarkable
Our Crafty Mom // Hearth and Vine
Zucchini Sisters // Postcards from the Ridge // Southern Crush at Home // Amy Sadler Designs
Pasha is Home // Simple Nature Decor
Worthing Court // The Tattered Pew // Cottage in the Mitten // DIY Beautify
Thistle Key Lane // At Lane and High // Feet Under My Table
White Arrows Home // Aratari at Home // White Lilac Farmhouse
Cottage on Bunker Hill // Bricks ‘n Blooms
My Family Thyme // Southern Home and Hospitality // Songbird // Shiplap and Shells
Chalking Up Success // Pure Happy Home
©2022 Old Fashioned Christmas Decorating Ideas post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane.
Michelle, I love it all. So natural and beautiful. Merry Christmas!🎄
Thank you Patti! I’m loving the cozy feel of the natural decor. 😊
Michelle – we love your old fashioned Christmas decor. Your tree is beautiful and we love how you have draped ribbons on the branches – very pretty and eye-catching. You offer such helpful tips. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Thank you Vicki and Jenn for the wonder comments! Happy Christmas!
Michelle, I love the way you’ve decorated this space for Christmas! It’s so simple and beautiful. I was so surprised that your garland is faux, it looks so real!
I really love the simple, natural ornaments on your tree too!
Thank you Leen for organizing such a beautiful tour of homes! I finally had to break down and buy faux garland. Something I haven’t had for years, but I’m really loving how real this one looks!
Michelle I love your old fashioned touches! Your mantel is just beautiful and thank you for the tree collar hack. So smart…pinned!
Thanks Kelly! These little tips really keep us going, don’t they!
I’m all about old-fashioned holiday touches and yours are so lovely Michelle! Your mantel with the bottle brush trees and dried oranges and greenery is beautiful. You always inspire me with your wonderful décor ideas. Happy holidays!
I appreciate your lovely comments so much Kim! Yes we do gravitate to vintage and natural decor. It’s always warm and cozy!
I’m all about the traditional and old fashion decor, especially this year! Your mantel and tree are absolutely beautiful! I have yet to dry oranges and I promise I am going to do it this year!! Always happy to hop with you, Michelle!🎄
Thanks Kim! I had many dried orange fails until this year and I finally got it right. In fact I went overboard and made three batches LOL!
It’s beautiful! What a warm and charming old fashioned Christmas you’ve whipped up. Those white bottle brush trees against that garland is just perfect.
Thank you Kim! I’m totally smitten when it comes to bottle brush trees! 😊
Your home looks gorgeous! I always go for the mantel too and your ls turned out gorgeous! The oranges really add a wonderful look, and I imagine smell, to the garland!
Thanks so much Wendy! The oranges make it feel and smell like Christmas!
I love the orange sliced garland on the mantel, it must smell delicious. Everything is perfection.
Thank you Maria! I’m loving the oranges slices and how fresh they make the house feel!
I am in love with the simplicity and yet elegance you have created. I love those dried oranges that give a casual feel mixed with that bowl of elegant ornaments. It just transitions beautifully. Loved sharing your inspiration on the blog today with this tour.
Thank you Leslie! Keeping the decor simple seems to work best in our home and we enjoy it more.
So pretty Michelle, I love the natural touch with the dried oranges.
Thank you so much Wendy for stopping by!
Michelle ~ Everything you do is amazing and old-fashioned anything is my favorite! What a gorgeous space you’ve created for Christmas! I’m so honored to be doing this blog tour with you! Thank you for sharing your talents! Merry Christmas my friend!
Thank you Melanie! This has been a fantastic tour of homes and I’m thrilled to be joining you this week!
Michelle, everything looks beautiful. I am a fan of homemade ornaments. Love the dried orange slices and cinnamon bunches. Stunning tree!
Thank you so much Tammy! We love the shape of the this tree, although it’s a little more challenging to decorate.
Just lovely Michelle!! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thank you Jennifer! I loved your tour today!
I always love your decorating style Michelle, everything is so simple and elegant! Love the dried oranges, I decorated with them this year too and they smell so good! Merry Christmas!
Thank you Jayne! I’m so excited you’re in the tour this week ,and can’t wait to stop by today!
Your home is always the perfect mix of elegant and vintage. Your tree is so pretty and you know I love the oranges! So glad I got to see it! pinned
Thanks Cindy! I kinda went bonkers over the oranges this year and still have more to decorate with. 😊
Michelle how beautiful! I love your mantel with all the pretty greenery and trees. I want to use more dried oranges. I meant to do that this year but didn’t find the time. Love how you styled it! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Thank you so much Stacy! Well there are more dried oranges to come. I went a little overboard this year LOL!
Happy Turkey week! Thank you for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go Wednesday link party – I’m featuring you this week when the next party starts.
That is so sweet Tarah! I appreciate the share and feature so much!
Michelle, Your living room looks so beautiful for Christmas. I love all the old fashion decor you have added. Orange slices look perfect on your mantel. Pinned my friend! Thanks for sharing with us at the Home Imagined party. Have a lovely week.
What sweet comments! Thank you so much!
You for sure achieved the ‘old-fashioned’ look and feel for Christmas!! It’s all so beautiful, Michelle. I adore those ornaments with the plaid ribbon mixed with those brass candlesticks. So pretty!!
Thank you Rachel! I’m so ready to start adding fresh greenery to freshen up the house.
Hi Michelle – Thanks for the fabulous tip of putting a wreath in the Christmas tree collar. Genius! Thank you also for sharing this post on the Home Imagined Link Party.
Thank you Anna for stopping by!