Holiday Decorating Tips: Balancing Style, Sentiment, and Spending
The holiday season is the perfect time to transform your home into a warm and festive space, blending personal memories with nostalgic style. Whether you’re preparing to host family gatherings or simply looking to create a cozy atmosphere, we’re sharing tips to help you strike the right balance between sentimentality, style, and practicality. If you are looking for tips to balance the chocolate, late nights and over-spending, you’ll have to look elsewhere ;).
Stylish Decor with Sentimental Items
Many of us know the struggle—you have a vision for your holiday decor, and then the Rudolph ornament made of toilet paper rolls and pipe cleaners throws it all off. Holiday decorating doesn’t have to be a battle between style and sentimentality. With a little creativity, you can incorporate those family heirlooms into a cohesive holiday display that feels both personal and polished. Here’s how to balance the best of both worlds
Source: Pinterest
Custom Displays: Elevate sentimental items by incorporating them into intentional displays, with a twist; Glass domes (“Cloches”), shadow boxes, or pretty trays can highlight keepsakes like handmade ornaments, vintage holiday cards, or childhood decorations while integrating them into your decor.
Dedicated Spaces: Create a special area for sentimental pieces to shine. Consider placing a mini Christmas tree in the family room or playroom and decorating it exclusively with kids' crafts or nostalgic ornaments. This keeps them from clashing with your main decor while also including the children in the decorating process (let them take the lead on this area!).
Embrace the Kitsch: Sentimental items may not always match your aesthetic, and that’s okay! I dedicate one room (typically our family room) for all of the colourful, clashing, kitschy holiday “stuff”. Think handmade ornaments, paper snowflakes, the holiday train that runs on bucket loads of batteries, and framed “Photos with Santa”. I then display all my matchy-matchy designer-level ornaments in the living room and dining room, where we are more likely to host.
Setting The Perfect Holiday Table
Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast for the entire family, or organizing a cozy brunch with friends, your holiday table deserves to make an impression. The right table decor sets the tone for your gathering. Here are a few tips to create a table that’s as inviting as the occasion itself.
Incorporate Greenery: Whether you choose fresh cedar boughs or high-quality faux garlands, greenery adds texture, depth, and festive colour to your holiday table. Use it to create height and dimension by layering it down the centre or weaving it around candlesticks and centrepieces. Don’t have enough matching vases? Our tip is to keep 1 think consistent; either the greenery, or the vase. In photo 3, each vase is different, but the florals are the same.
Layer Your Linens: Start with a neutral tablecloth or runner as your foundation, then introduce festive placements, chargers and napkins with subtle patterns like snowflakes or plaid. This simple layering technique adds warmth and elegance to your table setting. In photo 2, I got a little creative with the napkins, creating mini Christmas trees on each plate. You can find instructions hre
Choose the Right Dinnerware: Your dinnerware sets the tone for the meal. For a formal holiday dinner, bring out heirloom china or crystal—or thrift a set to make your own tradition. For casual gatherings, opt for simple white plates and enhance them with layered accents like textured chargers, colourful placemats, or hand-painted ceramic salad plates that tie the table together.
Make It Personal: Personalized touches can make your table feel extra special. Consider name cards with elegant calligraphy (or, realistically, a cute handwritten note), festive crackers for added fun, or a small wrapped treat or candy cane tucked into the napkin. Knowing how busy the season can get, just arriving to a thoughtfully set table is often enough to feel like a true gift.
When to Save vs. Splurge
Invest in Timeless Pieces: Invest in foundational pieces you’ll bring out year after year. Undecorated wreaths and garlands provide a versatile canvas to customize with your preferred decor items, such as ribbons, lights, and ornaments. Smaller accents can evolve as your style changes. Opt for lifelike faux greenery or pre-lit garlands to minimize maintenance while maintaining a polished look.
Save on Trends: When experimenting with trendy colours or novelty decor, stick to budget-friendly options. Trends come and go, so avoid over-investing in items you might not use again in a year or two. Peacock theme, anyone?
Focus on Quality Where It Matters: For items that see daily use during the holidays, like dinnerware, candles, or cozy throws, durability is essential. Investing in high-quality options not only elevates your decor but also ensures you can bring them out year after year without having to repurchase. A well-made tablecloth or set of “fancy” cutlery, for example, can be with your forever.
Mix and Match: Splurge on a few standout pieces—such as a statement tree topper, elegant candleholders, or decorative placemats—and pair them with more budget-friendly accents for a balanced and stylish look.
Our Go-To Sources
When you want to splurge consider:
WHEN YOU WANT TO SAVE CONSIDER:
Thrifted Item from places like Value Village
Seasonal collections at consignment stores like Of Things Past (Toronto)
Antique dinnerware from Facebook Marketplace
Extra long beaded garland from Superstore
Bulk simple ornaments from The Dollar Store
Fancy paper napkins from Cookery
The entire seasonal section at HomeSense
The holidays are a time to celebrate, connect, and make your home feel magical. From stunning tablescapes to blending sentimental keepsakes with stylish decor, these tips help balance style and practicality. Thoughtful touches and timeless investments create a warm, inviting space for your loved ones.
From our home to yours, we hope your holiday season is filled with joy, love, and a little extra stylish sparkle!
