
Let’s be honest for a second. The pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday home can feel like a heavy weight on our shoulders.
I know that feeling of being overwhelmed all too well. For years I felt stuck in cycles of unhealthy habits. The thought of changing my entire life felt impossible just like decorating a whole house at once can seem. It was only when I started focusing on one small change at a time—one healthy meal one short workout one prayer—that I began to see real progress. I lost over 110 pounds and found a life of balance and purpose not by making a giant leap but by taking one small step after another.
Holiday decorating is the same. You don’t need a huge budget or weeks of free time to make your home feel warm and festive. You just need a few clever ideas and the willingness to start small. Let’s make this season about joy and connection not stress and perfection.
Here are 30 simple hacks to help you decorate for the holidays with ease.
For Your Wallet and Your Creativity
You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a beautiful space. Some of the most charming decorations are the ones you make yourself or find for free.
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Bring Nature Indoors. Take a walk and gather pinecones branches or holly. They are free and add a rustic beautiful touch to any room. A few pinecones in a bowl or some branches in a vase look instantly festive.
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Make Dried Orange Garlands. Slice up a few oranges and bake them on low heat until they’re dry. String them together with some twine for a classic and fragrant garland. Your home will smell amazing.
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Repurpose Cookie Cutters. Tie a ribbon through your favorite holiday cookie cutters and hang them on the tree. They make simple and sweet ornaments.
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Create Paper Snowflakes. This is a fun one to do with kids or just on your own. All you need is paper and scissors to create a winter wonderland on your windows.
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Wrap Empty Boxes. Have some empty boxes lying around? Wrap them in your favorite festive paper and use them as decorations under the tree or on a shelf.
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Use Leftover Wrapping Paper. Don’t throw away those small scraps of wrapping paper. Use them as placemats for your holiday table or cut a long strip to use as a festive table runner.
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Spray Paint Old Ornaments. Give last year’s tired ornaments a fresh look with a can of spray paint. A simple coat of metallic gold or silver can make them look brand new.
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Fill a Vase with Baubles. Grab a clear glass vase or jar and fill it with colorful ornaments. It’s an easy and impactful centerpiece for a coffee table or entryway.
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Tie Bows Everywhere. A simple ribbon can go a long way. Tie festive bows on doorknobs cabinet handles and dining chairs for a quick pop of holiday cheer.
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Use Battery-Powered Fairy Lights. These little lights are a game-changer. Put them in mason jars weave them into a centerpiece or drape them over a headboard. They add a magical glow without needing an outlet.
For Less Stress and More Time
The goal is to enjoy the season not rush through it. These tips are all about saving you time and energy so you can focus on what truly matters.
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Decorate One Zone at a Time. Trying to tackle the whole house at once is a recipe for stress. Focus on one area like the mantel or the entryway. Finish it and celebrate that small win before moving to the next. This is exactly how I approached my biggest life changes. One small victory builds momentum for the next.
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Embrace Command Hooks. These are your best friends for holiday decorating. Use them to hang garlands stockings and wreaths without damaging your walls. No hammer no nails no problem.
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Wrap Lights Around Cardboard. Before you put your lights away wrap them around a piece of cardboard or a Pringles can. You will thank yourself next year when you have zero tangles to deal with.
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Choose a Pre-Lit Tree. If untangling lights is your least favorite holiday task a pre-lit tree is worth the investment. It saves so much time and frustration.
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Use Timers for Your Lights. Plug all your lights into timers. You can set them to turn on at dusk and off at bedtime. It’s one less thing to think about each day.
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Stick to a Simple Color Scheme. Instead of using every color under the sun pick two or three complementary colors like red and gold or blue and silver. It makes your decor look cohesive and intentional without extra effort.
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Garlands Are Your Friend. A single beautiful garland can instantly decorate a mantel staircase or doorway. It’s much faster than arranging lots of small individual items.
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Use Ornament Hooks. Fiddling with tiny strings on ornaments is tedious. Metal ornament hooks make hanging them on the tree quick and easy.
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Create a Hot Cocoa Station. This is both a decoration and a treat. Set up a tray with mugs a jar of cocoa mix marshmallows and candy canes. It’s a cozy and inviting corner that everyone will love.
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Change Out Your Pillow Covers. You don’t need to buy all new pillows. Just buy a few festive pillow covers to slip over the pillows you already have. It’s a quick and affordable way to change the look of your living room.
For Easy Setup and Takedown
A little organization goes a long way. Make next year easier on yourself with these simple storage ideas.
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Store Ornaments in Egg Cartons. Protect your small fragile ornaments by storing them in empty egg cartons. For larger round ornaments use plastic drink cups arranged in a bin.
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Label Every Single Bin. Be specific. Instead of just “Christmas Decor” label bins with “Living Room Mantel Decor” or “Tree Ornaments.” It makes finding what you need so much easier.
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Take a Picture Before You Pack Up. Once you have a setup you love take a quick photo of it on your phone. Next year you’ll have a visual guide to help you recreate it.
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Store Bead Garlands in Water Bottles. Prevent tangled messes by dropping bead garlands into an empty plastic water bottle. It keeps them contained and easy to pour out next season.
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Use a Garment Bag for Wreaths. Protect your wreaths from getting crushed or dusty by storing them in a clear garment bag. You can then hang them in a closet.
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Add a Festive Doormat. Your front door is the first thing guests see. A cheerful holiday doormat is a simple way to make your home feel welcoming.
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Simmer Stovetop Potpourri. For a scent that fills your whole home simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks cloves and orange peels. It smells like Christmas and feels incredibly cozy.
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Hang Mini Wreaths on Chairs. Tie small wreaths to the backs of your dining room chairs with a wide ribbon. It’s an elegant touch that makes holiday meals feel extra special.
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Place a Small Tree in an Unexpected Place. Who says the tree has to be in the living room? A small tabletop tree in the kitchen or a bedroom adds a delightful and surprising touch of cheer.
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Focus on Gratitude. This is the most important hack of all. As I’ve grown in my faith I’ve learned that the most beautiful part of any season is the spirit behind it. Decorating is a way to create a warm and joyful environment for family friends and fellowship. It’s an expression of gratitude for the blessings in our lives.
This holiday season remember that the goal isn't a perfect home but a happy one. It’s about creating a space where love and memories can flourish.
So my question for you is this: What is one small simple thing you can do today to bring a little bit of that holiday joy into your home?