Decorating for the holidays may seem like a daunting task to the uninitiated. But with a little dedication and a flair for style, you can spruce up your home to look festive and bright through December straight through to New Year’s. Here are some tips to incorporating holiday décor for your home.

Take the Outdoors In

Mimic a cozy backyard retreat in your living room or great room with a sparkling Christmas tree backdropped by a mantle featuring fresh greenery and a wreath above the fireplace, recommends Southern Living. Hand knit stockings hanging from the mantel with a stack of gifts in the fireplace add to the warm feeling of the holidays, as seen here on Better Homes and Gardens.

Bring seasonal fruits and plants into the mix when decorating a hallway table or hutch. Place a vase of long berry twigs next to a linear display of faux red or green pears for a dramatic look to any scene. In the dining room, brighten up the centerpiece of your holiday dinners with snowflake ornaments dangling from the chandelier, draped with greenery and dotted with red berries and even pine cones. To add height to your décor, place miniature trees of varying sizes on the table or on a sideboard.

In the kitchen, you want to keep most counter top space clear for food prep, but there are other out-of-the-way spots to add a touch of décor. Simple reindeer sculptures and silhouettes crafted from lightweight metal or twigs make great accents on the periphery. Who says wreaths are only meant for doors? Hang simple green wreaths in your kitchen windows for a down-home holiday effect.

Inviting Outdoor Décor

Welcoming your guests to your door is a big part of your home’s holiday décor, and it all starts with the pathway. Line your walkway with paper luminaries resulting in a fiery Christmas display that’s not only stunning but affordable as well. This is a great way to offset the twinkling electric lights you may be adorning your bushes and trees with. Use battery-operated tea lights or LEDs within the luminaries for a safe, long-lasting appeal. To take it up a notch, use a hole punch to create winter themes on the bags, such as snowflakes, stars or letters that spell NOEL, for instance.

For extra outdoor oomph during the day, welcome guests to your door with a quaint garden-inspired holiday theme featuring rustic aluminum containers on the door, porch, and steps. Highlighted by herbs and bright accents of holly berries, greens, pine cones and red amaryllis blooms, this scene is perfect for the green thumb in the family.

Wow your guests with stunning yet simple home décor this holiday season!