The holiday season is among us and although this year’s traditions might look slightly different compared to years past, there are still many ways to get in the holiday spirit at home. It’s time to hang the seasonal wreaths and trimmings, light your candles, and put up any holiday-themed trees and plants. We’ve come up with a few ways to shake up your usual holiday home furnishings and make this year something to be excited about, regardless of how the physical festivities may look. Holiday decor is packed with unlimited design and joy potential—you just need to get a little creative.

Collect Meaningful Decor

Deck your tabletops, kitchen counters, bars, and fireplace mantels in style with holiday-themed decor. Use bells and candles and festive trinkets to create your own holiday tablescape anywhere in the house. Finding small knick knacks like driedals, present boxes, and snowmen can help transform your space into a winter wonderland. Consider collecting reminders from different chapters of life so that years down the line, you have pieces that will trigger warm memories. Turn your dining tablescape into your own winter wonderland by creating a lively centerpiece with snowy wooden houses, strategically placed branches, festive lights, and miniature trees.

Think Beyond the Tree

Combining different seasonal plants and flowers will create a space that looks and smells like the holidays. Layer pine, holly, and juniper with birch twigs, winterberry, cranberries, and silver pine cones to create a holiday wonderland in any room. If you want an alternative to the classic red holiday foliage, try finding deep purple or blue flowers to incorporate into your wreaths or tablescapes. Combining different greenery with your classic holiday schemes will add texture and dimension to any room.

Choose Your Wrapping Paper Wisely

If you want to go the extra mile, try coordinating your wrapping paper with the room’s holiday decor. If your tree is the centerpiece of your holiday decor then what’s under it is too, so make sure your gift wrap will flow seamlessly with your home’s holiday aesthetic. Before you start wrapping real presents, practice your skills with your favorite gift wrapping on leftover delivery boxes that you can then easily add to any indoor or outdoor display.

Opt for Pops of Plaid

Good Housekeeping suggests boosting your living room’s cozy factor with an assortment of festive plaid patterns. You can opt for plaid stockings, pillows, candle holders or decorative ribbon, depending on your style. Think about using other cozy accent patterns like sheepskin, gingham, or buffalo check on your holiday textiles, blankets, pillows, and wrapping. Whatever colors and patterns you choose, Interior designer Marie Flanigan recommends opting for a curated and thoughtful palette.

“Streamline the decorating process by committing yourself to a color palette,” she says. “Whether it’s white on white or traditional red and green, decide on a clear direction and ensure any newly purchased items coordinate.”

Dramatic Dinner Table

During the holidays, the focus is always on the dinner table. This is typically the crux of where family and friends gather, eat, and converse. Although the table might not be set with as many plates this year, focusing on your tablescape will make your holidays feel just as festive. Get creative with your runner by adding lush garland, colorful ornaments, or cinnamon sticks. Even after dinner is over, seasonal items like a winter flower arrangement, brass candleholders, and a checkered tablecloth can keep the festivities alive throughout the new year.

Don’t let 2020 put a damper on your festive spirit! Decorating your home with these unique and refreshing ways to deck the halls will help make your home feel warm and inviting for the holidays. Creating a welcoming and warm ambience for the holidays can be simple and easily achieved, if you opt for some of these fun decorations.