Traditional Christmas Decoration Ideas

Decorating your home for Christmas the same way every year is a wonderful way to establish family holiday traditions. Implement popular Christmas decorating ideas and build strong traditional ties with your community and neighborhood by using a shared theme. Save money by using the same decorations year after year, replacing pieces that break or no longer work properly. Begin your Christmas decorating traditions with a holiday tree, a decorated mantle and a festive display of nutcrackers. Whatever your theme, decorate your home with decorating traditions that are unique to you and your family.

Candy Christmas Tree

Purchase a live tree or set up an artificial tree in the place you have selected. For optimum viewing pleasure, place your tree in a common room like a living room or dining room. Many families make it a tradition to set the tree next to a window so neighbors may enjoy the lights at night.

Wrap LED gumdrop Christmas lights around the tree. You will need 1 strand of 100-count lights per 1 foot of tree height. Start at the bottom, leaving the electrical cord dangling with enough length to reach the outlet. Position the lights in two rows, the first inside the tree and the second on the limbs. Plug the dangling bottom cord into an outlet, or extension cord. A small surge protector is also handy, as it can be turned on and off easily without unplugging the lights and can be used for multiple plugs if outlets are scarce.

Decorate the tree with your selected ornaments. For a candy tree, hang pastel glass or plastic ornaments. Hang candy-shaped ornaments on the tree. Hang special ornaments that your children made on the tree. Consider color themes, such as red and green, and only use ornaments in your chosen palette. Christmas tree themes are a fun way to express your creativity.

Wrap the tree with Christmas garland and top it with a Christmas star. Toss loose tinsel all over the tree for extra sparkle.

Mantel Decorations

Remove all objects from your fireplace mantel. Arrange fresh bows of greenery on the top of the mantelpiece. Hide the cut ends of the branches for a prettier look. Pinecones and sprigs of holly make a natural display and last through the season.

String a strand of battery-operated white Christmas lights across the mantelpiece. Alternatively, you could place short pillar candles on candle holders for a more romantic look, but make sure the flames aren't too near flammable branches, and never leave lit candles unattended.

Use hooks to attach elegant ornaments to your greenery, or nestle them in among the boughs. Golden musical notes, silver bows or ornaments of red and green are all attractive.

Hang stocking hooks from the mantelpiece to hold your loved one's Christmas stockings. If you don't have a mantel, a shelf or stair railing will work.

Nutcracker Display

Place a holiday table runner or tablecloth across the top of a display table.

Place a small toy castle on the table. Wrap the toy castle in Christmas lights using a strand of battery operated lights. Arrange small nutcrackers around and on the toy castle.

Stand up a few large and medium sized nutcrackers on the table. Place a bowl of mixed holiday nuts, still in the shell, on the table. This makes a fun and interactive display kids will look forward to year after year.

Take pictures of your finished work and use them as a guideline next year.

Wrap your ornaments in tissue paper and store them in well marked plastic tubs. This will keep them safe and make them easier to find next year.

Do not use expensive Christmas decorations in interactive displays. Your favorite ornaments may accidentally get broken.