Unique Christmas Decorating Ideas No One Is Talking About -

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Find unique Christmas decorating ideas that will make your home feel festive using what you already have. I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about these!

Ideas on how to decorate your home for the holidays with a gingham bench, box of cards, and basket with a Christmas tree in it. — *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains other affiliate links too for your convenience. You can read my privacy policy for more details.

As I was decorating one of our entryways last week, I got to thinking that every year when the Christmas decorating season rolls around, it feels like we get the same home decor advice.

Add greenery, hang stockings, put a wreath on the front door, decorate the Christmas tree, etc, etc.

And while all of that is lovely, the truth is that the most charming holiday touches are often the ones no one really talks about.

The small details.

Everyday things.

The practical pieces that can feel festive when you display them with intention.

If you’ve ever looked around your house and thought…

I want it to feel extra cozy this year, but I don’t want to buy a bunch of new decor.

This is your guide.

These unique Christmas decorating ideas are simple, slightly unexpected, and great for creating a warm, nostalgic holiday home without spending a fortune.

I really don’t know why more home decorators aren’t talking about these!

Let’s take a look…

20+ Clever Christmas Decorating Ideas No One Else is Sharing

What I really hope you come away with from this post is a reminder to use your imagination.

Christmas decorating doesn’t have to follow rules or trends.

Most of the time, the best ideas are the ones you create from the things already in your home.

Here are unexpected ways to decorate for the holidays that don’t typically show up in the “decorate for Christmas like this” advice we see everywhere, but absolutely should.

Display Your Wrapping Supplies

Display rolls of wrapping paper in your Christmas decor for a collected look.

I feel like this idea might be a bit controversial, so hear me out on this one.

Instead of hiding those supplies away in a closet until December 24th, treat them like part of your decor by displaying them in plain sight.

Wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, and tags are already beautiful, you just need to give them their moment.

Stand rolls of wrapping paper upright in a tall crock or woven basket so the patterns add a festive touch to the room where you’re displaying them in.

You can stack gift bags inside of a basket or magazine holder.

Place spools of ribbon in a shallow bowl or glass jar, and keep scissors and tape gathered on a small tray or in an ironstone dish so everything feels collected and purposeful.

A Few Cozy Tips

Give everything a “home.” Contain supplies in bowls, trays, crocks, and baskets so the setup feels intentional.
Choose gift wrap that fits your Christmas aesthetic. Whether you love neutrals, classic red, vintage patterns, or kraft paper, stick with a style you truly love.
Edit what you display. Put out only the prettiest or most used items.
Mix heights and textures. Tall crocks for paper, low bowls for ribbon, a small tray for tools. This keeps the display interesting while still organized.

Showcase Advent Calendars as Decor

Whether your advent calendar is expensive and handmade or one of those inexpensive cardboard ones filled with chocolates, style it like a piece of holiday art!

Advent calendars are part tradition and nostalgia and when you decorate with them, they can add so much charm to a space.

Lean them on a hutch (or kitchen countertop), tuck into a bookshelf, or place it on an entryway console where everyone can see it throughout the month.

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Bring in a Pop of Peppermint

Red and white peppermint candies or candy canes scream Christmas all on their own.

Put them into a glass jar, a small stoneware bowl, or a lidded dish.

It looks vintage, charming, and oh my gosh…so easy to do!

Put Christmas Cards in a Decorative Box or Basket

Decorative box of Christmas cards on a gingham bench with a small Christmas tree.

You know those inexpensive boxes of Christmas cards from Target, Walmart, or HomeGoods?

They’re actually adorable when you display them.

Remove the cards and envelopes from the box, and slip them into a decorative box or woven basket.

It instantly feels nostalgic, warm, and collected.

Kind of like you’re ready for an afternoon of writing cards by the Christmas tree.

Other Ways to Use Cheap Christmas Cards

Frame them to create holiday art. Pop a few into small thrifted frames and tuck them into vignettes or shelves.
Clip them to a garland. Hang an evergreen garland across a hutch or mantel and use clothespins to display cards like a vintage inspired banner.
Use them as gift toppers. Punch a small hole, add ribbon or twine, and use a card as a gift tag.

Style Holiday Books

If you’re a book lover (or have kids with picture books), pull out anything remotely Christmas themed and use it as decor.

I used to love doing this when our kids were little because those stories were such a big part of our December evenings before bedtime.

You can display them almost anywhere like stacked on a coffee table or tucked into a basket next to the tree.

The colors, illustrations, and the memories all add a layer of coziness you simply cannot buy.

Don’t Forget Your Christmas Cookbooks Too!

And while you’re pulling out your holiday books, don’t forget about your Christmas cookbooks.

Prop one open on a cookbook stand to a favorite recipe or stack a few on your counter.

Having them out on display makes it easy to flip through for cookie ideas, dinner inspiration, or that one nostalgic recipe you make every year.

I’m Heidi, the heart and hands behind Eleanor Rose Home.

Heidi and her dachshund rescue Eleanor Roosevelt.

I’ll show you that your home can become a place of warmth, comfort, and style with practical tips, creative ideas, and my own journey to help you create a space that feels like you…welcoming, personal, and full of charm.

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Decorate With Christmas Stamps

Holiday stamps are like miniature pieces of art.

Display a couple of books in a tiny dish near your card writing station or next to a lamp.

Fill a Bowl With Ornaments

An easy way to add a little sparkle.

Grab a handful of ornaments, what you already have on hand or vintage mercury glass and drop them in a pretty bowl.

Well don’t drop them, but you know what I mean!

Here’s where you can display them:

Coffee Tables
Entryway Consoles
Kitchen Countertops
Nightstands
Dining Room Sideboard
Inside a Hutch or Cabinet

Get Your Cookie Cutters Out of the Drawer

Cookie cutters add personality to your kitchen and they’re practical which means they’re ready to grab when it’s time for holiday baking.

Place a handful in a small bowl and display them next to your stove on your kitchen counter.

You can also string a few along a piece of ribbon to create a charming garland.

Another favorite idea is hanging cookie cutters as ornaments on a small kitchen Christmas tree.

Showcase Your Favorite Christmas Mugs

Scrubbed pine china hutch decorated for Christmas time with santa mugs, greenery, and red flowers.

Santa mugs, holiday mugs, or cozy winter mugs can be decor on their own.

Stack them, line them up on a shelf, or put them in a china hutch.

Frame Past Christmas Photos

Instead of hiding old holiday photos in a drawer, pull them out and display them.

Photos like…

Your kids sitting on Santa’s lap.
A photo of your family in matching pajamas.
A snapshot from a past Christmas morning.

Frame them in inexpensive frames, clip them to a board, or hang them on the refrigerator.

Nostalgia is the heart of Christmas decorating.

Holiday Ribbon Makes Anything Festive

Red velvet ribbon tied to a simple wreath on the back of kitchen counter stools.

I talk a lot about ribbon on the blog but I still think it’s one of the most underrated ways to make your home feel Christmasy.

A single spool of ribbon can transform just about anything with no decorating skills required.

Ribbon Decorating Ideas for the Holiday Season

Tie it on your Christmas tree.
Use ribbon to hang artwork.
Hang garlands with Christmas ribbon.
Tie on lamp bases.
Add festive ribbon to wreaths.

Decorate With Pinecones

The easiest way to decorate for the holidays…simply display a bowl of pinecones.

Pine cones add winter charm without costing a thing.

You can easily find them in nature.

Grab a handful while you’re out on a walk (my kids would always be embarrassed when I did this, but I could never resist a beautiful pine cone), bring them home, and give them a quick shake.

It’s literally the simplest way to gather free holiday decor.

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Winter Accessories can Serve a Dual Purpose

Practical holiday decorating ideas for any home. Entryway decorated with a simple evergreen tree, a box of cards, red stockings, and a white coat.

Think scarves, mittens, wool hats, and knit blankets.

These pieces already have all the texture and coziness we love during the holidays, so instead of tucking them away in a closet, let them become part of your decor.

You can drape a chunky knit scarf over a basket, fold a plaid blanket at the foot of a bed, or hang a pair of mittens on a hook by the door for a welcoming touch.

Display Holiday Kitchen Towels

Cozy cottage Christmas kitchen with pops of red decorations like kitchen towels, velvet ribbon, and striped cafe curtains.

If you’re using them, why not put them on display…right?!

Holiday kitchen towels are practical and decorative.

Let those cute patterns and pops of red take center stage in the heart of the home instead of keeping them folded in a drawer.

Other Simple Ways to Decorate for Christmas

Put out a Christmas scented hand soap by the kitchen or bathroom sink.
Create a hot cocoa station with mugs, jar of cocoa mix, marshmallows, and a candy cane or two.
Display your baking supplies.
Use wrapped Christmas gifts as decorations.
Swap in seasonal blankets or throw pillows.
Snip greenery from the outdoors and style it in a vase.
Put art on your TV. It costs nothing to swap the blank black screen for a cozy winter scene or Christmas artwork.

Tell me a clever or unique way you decorate your home for the holidays!

Leave me a comment below and share your favorite holiday decorating idea (or maybe a tip or trick) so we can inspire each other.

Christmas Decorating Frequently Asked Questions

How can I decorate for Christmas without buying anything new?
Start by looking around your home with fresh eyes. Everyday items like books, cookie cutters, mugs, scarves, pine cones, and even gift wrapping supplies can instantly become holiday décor. Group things together in bowls, trays, and baskets, add a little ribbon.

How do I make my home feel festive without it looking cluttered?
The secret…contain everything. Use bowls, dishes, crocks, hooks, and trays to give your decor a “home” so it feels collected instead of chaotic.

What everyday items can double as Christmas decorations?
Oh my gosh, there are so many! Cookie cutters, pine cones, cookbooks, wrapping supplies, scarves, mittens, mugs, cutting boards, bowls of candy canes, miniature ornaments, and holiday cards. With a little creativity, the everyday becomes festive.

How can I decorate for Christmas on a budget?
Use what you have first. Pull out books, blankets, baskets, jars, and kitchen items that already match your holiday aesthetic. Gather pinecones on a walk, frame inexpensive Christmas cards, drape a scarf over a chair, or use ribbon to dress up a lamp or a wreath.