There are many ways to celebrate the holidays here in Santa Cruz. With exciting events happening each week of December, it’s fun to get out and about and enjoy the city. But many of us also love the simpler things: staying at home and spending time with family and friends.
Decorating is, of course, quite personal, with some people who aren’t that into it and others that are very into it. Regardless, the process can get a bit tiring, especially for those of us who live busy lives. Beyond the standard tree (for those who celebrate), here are a few easy home decor ideas that will brighten up your home this holiday season.
Blankets, Throw Pillows, and Small Knick Knacks
Perhaps one of the more obvious ones on this list, changing out your throw blankets and pillows is a cost-effective option that really makes an impact. While perhaps difficult to store—depending on your home—these accent pieces are a quick way to switch up the color palette and textures in your home. Adding festive colors and warmer fabrics can instantly make a room feel more welcoming.
A lot of us associate the holiday season with words like cozy and homey, so candles, small ornaments, and on-theme centerpieces are pretty standard for the savvy seasonal decorator. If you're planning on inviting company over, there are a few things that are important to consider: first, that your decorations aren’t impacting mobility or in the way of foot traffic (i.e. staircase decorations), and second, that strong scents (i.e. candles) can be aggravating to some.
If you’re looking to stay on trend, bows are exceptionally popular this year, so adding these (which can be purchased or easily DIY’d) can be a smart way to integrate new styles without breaking the bank.
Garlands, Wreaths, & Hanging Decorations
By now, you’ve probably seen the viral garland DIY trick: that is, wrapping a holiday garland around a tension rod and then hanging it up in a doorway or entrance way, creating a beautiful floating effect.
Garlands and other hanging decorations seem to be very popular this year, something that had kind of died down for a while—perhaps because they were considered quite excessive and bold! There are ways to tone down a wreath, garland, or other hanging decoration, keeping in mind that pine isn’t always the only option; you can think outside of the box! Similarly, adding lights and ornaments take these to the next level.
Branching Out & A Touch Of California Charm
Bathrooms, bedrooms, and other rooms around the house can also be decorated, and are kind of overlooked during the holiday season in favor of the “main room”, so to speak.
Branching out your seasonal decor to other rooms is completely up to you and how festive you’re feeling; if you want to contain the holiday joy to one area (typically the living room), then that’s also completely fine! But otherwise, adding little touches around the house can really add something special—especially garlands in the hallways.
Additionally, adding a bit of California flair can be a great way to embrace the holiday spirit, even if the weather outside isn’t the snowy wonderland of movies and television shows. This can be custom or handmade ornaments (such as using orange slices and cinnamon—popular around the world) or other seasonal decorations. For the handmade feel that isn’t truly handmade, many stores do offer paper crafts and decorations (such as IKEA, although the nearest brick-and-mortar location is in East Palo Alto).
Flowers & Plants
When it comes to the holiday season, most don’t really think about flowers first, as is the nature of the season. Despite that, flowers and other assorted plants are a great way to liven up your interior space. Poinsettias are a popular choice for their festive red and green colors, as well as winterberries/holly and the traditional mistletoe. As an alternative to these plants, roses, lilies, ivy, and paperwhites are also beautiful choices to spruce up your space.
Some plants are toxic (namely holly and lilies) so be advised if you have pets or small children. Fake plants might also be a great option here, with the added bonus of being able to bring it back year after year. Great quality fake flowers and plants are an investment, and can be used for many different occasions year-round.
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