Organizing Christmas Vignettes

Hi there,

This weekend I got out my December calendar, which features two leafy green Tango Celery stalks. I sipped a coffee with fluffy whipped cream, and listened to Michael Buble’s Christmas CD, and I couldn’t wait to get out our holiday decor!

Our first stop was Hunter’s Tree farm where we often get a Noble Fir. When you’re outside picking a tree, the size can be deceiving. Remember Christmas Vacation when Clark and his family get a tree and it doesn’t fit? Well, this year, I took along a tape measure to make sure the dimensions would work for our small living room. My husband thought this was hilarious, and doubted that I would find a tree that was exactly 6 ft. tall and 2 feet in circumference, but it turns out I did! It fits perfectly in the space. I think it also has a little bit of a mid-century look to it, too!

Just in case you are also in decorating mode, here are a few fun tips for organizing festive vignettes around the house:

1. Decide where you want to stage them, and clear the surface. Starting with a blank slate will give you more room to experiment. I like to stage mine on credenzas, mantles, and uncluttered counter spaces.

2. Choose colors that go with your all-season decor. I recently saw a spread in Good Housekeeping where a woman decorated her house for Christmas with pinks, minty greens, and bubble gum blue. It looked amazing, and very festive! I like to use orange toned reds, teal blues, and lime greens because that’s what goes with the rest of my decor. I also like to use color pops, because that’s the way decorate all year, too.

3. Think about texture. I think vignettes look best when there is a variety of texture and shapes. This year I added texture with Winter Berry branches, fluffy faux fur, mason jar snow globes, and a metal geometric basket.

4. Use an odd number. Apparently, vignettes look best when you use an odd number of items. I find this to be true when I do it too.

5. Edit ruthlessly! You may not need to use all your decor, just because you have it. Choose items that make you feel good this year, and play with what looks good together.

6. Think about the story you want to tell and use your vignette to tell it. Do you want to tell a story of romantic love? Curl-up-with-book coziness? Outdoor winter adventures? Pour yourself a peppermint cocoa, turn on your favorite Christmas playlist, and have fun!

Here are some of the vignettes from my house this year: