Creating a Dreamy Christmas Home - SimplyLifewithAllison

This blog post is about building Christmas magic through new and old treasures! You can decorate your home by adding vintage finds to modern items to create a dreamy home during Christmas time to create a cozy and magical vibe!

Christmas is the most magical time of the year, and decorating your home is one of the best ways to embrace the joy of the season! Creating a festive space doesn’t have to break the bank or happen overnight. By layering your home decor year after year, mixing new finds, old treasures, and unexpected gems from thrift stores, garage sales, and even free finds, you can create a truly unique holiday wonderland that reflects your own personal style.

Here’s how you can curate the Christmas home of your dreams while embracing creativity, sustainability, and a sense of tradition:

Start With a Vision

Before diving into decorating, think about the vibe you want for your holiday home. Are you drawn to a cozy cabin feel with rustic touches? Or maybe you love a glamorous winter wonderland with sparkling lights and metallics? Having a vision helps you select pieces that align with your style over time.

I have always loved various home decor styles. As a little girl, I would look at my mother’s home magazines at different decor styles and would rearrange my bedroom decor every few weeks to freshen up my room. I think watching my mother discover fun finds at thrift stores and second hand stores helped me develop the style that I have today. My mother could discover a thrift store find and make it look new by cleaning it up, painting it or by just placing it with a modern piece.

My home style is more farmhouse with eclectic. I love incorporating old with the new, vintage with modern and mixing neutrals with patterns. I am a sucker for farmhouse finds with a modern touch. I love Magnolia Farms style from Joanna Gaines, but try to find budget friendly finds from her Target home decor line.

Mix New with Nostalgic

One of the most heartwarming aspects of Christmas decor is the nostalgia it brings. Start with what you have—heirloom ornaments, passed-down stockings, or handmade crafts from loved ones. These timeless pieces become the anchors of your decor.

Each year, add a few new pieces to complement your existing collection. This might include:

A statement ornament that catches your eye.
A cozy throw or pillow with a festive motif.
A new wreath or garland to freshen up your mantel or doorway.
Some knick knacks from modern decor lines

These small, thoughtful additions help your decor evolve without feeling overwhelming.

Thrift Stores and Garage Sales

If you’re a thrifty treasure hunter, Christmas decorating can be an adventure. Secondhand finds often hold incredible charm and character. Here’s what to look for:

Vintage Ornaments: Look for glass baubles, hand-painted pieces, or unique shapes that add a touch of history to your tree.
Ceramic Villages: Tiny houses and figurines from thrift stores can form a magical holiday village.
Candlesticks and Lanterns: These can be styled with greenery, ribbons, or faux snow for a classic holiday vibe.
Wreaths and Garlands: Even if they’re a little worn, you can refresh them with fresh greenery, pinecones, or bows.

My thrifted porch Christmas trees for only $15!

The Excitement of Free Finds and DIY Projects

Sometimes, the best pieces cost absolutely nothing at all! Keep an eye out for items being given away in your community for free ( I look at after garage sale free junk, ends of the curb or my Facebook Marketplace) or by friends and family. Here are a few ways to repurpose free finds:

Tree Trimmings: Ask your local tree lot for free clippings to create garlands or centerpieces. Recently, I went on a hike for my daughter’s field trip and found some cedar trees throughout the way. I was the parent who took some tree clippings and tucked them in my backpack to pull back out at home.

Natural Elements: Collect pinecones, branches, and even dried orange slices to add organic touches. I am ALWAYS collecting pinecones! When we visited Arkansas during Labor Day weekend, I saved some pinecones from our hike and walk. And each Christmas I make a new batch of dried orange slices to add around center pieces or make a garland. It is so budget friendly and adds a natural element to the room!

Repurposed Items: An old ladder can become a charming display for stockings or lights. Baskets can turn to Christmas tree stands! An old farmhouse window can be used as decor with a festive garland draped across or an old barn door can be used as decor!

Add Layers Over Time!

One of the best things about Christmas decorating is that it’s an ongoing process. Each year, your collection grows, and your home tells a richer story. Don’t feel pressured to have everything perfect at once. Enjoy the journey of curating your space season by season. I started thrifting home decor items when I was in my young 20’s and I always take a deep consideration when getting rid of items. Some things come back in style or can be repurposed! Go to your local library and see if they have any free books that they have had to remove from their system. I have found so many free vintage books this way- because vintage books are now overpriced!

Also, never skip an after Christmas sale! I grab a few new items to tuck away in my Christmas decor boxes on decor that has been priced down from 50-90% off. One year I scored Christmas pillows for $3 each because they were priced down 90%! I keep them nice and decorate with them in various places around my home (aside from the couch) and use them year after year!

Embrace Imperfection!

The magic of Christmas lies in the love and effort you put into your home, not in achieving perfection. A mixture of new and old, polished and rustic, or bright and subtle creates a dynamic, lived-in feel that’s as warm as the season itself.