Christmas Vignettes: Decorating with What You Love and What You Have
Every year, I see the same message pop up everywhere — new trends, new colors, new must-haves. And every year, I quietly ignore it.
Because for me, Christmas decorating has never been about chasing what’s new. It’s about pulling out the pieces that make me smile, the ones that have stories attached, the ones that have earned their place on the shelf over time.
These little Christmas vignettes around our home weren’t planned all at once, and they certainly weren’t purchased as a set. They came together slowly — a gingerbread here, a glass tree there, an old book, a crocheted doily, and a cheery snowman statue my daycare kids love to hug.
I move things around. I try them one way, then another. Some years they land in the same spot, and some years they surprise me. And that’s part of the joy — letting Christmas decorating feel playful instead of pressured.
Each of these little displays came together with things we already had — thrifted treasures, hand-me-downs, childhood favorites, and pieces that simply feel like us.
Our little front porch is so much fun to decorate, from the Santa who reads “The Night Before Christmas and a bowl of vintage glass ornaments that belonged to my mom, to the little snowman we won at a craft bazaar raffle.
The pinecone swag was on my grandmother’s door every Christmas as long as I can remember, and the “Merry Christmas sign belonged to my other grandmother.
A bit of new mixed with the old…a mix of thrifted finds and Hobby Lobby and Walmart goodies. My kitchen and dining room are decorated in a gingerbread theme.
The simple nativity belonged to my grandmother and sat beneath her Christmas tree.
As you can see, I don’t decorate following trends or what’s in style. I decorate with the things that make me happy and that bring back warm memories of Christmases spent with people I love.
For those who enjoy seeing decor come together slowly, I’ve embedded a quiet Christmas decorating video from a few years back — no rush, just the same pieces and the same heart.
Merry Christmas!
