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The holiday season! It’s a time for joy, togetherness and (let’s be honest) a whole lot of stress. Whether you're celebrating Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Canada Day or any of the other countless holidays, decorating your home can be a daunting project!
But holiday decorating doesn’t have to take hours of effort or even that much creativity. With some smart tricks and shortcuts, even the laziest among us can make the season fun and festive.
Here’s how to decorate when you just don’t have the time, energy, or interest in going all out … no matter the holiday you’re celebrating!
1. Lighting is the easiest way to set the mood
Lighting is a lazy decorator’s best friend. It’s a low-effort way to instantly transform your home for any holiday.
- LED Candles: Battery operated candles are a quick way to create a cozy vibe with zero effort. Best of all there are lots of different sizes, colours and levels of detail to customize your display for any holiday.
- Colored Light Bulbs: Want to change up your space for a specific holiday with almost no effort? Swap out a few regular bulbs for colored ones. Red or pink for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, or orange (or a spooky flame bulb) for Halloween instantly set the tone without lifting a finger.
- Permanent Lighting: If you’re looking for a truly hassle-free decorating option, consider investing in permanent holiday lighting. You can change the color and effects of your lights with a remote or smartphone app, making it easy to switch between holidays. And you can do it without having to pull out the ladder.
2. Target key spaces, not every room
Want the biggest bang for your holiday decorating buck? Focus your energy on a few high-impact spaces rather than trying to decorate your entire home.
- The Front Door or Entryway: Opt for a wreath, banner, or themed doormat that instantly greets visitors for a quick win. Pair this with permanent lighting that matches the holiday colors, and you’ll never need to worry about making the front of your home festive again.
- Living Room: For most people, this is where the action happens! So why not give this space a quick upgrade. Add themed pillows or blankets to your couch, or throw a few holiday knick-knacks on shelves or the coffee table.
- Dining Table: Even a small touch can make a big impact here. A simple table runner in the holiday’s signature colors paired with matching napkins or a centerpiece can completely change the mood.
3. Opt for small, themed touches
You don’t need massive decorations or expensive displays to feel festive. A few small but themed accents can do the trick. Here’s how to make it work for any holiday:
- Seasonal Pillows, Throws and Towels: Switch out your regular cushions or blankets for holiday-themed ones. In the kitchen and bathroom opt for seasonal hand towels. This works for every holiday — think spooky prints for Halloween, hearts for Valentine’s Day, or snowflakes for winter holidays.
- Tabletop Decorations: Place small items like pumpkins, bunnies, menorahs, hearts, or eggs on side tables, mantels, or even your kitchen counter. You can find affordable options at dollar stores or reuse items year after year.
- Miniature Trees or Ornaments: While Christmas trees are iconic, mini trees can be adapted to other holidays as well! A black tree for Halloween, a white one for Valentine’s Day adorned with heart ornaments, or even a springtime tree for Easter can bring a fresh twist to any celebration.
4. Stick to a simple, unified colour scheme
Decorating is so much easier when you have only one or two colors for each holiday. It not only makes your decorating choices easier … it also makes your home feel more cohesive.
Whether you are buying linens, ornaments, or changing up your lights, here are some colour schemes to inspire you for just a handful of holidays:
- Chinese New Year: Opt for red and gold or red and yellow.
- Valentine’s Day: Focus on reds, pinks, and white for a romantic vibe.
- Mardi Gras: Celebrate with purple, green and gold.
- St Patrick’s Day: Go green in honour of this Irish holiday.
- Easter or Spring Holidays: Go with pastels like soft pink, baby blue, and pale yellow.
- Pride: Use every colour of the rainbow.
- Halloween: Stick to black, orange, and maybe a touch of purple.
- Hanukkah: Opt for white and blue combined with silver or gold accents.
- Christmas: Go traditional with red and green, or experiment with red/white, red/gold, or blue/white combos.
5. Reuse and repurpose decorations
Instead of buying new holiday décor every season, try to reuse or repurpose what you already have in creative ways. This not only saves you time and money but also cuts down on the stress of digging through endless boxes.
- Multi-Holiday Items: Look for decorations that can transition easily from one holiday to another. For example, white string lights work for Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s, while simple glass vases can be filled with pumpkins in the fall and hearts for Valentine’s.
- Neutral Pieces: Use neutral items like candles, jars, or vases that you can customize for each holiday. Add themed ribbons or colored fillers to make them suit the occasion.
- Permanent Lighting Solutions: As mentioned earlier, permanent lighting setups allow you to repurpose the same set of lights for multiple holidays. Simply adjust the color or effect for each occasion — no need to worry about tangled strings or replacing lights year after year.
6. Pre-made decor is your best friend
Sometimes the laziest option is the best one. Pre-made holiday decorations are designed for those who want the festive vibe without any crafting or DIY effort.
v- Wreaths and Garlands: These are a one-and-done decorating solution for many holidays. You can get wreaths for Halloween, Christmas, or even Easter that come fully decorated and ready to hang. If you want to put in zero effort, choose pre-lit garlands that add a festive glow.
- Pre-Made Centerpieces: Whether it’s a ready-made arrangement of Easter eggs, a fall harvest-themed basket, or a Valentine’s Day floral display, these make your home feel holiday-ready with no effort from you.
- Holiday-Themed Bedding: For a no-effort festive touch, switch out your regular bedding for themed sheets or comforters. You can go with pumpkins, snowflakes, or bunnies, depending on the holiday. It’s a quick, lazy win that also makes your room cozy!
7. Let nature do the decorating
Holiday decor doesn’t have to come from a store. Using natural elements is one of the easiest ways to decorate without trying too hard.
- Seasonal Greenery: Pine branches for Christmas, flowers for spring holidays, and even dried leaves or twigs for Halloween can be displayed in vases or laid out on the table for an instant holiday feel.
- Fruit Displays: For a festive and lazy decoration idea, arrange colorful fruit like oranges, apples, or lemons in a large bowl as a centerpiece. Add a few holiday touches, like small pumpkins for Halloween or Easter eggs for spring, for a no-fuss display.
- Pinecones and Pumpkins: For fall and winter holidays, these are perfect, effortless decorations. Arrange them on mantels, tables, or in bowls, and you’re set for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or Christmas.
8. Embrace minimalism
Less can truly be more when it comes to holiday decorating. If the thought of decking out every surface in your home is exhausting, don’t worry—minimalist décor can still create a festive atmosphere without overwhelming you.
- One Statement Piece: Focus on just one area of your home, like the front door or the mantel, and go all out there. A wreath, a banner, or a single large decoration can make your whole house feel festive without requiring much effort.
- Holiday Scents: Sometimes, the easiest way to create a holiday atmosphere is through scent. Use scented candles, simmer pots with cinnamon and cloves, or diffusers with essential oils like pine, citrus, or vanilla to bring holiday cheer without any visible clutter.
9. Declutter as you go
Taking the time to tidy up not only creates a more relaxing environment … it can also help your decor really pop. So while you set up for the holiday, clean up and streamline your space, consider these tips:
- Clear Surfaces First: Before adding any decor, remove unnecessary items from tables, countertops, and shelves. This creates a blank canvas for your holiday accents.
- Store Away Non-Seasonal Decor: If you have year-round knick-knacks, consider storing them away to make room for seasonal decorations. Less is more when it comes to making a holiday statement.
- Incorporate Storage Solutions: If you don’t have anywhere to store your year-round items, use decorative storage baskets or boxes to temporarily hold non-holiday items — bonus if the boxes are holiday themed! This keeps them out of sight and keeps your space looking intentional.
- Limit Holiday Decor to One or Two Items Per Space: Rather than overcrowding your surfaces with multiple decorations, choose one or two standout pieces.
10. Embrace Imperfection
The holidays are about enjoyment … not perfection. Whether you're hanging a few simple decorations or decking every hall, focus on creating an atmosphere that brings you joy.
Here's how to embrace the beauty of imperfection:
- Mix and Match Decorations: Don’t stress about everything being perfectly coordinated. While sticking to a theme can simplify the process, don’t let it overwhelm you. A mix of colors, textures, and styles can also be a great aesthetic.
- Use What You Have: Don’t feel like you have to buy all sorts of new things. Before you go shopping, take a look around and see what you can repurpose. An old mason jar can become a candle holder, or a scarf can be used as a table runner. It’s all in how you look at it!
- Let Go of Comparisons: Your home doesn’t need to look like a holiday catalog. Focus on what makes you happy, whether it’s a quirky set of lights, imperfectly hung garlands, or a single festive candle. Afterall, it's about the joy of the season, not meeting a standard.
Stress-free holiday decorating ideas
Holiday decorating doesn’t need to be a big production. With these simple tips, you can easily bring some festive cheer into your home ... even if you’re not the craftiest person.
Whatever you choose to do, take a breath, have some fun with it, and let that holiday spirit shine in your home—no stress required!
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