Cozy Up and Discover My 2020 Holiday Home Tour: Traditional Christmas Decorating Ideas with a Scandinavian Twist
Welcome, dear friends, to my much-anticipated 2020 Christmas home tour! I’m absolutely delighted to open my home and share all the festive magic we’ve created this season. If you’re joining us for the first time as part of a Christmas home tour blog hop, a huge welcome! I’m thrilled to have you here. For my cherished regular readers, please make sure to explore the incredible inspiration shared by other talented bloggers linked at the end of this post – prepare to be amazed!
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of decorating, styling, and photographing every festive nook and cranny. Capturing the true spirit of a decorated home can be quite challenging, but I’ve poured my heart into every detail, and I can’t wait to show you all the beautiful holiday goodness that has come together.
This year, my decorating vision embraced a deeply traditional Christmas color palette of rich reds and crisp whites, softened with delicate touches of green and shimmering silver. My aim was to create a light, bright, and utterly cozy atmosphere, brimming with my favorite holiday textures. Imagine sumptuous velvets, elegant mercury glass, soft felt, comforting knit sweaters, lush greenery, and charming ceramics. The overarching style is an updated traditional look, infused with a minimalist yet warm Scandinavian flair. I’m truly in love with the final result and can’t wait to share the specific details that brought this cohesive and inviting holiday home to life.
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Let’s dive right into the heart of our holiday home, starting with what I consider the true centerpiece and pièce de résistance: our magnificent Christmas tree.
Oh, the joy! Just look at this breathtaking beauty! I’m absolutely delighted with how every element on this tree harmonized to create such a stunning display. This year, the tree embodies the perfect blend of classic elegance and rustic charm, serving as the anchor for our entire home’s festive theme. For those curious about specific items, I’ll be providing a full source list at the very end of this post, so be sure to check there for all the details.
One of my favorite DIY touches this year is the plaid pillow nestled at the base of the tree. I crafted it by simply sewing two fabric napkins together and slipping an IKEA pillow insert inside. The entire project cost a mere $6! After the holidays, I plan to unpick one side and reuse the insert with a regular pillow cover, making it a wonderfully versatile and budget-friendly piece.
The inspiration for the tree truly began with these exquisite red and white ball ornaments. Their intricate pattern is just so captivating, and being classic red and white, I know they’ll remain a staple in my holiday decor for many years to come. They possess a timeless appeal that could complement various styles, but I especially adore the subtle Scandinavian vibe they bring to the tree this season.
To elevate the visual impact, the oversized bells play a crucial role. I firmly believe that every Christmas tree benefits immensely from incorporating something on a really large scale. These statement pieces add depth and a captivating sense of interest, preventing the tree from looking too busy or one-dimensional.
Initially, the red ribbon on the bells was plain velvet, but once I hung them on the tree, I felt the solid color stood out a bit too starkly. So, I took the time to hot glue mini pompoms onto the ribbon, and I’m so incredibly glad I did! This small addition introduced an adorable extra layer of texture, making the bells feel much more whimsical and integrated into the overall design.
The plain white ceramic ornaments, surprisingly, came from a kids’ craft kit. However, their raw, matte texture was so perfectly imperfect that I decided to leave them unpainted. Instead, a simple bow was all they needed to add a touch of understated elegance and a lovely handmade feel to the branches.
Finding a new tree topper this year proved to be quite an adventure. It seems truly unique and stylish toppers often come with a hefty price tag! Thankfully, I stumbled upon this plastic star that brilliantly mimics the look of vintage mercury glass. It was love at first sight, and a bonus that I don’t have to worry about it breaking, especially with little ones (and clumsy adults!) around.
The shimmer of silver is seamlessly woven throughout the tree with both the bells and some beautiful silver glass balls I discovered at a thrift store years ago – a testament to the treasures you can find with a keen eye! To further enhance the natural, cozy feel, I incorporated a wood bead garland. The warmth and organic texture it adds are absolutely perfect, complementing the traditional elements beautifully.
For about a week, the tree was 90% complete, and yet, it felt like something was subtly missing. That’s when I introduced the green sweater ribbon and scattered eucalyptus sprigs throughout the branches. These additions were game-changers! Now, I can’t imagine the tree without them. Using two different ribbons, especially one with unique texture like the sweater ribbon, alongside mixing varied greenery, is one of my favorite tricks for achieving a truly polished and designer-level look. Floral picks and greenery are incredibly affordable ways to add dimension and life to your tree, while ribbon offers an immense impact for a minimal cost.
And on the topic of presentation, can we take a moment to appreciate wrapping paper? Perhaps it’s a lingering habit from my scrapbooking days, but I absolutely adore beautiful wrapping paper. I find so much joy in mixing patterns and admiring the exquisite prints. I could honestly collect wrapping paper just because it’s so pretty! Am I alone in this, or are you also a self-proclaimed wrapping paper enthusiast? LOL.
To ensure a cohesive flow throughout our home, I made a conscious effort to carry elements from the Christmas tree into other spaces. Let’s take a peek into our kitchen, where the open shelves have been beautifully decked out for the holidays.
Festive Kitchen Decor: From Open Shelves to Hot Cocoa Stations
Decorating these shelves involved gathering an array of my favorite red and white items, then strategically layering in fresh greenery to add life and vibrancy. The prominent large plate you see is actually a budget-friendly charger from the dollar store! I gave it a quick spray paint in matte white, then hand-painted a delicate Scandinavian-inspired border, as the shelves needed just that subtle touch more green to feel complete. The absolute best part of the next photo, in my opinion, is the magical reflection of the Christmas tree lights shimmering in the glass of the framed picture. It’s a small detail, but it truly makes my heart sing.
It might sound peculiar, but the simple white vase featured here is perhaps my favorite Christmas decoration in the entire house. I adore its matte ceramic finish, the perfectly tied ribbon, and the delicate sprig of greenery nestled within. It’s such an understated item, yet it holds such sentimental charm for me, and I’ve strived to replicate this feeling of simple, heartfelt beauty throughout the rest of our home’s holiday decor.
Every year, I try to set up a dedicated cocoa station for the kids. It’s one of their absolute favorite holiday traditions! But, if it’s going to occupy prime counter space, it simply has to look pretty. So, I corralled all the necessary ingredients—marshmallows, sprinkles, and cocoa mix—into charming jars, all neatly arranged on a wooden tray. You’ll never guess what this tray is made from… it’s actually the packaging from a Melissa and Doug kids’ stamp set! I simply glued some small wooden balls to the bottom to create little feet. Talk about creative repurposing!
One of my most delightful finds this year is this adorable little green Christmas car. And guess what? It’s a salt and pepper shaker! Could anything be cuter? It brings such a playful and nostalgic touch to our kitchen decor.
These glass jars remain on our counter year-round, but they undergo a festive transformation for Christmas. A simple addition of ribbon and tiny bits of greenery and berries instantly dresses them up for the season. By using the same ribbon found on our Christmas tree, I ensured a seamless and cohesive look that ties the kitchen back to the living room.
A few weeks ago, I scored this fantastic vintage scale at a thrift store for an unbelievable $2.75! What an absolute steal, right?! To create a charming Christmas vignette on the other side of my kitchen, I filled a small red measuring cup with a mix of ornaments and cedar sprigs. Then, I hung a tiny wreath from the front of the scale, and just like that, a happy little holiday moment was born.
Our cherished nativity set always finds its home in the open section of our corner hutch, allowing us to reflect upon its meaning as we gather for dinner. This hutch itself is one of my favorite Facebook Marketplace discoveries. It looked quite different when I first acquired it (you can see the dramatic before/after here), but with a little TLC, I transformed it to perfectly match my style. Now, it’s one of my most beloved spots to decorate seasonally.
The open shelves in our kitchen are a feature I absolutely adore, stemming from our recent kitchen remodel. I love styling them seasonally, and Christmas offers so many delightful possibilities! I’m also incredibly grateful that we opted for just this one small section of open shelving, allowing the majority of our kitchen items to remain neatly tucked away behind closed doors, maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Living Room & Hallway: Spreading Cheer Beyond the Tree
Moving back into the living room, I’ve arranged these delightful ceramic and glass Christmas trees alongside the light-up wooden sign I crafted a few years ago, which still brings so much warmth. The festive pillow on the couch is another clever DIY – it started life as a placemat from Target about three or four years ago! The charming ceramic ornaments hanging from the felt ball garland actually light up, adding a soft glow. I also personalized the felt ball garland by painstakingly pulling off all the felt balls and re-stringing them with additional wood beads myself. Yes, I know it sounds a little crazy, but the added texture and rustic charm were absolutely worth the effort!
I have a feeling I might need to start collecting more ceramic Christmas trees so I can fill this entire table with them in the future! What I particularly love about their current arrangement is how wonderfully mismatched they are, giving them the authentic appearance of having been lovingly collected over many Christmases. Each piece tells a little story.
The picture ledge shelves at the end of our hallway are an area I’ve never decorated for Christmas before, but oh, what fun I had with them this year! These shelves were a budget-friendly DIY project that cost us about $20 to build. You can read all about how we constructed them right here.
For the holidays, I swapped out our usual family photographs for a delightful collection of different Christmas-themed art pieces. To add that signature Scandinavian touch, I attached charming snowflake cutouts to the square wooden frames. Isn’t it just so festive and inviting? I was also contemplating the idea of including photos from Christmases past next year, weaving in cherished memories. Perhaps that’s a project for the next holiday season!
Wow! That was quite a journey through our festive home, my friends! If you’re still reading, you absolutely deserve a virtual high-five for your dedication and enthusiasm. I hope you’ve found plenty of inspiration and perhaps a few new ideas to bring traditional, Scandinavian-inspired cheer into your own homes.
For even more incredible Christmas decorating goodness, be sure to visit these immensely talented ladies on their own home tours:
- Stacy Risenmay – Not Just a Housewife
- Kelli & Kristi – Lolly Jane
- Sarah – Thrifty Decor Chick
- Chris – Just a Girl
- Rebecca – Crafted Sparrow
Source List
Curated here are as many sources as I could gather for the items featured in my 2020 Christmas Home Tour. Many items are personal finds or DIYs, but I hope this helps you recreate some of the festive magic!
- Green Sweater Ribbon
- White Ribbon with Berries (From Joann four or five years ago – 2.5 inch)
- White and Red Ticking Stripe Ribbon
- Red and White Shatterproof Ornaments
- White Ceramic Ornaments
- Oversized Jingle Bells
- Large Bells with Ribbon
- Wood Bead Garland
- Mercury Glass Tree Topper (From Big Lots but couldn’t find it online)
- Red + White Plaid Pillow Placemats (DIY: Target placemats)
- Pom Pom Garland (DIY: restrung with added wood beads)
- Light Up Ceramic Ornaments
- Mercury Glass Tree
- Red Scandinavian Ceramic Tree
- White Scandinavian Ceramic Tree
- Green Glass Trees – Target Dollar Spot
- Joy to the World Light Up Wood Sign (DIY Tutorial)
- Green and White Buffalo Check Tea Towel
- White Ceramic Christmas House
- Christmas Car Salt and Pepper Shaker
- Square Wood Frames with Bead Handles (Dollar Tree!)
- Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (DIY: individual pieces pulled from a long garland)
- Cocoa Station Tray (DIY: repurposed Melissa and Doug packaging)
- White Charger Plate (DIY: Dollar Store charger spray painted and hand-painted)
- Vintage Scale (Thrift Store Find)
- Corner Hutch (Facebook Marketplace Find, see makeover here)
- Picture Ledge Shelves (DIY: tutorial here)
I poured a lot of love into gathering these sources for you. If something isn’t on this comprehensive list, it’s likely a treasured vintage find or an item I purchased quite a long time ago. However, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have specific questions, and I’ll be more than happy to assist you in any way I can. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the internet and sharing in my holiday joy. I sincerely hope you have a very merry and wonderfully cozy Christmas!
