There’s a Christmas Decorating Style for Everyone—What’s Yours?

Country Sampler Farmhouse Style designer Nancy Borsodi created these mini orb ornaments from small embroidery hoops. Get the full instructions in the Winter 2021 issue.

I’ve always loved that Christmas decorating comes in so many different styles. Yes, there’s the traditional red-and-green color scheme, but there’s also a more elegant glittery gold theme or icy cool blue look. There’s even a rustic all-natural cabin feel or a bright and fun retro style. Holiday decorations come in so many different designs and materials that you can easily change up your style from year to year (and many of you do!).

Michelle Olson added string lights to highlight the wintery look of her milk glass collection in this old cabinet. See all of Michelle’s home in the Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Winter 2021 issue.

My holiday decorating style has evolved through my life, but at a slower pace than every 12 months. When I was younger, my family had a tree with a very rustic country, handmade look. We were smack-dab in the country-loving ’80s, and our home reflected it (pineapple wallpaper, oak paneling, pine quilt shelves—you get the picture). Plus, back then our family worked toward stretching a dollar. For our Christmas tree in those days, my mother cut strips of red plaid fabric and tied them into bows on the tree’s branches. We made ornaments out of pinecones and cinnamon sticks—and how could I forget the salt-dough creations? Those handmade designs never came out quite the same way we envisioned them in our heads (talk about early Pinterest fails!). Nevertheless, my mom lovingly hung our creations on the tree. Several years later, my mother began festooning the tree with strands of gold beads and icy snowflake ornaments. I still love adding the gold beads to my tree today. I like how they add that extra bit of glitz.

Carleen Gorr enhanced her rustic holiday table with these edible mini gingerbread mug toppers. See all of Carleen’s woodsy-inspired home in the Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Winter 2021 issue.

When my own kids were little, we had quite the hodgepodge of decorations. Of course, the tree proudly displayed my kids’ handmade picture frames or paper-doily angels, but we also had whimsical figurine ornaments like Santa relaxing in a garden chair or the Easter Bunny pooh-poohing the holiday. At that point, I also had red velvet bows and sparkly garland. Two elements that always stayed in place, though, were the angel on top of the tree and the Nativity below. No matter how many decorating styles I went through, the real reason for the season stayed prominent in these two items. As different Christmas trees came and went, and different houses got festooned in holiday finery, the angel stayed on top of the tree and the Nativity was always nestled below.

Sarah Dodson transformed a nook with pages from her grandmothers old books to create this charming holiday corner. See how she decorates her entire home in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Winter 2021 issue.

The Winter issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style that’s out now is filled with all sorts of farmhouse Christmas inspiration. I already found several creative ideas I want to try out, including the sheet music wall, the mini gingerbread mug toppers and the tiny hoop ornaments. And, oh if I had a cabinet like the lighted one here, I would definitely create a glowing scene like that! What is your favorite holiday decorating style? And what treasured keepsakes do you lovingly set out each year? I’d love to hear all about them and learn how you enjoy the season as much as I always have.