Five Quick Christmas Decor Projects

Welcome, dear Friends! I’m so glad you’re here today because I have five quick and easy Christmas decor ideas to share that will bring festive cheer to your home in no time. This year, I’m challenging myself to decorate with what I already have—no big spending sprees—and to embrace a “less is more” mindset for a simpler, more meaningful holiday season.

As I’ve been sorting through my Christmas boxes, I’ve rediscovered some long-forgotten treasures and let go of things I don’t use anymore. It’s such a good feeling to focus on what truly makes our home merry and bright. My other big change this year? I’m cutting back on faux greenery since I’ve discovered I’m allergic to it! But don’t worry—our trees will still shine bright, and I’ve got plenty of creative ideas to fill the rest of our home with holiday magic.

So, grab a cozy drink, and let’s dive into these five joyful projects that are as fun as they are easy

In the picture above, you’ll see the first of my five projects—a piece that’s delightfully simple and oh-so-charming! This one came together in just 15 minutes, with an extra five for the bow.

I started with a white, rough-finish ceramic jug from my stash. It has two handles and a classic design that reminds me of a Greek amphora—timeless and elegant! Next, I gathered some faux foliage, a mix of natural ornaments, a few rustic sticks, and some pinecones to create a warm, natural look.

Arranging everything in the jug was quick and satisfying—there’s no right or wrong way, just play with it until it feels balanced. To finish, I tied a bow using a ribbon adorned with gold reindeer heads. That little detail adds just the right touch of festive sparkle!

Once it was ready, I placed the jug in front of the fireplace, where it now adds a cozy and inviting glow to the room. It’s amazing how such a simple project can make such a big impact!

To finish off the look, I added two shabby chic candlesticks of varying heights, each topped with a pillar candle in soft variegated greens. The different heights add a touch of elegance and dimension to the arrangement, while the candles bring a gentle, calming glow.

And of course, my favorite indoor frog just had to make an appearance! He’s lounging against one of the candlesticks, looking quite at home and patiently waiting for his Christmas bow. (He’ll get his festive touch soon—I promise!)

With that, the first project is complete! It feels so satisfying to create something beautiful with pieces I already had on hand. It’s cozy, festive, and perfectly suited to its spot by the fireplace.

I have a collection of fairy ornaments that go along with the Cecily Barker fairy books. Ms. Barker was a talented artist who wrote verses about the flower fairies she imagined and completed the verses with very detailed illustrations that she drew of the fairies. Each fairy represents a different flower and they have become quite collectible. I have the books and I love that we have these three dimensional illustrations of her work.

This summer, I stumbled upon the iron tree you see in the picture, and it was love at first sight! Its branches are tipped with delicate crystal buds that resemble icy twigs, making it perfect for the winter season. The tree’s bare design is simple yet elegant, creating an ideal backdrop for my collection of fairy ornaments.

To enhance its wintry charm, I added crystal icicles that catch the light beautifully, creating a magical shimmer. Then, I carefully placed my fairies throughout the branches, leaving some spaces open for the rest of the ornaments still waiting to be unpacked. Each fairy looks right at home, as if they’re perched in a frosty woodland.

To finish the look, I added a woven mat under the tree, almost like a tree skirt. The touch of Christmas color it brings ties the whole vignette together and defines the space beautifully. This little scene has quickly become one of my favorite displays—it feels like a fairy tale brought to life!

This is the second project completed. You can select your own special ornaments to display in this way.

For my third project, I decided to create a simple, natural wreath to anchor the center of our gallery wall. The base was quite plain to start, but after a little fluffing and the addition of a few pinecones, it was ready to be dressed up for the season.

I wanted a look that felt natural and graceful, so I added berry picks and long needle pine picks to the left side of the wreath. Starting at the top, the picks sweep down the side, gently guiding your eye from top to bottom. To secure everything, I simply tied the picks into place with the flexible stems of the wreath—quick and easy!

The final touch was a beautiful ribbon I chose with a cream background adorned with pine, berries, and more ribbon details. I made a nice full bow with five-inch loops and attached it at the center of the added picks, creating a lovely focal point. Long, curled tails add movement and elegance, falling gracefully from the bow to complete the look.

Once it was all set, my wonderful husband helped hang the wreath in the perfect spot on the gallery wall. Now, it’s framed by handmade stitchery on either side and topped with a cheerful Fa La La La La sign, bringing the whole wall to life. Every time I walk past it, it fills me with holiday cheer!

It looks perfect there on the wall and project three is finished.

Project number four was all about dressing up a lantern, and let me tell you—it was so easy and fun! This little project came together in just 20 minutes using items I already had on hand. If you’re looking for a quick win in your holiday decorating, this is definitely one to try.

I started with a large lantern, which made it a breeze to work with. After giving the glass a good cleaning inside and out, I placed a silver tree candle inside for a simple but festive glow. Then, I dug through my boxes and found a premade swag that was just perfect. It features long needle pine, berries, pinecones, and a touch of crystalized snow—already beautiful and ready to go!

To tie everything together, I used the same ribbon from my wreath to create a smaller bow and attached it to the center of the swag. After a bit of trial and error, I found the perfect position on the lantern and secured the swag with wire. A quick tweak of the ribbon tails for just the right touch of elegance, and project four was complete!

Now, this lantern has a fresh and festive look, and it’s such a lovely addition to our holiday decor. Every time I see it, it makes me smile!

This is the finished project. I set it on a fabric covered box in a paisley red fabric to elevate it for display. I think it turned out really well.

Project number five was quick, easy, and so satisfying to put together! In my Christmas boxes, I found a rustic Christmas pail that I knew would be perfect for this arrangement. To start, I placed a glass vase inside the pail and set it on an upside-down dish to give the vase a little lift. Then I filled it with warm water and added flower food to keep the greenery fresh.

Next, I headed out to the garden to gather a handful of greens. I snipped some Leyland cypress, variegated holly, mophead cypress, cryptomeria, and tea olive—such a fragrant and beautiful mix! Back inside, I arranged the greens in the vase, letting their natural textures and colors shine.

And just like that, project five was complete! This little arrangement is full of life and brings a fresh, natural element to our holiday decor. It’s amazing what a few snips from the garden can do to create something so festive and charming.

I placed it on the shelf that is part of the gallery wall. It adds a nice softness and fresh smell to the room.

Here’s the fairy tree and the fireplace together in one picture. You can see that they look quite nice together.

And here’s how the gallery wall looks so far, with three of these easy projects adding to the cozy ambiance of the room. What I love most about these projects is that they came together with things I already had on hand. It’s always so helpful to go through your Christmas storage before heading out to the store—you might just find that you don’t need to buy anything new!

In my case, everything I used was either thrifted or found at an estate sale, including the ornaments, which came from my favorite local thrift store. Christmas is such a special time, and it’s amazing how much you can pull together with a little creativity and a mindful eye for reusing what you already have.

I’d love to hear what you think about these projects. Feel free to share your thoughts—I always enjoy hearing from you!