Thrifting Treasures for a Relaxed Holiday Season

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends.

I’ve been so inspired by all the talented ladies who have already shared their beautifully decorated homes for Christmas. Don’t you just love seeing how everyone interprets the season? Meanwhile, I’m over here with boxes still waiting to be opened and more to-do’s than I’d like to admit.

But then my husband gently reminded me that we had planned a more minimalist Christmas this year — and I suddenly took a breath. A long one. And just like that, the weight lifted. Instead of feeling behind, I began to enjoy the preparations again, realizing that whatever I did to make our home festive would be enough. Sometimes simplicity really is the sweetest gift.

So today, I’m sharing three little areas of our home dressed with a minimalist approach — all created from things I already had on hand. You know me, friends — there’s a special joy in decorating with pieces that carry memories and don’t cost a thing.

Let’s begin in the entrance hall.

The sweet little swan above the hunt board holds a selection of holiday greenery gathered right from my own garden — ivy, cedar, and fragrant tea olive coming together to bring a bit of evergreen beauty to welcome our guests. The swan rests on a crocheted table runner that always reminds me of delicate snowflakes, a soft little nod to winter and all its magic.

Normally I would have lots of greenery, garlands, and a whole plethora of holiday decorations filling this space, but this year our dear little swan takes center stage in a quieter way. She sits gracefully between two crystal candlesticks holding simple white tapers — a pairing that feels peaceful and just right for the more minimalist Christmas we’re embracing.

To add a touch of sparkle without overwhelming the room, the candlesticks rest inside tall glass cylinders. When the candles are lit, the glass will catch and magnify the glow, sending soft reflections around the entrance hall. “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle,” St. Francis is credited with saying, and it feels especially fitting here — a gentle reminder of hope shining through the stillness of winter.

Above it all, attached to the mirror behind the hunt board, a small crystal wreath echoes the shine of the candles. Its facets catch the light and scatter it like tiny snowflakes, adding just the right amount of sparkle to this serene holiday vignette.

It’s a very simple arrangement.

On the floor beside the hunt board sits a simple steel can, filled with faux evergreen branches and tied with just a single small ribbon. There’s something so charming about its honest utility — the cool gray metal, the clean lines, and the fullness of the greens spilling over the top. It feels both rustic and refined, a gentle nod to the beauty of everyday objects pressed into festive service.

I love how the can balances the sparkle of the crystal above it, grounding the whole display with simplicity and a touch of whimsy. And, true to the spirit of Thrifting Wonderland, everything in this hallway — from the swan to the candlesticks to the little steel can — was thrifted at one time or another. Each piece carries its own story, gathered over the years and lovingly brought together to create a peaceful welcome for the holiday season.

Across from the entranceway, and reflected softly in the hall mirror, you can catch a glimpse of the next room we’re going to visit. This small den has always been one of my favorite little retreats — a charming place to sit with a cup of tea or settle in with a good book on a quiet afternoon. The leather sofa brings a comforting warmth to the space, and the large coffee table is perfect for holding all the tea things you might want within easy reach.

Today, I’ve decorated this cozy room quite simply for the holidays. With our minimalist Christmas in mind, it took me only about twenty minutes to freshen things up — just enough to make it feel festive without overwhelming the peaceful ambiance I love in this space.

The room is not large, but its charm lies in the way each piece works together to create a comforting little haven. From the entrance hall, you can see the center area where the leather sofa sits, framed by a selection of thoughtfully chosen pictures mounted on the wall behind it. Their soft colors and varied textures add just the right amount of visual interest without overwhelming the quiet simplicity of the space.

To the left, there’s a glimpse of the large storage piece — an old store fixture brought back to life through the magic of thrifting. It adds both character and practicality, its many compartments hinting at stories of what it once held. On the right, you can just see the stacked coffee table and the lovely drapes framing the big window. The drapes filter the natural light so beautifully during the day, and in the evening, they help create that snug, curl-up-with-a-book feeling this room is so good at offering.

The coffee table is dressed quite simply this season. A soft runner forms the base, adding just a hint of texture, and atop it sits an elevated wooden pedestal that my wonderful husband made for me. It’s one of those pieces that carries both beauty and affection — the kind of handcrafted treasure that fits so naturally into our home.

The pedestal holds a small, central arrangement of fresh evergreens tucked into an old wooden tool box. I love how the different woods — the warm tones of the tool box, the smooth finish of the pedestal, and the richly grained coffee table — all blend together to form a harmonious whole. It’s understated, natural, and perfectly suited to the quiet, cozy spirit of this little den.

One side of the table features an old Santa ringing his bells and an antique ornament in copper tones reflects Santa’s colors.

The other side of the arrangement consists of two brass candlesticks and a copper house. The copper tones pick up the copper color in the table runner and blend in nicely with the color of the sofa. The drapes are also copper colored which adds a nice cohesiveness to the room.

On the sofa, I’ve gathered some of my favorite Santa and Elf pillows — cheerful little faces that have delighted our family for years. They sit alongside a wonderfully cozy woolen throw in a classic plaid, adding just the right touch of color and comfort. The bold Merry Christmas greeting brings a smile to everyone who steps into this room or simply passes by the doorway. It’s amazing how a few well-chosen pieces can fill a space with seasonal joy.

Decorating doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming… not always. Sometimes it’s the simplest touches — a couple of favorite pillows, a warm throw, a bit of greenery — that make a room feel festive and welcoming. This den has come together with such ease this year, reminding me again of the beauty in keeping things uncomplicated.

Our last space today is the formal dining room, which sits on the same side of the entrance hall as the den. The Christmas trees aren’t up yet, so I can’t share those with you today — but the china cabinet is almost ready for its holiday close-up. I only need to tuck in a bit more greenery to finish things off.

Let’s take a look.

The china cabinet is decorated this year with Fitz & Floyd’s Holly pattern, one of my favorite older designs and a true thrifted treasure. I just love the soft white center, rimmed in warm champagne tones, with sprigs of holly and berries dancing around the edges. The salad and dessert plates are especially dear to me — each one features a graceful dove in the center, a simple symbol of peace that feels so meaningful during the Christmas season. I do have plates without the dove, but these have my heart, both for their beauty and the sentiment they carry.

Tucked among the dishes, a few cardinals sit patiently on their nests, waiting for the final touches of greenery to shield them from winter’s chill. In the center of the cabinet, a charming little lantern by Spode adds a soft, festive glow. Just below, a pottery bowl in lovely mottled greens sits between two crystal Santa sleighs, each one waiting to be filled with greens or tiny presents as we get closer to Christmas.

One shelf down, a decanter gifted by my brother and sister-in-law takes pride of place, surrounded by elegant Mikasa sherry glasses. On the bottom shelf, a beautifully thrifted silver tray holds recently discovered Swedish crystal — a sparkling little collection ready to be filled with a lovely wine and shared with guests. It’s amazing how these pieces, gathered over time and found in unexpected places, come together to create such a warm and welcoming holiday display.

On the dining table sits a beautiful handmade piece crafted by my wonderful husband — a wooden tray trimmed with gleaming copper. I’ve always been drawn to those warm copper tones, and this piece has become one of my most-used foundations for seasonal displays. It’s sturdy, handsome, and full of heart… the kind of item that quietly elevates everything placed upon it.

Today, the tray holds a collection of glass bottles, each one different in shape and size. Nestled together, they make the loveliest little gathering. Every bottle holds a bit of bounty from the garden — sprigs of evergreen, clipped branches, and a few feathery textures that bring the outdoors gently inside. The fresh greens add life and fragrance to the room, reminding me how simple touches can make all the difference in creating a festive atmosphere.

Here’s a closer look at how everything comes together. I love catching glimpses of the cabinet through the evergreen branches, appreciating how effortlessly it all fell into place. The best part? There was no cost—every lovely detail came from treasures already in my home and my garden.

On the teacart next to the cabinet, just below our family painting, sits a chest of flatware that only comes out for the holiday season. I found it at Goodwill a few years ago, and I love using these pieces throughout the holidays. The flatware is Spode’s Christmas Tree pattern, with the design delicately inset in the handles. I have a complete service for 12, including steak knives, teaspoons, bread knives, and all the serving pieces. It’s a truly wonderful set that brings a smile to my face every time I use it.

Thanks so much for joining me here today. I loved sharing these spaces with you. Going more minimalist has relieved so much of the stress of holiday decorating, and I’m truly enjoying the calm that fewer decorations create. I hope you’re able to relax and enjoy this holiday season and all the love it brings. I look forward to seeing you next time.