Simple Holiday Kitchen Decor Ideas

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends!

I’m working on holiday decorations in the kitchen this week, and I’d love for you to join me as I take you on a little tour. This year I made a commitment to simplify my décor, relax, and truly enjoy the holiday season without feeling I need to unpack every single box in storage. I’m also “shopping the house” and not purchasing anything new—so far, it’s going wonderfully. The kitchen is the next space on my list, and it’s amazing what you can create with things you already love.

Our kitchen is separated from the Great Room by a large countertop island, so that’s where I began decorating. It’s a natural gathering place, and even the smallest touches make it feel warm and festive.

In the picture above, you’ll see one of my favorite thrifted treasures: a beautiful silver and glass horse that makes an appearance every Christmas. He stands so regal and serene, catching the light in the most magical way. With all the silver and gold touches of the season, he fits right in—almost as though he’s been waiting all year for his moment to shine.

Behind him sits a large pinecone-and-silver ornament ball, another thrifted find. The frosted finish gives it the look of a winter morning, and the generous size gives it wonderful presence. I placed its “twin” on the opposite end of the counter so the whole space feels balanced and intentional without being cluttered.

Next to the horse sits the first of two vintage sugar molds—old friends, really, that have traveled home with me from different thrifting adventures over the years. They’re the kind of pieces that quietly settle into your decorating, becoming less “finds” and more “companions.” Each season, I love tucking simple white candles into their worn wooden wells and nestling a bit of fresh greenery around the edges. When evening comes, the soft glow they cast feels warm and timeless, like whispered memories from Christmases long past.

This year, I tied a delicate silver-and-white ribbon around each mold, just enough to offer a hint of sparkle without overshadowing their rustic charm. There’s something almost poetic about these old sugar molds—humble, practical tools in their day, now shining with gentle light and reminding me of the countless blessings we’ve gathered through the years. Simple traditions, simple beauty… sometimes it really is the little things that make the season feel so meaningful.

Next comes a lovely wooden tray that I often bring out for gatherings. Most days it’s piled high with crackers, cheeses, and all the little nibbles that make a get-together feel festive. But today, it holds something much simpler—and wonderfully seasonal—fresh oranges.

Oranges have always been part of our Christmas traditions, a little nod to the days when a bright piece of citrus tucked into a stocking felt like magic. Their juicy sweetness and sunny fragrance bring a lift to these winter days, and I love how their vibrant color warms up the kitchen, glowing softly against the other holiday décor.

They’re not just beautiful to display—they’re endlessly useful this time of year. Perfect for snacking, delightful in baking, and ideal for adding that cheerful burst of citrus to a festive dish. Sometimes it’s the simplest things, gathered with love, that bring the most charm to our homes.

Here’s a look at the first half of the counter display. I love how the flowers, nestled among the pine and cedar greenery, bring such lushness to the space. The soft greens paired with those rosy reds feel both fresh and festive, adding just the right touch of natural beauty to the kitchen.

Flowers are delightful any time of year, of course, but at Christmastime they take on a special kind of magic. They brighten the room, soften the edges of winter, and make the whole space feel warm, welcoming, and very much alive. There’s something so heartening about a bloom opening beside evergreen branches—like nature whispering that beauty is still blooming even in the quiet of the season.

The other end of the counter begins with a hand-carved wooden tree. I just love the simplicity of this piece—its clean lines and natural texture make it endlessly versatile, and somehow it finds a new home every Christmas. There’s something about its quiet presence that feels grounding, a soft reminder of winter woods and peaceful walks.

Beside it sits the second of the large ornament balls, catching the light and echoing the sparkle from the opposite end of the counter. Together they help visually anchor the entire display, creating a lovely symmetry that draws the eye from one vignette to the other.

To balance our regal horse, I added a true favorite—our “Lord of the Forest,” dressed in full Victorian attire. This gold and silver gentleman never misses a Christmas in our home. With his elegant coat, noble stance, and distinguished expression, he brings such delightful old-world charm to the kitchen. He always strikes me as a most dapper fellow, poised as though he’s ready to step forward and join the festivities at any moment.

Here’s the view looking down the other side of the counter. You can see the second sugar mold, dressed just like its companion on the opposite end, completing the look with its soft candle glow and simple silver-and-white ribbon. I love how the holiday cheer carries all the way along the length of the countertop, creating one continuous line of warmth and sparkle. It makes the whole kitchen feel festive, inviting, and ready for all the sweet moments this season brings.

On the pantry door in the kitchen hangs one of my favorite little holiday touches—a French board with a small wooden bowl and an old rolling pin attached. It has such a lived-in, well-loved feel, and at Christmastime it becomes its own tiny celebration.

The wooden bowl is filled with vintage mercury glass ornaments, delicate handmade snowflakes, and a few frosted pinecones tucked in for texture. Every time I walk past, those soft glimmers and wintery touches make me smile. Hanging just above is a vintage pinecone wreath, its warm browns and gentle sparkle adding a lovely rustic elegance.

Together, the aged ornaments, the timeworn wreath, and the simple wooden board feel like they’ve been part of the kitchen forever—quietly echoing the charm of a vintage French cottage. It’s a small vignette, but it brings such warmth to the room, almost like a whispered reminder of Christmases long cherished.

A Christmas crock sits nearby, dressed with a bed of holly and bright red berries, bringing a cheerful pop of color to the space. It’s filled with wooden spoons and well-used metal kitchen tools—always ready to lend a hand in this busy, working kitchen of ours. I love how the festive greenery softens the practical nature of the crock, turning an everyday necessity into a little moment of holiday charm. It’s simple, useful, and perfectly suited to the heart of the home.

Across the top of the kitchen cabinets, I’ve started creating a little Christmas village scene, complete with houses, churches, trees, and a few woodland friends. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ll share the full, finished village with you in Tuesday’s blog. Most of the pieces were thrifted treasures, and I love that I can enjoy them all season long without giving up any of the counter space I need for baking. This little village greets me the moment I walk through the door and instantly puts me in the Christmas spirit.

However, the kitchen isn’t all work and no play. I love to pause in the afternoon for a little tea break, especially when there’s a new recipe cooling on the counter. Today it was a fragrant pumpkin bread, fresh from the oven and filling the whole room with the warm scents of cinnamon and spice. Setting out a few pieces of Christmas china and bringing over my bright red teapot added an instant touch of holiday cheer to the island. It’s such a simple ritual, but it turns an ordinary moment into something soft, comforting, and wonderfully festive.

Welcome, friends, to the heart of the kitchen, where a joyful Christmas tray takes pride of place. Dressed in festive reds and greens, it carries a sweet message of holiday cheer as it offers everything needed for a comforting cup of tea — the teapot, cream, and sugar, all nestled together as though eager to serve. Two of my favorite mugs from the Fitz & Floyd St. Nicholas pattern sit ready for a quiet moment of rest and reflection. I was lucky enough to find a set of eight place settings a couple of years ago, and they’ve become treasured pieces that return each December like old friends.

Santa looks particularly jolly this year, his rosy cheeks bright and his sack full to bursting as he heads indoors, ready to leave little surprises behind. There’s something so heartwarming about that classic Fitz & Floyd artistry — whimsical yet elegant, with a touch of nostalgia that makes the holidays feel wonderfully familiar.

This cheerful tray is more than a simple arrangement; it’s an invitation to pause, savor the season, and enjoy a moment of peace amid the happy bustle of Christmas.

Snowman flatware rests cheerfully atop red and green napkins, adding a delightful dash of whimsy to the table — just the thing to make eating your pumpkin treats and stirring your tea feel like part of the celebration. I found these merry little fellows at a thrift store last year, and what luck — four full five-piece place settings!They’re such fun to bring out during the holidays. Each smiling snowman seems to say, “Let the festivities begin,” and honestly, how can you not be in a holiday mood with flatware this charming? It’s one of those thrifted discoveries that brings a bit of sparkle to everyday moments, reminding us that joy doesn’t have to be expensive — sometimes it’s waiting on a dusty shelf just waiting to come home and play a part in your Christmas cheer.

The salad and dessert plates are also part of the charming St. Nicholas collection, and they tell the sweetest little story. Here, Santa is busy decorating the Christmas tree, adding each ornament with such care. One of his wonderful flying reindeer has paused to lend a helping hoof, creating a playful moment that feels straight out of a holiday tale.

With Santa and his faithful friend tending to the branches, you just know this tree will be sparkling and ready for Christmas in no time. It’s these whimsical touches — full of color, detail, and imagination — that make this pattern such a joy to bring out each year.

Here you see the delicious pumpkin bread that will accompany our Christmas tea. The warm spices fill the kitchen with the most heavenly scent — cinnamon, nutmeg, and just a whisper of cloves — everything that makes the holidays feel like home. It’s an easy recipe, the kind I love most this time of year, when simple, comforting treats bring such joy without adding any stress.Fresh from the oven, the loaf slices beautifully, ready to be enjoyed alongside a steaming cup of tea poured from that festive St. Nicholas teapot. It’s the perfect little indulgence on a chilly December afternoon.

This beautiful poinsettia was a thoughtful gift from dear friends, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Sally Ann and Joe. Its festive pot and vibrant red-and-green leaves add such joyful color to this little Christmas setting. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded not only of the season’s beauty but of the kindness behind the gift. We’ll be enjoying its cheerful presence throughout the holiday season, and it truly brightens the whole space.

Taking the time to enjoy a cup of afternoon tea and a sweet is one of the simple pleasures of the holiday season. I try not to rush so much — or let myself become so stressed — that I miss these quiet moments. They’re the moments that help me pause, breathe, and reflect on all the blessings this beautiful season brings.

There will be a few more Christmas touches added to the kitchen in the next few days, but this simpler approach is truly working for me this year. Shopping my own home, using the things I love, and savoring the present moment feel like the perfect goals for this holiday season.

Thank you so much for joining me here today. It’s always an honor to share these Christmas moments with you, dear friends. Wishing you peace, joy, and a heart full of gentle cheer.

See you next time!