Deck the Halls (and Your Table) for Thanksgiving and the Holidays with These Easy Tips

With the holidays just around the corner, you’re already thinking about how to decorate your

home. But if you're short on time or energy, the thought of decorating for Thanksgiving and the Holidays separately can be daunting.

A Christmas mouse on a table setting.

Fortunately, it doesn't have to be. Why? I will be sharing with you some of my top secrets to decorating for Thanksgiving and the holidays at the same time.

That’s right, we’re hitting two birds with one stone.

With these tips, you can create a festive and inviting home for both holidays without breaking the bank or spending hours on end decorating.

I’ll even tell you how to put up a Christmas tree before Thanksgiving without making it look too Christmas-y.

So whether you are a seasoned holiday decorator or a complete novice, read on for some easy tips to help you create a festive home for Thanksgiving and the holidays!

Step 1: Choosing a Color Palette

Earthy Tones and Metallic Accents

Earthy tones and metallic accents are a classic and versatile color palette that can be used to

decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Earthy tones, such as shades of brown, green, and

orange, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, while metallic accents, such as gold, bronze, and silver, add a touch of glamor.

Some of my top tips for using both of these in your holiday decor are:

● Use earthy tones as your base. You’ll want your walls an earthy color, such as cream,

beige, or light brown. This will create a neutral backdrop for your metallic accents and

holiday decorations.

● Add bronze, gold, silver, and metallic green accents throughout your home. Place a pair of

silver or gold (I prefer brushed gold) candlesticks on your fireplace. Use a copper or

bronze bowl or vase for a centerpiece on a console, kitchen island, or dining table. hang

metallic ornaments on your Christmas tree, and use them in your tablescapes by nestling

them in greenery down the center of your table or fastening them to napkins at each

place setting in place of a napkin ring. Can I mix and match metals? Yes! Start with a

base metal such as gold or silver and then add accents such as copper or bronze. You

can also stick with one metal and mix different shades. Remember to keep it balanced

and simple otherwise it will feel cluttered.

Step 2: Adding Texture And Interest to Your Decorations

When it comes to holiday decorating, one of the best ways to add texture and interest is to

incorporate natural elements into your decor. Use pine cones, branches, and berries to create

centerpieces and wreaths.

● Pinecones are a classic holiday decoration for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

They can be used to create centerpieces, wreaths, and garlands. You can even use

them to decorate your fireplace mantel or front door.

● Winter branches are a great way to add texture and interest to your holiday decor. Use

bare winter branches by themselves in a tall, clear glass or metal vase to create an

interesting, sculpture visual. Incorporate them into centerpieces and wreaths for varied

textures and shapes. Use them to decorate your fireplace mantel or front door.

● Greenery. Look around your yard for pine branches, fir branches, cedar, eucalyptus,

boxwood, and manzanita. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. Combinations of fresh greenery not

only make for an interesting bouquet arrangement but also make your home smell

amazing.

TIP: Buy your favorite bouquet and divide it up. (I prefer white roses this time of year).

By adding greenery and branches to each, you can take one bouquet and make it into several

to display throughout your home.

STEP 3: Make It Cozy

Soft Pillows & Throw Blankets

There’s nothing quite like curling up on the couch with a good book and a soft throw blanket

during the holidays. Soft throws and pillows are a great way to add comfort as well as style to

your holiday decor.

Here are a few ways to create those cozy vibes.

● Drape a soft throw over the arm of your sofa or chair. This will give your guests a place

to cozy up when they come to visit.

● Change out one or two of your everyday pillows on your sofa or chairs for a soft, fuzzy, or

flannel pillow. This will make your furniture look more inviting and comfortable. TIP:

Many pillows are sold as covers only. Look for these. This helps in storing. Simply slip

over your existing everyday pillows for the winter & holiday months, then simply fold

them up for easy storage when not using the rest of the year.

Lanterns and Candles

Use lots of them!

There is nothing that sets a more cozy mood than candlelight. Some great places to incorporate

lanterns and candles into your Thanksgiving and holiday decor are:

● On your fireplace mantel. This will create a warm and inviting focal point in your living

room.

● On your dining table. This will create a romantic and intimate setting for your holiday

meals.

● On your coffee table or end tables. This will create a cozy and inviting space for your

guests to relax.

● On your patio or deck for your next holiday gathering. This will create a warm and

inviting space for your guests to relax and enjoy each other's company.

● On your fireplace hearth. This will create a warm and inviting focal point in your living

room.

● In each window of your home. This will create a warm and inviting glow from the outside.

Two Simple DIY Decorations To Be Used For Thanksgiving and

Christmas

As a bonus, here are two simple and affordable DIY Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations

you can make yourself get started in your decorating!

Pinecone wreath

Materials

● Wire wreath frame

● Pinecones

● Hot glue gun and glue sticks

● Ribbon

Instructions

● Hot glue the pinecones to the wire wreath frame, starting at the outside and working your

way in.

● Once the wreath is covered in pinecones, tie a ribbon around it to hang it up.

Greenery garland

Materials

● Fresh (preferred) or artificial greenery

● Wire or string

● Floral wire

Instructions

● Cut the greenery into lengths of about 12 inches.

● Gather the greenery together and tie it with wire or string. Be creative. You don’t have to

stick to one type of greenery. Mix it up. Use up to 3 different types of greenery for texture

and visual interest. (When you mix more than that it begins to look messy.) I like to use a

staple, hardier green such as pine or fir as a base and then add accents of textural

beauties such as manzanita, eucalyptus, or boxwood. Winterberry branches are good

too!

● Use floral wire to attach the garland to your fireplace mantel, staircase, or other desired location.

With just a few simple materials and a little bit of time, you can create beautiful and festive DIY decorations to adorn your home for the holidays.

Conclusion

Decorating for Thanksgiving and the holidays at the same time can seem too tasking, but it doesn’t have to be. By following a few simple tips, such as choosing a versatile color palette,

incorporating natural elements, and mixing and matching different styles, you can easily create a festive and inviting atmosphere for both holidays. So get creative and have fun!

If you are adamant about your “Christmas red”, it is easy to add red accents to your earthy, neutral palette after Thanksgiving.

Don’t forget to drop a comment on how you attempt to decorate for both Thanksgiving and the holidays on out Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/arrangespacebend/ . Go!

FAQs

Can You Put Up a Christmas Tree Before Thanksgiving?

Yes, you can put up a Christmas tree before Thanksgiving. There are no hard and fast rules

when it comes to holiday decorating.

As long as you don’t decorate it until after, white lights on a green tree add to a natural, organic, cozy setting for Thanksgiving.

Can I Use the Same Decorations for Thanksgiving and the Holidays?

Yes, as we discussed here, you can use many of the same decorations for both Thanksgiving and the holidays. Simply choose decorations in neutral colors and with natural elements, such as pinecones, greenery, and winter branches.

How to Store My Holiday Decorations?

To store your holiday decorations, start by cleaning them thoroughly. Once they are clean, wrap them in tissue paper or bubble wrap and place them in sturdy boxes.

Be sure to label the boxes so that you know what is inside. Store your holiday decorations in a cool, dry place.

Avoid storing them in attics or basements, as these areas can be humid and can cause your

decorations to become damaged.