10 Holiday Decor Finds To Make Your Home Merry And Bright

It took a few decades, but I finally feel like I have a collection of holiday decorations I can be proud of. I had to do a lot of searching to find the kinds of things I was looking for, and since the holiday season is all about giving, I thought I’d share my favorite holiday decor items with you in hopes they make someone else’s search a bit easier! :-)

A woman decorates a Christmas tree with holiday decor, including a festive plush reindeer toy and a wooden tree figurine illuminated by the warm glow of a nearby candle.

Check out my top 10 favorite holiday decor items below! Use the list as inspiration for your own holiday decor, or if they aren’t to your taste (no hard feelings!), identify what you like or don’t like about them. Taking note of your likes and dislikes is a good starting point for dialing in your own unique holiday decor style!

Jillee’s Top 10 Favorite Holiday Decor Items

A cozy plush reindeer toy with a red scarf and festive details adds charm to the holiday decor as it sits on a wooden shelf against a stonewall backdrop.

1. Christmas Gnomes

In Scandinavian folklore, gnomes (also known as tomte or nisse) are said to protect farms, families, and children, especially during the long winter nights. Over the years, I’ve grown a small collection of these charming Christmas gnomes as a nod to my Scandinavian heritage, and I love the touch of whimsy they bring to my holiday decor!

This year, I’ve even added a special limited edition reindeer gnome to my shop for the holiday season! I first encountered M. Wolf Designs, a small business run by Mindy Wolf of Eagle Mountain, Utah, last year at a local craft fair, and was immediately smitten by her handcrafted gnomes.

A plush reindeer toy with a red snowflake scarf, leather antlers, and jingle bells. This charming piece of holiday decor is displayed in front of a blurred Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights.

These adorable reindeer gnomes feature wooden noses, fluffy beards, faux leather antlers and boots, and a cozy faux fur hat and trim. There are just 200 of them available now in my shop, so don’t wait if you want to get your hands on one!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

2. Electric Candles

As the holidays draw near and the days get shorter, I appreciate the glow of my vast collection of battery-operated LED candles more and more. I have LED candles of all shapes and sizes scattered around to give our home an inviting glow, and they turn on and off automatically thanks to their built-in timers.

A woman hanging a felt Christmas garland on a credenza.

3. Felt Garlands

I love the rustic, old-fashioned appeal of felt Christmas decor, but I’m a total sucker for a felt garland! I like to hang them on my Christmas tree, bookshelves, entertainment center, buffet table, and more.

Three beautifully colorful wooden Santas on a table.

4. Wooden Santas

My Christmas decor is a collection of collections, including my collection of wooden Santas. Over the past several years, I’ve become especially attached to Santas created by Jim Shore. There are a LOT of them to choose from, and each one is uniquely beautiful!

Two beautifully carved wooden Christmas Trees on a red gingham tablecloth with electric pillar candles.

5. Wooden Trees

Speaking of wood, I think there’s something so cozy about wooden decorations during the wintertime. They take me back to the cabins and chalets we used to see when my parents would take us kids on ski trips.

Wooden trees are cozy, seasonally appropriate, and definitely deserve a spot on the mantel! You can incorporate them into almost any holiday decor theme, from classic red and green to modern silver and gold.

A woman hanging Cranberry Bead Tree Garland on a lit Christmas tree.

6. Cranberry Bead Tree Garland

I’ve decorated our Christmas tree with these wooden “cranberry” garlands for as long as I can remember! They’re the very first thing I put on my tree once it’s time to decorate. Real cranberries are more traditional, but I like that I can use my wooden bead garlands year after year. Holiday trends come and go, but these garlands never go out of style!

A woman reaching up to put a Straw Tree Topper on a decorated Christmas tree.

7. Straw Tree Topper

Our straw tree topper is another nod to our family’s Scandinavian heritage. Many Northern and Eastern European cultures traditionally used straw (which is easy to craft with and readily available) to make Christmas decorations. I love the rustic charm it lends to our Christmas tree!

A woman cutting Kraft Wrapping Paper with scissors.

8. Kraft Wrapping Paper

Speaking of rustic charm, there are few things more rustic or charming than kraft paper. I like to use kraft wrapping paper to wrap my holiday gifts — the brown paper creates a unified “look” while the different prints and patterns add variety. It makes the gifts under our tree look just as charming and festive as the rest of the house!

A woman next to wrapped gifts and a Christmas tree - she is holding a length of lace ribbon.

9. Lace & Transparent Ribbon

Lace and transparent ribbon make delightful additions to gifts wrapped in kraft paper. They provide a counterpoint to the rustic paper while still feeling very homey and festive.

Close up of a woman's hand hanging a felt Christmas garland using a Command Hook.

10. Command Hooks

Much of my holiday decorating strategy revolves around Command hooks and adhesive strips. I use them to hang garlands, lights, wreaths, signs, and more. The only thing quicker and easier than putting them up is taking them down at the end of the season!

What’s your favorite holiday decor item?