6 Christmas decorations, trends to add festive cheer to your holiday home decor

Are you someone for whom the countdown to Christmas starts the moment the last Halloween candy leaves the bowl? Maybe you lean toward old Victorian times when it was traditional to put up Christmas trees on Christmas Eve. Or are you like the majority of Americans who say the day after Thanksgiving is the right time to deck the halls?

There is no lack of debate over how early is too early for Christmas decorations, so much so that the experts have weighed in, saying decorating early is a spirit booster and triggers pleasant memories.

A study recently published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who were shown photographs of a home that looked merry and bright with Christmas decor perceived the people who lived there as more friendly and sociable than houses without décor. Research also shows that people who give into the holiday spirit are generally in a better mood than those who don’t decorate.

With these festive facts in mind, we dropped by what would be considered one of the merriest shops in Louisville to get some advice on how we should deck our halls this holiday season.

Ben Palmer-Ball, founder and owner of Digs Home and Garden, 3905 Chenoweth Square, showed us around his St. Matthews store, which is overflowing with Christmas cheer and spirit in the form of expertly decorated Christmas trees, festive holiday tables and gifts galore for people and their pets.

“When we visited the design market, we saw a lot more use of ribbons and bows in trees,” Palmer-Ball told the Courier-Journal. “Also, feathers, believe it or not. (This year) is a big year for adding feathers to your Christmas tree.”

While no rule says you can’t decorate the same way you always have, if you are ready for some fresh ideas to incorporate while you deck the halls, here are six simple Christmas decoration ideas to create a seriously stunning Christmas tree and holiday space in your home.

Pops of nontraditional color are a top trend for Christmas 2024

This year, try a color scheme that speaks to you rather than the traditional colors of Christmas.

“I would say don’t get pigeon-holed into feeling like you have to stick to traditional red and green Christmas colors,” Palmer-Ball told the Courier Journal. “While a traditional Christmas theme will never go out of style and jewel tones were popular last year, this year we’re seeing yellows, gold, and blues working into the theme.”

Whether you love bright and bold colors or enjoy a color palette of pastels, consider decorating your tree and home in colors you gravitate toward rather than what’s trending.

Ribbons and bows can replace tinsel and garlands for Christmas decor

Break out your bolts of ribbon for Christmas 2024. An idea Palmer-Ball brought back from the designer Christmas market incorporates layering ribbon, like a plaid patterned ribbon laid on top of a solid white or red velvet ribbon to add texture and interest to your tree.

“This is a beautiful look but don’t start at the top and wind the ribbon around the tree. You’ll use way more ribbon than necessary,” the Digs’ owner said. “Instead, cut up the ribbon into large sections and jam it into the branches. So it’s not a continual loop of ribbon — it is pieces that pole out from here and there.”

Additionally, adding bows tied onto individual branches is another elegant decorating trend this season.

A flurry of feathers will add whimsy and movement to your Christmas tree

In Louisville, we know a thing or two about incorporating feathers to enhance a hat made for the Kentucky Derby. The same is true for your Christmas tree.

“This year seems to be big on feathers,” Palmer-Ball said. “We have a natural tree decorated with ostrich and pheasant picks (an accessory you can put between branches) and a garland for the mantel also made of feathers.”

You can find feathers dyed in every shade to complement your tree and household Christmas decor.

“What’s interesting about adding feathers to your decor is that even the slightest movement of air will flutter the feathers and add movement to your creation,” Palmer-Ball said.

Handcrafted pieces add a more elegant feel to your Christmas decorations

For a sophisticated and elegant look, rather than loading the branches with all your ornaments, this year try featuring only your high-quality and handcrafted pieces. Rather than plastic, look through your ornament box for those made of glass, wood, or ceramic.

If you want a low-budget option for non-plastic ornaments, Palmer-Ball suggests ornaments made from felt and homemade options made out of paper.

“The great thing about these is they won’t break if you have a household with kids and or pets,” he said.

Christmas decoration ideas for small living spaces

If you live in a small space, consider a tabletop tree with a tiny tree skirt. Small trees can sit on top of a coffee table or chest of drawers.

“I think some customers don’t always want the big commitment of a full-sized tree,” he said. “Plus, adding a smaller tree to your decor like in the kitchen or the den can give you another space to display specific ornaments or a theme.”

For instance, if you have collected a lot of the ornaments your kids made through the years, consider displaying them on their own tabletop tree. They’ll love it!

On display at Digs, we also discovered a bright tabletop tree for the kitchen filled with food-themed ornaments and another covered in adorable dogs.

Christmas decoration ideas beyond the Christmas tree

There are lots of ways to add a pop of festivity to your home during the holiday season in places that aren’t a Christmas tree. Embellish a chandelier for the holidays with velvet ribbons, gold ornaments, and tiny wreaths placed around the light fixtures. Ornaments always look lovely hanging from a Christmas tree but they can also make festive additions when hung on door knobs or suspended from hooks.

A Christmas pillow, a few homemade gingerbread houses, and some natural greenery can also add cheer to your holiday decor.

Palmer-Ball said to be open to new ideas with your Christmas decorations. He also said that while some customers have come to Digs and bought an entire Christmas tree ― lights, ornaments, garland, and all ― it’s more realistic to take an inventory of what you already own, decide on a theme, and update your tree by adding some trending colors in ribbons, garland, and sprigs.

Happy decorating and Merry Christmas!

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Christmas decorations ideas, trends to try this year