Each year, I plan a Christmas theme for our house – from Christmas tree decorations and gift wrapping paper, all the way to the Holiday tablescape and a few little decorations around the home. It may sound a little EXTRA (I’m a Christmas baby after all), but I have restraint! I’ve seen over-the-top decorations everywhere online. And while they look amazing, I try to be sensible with mine.

I like it magical, but it has to be practical as well. It shouldn’t take so much time to put up and store, and they should be able to fit in my bins or cabinets at home – no storage! So how do I do it? I’ll share some tips below while I show you our holiday tablescape and our 2022 Christmas decor theme!

2022 Christmas Decor Theme

Since we moved to a new house earlier this year, I’ve been thinking about what theme to go with this Christmas.

You may recall this Tiffany Blue Christmas theme a few years ago, or this All White + Metallics from our apartment in Pittsburgh awhile back. And how about this Gingham Christmas theme? Ahhhh!!! Well, this year, I’m actually going with a similar theme except I’m incorporating more CHECK or CHECKERBOARD prints in my decor!

I mean, I’m already obsessed with the checkerboard pattern. Plus, Mackenzie Childs sent me the best holiday mailer. So I knew it had to be THE theme! Have you read the previous post yet?

Difference Between Gingham and Check Patterns

If you’re wondering what the difference is between the gingham and check, checker or checkerboard (however you want to call it) pattern, the answer is this:

• The check pattern just have two colors in it (think chess board).

  So if it’s a black and white check print, you’ll only see black and white alternating squares in the pattern.

• On the other hand, gingham looks like there are three colors. The third color is like a gradient or a combination of the other two – kind of like where the two colors are overlapping each other. So if it’s a black and white gingham print, you’ll see a black square, a white square, and a grayish or light black square (black and white combined).

I personally prefer the check pattern. But of course, I’m still gonna add my gingham Christmas decorations to the mix.

That way, I’m able to reuse and make the most out of my Christmas decor – which leads me to my tips as I share with you our holiday tablescape this year. Mind you, it’s a work in progress and I may use the truck there under the Christmas tree once I’ve set it up.

Holiday Tablescape

I present to you our Mackenzie Childs Courtly Check themed Holiday Tablescape! As you can see, I didn’t stick to just a one big centerpiece. I like to keep the centerpiece low and long so that it looks like it fills the table, but allows room for the plates and dishes, and more importantly, conversations.

Don’t mind the black vase at the end of the table. It’s our everyday vase on the table that I just leave on the side. Anyway, let’s get to the holiday decorating tips!

How To Stick To An Impactful Christmas Theme Without Going Overboard

When one thinks about a Christmas theme, it’s easy to get caught up with the idea of buying everything in that theme, color or pattern. Let’s say your Christmas theme this year is the color green.

You might get tempted to buy all things green – green table runner, candles, vases, even an all green garland! How about those green ceramic nutcracker soldiers I spotted at Target the other day that I shared on stories? A little too much! And if you do that year after year with different themes, you’re going to end up with a whole room full of Christmas decorations and that seems wasteful… unless of course you live in a mansion and have 15 spare rooms with an overflowing budget!

So below are some tips to help you manifest that Christmas theme without going overboard!

• Use metals, glass, wood, or seagrass/rattan for your grounding pieces.

  Think: candle holders, trays, Christmas figurines, etc. These pieces act as your base or holders/anchors. So you don’t need to get them in your Christmas color or pattern. That way, you can use them year after year, even on a daily basis.

  Take for example this brass candlestick holder – I use it year round. But it’s easy to make it on theme or on brand with the candlestick that I put in it. So if your theme is green, then you can just put a green candle in it. Then you can use it again next year with a different color/theme.

• Dig through your cabinets for fillers.

  Using the earlier example, if your Christmas theme is green, then go dig through your cabinets for anything green that can act as a filler. I’m talking pots, vases, plates, bowls – anything that can act as a filler on your tabletop decor or maybe for the fireplace mantel. You can use them for holiday floral decorations, to hold Christmas ornaments, candles, other small Christmas figurines. Above, I used little Mackenzie Childs herb pots that a good friend gave me one Christmas.

  To make it look “Christmasy”, I decided to fill it up with Christmas-themed chocolates which lead me to the next tip!

• Incorporate Christmas-themed candies or chocolates in your decor! This is an easy way to amplify your theme without being wasteful. How so? Because everyone will be sneaking in a piece or two.

  There’s nothing to store in storage bins after Christmas! The only problem is, it might be all gone before Christmas arrives. Haha! So for a green theme example, fill a jar or bowl you already have with green Kisses or Lindors.

  I’ve also used chocolates that come in candy cane containers as ornaments. And before our Christmas party ended, I told all the kids to grab the chocolates hanging on the tree. Nothing to store after that!

• Limit yourself to a handful of “wow” Christmas items that go with your theme but can also work with different colors for the next years. Take for example this snowman snow globe from Mackenzie Childs.

  It’s so fun, playful and just magical! Obviously it’s perfect for my check theme. But it will also go nicely with a white Christmas theme and classic Christmas colors. Using a non-traditional Christmas color theme?

  Tying a ribbon in that color at the base of the snow globe will work too!

• Ribbon is your best friend when sticking to a Christmas theme. It’s the easiest and most budget-friendly way to amplify a theme. Plus, it doesn’t take up much storage space. To amplify your theme, use it on your Christmas tree as a garland.

  You can also make a tree topper with it. Tie a ribbon on your candles with it. I’ve used it as a bow for my gold reindeer figurines. Use it on garlands and wreaths and then just change the ribbon color or print next year when you change your theme.

  And of course, using them in your gift boxes or gift bags under the tree will make a big impact!

• Speaking of garlands and wreaths, choose something more neutral or classic that you can spruce up year after year. I’ve used the garland above with different themes just by adding a themed-ribbon or small ornaments in line with my theme. That way, you don’t have to buy a new garland or wreath each year. Just add decor to it just like you would your Christmas tree!

Hope you enjoyed these tips.

Make sure to follow me on Instagram because I’m gonna be sharing more holiday tips and ideas over there!

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Thanks to Mackenzie Childs for providing the holiday decorations to create this Holiday Tablescape!

The post 2022 Christmas Decor Theme + Holiday Tablescape appeared first on STYLEANTHROPY.