Creative Holiday Decorating Ideas

Give your home a handmade holiday look with creative ideas from style expert Matthew Mead's latest book Matthew Mead's Holiday. The 256-page book features timeless projects from this year and years past. Get inspired to create your own family traditions with simple decorations for Christmas and winter — here we feature 10 of our favourite photos from the book. Stationery designer and blogger Debra Norton of Vintage Paper Parade collaborated with Matthew on a Scandinavian-inspired story for the book, and describes some of the rooms seen in the gallery, too.

Chalkboard Christmas Tree

Add small cuts of greenery in glass candle holders for an inexpensive winter touch.

"Vignettes are a simple way to add holiday decor to your home," says stationery designer Debra Norton of Vintage Paper Parade. Here, "a roll of twine, a spool wrapped with beads, fresh greenery and an old slate add interest."

DIY Yarn-Wrapped Christmas Tree

Pretty pinks and golds combine for a feminine holiday look.

"Blogger Debbie Dusenberry of A Curious Sofa took a fallen tree and wrapped it in yarn creating a stunning holiday decoration for an entryway," says Debra Norton. "A mixed collection of ornaments adorns its wooly branches."

Icy Blue & White Holiday Table Decor

Set out sweet treats in colours coordinated with your home's holiday theme.

"Here, a fresh, modern holiday table is set for an annual dessert party in the home of Holiday with Matthew Mead executive editor Linda MacDonald," says Debra.

Holiday Kraft Paper Gift Wrap

Instead of placing gifts under the tree, display and stack several on a tabletop or a shelf.

Matthew bound his gifts with velvet ribbon, fresh greenery and gold-painted wood emblems.

Farmhouse Entryway Holiday Vignette

Consider a rustic country look.

"A mixture of fragrant greenery, galvanized steel watering cans, wrapped packages and touches of gold create a charming welcome spot with a nod to the past," says Debra.

Tabletop Christmas Tree Alternative

Bring to life a winter wonderland with an all-white Christmas tree.

Darryl Moland of The Decorated Tree blog anchored a paper-wrapped wire twig tree in a metal vase filled with faux snow. Ornaments fill the branches, including folded paper stars and tinsel icicles.

Holiday-Ready Desk

Stick to a simple red-and-white theme for classic Christmas charm.

Matthew created a dedicated space for gift-wrapping and writing holiday cards. "Elements such as the painted window frame in a festive colour add architectural interest as well as holiday cheer," says Debra. "Matthew likes to display rolls of pretty wrapping paper and handmade paper ornaments."

Fallen Branch Christmas Tree

On a dining table, place tree branches in a vase or pot as an alternative Christmas tree.

"Matthew loves to use found objects in his holiday decor," says Debra. Decorated with simple paper ornaments, it's a vignette anyone can create.

Nordic-Inspired Winter Living Room

Celebrate this holiday season with a fondue party.

Debra collaborated with Matthew to create a Scandinavian-inspired holiday. "The decor theme includes wood, fresh greenery and pops of red against layers of whites," says Debra.

Mini Christmas Tree

Use scrap fabric like velvet to wrap a plant pot and keep it in place with ribbon.

Live in a small space? Place a small tree atop a table. Classic glass ornaments and paper flower ornaments work well in the home of blogger Stefanie Schiada of Brooklyn Limestone.

Source: House & Home