21 Quick and Simple Cottage Christmas Decor Ideas to Try

Do you get overwhelmed when you start thinking about winter decor ideas? I’ll show you 21 quick and simple cottage Christmas decor ideas to help put you in the holiday spirit and get you started on decorating for the winter holidays.

There seems to be a difference of opinion when it comes to the timing of putting out your holiday decorations. I grew up thinking that you were not allowed to decorate for Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.

I never questioned it. That’s what my mom did, and that’s what her mom did.

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But something happened to make me question my entire life’s winter holiday decorating philosophy. I was introduced to the world of blogging and social media. And everything I ever thought I knew went right out the door.

I felt like a serious slacker. There were these influencers (I didn’t know what an influencer was at the time) who were putting up their Christmas trees, and it wasn’t even Halloween yet.

When Should You Decorate for Christmas?

When do you decorate for Christmas? I no longer have a strict rule about this. I go with the flow and make decisions on timing depending on what’s going on in my life. Sometimes I wait until right before Thanksgiving. Other years I start decorating for Christmas the first week in November.

Don’t worry about what other people are doing. You have permission to be your own decision-maker when it comes to winter holiday decorating.

Don’t you feel better? I know I do!

What is Cozy Cottage Style?

Cottage-style home decor brings both charm and warmth to any space. When it comes to cottage Christmas decorating, there are no rules. I’m all about the relaxed and comfy vibe of this style of home decor.

Simplicity and rustic elements are key components. Natural materials, such as wood, burlap, and pinecones, take center stage, adding to the rustic charm of the setting.

The ease of Cottage Christmas decor includes simple wreaths, homemade ornaments, and cozy blankets.

21 Simple Cottage Christmas Decorations for Every Room

I’m so excited about what the holiday season has to offer.

Whether it’s listening to Christmas music, watching the glow of twinkle lights, or smelling cookies baking in the oven, there’s so much to look forward to.

But sometimes it’s easy to get overwhelmed when thinking about all that goes into the winter holidays.

So let me make it a little easier on you. I’ll take the load off of the Christmas decor stress with these 21 quick and simple ideas to start decorating for the winter holidays.

1. Christmas Cottage Decor for Open Shelves

Starting your holiday decorating is as easy as adding greenery, pinecones, and jars full of candy canes, marshmallows, and hot cocoa mix to your shelves for a festive touch.

The open shelving in my kitchen is my favorite space to play with. And because I am a little crazy about Christmas, I’ll most likely change out the shelves a few times during the season.

Cottage Christmas decor can include vintage collections such as Santa mugs and ironstone dishware that look great displayed on my shelves.

2. Add Festive Mini Christmas Trees

This is a no-brainer for me when it comes to winter holiday decorating. “MINI” is a word we use a lot around our 1600-square-foot home. And these smaller Christmas trees are no exception.

You can basically find a small tree in every room in my cozy cottage once I finish Christmas decorating.

I place Christmas trees in baskets, crocks, galvanized buckets…the list goes on and on. Some have only twinkle lights. Others are filled with Christmas ornaments. Some are just beautifully bare.

3. Light Holiday Scented Candles

Candles put me in such a good mood! I’m talking lots of candles! I have my Antique Candle Co. candles lit ALL the time.

4. Display Garlands for Cottage Christmas Decorating

Whether you put up faux or fresh green garland, this is a decor item staple when it comes to cottage-style winter holiday decorating. It makes any room look festive and fabulous.

The garland shown above is a bay leaf garland that was purchased at Pottery Barn years ago and is no longer available. Eucalyptus, magnolia leaves, or evergreen garlands are all perfect choices for cottage Christmas decor.

I always love wrapping garland around our pot rack for a little extra Christmas spirit.

5. Add Natural Greenery to Anything

This is my favorite way to decorate for Christmas. You can pretty much take a walk outside with your clippers and find a bundle of fresh greenery.

Living in the Pacific Northwest makes it very easy to gather greenery for cottage Christmas decor.

Of course, if you don’t have fresh greenery available or you want it to last throughout the entire winter season, you can go with an artificial greenery option.

Faux branches and stems look so realistic nowadays. The greenery wrapped around the pendant lights in my kitchen is actually faux mini wreath napkin holders.

6. Use Holiday Pillows for Cozy Cottage Christmas Decor

Bring out the decorative Christmas pillows for some added cozy winter decor.

I usually keep my pile of pillows more on the neutral side when winter holiday decorating, mixing in a few holiday pillows here and there.

7. Pick Up Some Pretty Plaids for the Holidays

Add some pretty plaids to the holiday decor mix for a pop of color and interest.

Whether you find your plaids from cloth napkins, ornaments, or throws, they are a truly traditional cottage Christmas decor favorite.

If you want to decorate with a more neutral color palette for Christmas, you can easily find plaids with creams, grays, and tans.

8. Hang a Cottagecore Christmas Wreath

Another easy way to decorate for Christmas is to hang a wreath on a wall, on the front door, above a fireplace mantel, or on a mirror. There are so many different possibilities when it comes to a wreath during the holidays.

Whether you make a DIY wreath or buy one at your favorite store, wreaths are a holiday decor favorite.

You can see the fresh magnolia wreath with dried oranges I made a couple of years ago for the winter holidays in the picture above.

Go festive and fabulous or choose a simple wreath. How about some rustic jingle bells to get you in the mood? Or a more basic version with eucalyptus, olive branch, or boxwood.

You can even add a pop of color with a wreath full of red berries.

Putting a wreath on a range hood in the kitchen is a great idea to add some holiday cheer.

9. Wooden Dough Bowls for the Win

No matter what season you’re in wooden dough bowls are the perfect way to display your favorite home decor.

Fill a bowl with Christmas ornaments, greener, and some pine cones for a simple and easy holiday vignette.

10. Display Rustic Reindeer Christmas Decor

For a rustic cottage holiday vibe, bring on the reindeer decor.

I love my reindeer head and have had so many compliments, especially after I dressed her up with a scarf. Sadly, I don’t remember where I found her.

11. Dress Up Your Vintage Sled

Bring in your vintage sled and dress it up with greenery, ice skates, or even a plaid scarf.

These cottage Christmas decor items make a big statement and are so easy to add to the holiday mix.

12. Create a Christmas Masterpiece with Glass Cloches

Whether you create a village with faux snow, fill it with Christmas ornaments, or place dishes or bowls inside, glass cloches are a festive way to decorate for the winter holidays.

Go one step further and place a wreath in the center of the glass cloche for even more interest.

13. Show Off a Christmas Vintage Vignette

If you visit my blog regularly you know that I am a big-time vintage lover. I never really appreciated vintage decor until we moved into our 1920 home. Now it seems like a natural fit.

Our living room coffee table is always decorated with vintage books, ornaments, and candlesticks.

Whether it’s a vintage scale, wicker picnic basket, ironstone, or copper accessories, I love displaying my favorite finds from flea markets and thrift stores.

Show them off on shelves, the dining room table, and kitchen countertops during the Christmas and winter holidays.

14. Fill Your Creative Containers for the Holidays

A galvanized bucket is such a fun way to show off greenery, seasonal flowers, and even smaller Christmas trees.

Place your favorite small Christmas tree inside an oversized basket hanging on the wall for a creative look.

15. Silver Accessories and Mercury Glass for a Classic Look

Bring out the vintage silver trays, bowls, trophy cups, and silverware for the holidays.

Silver accessories make such a beautiful statement and are the perfect cottage Christmas decor.

Mercury glass bowls, candle holders, and ornaments give your holiday vignettes a classic and timeless feel.

16. Bottle Brush Trees Make a Big Statement

Little things can make a big statement.

I love the look of several small bottle brush trees displayed together. Add them to Christmas villages or add just one to a small container or Santa mug.

17. Hang Your Stockings with Care

Dress up your Christmas stockings with ribbon, greenery, and even bells.

Berries and dried oranges are another great addition to your stockings.

Christmas stockings don’t have to be hung from a fireplace. Be creative when using them as cottage Christmas decor.

18. Bring the Outdoors Inside with Natural Elements

Creating a simple centerpiece of seasonal greenery and flowers for the kitchen table is a perfect choice when it comes to bringing natural elements from the outdoors inside.

It can be as easy as cutting rosemary from the garden and adding it to a mason jar filled with water. Not only does it look pretty in the kitchen but your space will smell amazing.

19. Use Seasonal Fruit and Nuts as Kitchen Decor

Displaying pomegranates and nuts in a bowl is one of the easiest ways to decorate your home for the holidays.

Dried oranges are another great way to spruce up any area for Christmas.

And when you use them both for a traditional Christmas tablescape, you have a charming centerpiece.

20. Thinking of Ornaments as Christmas Decor

There is so much more you can do with your ornaments other than hanging them from your Christmas tree.

I tend to take my extra Christmas ornaments that are left from the tree trimming and place them in wooden dough bowls and vintage wood crates.

You can also hang them from chandeliers and use them to decorate your wrapped gifts for the season.

21. Brighten Up Your Festive Mood with Twinkle Lights

Spreading fairy lights around your home will give your space an ambiance full of warmth and whimsy during this Christmas holiday season.

We may have cold weather on the outside but twinkle lights will make the inside of your home cozy and warm.

I hope you’ve found some of these cottage Christmas decor ideas inspiring. They are simple ways to bring warmth, charm, and coziness to any space in your home.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may enjoy holiday decor ideas.

Until next time,

Happy Decorating!

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