10 Holiday Decorating Shortcuts I Swear By

Holiday decorating used to feel like a huge task on my to-do list, one that I approached with more nerves than excitement. As a wife and mom, my biggest wish has always been to create a space where my family and any guests feel the warmth and joy of the season as soon as they step through our door.

Through trial, error, and a lot of simplifying, I’ve found ways to make decorating fun and a whole lot easier. I’m excited to share 10 of my favorite holiday decorating tips with you. Let’s make your home merry and bright, the easy way.

Wrap Gifts with a Green Twist

I’m always looking for ways to be mindful about waste, especially during the holidays when it tends to pile up. Instead of traditional wrapping paper, I’ve started using old gift bags.

It feels good to give a gift that’s wrapped beautifully and sustainably. Plus, it saves you a bit of money. You can also use plain paper bags and dress them up with natural decorations like pine sprigs or dried orange slices.

Simplify Your Tree Lighting

Ever tried stringing your Christmas tree lights vertically? It sounded odd to me at first, but trust me, it’s a total time-saver. Just hang the lights from the top to the bottom in straight lines instead of wrapping them around.

This way, every inch gets evenly lit, and when the season’s over, removing them is a breeze—no more wrestling with tangled lights and branches.

Balance Your Holiday Decor Efforts

Decorating for the holidays should add warmth and cheer, not stress and exhaustion. So, let’s keep it realistic. Pick a few favorite spots to decorate and some pieces that make you smile.

This way, you can enjoy the process and the results without feeling like you’ve turned your home into an overwhelming project. It’s about making memories, not just making a magazine-worthy display.

Protect Your Bannisters with Wax Paper

When you’re wrapping those bannisters with garlands, a neat little hack is to lay down some wax paper first. This simple step protects your beautiful wood from scratches caused by the wire in the garlands. Just cut small pieces and tuck them under the garland where it touches the wood.

The best part? You can’t even see the wax paper, but it’s there working hard to keep your bannisters pristine. 

Test Holiday Lights Before Decorating

Before you start draping those strands of lights around your tree or along the mantel, save yourself the hassle of dealing with half-lit strings by using a light tester. These handy gadgets are a game-changer, allowing you to quickly identify and fix any issues with bulbs without having to test each one individually. Investing a little time in checking your lights can prevent that frustrating mid-decorating light outage.

Secure Your Decorations with Zip-Ties

For a hassle-free way to hang your holiday decor, reach for some zip-ties. They’re perfect for securing garlands on railings, stringing lights along fences, or attaching wreaths to the backs of chairs. Zip-ties are sturdier and less fussy than floral wire, and when the season’s over, you just need a quick snip to take everything down.

Layer Garlands for a Luxe Look

Start your holiday decorating with a simple, inexpensive garland as your foundation—something with bendable branches works perfectly. Build it up by adding layers of richer, textured garlands or sprigs of varied greenery. This strategy beefs up a basic garland, giving it a custom, luxurious appearance that feels both personal and professional.

Focus on High-Impact Areas

Keep your holiday decorating focused and manageable by concentrating on the most visible areas of your home. This might be the Christmas tree, the entryway, or the fireplace mantel. Decorating just these key spots can make the whole house feel festive and fully adorned, and it’s much easier on your schedule and your sanity!

Smart Wreath Mounting

To hang your wreath without leaving any marks on your door, try using removable plastic hooks. Forget about nailing anything or using sticky tape that peels off the paint.

A clever trick is to attach an upside-down Command hook on the inside of your door. Then, you can loop your wreath’s ribbon or some sturdy fishing line over the hook, and gently drape it over to the front.

This way, your festive wreath is displayed beautifully without any damage to your door, and it’s just as easy to remove when the season ends.

Swap to Easy-Clip Ornaments

Ditch those fiddly wire hooks that come with your Christmas tree ornaments. Instead, grab some plastic-coated paper clips. They’re not only stronger but also easier to handle and won’t scratch your precious decorations.

You can even keep them on the ornaments when it’s time to pack away, saving you the hassle next year. Use larger clips for easy handling, or the smaller sizes if you prefer something that blends in more discreetly.