Holly Jolly: This Year's California-Inspired Holiday Decorations

Christmas trees are adorned with rose gold ornaments, tinsel, and garlands; green wreaths hang outside every door; outdoor Christmas lights brighten up the neighborhood; an extra dose of happiness seems to blow through the air as the hope of the holiday season settles across the state. So much joy and giving is associated with this (sometimes stressful) time of year, and holiday decorations bring the world to life.

But when it comes to California-inspired Christmas decorations, less is more. While it can be tempting to go all out—and try to match the grandiosity of Disney’s Christmas ornaments, garlands, and magic—the California home vibes are generally much more subtle. Neutral interiors are enhanced with farmhouse Christmas decor, a touch of metal, and intentionally placed greenery for a look that is entirely Californian. Here are other easy ways to get your home into the holiday spirit.

Hang A Jolly Christmas Wreath

Wreaths of all shapes and sizes seem to pop up around this time of year, but it’s all too easy to make them look like the holidays exploded. The California aesthetic is much more toned-down, so shop for a simple green wreath or a branch wreath for your outdoor Christmas decorations. It’s easier to add to a plain one than it is to take away from an overly busy one, so grab some maroon-colored flannel ribbon or a few neutral ornaments, and call it a day. 

Williams Sonoma has quite an impressive collection of lovely wreaths, both online and offline. Take a peek and you might find a beautifully crafted Christmas wreath that perfectly matches your interior’s aesthetic. We can see the Seeds and Berries Magnolia Wreath blending beautifully into almost any room!

Throw A Pillow On It

Throw pillows make some of the best holiday decorations because they are subtle enough to blend in with your everyday decor but festive enough to brighten up the mood. The trick to Christmas pillows (or any other holiday pillows) is to choose ones that complement your current environment without drawing too much attention. For example, a burlap pillow with a holiday saying on it would go perfectly with your rustic pieces, while a velvet pillow would fit in best with an upscale design. 

Trust Pottery Barn to have a large collection of holiday throw pillows that’ll lighten up any room. From bold and fun options like candy corn and peppermint to more understated designs like this embroidered star-shaped pillow, the options are many when it comes to fun holiday decorations at Pottery Barn.

Layer On The Christmas Garlands

While you might have a picture in your head of what garlands ought to be, the truth is they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. From beaded garlands to pine-branch garlands, the opportunities to get creative are endless with this fun Christmas ornament. Garlands are not only wonderful Christmas tree decorations, but also the perfect accent pieces for banisters and hearths; they can even spruce up your fiddle-leaf fig with a bit of holiday spirit. 

Ready to lay around a few garlands yourself? Allen’s Flower Market has your back. With stores both in Long Beach and Los Angeles, this family-owned flower store has a delightful range of garlands that’ll brighten every corner of your home from staircases to fireplaces.

Dancing Around The Christmas Tree (Skirt)

While the Christmas ornaments typically get all of the attention, a Christmas tree skirt is an integral part of the overall aesthetic. Particularly for artificial trees, the base can detract from the beauty of your meticulously decorated tree. To ensure your holiday decor reflects the California vibes, choose a neutral color for your skirt; faux fur, burlap, velvet, and similar textures make excellent choices.

Want to add a personalized touch to your Christmas tree decorations? Get your one-of-a-kind, hand-embroidered, wool tree skirt from Mark and Graham. Classic in style and coming in two colorways, this beautiful skirt will make an already joyous tree look even more jolly. You can write anything at the front end of the skirt—it can make for a special holiday gift as well.

Fill the DIY Christmas Stockings

Holiday decorations aren’t complete without good ol’ Christmas stockings hanging from the fireplace or staircase. Since they don’t take up space or invite too much attention, stockings are one of those Christmas decorations that you can go all out for. You can make a family activity out of assembling these holiday decorations and craft your own D.I.Y. stockings—everyone can add a personal touch to their individual stockings.

If you don’t have enough time to sit and make the stocking yourself—or if you don’t have enough patience to have your kitchen table covered in glue, glitter, and sequins—then you’ll be glad to know the options available online are seemingly endless. Check out the variety at Pottery Barn Kids for funky coordinating stockings for the whole fam. Want your stocking to stand out amidst the holiday decorations? You’ll find more unique options there as well.

Light Candles That’ll Get You in the California Holiday Spirit

Why just satisfy one of your senses during the holiday season when you can satisfy all? Don’t undermine how big of a difference holiday candles can make when you incorporate them into your Christmas decorations. Add a little pumpkin spice here and a bit of gingerbread cookie there and you’ll feel the Christmas spirit right away in every room you enter.

Voluspa has an impressive seasonal collection of holiday candles that are as beautifully packaged as they are fragrant. From nostalgic crushed candy cane scents to elegant white cypress aromas, the lovely holiday candles at Voluspa will take your Holiday decorations to the next level.

When it comes down to it, California holiday decorations are all about celebrating the season and the natural wonders of the state. Incorporating greenery, hanging glass ornaments, and filling the fireplace with logs and candles will bring the California aesthetic to any space. 

Comment below with the California-inspired holiday decorations you’re using this year.