Minimalist Christmas
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Find creative ideas and tips to embrace a Minimalist Christmas in your home! Add cozy charm and tradition without the overwhelming addition of too much of everything.
A minimalist Christmas is exactly what you hope it will be: a low stress, high impact way to embrace the holidays! Learn how to decorate minimally, while still keeping it all so warm and cozy.
This post was originally published December 2019, and updated with fresh content December 2021.
Christmas decorating adds so much warmth but it’s also easy to become consumed with the addition of holiday decor. On Christmas morning you’re sure to be consumed with joy, gift wrap and if you have young children, an abundance of toys!
Embracing these Minimalist Christmas tips can keep the stress to a minimum while allowing your holiday decor to shine! It’s especially nice when entertaining extended family and making the most of your existing space.
I love chatting with you about minimalist home design, and I’ve written about this lifestyle frequently throughout the years. You can even learn about how to begin simple living – an anchor of the minimalist movement!
If you love simple, charming touches of Christmas, don’t skip my Scandinavian Christmas decorations!
Table of Contents
Minimalist Christmas Decorating
Declutter
Before you start decorating, declutter! This will not only allow you to assess what you have to work with and prevent your home from becoming overwhelmed with stuff, but it will also allow your minimalist Christmas decor to shine!
You can get my decluttering checklist and tips here!
Paint
I would never suggest you paint over the holidays, but if you’re looking to prepare for next year, consider a neutral paint palette. It’s the ultimate way to enter a minimalist mindset at any time of year!
I use a variety of cream color paints to set the tone. They’re warm and inviting, but provide a blank canvas that transitions easily from one season to the next without adding more… a soft creamy backdrop always helps the rest of your items shine.
Replace
When possible, replace rather than add to your decor. What do I mean by this? Your wall art is the best example!
For example, replace art with a fresh wreath or replace a framed photograph with a Christmas card. You can also replace existing art with a free printable! Our Frame TV is another great way that we do this, because it’s a television that doubles as art – which means come Christmas, it’s a holiday showpiece over our mantel!
Everyday Essentials
Stock your home with everyday essentials like basic white dishes, standard glassware and neutral linens that can be mixed and matched with serve ware. They transition from one season to the next seamlessly with the addition of a centerpiece and organic element to garnish.
Source Your Home
Shop your home first! Consider alternative uses for items you already have.
Utilitarian Approach
If you’re adding something to your home, consider whether you’ll be able to later consume it or integrate it into your everyday decor. For example, one year I filled our fireplace with wood that was later burned.
Our platters hang on the wall and serve as decor when not in use. During the holidays, I add a swag to them to make them feel festive.
Use Fresh Greens
Use your fresh greens, they don’t require storage and can be composted. Find my favorite Pine Garland and Cedar Garland here.
…Or Faux
Of course, no matter how you feel about fresh greenery versus fake, there are times when faux just makes more sense.
When purchasing faux, select timeless garlands, wreaths and accessories. Learn more about holiday greenery here.
15 Minimalist Christmas Ideas
Minimalist Christmas Decor
Easy minimalist Christmas decor to integrate into your home for the holidays!
Adding something organic brings a room to life. Just a touch - or a twig makes the entire room feel festive!
Forage your yard to create a simple wreath by tying both ends together.
I love to change our “artwork” on our tv out seasonally. It just creates such a great focal point in a room and helps tie the rest of our decor together!
Once again, form + function + minimalist success story!
Make your presents feel fun, festive and beautiful, without the fuss this holiday season! These Christmas Gift Wrap ideas and tips make wrapping fun!
Use the same nail hole for a no fuss update.
Get all the magic of twinkling Christmas lights with none of the hassle of decorating a giant tree. A fairy light tree is sure to bring the magic this year – read on to see why!
Classic dinnerware including white or cream plates, clear glassware and neutral linens transition as the seasons do with a simple centerpiece, cinnamon stick or sprig of greenery.
Dried orange garland adds elegance and homemade charm to your traditional Christmas decor. It can be used on trees, over doorways, banisters and more! It’s perfect both indoors and out.
Replace a photograph or art with a Christmas tree printable. Find all my favorite Free Art Sources!
Gong faux? This minimalist Christmas tree is pre-lit and sparse. It's beautiful alone, with a simple star or a few ornaments!
So simple, so natural, and so charming! Nothing says “classic Christmas” like a homemade popcorn garland strung across a festive Christmas tree.
Learn how to make a popcorn garland of your own with this easy step-by-step tutorial.
Fill your home with things you can use later. That means decorating with utilitarian items like stacked firewood!
Celebrate the season with the addition of a charming wooden Advent calendar! Advent calendars fall under the minimalist category because they are both decorative and useful.
These sweet wood Advent calendars add a meaningful, nostalgic element to your Christmas celebrations.
Fairy lights add so much magic for minimal effort. Integrate them in a wreath, under furniture or draped around a window frame.
Candles ar eanother favorite staple in our home we use all year. They offer instant ambience. They can be moved from one room to another with ease going from stair decor to the table without effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the four gift rule for Christmas?
This rule of thumb is quite simple and can help simplify your Christmas. You’ll limit each person’s gifts to just five items: one gift they want, one gift they need, something to wear, and something to read.
How do you simplify Christmas?
First step: clean and declutter. Eliminate what you don’t need and organize the rest. Next, make lists and be prepared! Follow the four gift rule for holiday gifting. Focus on what’s important and a minimalist Christmas will be easier than you think!
How do minimalists decorate for holidays?
A true minimalist always begins with a clean slate!
1. This means cleaning and decluttering.
2. Replace artwork with decor, like a fresh wreath or free printables.
3. Use timeless everyday essentials that can transition for holidays.
4. Source your own home! Use pieces you already own that can create holiday flair without more clutter.
5. Use a utilitarian mindset. For example, firewood is cozy and gorgeous by your front door, your fireplace, etc… and can of course be used!
6. Fresh greenery is earth-friendly and doesn’t need to be stored after the holidays.
7. If you choose to purchase faux greenery, choose with care! High quality, timeless pieces are a much better investment for a minimalist Christmas aesthetic.
More Minimalist Christmas Decor Tips
- Replace a throw with a faux fur throw to make your home feel cozy for the holidays.
- Update pillow covers in your living room.
- Check out my creative Christmas ideas
I hope you enjoyed these ideas for keeping your Christmas warm and cozy, but also simple and minimalistic.
I’d love to hear from you! Are you a minimalist at Christmas? Or do you love to go all in every year?
Most on a Minimalist Lifestyle
- Minimalist Kitchen
- Minimalist Seasonal Decor
- How to Make Your Home Feel Warm and Cozy
- Minimalist Home
- Minimalist Aesthetic
- 5 Ways to Ease into a Minimalist Lifestyle
- Minimalist Fall Home
- Minimalist Design
Jeanne says
This post is an inspiration! Your home is lovely and makes me crave a more simple approach!
Julie Blanner says
Thank you, Jeanne!
Lisa says
A beautiful example of “Less is More” 🌲
Julie Blanner says
Thank you, Lisa!
Francie says
Pretty
Julie Blanner says
Thank you!
Karen Mary says
Oh, I absolutely love the simple Xmas decor you’ve shown us. So pretty and fresh and uncluttered. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
I love table setting, and last year I purchased all white dinnerware so that it would go with everything. It’s amazing how that one change has simplified our celebrations (we have lots of them at our home!). I change table linens and candles, and flowers. . . and the white plates are always still perfect.
Thanks for the other tips and the lovely blog!
Julie Blanner says
Thank you, Karen! Such a joy to entertain often…I’m glad you share my love for simplicity!
Pam says
Julie I love your home and light minimalist vibe. pretty is in!
Julie Blanner says
Thank you, Pam!