8 Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas That Take 5 Minutes or Less

Amidst the hustle of gift shopping and preparing the grand feast, who has the luxury of spending days on end decorating their home for the holidays? However, forgoing decorations might earn you the label of a modern-day Scrooge. So, what’s the perfect compromise? Spruce up your space with these quick and effortless holiday decorating ideas that can be set up in less than 5 minutes (no joke!).

It doesn’t take much—simple gestures like adorning stair railings with hanging ornaments and infusing a festive aroma using cinnamon sticks are all it takes to give your home that holiday charm. Check out our top picks for quick, under-5-minute ways to create a festive atmosphere for Christmas.

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1) Deck the Doorways

Enhance the entrance of your home by embellishing the main doorway with illuminated stars, snowflakes, or strings of bulb lights. This elegant concept introduces a delightful radiance to your living space and maintains a subtle quality that allows it to endure beyond the holiday season.

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2) Beautify a Bar Cart

Infuse seasonal flair into your bar cart by incorporating touches such as metallic accents and a vase filled with winter flowers or foliage. Even a simple bouquet from the local grocery store can do the trick! Keep glasses and all the necessities for fundamental cocktails readily available, allowing guests to serve themselves—eliminating the need for you to take on the role of bartender.

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3) Create a Makeshift Mantel

Don’t have a fireplace? No worries. Utilize open shelving as a substitute for a mantel, just like the Emily Henderson Design team did in this instance. Organize decorative elements—consider small trees, string lights, snow globes, or flameless candles—and delicately hang stockings from the bookshelves.

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4) Step It Up

Even if you’ve decided against decorating a complete tree this year, you can showcase some cherished ornaments. Suspend your most captivating decorations from elegant ribbons in various areas of your home, including adorning the staircase.

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5) Bundles of Joy

Experiment with adding an unexpected touch to your Christmas tree, such as a cluster of aromatic cinnamon sticks. Another creative idea is to place fresh cinnamon sticks in a bowl, offering a straightforward and do-it-yourself twist on the classic potpourri.

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6) Sunken Treasure

While it’s commonly known that poinsettias can sometimes come across as clichéd, they also have the potential to make a refined and sophisticated statement. The key is to elevate their presentation by removing them from their standard foil-lined pots and placing them into elegant vases.

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7) Take a Bow

Here’s a perfect way to repurpose those vibrant store-bought bows you’ve been holding onto every year—a fun and kid-friendly project, too! Grab a simple paper plate, cut out the center, and attach bows all around to craft a charming wreath.

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8) Window Dressing

Holiday decorating goes beyond the usual tree and mantel—think about utilizing window ledges and vacant bookshelves as well. Here are some suggestions to kickstart your creativity:

1. Arrange pine boughs in a sizable vase and hang several ornaments on them for a festive touch.

2. Fill vintage jars with pistachio nuts, winterberries, or red peppercorns, and place a tealight on top for a warm and seasonal display.

3. Embrace a seashore theme by gathering an assortment of starfish, adorning them with a simple red string for a unique and coastal-inspired decoration.

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