20 Minute Decorating: Christmas Shelf Decor
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Easy ideas for Christmas shelf decor that can be accomplished in 20 minutes or less. Includes festive pops of red, boxwood wreaths, ribbon, ironstone pitchers, and more!
Welcome to the last edition of 20 Minute Decorating for 2020! This year has been full of surprises and challenges. We hope that our monthly posts have provided not only easy decor inspiration, but also a respite from everything going on in the world. Thanksgiving is behind us, and we can finally turn our full attention to Christmas. I kicked off our Christmas decor with the front porch, and it continues now with the shelves in our living room.
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Christmas Shelf Decor Tip
Here is the key to easily changing the look of these shelves for the seasons: the base accessories are all neutral in color. All the pitchers and the lanterns are a creamy off-white. The dough bowl adds a rustic touch, but is also a neutral color. This makes it so simple to add the colors of the season, without completely reinventing the wheel.
Over the years, I’ve had many questions about the pitcher collection, how I started, and how to put one together. My best advice is to simply collect what you love. None of my pitchers are expensive or valuable. They have been picked up at places like HomeGoods and TJMaxx, thrift stores, and antique malls. I also roam around Etsy and eBay occasionally to see what’s available. The pitcher collection is a mixture of cream and white. Some are plain, and some are embossed. They mostly live on our shelves and in our china cabinets…but they are also used to display fresh flowers. I like to think of the pitchers as a working collection. They are functional and beautiful at the same time.
You can see how the dough bowl looked for fall {HERE.} To switch it over to Christmas, I emptied it, and added faux greenery. The greenery is left-over bits and pieces that I’ve collected over the years. The striped ball ornaments provide that much-needed and festive pop of red, plus a good amount of texture.
For an unexpected touch, I hung mini boxwood wreaths from the shelves with red striped ribbon. I simply used scotch tape to stick the ribbon to the shelves. Behind the wreaths, I placed three Mod Podge terra cotta pots filled with round red ornaments. I left the existing pitchers, lanterns, and other accessories in place. From start to finish, this festive Christmas shelf decor update took 15 minutes.
The only new addition to this Christmas shelf decor is the striped ball ornaments. They were a budget-friendly option I picked up at Hobby Lobby. The terra cotta pots were a DIY project. I already had the ribbon, mini boxwood wreaths, greenery, and red ball ornaments. So not only was this update quick, it was inexpensive.
Christmas Shelf Decor Sources
- mini boxwood wreaths
- striped ribbon
- red striped ornaments – no longer available online
- assorted red ornaments
- long dough bowl
- ivory tufted chair
- Christmas tree pillow covers – limited availability
- Mod Podge terra cotta pots
- white candle lanterns (similar)
- small tabletop tree
- large tabletop tree
- striped Ohio Pottery bowl
Now that we’re officially in Christmas mode, I’ll be sharing some more decor ideas, new gift tags, a pomegranate drink recipe, and a few other surprises. As I write this, the first snow of the season is gently falling outside, and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Blessings to you all.
Now it’s time to see the Christmas inspiration my friends are sharing!
Shabbyfufu | How To Make New Christmas Ornaments Look Vintage
Maison de Cinq | Five Quick & Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas
StoneGable | Use What You Have Christmas Arrangement
Designthusiasm | Christmas Porch and Entry Foyer
On Sutton Place | Christmas Shelf Decor
In My Own Style | DIY Christmas Ornament Lamp Finial
Your Christmas shelf transition is so festive. I particularly adore the staggered hanging mini wreaths!
Thanks for providing lovely diversions and respite from the outside world all year long.
Your tweaking of the Christmas shelf is perfect. Good job.
The older I get, the more I love simplicity in decorating.Your living room looks lovely.I love the tree pillows !
I love this post. So pretty! What did you use as a filler for the small Christmas tree? Thanks!
Hi Ashley…the filler is little pinecones!
Thank you Ann!
Love your post!!! Must have had my head in the clouds had not noticed your new banner on the home page. As usual you knocked it out of the park. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must comment your little MP pots add something special to your shelves this year, so pretty!
I love this quick idea. It is so lovely. Now that I’m n my mid 70’s I’m learning easier ways to decorate. (I guess I’m a slow learner.😀 ) Like your idea of decorating what stays there all year and not putting everything away so you have it all to bring back along with putting Christmas decorations away.
Your posts are some of my favorites. You are a great inspiration! Thank you.