30+ Sophisticated Christmas Decorating Ideas

Create a luxe holiday home with 30 sophisticated Christmas decorating ideas to deck your halls!

The holidays don’t have to be gaudy to be full of cheer. These tips will help craft a beautiful holiday home with upscale Christmas décor ideas that reflect your personality and is a delight for your guests!

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1. Small Evergreen Tree In A Planter Pot

Whether you are doing a traditional faux tree or a real potted evergreen, add style by placing it in a basket or an oversized planter pot.

Take it even further by adding a small tree to every main room in the house. One can be the primary tree in the living room, and smaller “planted” trees can go in the dining room, foyer, and some mini ones on the kitchen counter.

2. Velvet Ribbons

Velvet has a classic vintage charm that is a nod to the old world, but incredibly luxe in any timeframe. Ribbons can be used as streamers, tied in bows and hung from a wreath, or even used to tie Christmas ornaments to hang from the tree. Tessa Foley created the most lovely Christmas scene starting with her front door.

See how Tessa Foley created her stunning triple bow wreath here>>

SHOP | The perfect velvet ribbons

3. Elegant Gift Wrap

Remember that the gifts sitting under the tree are as much part of the design as the tree itself. Maison de Pax shows us how to wrap photo-worthy gifts that will add to the decorated tree beautifully, and make the receiver feel incredibly lucky!

Shop each of these lovely options over on Maison de Pax>>

Shop other beautiful gift wrap options>>

4. Mini Gold Wreaths

These adorable little gold wreaths by Sincerely Marie would be stunning on a Christmas tree or on individual gifts. Perfect for that bit of sparkle and sophisticated design.

Learn how to make these wreaths here at Sincerely Marie Designs>>

SHOP | Lookalike mini gold wreath

5. Dipped Taper Candles

Candles are a quintessential holiday staple. The warm glow, the lovely scents, the ambiance…

And nothing says sophisticated like metallic dipped candles! Oleander & Palm discovered an easy way to get the look for less.

See how easy it is to get this look over at Oleander & Palm>>

SHOP | White taper candles

6. Luxe Christmas Nutcrackers

The Navage Patch came up with a really beautiful antique gold nutcracker dupe, inspired by Arhaus. It is a much more trendy version than the red suited nutcracker of the past.

Learn how to get this look over on Navage Patch blog here>>

SHOP | Unpainted Wood Nutcrackers

7. DIY Coffee Filter Holiday Stars

Hanging snowflakes and holiday stars can be incredibly elegant when done right.

Amy of Delineate Your Dwelling shares how to make the prettiest holiday stars out of plain old coffee filters!

Learn how to make these coffee filter holiday stars here>>

8. Eucalyptus Garland

Who says you have to use pine boughs? Anastasia from The Interior Collective shows off a stunning Eucalyptus garland on her stair rail that makes us all realize just how refined it can be!

Tour (and shop) The Interior Collective’s entire holiday home here>>

9. Unique Christmas Decor Accessories

Look for those whimsical pieces that add personality and charm! For example, these stylish deer antlers discovered by EH Design are perfect for an elegant Christmas fireplace, and so unique!

Check out EH design’s holiday home finds here>>

10. Oversized Fur, Velvet, or Satin Christmas Stocking

Velvet Christmas stockings exude a luxurious feel with soft textures, while satin stockings add a lustrous sheen to your holiday display. These materials not only elevate the overall aesthetic but also create a sense of opulence.

11. Natural Elements

As far as I’m concerned, pinecones, orange slices, and berries are naturally elegant Christmas decorating ideas to incorporate. Zhush up your pine cones with gold spray paint and glitter for a glam look, and hang orange slices on a tree or wreath.

Check out Nest of Posies nature inspired mantel and shop each item>>

12. Textured Christmas Tree Ornaments

Christmas tree decor can be full of family memories as well as style.

To create an elegant Christmas tree, turn ornament making into a family past time! You can use a tree decor kit with your family, or make DIY ornaments that have that high end look using this tutorial from Miss Jessica Nicole.

Learn how to make DIY textured ornaments>>

13. Sleigh Bells (aka Cow Bells)

Just about every Christmas song talks about jingling bells, so what would the season be without the natural elegance of bells?!

Place bells on your tree, hanging from velvet ribbon across doorways, and add them to your wreaths as shown here by Modern Glam blog.

Learn how Modern Glam created this pretty wreath>>

SHOP | A lookalike of this wreath with bells

14. Plaid Style

A bit of green and blue plaid material has that handsome Ralph Lauren look! Use plaid ribbon, plaid ornaments, or plaid wrapping paper to achieve this look as beautifully demonstrated by Craftberry Bush.

Tour this entire space by Craftberry Bush here>>

Of course we can’t forget the king of plaid, Ralph Lauren, as an incredible inspiration.

Shop Ralph Lauren inspired holiday home items here>>

15. Luxurious Table Setting

When it comes to creating a luxurious table setting for the holidays, gold or crystal candle holders and delicate china are a must-have. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner party or a cozy family gathering, incorporating these elements into your table decor will instantly elevate the ambiance of your space.

LMG Event Co showcases the most beautiful layered Christmas tablescape>>

16. Gilded Frames & Mirrors

For a sophisticated look consider adorning your mantel and walls with opulent gilded frames and mirrors. It reflects twinkling lights back giving the illusion of a more full and decorated space.

17. Fresh Greenery

Entertain in style by adding fresh greenery to your Christmas dinner table. It doesn’t have to be the traditional evergreens to have a Christmas vibe…

Learn how to add fresh greenery to your holiday tablescape here>>

18. Evergreen Boughs

Go ahead and deck your halls with boughs and lots of foliage.

Evergreens are essential Christmas fireplace decorations, but in truth, a good bough can go anywhere! Place it as part of your Christmas centerpiece, draped on a sconce, or across any window and doorway like Jenna Sue does in her home!

Tour Jenna Sue Design’s holiday home tour and see all the ways she incorporates evergreens>>

19. Gold Dipped Ornaments

Add some ornaments that have a bit of gold sparkle to them for a more glam look. Either go with ornaments that have a shimmery finish for a bright gold look, or make your own gold dipped ornaments and fill them with classy finds like pearls.

Learn how to make these gold dipped ornaments here>>

20. Glamorous Chandeliers & Sconces

When it comes to creating a glamorous ambiance during the holiday season, chandeliers and sconces are the perfect choice.

While this is obviously a long-term fixture, it is never quite as enchanting as it is during the holidays! The light glistens through the crystals on a chandelier and the prism creates the perfect magical glow for dining room Christmas decorating!

21. Crystal Candlestick Holders

The shimmering glow of the candles in the crystal holders adds an elegant touch to any table.

See more of Botanic Bleu’s beautiful tablescape with crystal candlestick holders>>

22. Glass Garland Fillers

A jeweled garland is the perfect glamorous filler for an evergreen garland, a floral centerpiece, or it can stand alone. Typically made from glass bits, beads, or something that adds that extra shimmer!

23. Ornate Vases or Urns With Fresh Flowers or Foliage

Make a statement with an ornate vase or an antique urn like The Velvet Boxwood did. There are endless possibilities to match your desired aesthetic, just choose a statement vessel that stands out. Pair stunning vases and urns with foliage, candles, and ornaments. Or go with seasonal flowers, such as poinsettias, amaryllis, or roses, to create a truly breathtaking display!

See more stunning arrangements by The Velvet Boxwood here>>

24. Mercury Glass

Mercury glass votives, ornaments, or mirrors lend themselves to an old world high society vintage look that is delightfully charming!

Read the source article from Lakaskultura>>

25. Evergreen Houseplants

If Christmas tree decorating isn’t your thing, opt for pine tree “houseplants” instead. Because they need plenty of sun, they should only be kept indoors for the few holiday weeks of December, then moved into a planter on the patio.

Tour my holiday home here>>

26. Elegant Wreaths From Fresh Greenery (But Faux Is Fine Too!)

Simple elegant Christmas wreaths crafted from fresh greenery are the perfect addition to any sophisticated Christmas decor. This is a great way to bring a touch of natural beauty to your holiday decorations.

Go with an extra large wreath to fill up a wall like in Ashley’s home below, or go for small mini wreaths to hang on windows and shelf fronts.

Tour Ashley of Bigger Than The Three of Us minimalist holiday home>>

27. Go For A Neutral Color Palette On The Holiday Decorations

Just because the mythical Santa Claus is bright red doesn’t mean your entire Christmas living room has to be. For a sophisticated design, go with muted colors and moody tones for the holiday decorations themselves. Then bring in color through accents like pillows, and the room staples!

And just in case you think neutral means only white…think again! It also incorporates tones from deep muted blues, browns, and a variety of earth tones as seen on the Chris Loves Julia blog.

Tour Chris Loves Julia’s earthy holiday home here>>

28. Holiday Bar Cart

Style a bar cart with luxe Christmas decor, evergreens, a mini tree, and load it down with presents! This is a great option if you don’t have a fireplace mantle for stockings. You can hang a stocking from the bar cart, or even place your small stocking gifts on the cart itself.

29. Outdoor Holiday Style Ideas

We often remember to decorate the front porch, and hang lights from the house, but why not create an entire outdoor holiday seating area?

The warmth of a crackling fire, roasting marshmallows and drinking hot drinks… Courtney of French Country Cottage knows that these are what Christmas cheer and memories are made of!

Tour French Country Cottage’s outdoor holiday setup>>

30. Replace Art With Holiday Themed Artwork

The key to upscale Christmas decorating while on a budget is to get creative with your decorating ideas. Instead of buying holiday artwork, print off some holiday images, then use a bit of sparkly washi tape to adhere them on the outside of your existing framed artwork!

It takes only a minute, and you’ve got an entire Christmas decorating collection of artwork!

Discover 20+ budget friendly DIY Christmas decorations and ideas here>>

31. Potted Floral Arrangements That Last All Season

A floral centerpiece can add true elegance and panache to a dinner table or vignette, but they fade after just a week. Make an upscale potted floral arrangement with seasonal plants and flowers for a lasting arrangement.

Learn how to make a growing floral arrangement here>>

The Key To Sophisticated Christmas Decor

The real key to achieving that high-end holiday look is incorporating luxurious textures and colors. Use upscale materials (or fake the look!), and layer layer layer! This will help you achieve that desired elegant luxe Christmas decorating style!

Looking for even more inspiration and elegant Christmas decorating ideas?

Find more inspiration for holiday decorating via my Pinterest holiday board!

But, remember the true objective of the holidays…

At the end of the day, your holiday home style should reflect you and your family, and bring true holiday cheer to your heart. If trying to achieve the perfect color scheme isn’t lending itself to your Christmas spirit, then it isn’t worth it. Do what leaves you feeling stress-free and happy!