How to Decorate for the Holidays: A Modern Christmas Guide
Published
The season of clinking glasses and lively dinners is almost here: friends at the door, family around the table, and the holiday spirit warming every room. Start your planning now and you will have more time to enjoy the holiday season. To decorate for the holidays, we recommend focusing on three places: the tree, the table where you gather, and the corners where you spend your evenings.
The ideas here draw on our new Christmas Decor collection, the Holiday Dinner Party Essentials for hosting, and our barware and drinkware. For the full look in one place, see A Cozy Christmas Chalet, one of our Curated Spaces, a room styled by our design specialists so you can shop every piece you see.
Key Takeaways
- Begin with a material palette. We recommend two or three materials, such as brass, rattan, glass, or cotton, repeated from room to room.
- Decorate the tree from the ground up. A tree blanket or skirt first, then the ornaments, with the topper saved for last.
- Light the table with cordless lamps. We suggest 2700K or warmer, which flatters faces and food alike, setting an elegant mood for holiday dinners.
- Give drinks a corner of their own. A well stocked bar lets you mix a signature cocktail for the table, with everything you need close at hand.
- Order sooner rather than later. For the best of Scandinavian and European design, we recommend ordering as early as you can. Ferm Living, which runs through all of our holiday collections, ships in 4 to 6 weeks.
Start Here
Choose Your Materials Before Your Decorations
Two or three materials, repeated from room to room, do more than a box of new ornaments.
A room rarely needs more decorations to feel festive. More often it needs fewer, impactful decorations, chosen to belong together. Before you shop, we recommend settling on a short list of materials and a colour or two, so every new piece fits right into place.
The Editor's Style Tip: For a modern Christmas, we keep coming back to warm metals (brass and bronze), natural fibres (rattan, jute, organic cotton), and glass. They catch the light, they age beautifully, and they sit as comfortably beside a Scandinavian sofa as a traditional dining table. If you would like colour, deep forest green and wine red feel festive while still looking refined.
The Tree
How Do You Decorate a Christmas Tree So It Looks Styled?
Decorate your Christmas tree from the ground up. A tree feels finished when the stand is hidden, the ornaments repeat a few materials, and the topper sits in proportion to the tree.
- Dress the base first. A tree blanket or tree skirt hides the stand and gives the tree a finished base. We love the Vela Star Christmas Tree Blanket, in heavyweight GOTS certified organic cotton with appliqué stars. Its natural, undyed cotton suits any ornament palette.
- Repeat two or three ornament materials. Repeated through the branches, two materials read as a considered theme rather than a collection of one offs. For example, rattan and brass make a lovely pair: the Braided Bell Baubles are braided by hand from rattan, and the Oak Leaf Ornaments, finely worked in lacquered brass, add a soft gleam between them.
- Finish with the topper. The star has crowned Christmas trees for generations, and Scandinavian design has a gift for keeping it simple: clean shapes made with honest materials. The Brass Christmas Tree Top Star is solid brass and just under 12 inches tall, which suits a 6 to 8 foot tree. It patinas over the years, so it grows a little warmer every Christmas you bring it out.
The Details
Stockings, Advent Calendars, and Heirlooms for Years to Come
The small details are often the ones that make a house feel like home. We like to give each piece its own spot, so the whole house shares in the season. A few we love:
- A stocking for everyone. The Vari Quilted Christmas Stocking is 15.6 inches tall, and its irregular quilted stitching gives it a handcrafted charm.
- A countdown to share. The Star Christmas Calendar has 24 embroidered pockets, one for each day of December, ready to fill with small surprises.
- An heirloom in the making. The painted beech Kay Bojesen Santa Claus was first designed in the 1940s, and it is the kind of piece that gets handed down for generations to come.
- Something to gather around. The brass Forest Nut Cracker, set in a bowl of walnuts on the coffee table, is part decoration and part invitation.
Hosting
How to Set a Holiday Table for Hosting
We like to build a holiday table in layers: the tablecloth first, then napkins and silverware, one centerpiece, and warm light at eye level.
Set the table
- Tablecloth. The Baies Tablecloth by Ferm Living is GOTS certified organic cotton, screen printed with hand drawn berry sprigs. At 93.6 by 58.5 inches it covers a six seat table with a generous drop, and it can go in a gentle wash after the party.
- Napkins. The matching Baies Napkins carry the same berry print on organic cotton, 15.6 inches square.
- Napkin Rings. The Holly Leaf Napkin Rings are cast in solid brass and detailed like fine jewellery, and they will patina gently over the years.
- Centerpiece. The Bellure Centerpiece is sculpted stoneware in a soft, melted stone shape, and it is food safe, so it can hold clementines and cheese as easily as greenery.
Light the table at eye level
Overhead light alone can flatten a dinner table. A couple of small cordless lamps at seated eye level make faces look warmer and set a cozy mood for shared meals. We suggest dimming the chandelier to about half and letting the table lamps do the rest. Our guide to colour temperatures for dining and entertaining explains why 2700K and below works so well.
Shop Holiday Dinner Party Essentials
Compared
Cordless Table Lamps Compared: Which One Suits Your Holiday Table?
Rechargeable lamps put warm light on a table, a bar cart, or a patio with no outlet nearby. These are the five we recommend most this time of year:
| Lamp | Light colour | Battery life | Where it can go | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wick Portable Lamp Graypants |
2600K, very warm | 12 to 150 hours, depending on mode | Indoors | Candlelight with no flame; pulse mode and carry handle | $235 |
|
Poldina Pro Zafferano |
2200K, 2700K, or 3000K | About 12 hours at full power | Indoors and outdoors (IP65) | Dinner tables and covered patios; touch dimming | $235 |
|
Asteria Move UMAGE |
3000K | Up to 35 hours on the lowest of three settings | Indoors | Side tables and bars; charges on a Qi pad | $576 |
|
Rudy Reindeer Table Lamp Newgarden |
Solar version: colour changing plus three whites. Corded version: 2700K | Solar version: up to 36 hours on a USB charge | Solar version indoors and outdoors (IP65); corded version indoors | A front step, a window, or the kids' table | $229 |
|
Synergy Kooduu |
2700K, four brightness levels | Rechargeable battery | Indoors, or outside in dry weather | The bar: lamp, Bluetooth speaker, and wine cooler in one | $249 |
Battery figures come from each manufacturer and depend on the brightness you choose. Prices are starting prices in Canadian dollars as of October 2026.
The Editor's Style Tip: For a dining table, we love a pair of Poldina Pro lamps in the 2200K or 2700K version. For a single statement piece on a console or bar, consider the Asteria Move. And if there are little ones in the house, Rudy is always a favourite.
The Bar
How to Set Up a Holiday Bar Cart
From the first toast to the last nightcap, a home bar setup sets the tone for the evening.
The bar is often where an evening finds its rhythm: the first toast, the refill, the conversation that carries on long after dessert. If you love mixing drinks, it is your chance to shake something special for the table, and the right tools make it a pleasure. If you would rather stay seated with everyone, a well stocked cart lets guests help themselves. We like to give the bar a corner of its own, away from the bustle of the kitchen. Matching steel pieces make even a small cart look considered:
- For mixing. The Rosendahl Grand Cru Shaker is dishwasher safe, and its lid doubles as a measuring cup. The Grand Cru Jigger (0.7 oz on one end, 1.4 oz on the other) keeps a batch of cocktails consistent.
- For ice and garnish. The Grand Cru Ice Bucket has a lid with three compartments for lemon, lime, and mint.
- For bubbles. The 13 inch Grand Cru Champagne Bucket, with its leather handle, keeps a bottle cold through the evening.
- For the glass. The Ripple Champagne Saucers by Ferm Living are blown by mouth into an elegantly rippled mould. Plus, they are dishwasher safe!
- For the finishing touch. The brass Oak Leaf Stir Sticks are small, but they are the beautiful detail that guests will ask about.
- For a patio or a room with no outlet. The Kooduu Synergy chills a bottle, plays music, and lights the cart at the same time. Add a pack of reusable ice cubes so nothing gets watered down.
Curated Space
Bring Home the Christmas Chalet Look
Firelight, low lamps, and natural textures, made so you feel warm and cozy, even if you are far from home.
Our Cozy Christmas Chalet Curated Space is inspired by an alpine retreat in winter: snow settling against the windows, a fire going, lamps turned low, and the scent of cedar in the air. Warm wood, hand forged iron, soft sherpa, and the flicker of a flame are reminiscent of a cabin in the mountains.
It begins with the fire. The Le Feu Steel High Dome in Black by Le Feu is a freestanding bioethanol fireplace on a slim pole and round steel base, about 47 inches tall. It burns a real flame with no chimney, no wiring, and no soot, so it can stand wherever the room wants warmth, a condo included. For a wall, the same dome comes as the Le Feu Wall Dome.
Around the fire, the lighting takes on a lodge feel. On a side table, the Brindille Table Lamp by Hubbardton Forge, with steel twigs forged and hammered by hand in Vermont, reads as a sculpture even when it is off. On the wall, the Stag Large Six Light Sconce by Hinkley comes with a removable cord and switch, so it can simply plug in. And over the dining table or in a vaulted room, the Carlyle Chandelier by Hammerton brings a bold geometric silhouette in steel and frosted acrylic, with a richly hand polished finish.
Then comes the texture you can sink into. The Fatboy Point Large Sherpa Pouf, 70 cm across, is a footrest by the fire, an extra seat on Christmas morning, or a perch for a tray of hot chocolate. It comes in Cider, Pinky Promise, and Ecru.
Explore A Cozy Christmas Chalet
Plan Ahead
When to Order Holiday Decor So It Arrives Before Christmas
Lead times vary a lot by brand. These are the brands that appear across our holiday collections, grouped by the lead time listed on their product pages.
| Lead time | Brands | Order by |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 weeks | Kuzco, Alora | November 22 |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Rosendahl, Kay Bojesen, Bjørn Wiinblad, Renwil, Zafferano, Kooduu, Newgarden, Studio ROOF, Foscarini, Pablo, New Works, Danese Milano | November 15 |
| 4 to 6 weeks | Ferm Living, UMAGE | November 1 |
Lead times are the ones listed on our product pages and can change as the season gets busy, so check the lead time before you order. Ferm Living is the one to watch: it runs through every one of our holiday collections, from ornaments and stockings to glassware and tablecloths, and most of it needs 4 to 6 weeks to ship.
Shopping for someone else? Our 2026 Holiday Gift Guide and Gifts for the Host are organised by who you are buying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start decorating for Christmas?
Most people put up decorations in the last week of November or the first weekend of December, and a real tree lasts about four weeks indoors if you keep it watered. Order decor earlier than that. Many of the pieces we carry ship in 4 to 6 weeks, so we recommend ordering as early as you can if you want everything in place by December.
How do you make modern Christmas decor feel warm instead of cold?
Add texture and warm light. Natural materials such as rattan, wood, brass, and undyed cotton bring warmth and texture to a modern room, and lamps at 2700K or warmer make a room glow instead of glare. Repeat the same two or three materials from room to room so the house feels connected, and switch off harsh overhead lights in the evening in favour of table lamps and candles.
What is the best light colour temperature for holiday decorating?
We recommend 2700K or lower for living and dining rooms during the holidays. That range gives a golden, candlelike glow that flatters faces and food. Avoid anything above 4000K in rooms where you entertain, and do not mix warm and cool bulbs in the same space. Our guide to colour temperatures for dining and entertaining covers this in more detail.
What is a Christmas tree blanket and do you need one?
A tree blanket is a round fabric mat that sits under the tree. It hides the stand, catches needles, protects the floor, and it gives wrapped gifts a neat base. The Oak Christmas Tree Blanket by Ferm Living is 46.8 inches across, which suits most 6 to 8 foot trees.
What do you need for a home bar at a holiday party?
A home bar can feel like a lot to take on, but the loveliest ones grow slowly. We suggest beginning with signature glassware that suits what you like to pour, such as coupes for cocktails and champagne or tumblers for whisky, then adding the tools. A cocktail shaker mixes and chills, a jigger keeps every measure consistent, an ice bucket keeps ice close at hand, and a champagne bucket keeps bubbles or white wine cold. Stir sticks, a citrus garnish, or a cordless lamp can follow. Our drinkware and barware collection has many pieces to help you (or a loved one) get started with creating the dream home bar.
How do you decorate for the holidays in a small space?
Scale down rather than leave things out. Use a tabletop tree such as the Peacock Tabletop Christmas Tree, which is 35 cm tall and packs flat after the season. Hang ornaments in a window and use cordless lamps, so you are not adding cords to a small space.
Do Casa Di Luce holiday products ship to the USA?
It depends on the product. Some pieces in this guide, such as the Rosendahl barware, the Kay Bojesen Santa, and the Graypants Wick lamp, ship to the USA, while others, including the Ferm Living Christmas collection, ship within Canada only. Each product page lists whether it ships to the USA and how long it takes, or you can email sales@casadiluce.ca to check.
Ready to Start Decorating?
Begin with the tree, gather everyone around a beautifully set table, and let warm, low light carry the rest of the evening. Settle on your materials early and order from the brands with longer lead times first, so December can be about the people rather than the parcels. Everything in this guide is in our Christmas Decor, Holiday Dinner Party Essentials, and Drinkware collections, and the full chalet look lives on A Cozy Christmas Chalet.
Need help choosing a fixture, a lamp, or a gift? Email us at sales@casadiluce.ca or call +1 (877) 577 9426.
Happy holidays from all of us at Casa Di Luce!