Holiday decor is something I often see stacked up in garages, closets, and other spaces – collections that accumulate over the years as gifts, bargain shopping, and family hand-me-downs. And after a while, you wonder how you got here.
There are many ways to repurpose holiday decor so you don’t have to collect more things.* I used to have so much holiday decor that I would spend more time putting up and taking down than actually enjoying it.
Here are ways to enjoy the seasonal decor without having something for every holiday, and ultimately, less storage!
A wreath for all holidays
Start at the front door. You can enjoy your favorite wreath for 12 months with just a few additional pieces that will fit in a small box. Keep a eucalyptus or boxwood wreath in place all year, and make these small changes:
- Buy a few yards of ribbon that match the holidays and seasons, and add a bow. A stash of solid colors also goes a long way.
- Grab a few small accessories like berries and American flags to add to the wreaths – low effort, big impact.
- Don’t like wreaths? Here is an interchangeable welcome sign or a circular version with all the holidays covered!
Gifting that holds it all
Birthdays, holidays, baby showers, weddings, new homes, and “just because” are examples of gifts that you have or will give one day. I have one rule for gift packaging: universal. If it’s good enough for a child’s birthday party, it’s good enough for a wedding.
Solid gift bags can be used for any event, and wrapping paper in solid colors or simple prints (like dots and stripes) is ready to wrap any gift. By keeping a basic supply of gifting materials for any occasion, you will not need anything else. Keep it simple and store it in one place.
Dishes to serve at any time
You’ll be mad at me when I say you don’t need that Christmas place setting for 12 people. I understand that it’s your momma’s dishes and maybe you should hold on to them, but if they don’t serve a purpose and bring you happiness a few times a year, consider making space in your home.
How about this beautiful dinnerware that can be used all year? With the right table setting accessories that don’t take up much space, it’s the perfect set for Christmas, birthdays, and Sunday brunch. Consider adding flair in the following ways:
- Napkins
- Placemats
- Holiday decor, like a small pumpkin and ornament
- Sprig of rosemary
- Charger plate
Outdoor light for all seasons
Things are getting crazy out there with outdoor decorations. From 8-foot skeletons to blow-up characters for every holiday. These items are space-suckers and take so much time to set up and take down. So much time!
What if you had one item that took care of all holidays, and gave you time to enjoy the holidays? I found this projector light that includes 16 slides to change out. One light in one box, with 16 easy slides that take up no space in the house! Plug in, face it to your house, and then head out for a walk!
Throw pillows for comfort
Throw pillows are the gateway decor items. Sometimes walking through Target, it’s the one thing I want to grab as a staple decor item that can change my life. It’s easy to get out of control with something so simple.
Make it easy on yourself and your space: invest in quality pillow inserts (like these) and commit to only having those pillows. If you want to change them for the seasons, buy pillow covers that fit those pillows. Covers take up less space and can be easily washed.
Center stage centerpieces
You have a kitchen table, coffee table, shelving, and console table. You probably have endless items to decorate each one for every season. But there are other ways to enjoy your existing pieces and switch them out with small, space-saving actions:
- Invest in beautiful and vintage vases and enjoy fresh flowers that reflect the seasons, like sunflowers, daisies, and baby’s breath (they’re not just filler flowers!), or some clippings from the yard.
- Tablecloth and table runner
- Bowls with fresh fruit or seasonal treats (candy hearts are my favorite for Valentine’s Day)
- Reuse the same vases to fill with seasonal items like baseballs or eggs
- Something that has different holiday components, like this farmhouse-tiered centerpiece
- Natural elements that don’t need to be stored, like pinecones and pumpkins
- Lanterns are great all year long!
Do you have universal holiday decor that can be switched out? I’d love to hear more! Visit me at @theclearpursuit on Instagram and join the conversation.
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Header image: Photo by Natalie Kinnear on Unsplash
