How to Try Christmas Decorating Ideas for Living Room This Year
Welcome, friend! I’m a mom of three wild, creative boys, so when it comes to christmas decorating ideas for living room, I know the struggle is real but the joy is even bigger. Every December, I just want our living room to feel magical—even if that means stepping over toy trains and glitter-covered handprints along the way! There’s something so special about watching my kids get involved, picking out their favorite ornaments and giggling as they “help” with the lights!
This Christmas living room decor set made it so easy to style everything from throw pillows to garlands.
Even little hands can join in and make holiday decorating feel fun, not stressful. If you’re looking for easy ways to decorate as a family, you’re in the right spot. Let’s roll up our sleeves, swap perfection for playful, and fill your living room with cheerful memories (and maybe a few candy canes, too)!
Getting Inspired: Finding Your Christmas Décor Style
Every year, coming up with new christmas decorating ideas for living room feels like the start of a fresh story in our home. Sometimes, the spark comes fast—maybe from a single ornament or a childhood memory. Other times, well, the excitement takes a little coaxing. The good news is, inspiration is everywhere once you tune in, and it’s even sweeter when you bring the kids into the mix. I love seeing how their little personalities can shape the look and feel of our living room for the holidays.
Here’s how I kick off the fun and set a joyful tone before we even untangle the first box of lights.
Creating an Inspiration Board with Your Kids
This is my absolute favorite way to start! Giving kids a chance to help pick our “theme” makes them feel involved right from the start. Together, we create an inspiration board to gather our favorite looks.
If you want to go digital:
- Open up Pinterest on your phone or laptop. Let each child pin photos of trees, garlands, pillows, and even silly decor that makes them smile.
- Search for things like “colorful Christmas mantel” or “kid-friendly Christmas ideas” so it feels tailored to their taste and age.
- Use a shared Pinterest board so everyone can add their ideas, or snap screenshots and make a collage right on your phone.
If you love something hands-on:
- Pile up a stack of old holiday magazines, ads, or catalogs at the kitchen table.
- Give everyone scissors, glue sticks, and a big piece of poster board.
- Ask your kids to cut out anything they love—plaids, cartoon reindeer, candy canes, or anything sparkly!
- Glue everything down in a giant collage. The board can hang in your living room as a “mood board” or just bring you all some laughs as you flip through the pages.
The best part? Everyone’s creativity counts, and you’ll be surprised what stands out when the kids take charge. Sometimes a funny snowman hat or bright pink lights become this year’s unexpected hit.
Balancing Mom Style and Kid Fun
I’ll be honest—I like a little sparkle and order, but my boys bring pure mayhem and color to everything. The trick is blending my love for pretty touches with their love for fun. It’s a puzzle, but it’s worth it.
Here’s how I balance stylish and kid-friendly looks in our living room:
- Pick a base style you love, then add pops of whimsy. If you’re drawn to classic red and gold, mix in silly felt ornaments or a wacky garland made of little mittens.
- Involve kids in small decisions: Let them pick accent pillows or vote on which stockings go on the mantel. If you trust them with fragile pieces, give them a spot to display their favorites.
- Create zones: One area can stay “mama-chic” with glass ornaments or a pretty centerpiece. Another corner could be the kids’ decorating spot—think paper snowflakes taped to windows, tiny trees, or a basket of plush holiday toys.
- Rotate decorations: We change up our look each week, sometimes swapping out tree toppers or stringing a different banner. It keeps things playful and helps both grown-ups and little ones feel like their style is celebrated.
- Make memories, not perfection: I let go of the urge for every ribbon to match. Seeing the joy on my boys’ faces when we hang up their artwork or let them “style” a mini tree makes me care less about magazine perfection and more about family memories.
Decorating the living room for Christmas as a team builds excitement everyone can feel. Mixing your own style with the kids’ wild ideas keeps the whole space merry, bright and absolutely one of a kind!
Planning Ahead: Setting the Scene for Stress-Free Decorating
Getting ready for Christmas decorating ideas for living room with three little boys means I need a plan, some patience, and, honestly, a little snack stash. The magic starts with a bit of prep before the first ornament even makes it out of the box. When I get ahead of the chaos, decorating turns into a memory-making day of giggles—not a stressful mess that leaves me muttering into my cocoa at midnight. Here’s how I set the stage for a happy, relaxed decorating day, with my boys right in the thick of it!
Sorting and Reusing Past Decorations
Before I do anything, I haul out all of our Christmas boxes. This usually means climbing over plastic tubs in the garage and fishing out half-crushed wreaths, but it’s always worth a laugh. The boys get excited before the lids are even off, ready to “rediscover” last year’s treasures.
I start by making three quick piles:
- Keep: Ornaments, lights, and décor that still look good, have special meaning, or fit the look we want this year.
- Repurpose: Broken decorations, stray ribbons, or mismatched bits that still have potential can be turned into crafts. My boys love making new garlands from leftover felt shapes or broken ornaments.
- Recycle or Toss: Anything too damaged, sticky, or plain worn out goes in a bag for recycling (where possible) or the trash.
This sorting process is simple and fun for the kids too. I let them vote on their favorite old decorations and decide what will take center stage, which makes the whole thing a team effort.
When it comes to matching this year’s theme, we look at our inspiration board. If we’re going for bright colors and playful patterns, we pull the glittery stars and silly snowman hats front and center. If the boys want a “woodland” look, the pine cones, felt animals, and rustic ribbons come out to play.
And those awkward leftovers? I save them for a family craft night. We’ve made tiny trees from shredded paper, quirky ornaments from puzzle pieces, and gift tags from last year’s greeting cards. Not only does this keep things eco-friendly, but it also gives the kids a chance to put their stamp on our living room.
Prepping for the Big Day: Supplies, Snacks, and Music
A little prep sets the mood for a day that runs smoothly and makes everyone excited to jump in. We treat decorating day like a mini-holiday of its own—full of treats, silly songs, and plenty of time to take photos.
Here’s my go-to setup checklist:
- Supplies: I make sure we have plenty of ornament hooks, fresh tape, scissors, extra extension cords, and maybe even a few new decorations if I picked up something cute on sale after Christmas last year. Laying out craft supplies ahead of time (like markers, glue, ribbons) lets the boys stay creative without rummaging through drawers.
- Cleaning Supplies: A quick sweep and dust of the living room before we begin means we’re not decorating on top of crumbs or last week’s socks. I set up a trash bag and recycling box nearby so tidying as we go is easy.
- Snacks: This is always a highlight! We set out a tray of hot cocoa, mini marshmallows, candy canes, and gingerbread cookies. If I’m feeling extra festive, there’s even a “decorate your own cookie” spot at the corner of the table. Decorating feels much easier when everyone’s blood sugar is happy.
- Music: I let each boy choose a favorite holiday track, and we make a playlist together. It turns the living room into a dance party mid-decoration, and it brings lots of laughs when their goofy favorites pop up between the classics.
Over the years, we’ve started a few decorating traditions that always bring us together. We let the youngest put the very first ornament on the tree. The oldest gets to hang the star or topper. Sometimes we pause for a silly photo with tinsel wrapped around our heads, and every year, someone “accidentally” eats an ornament-shaped chocolate before dinner.
By the end of the day, the living room glows, not just with lights but with the joy we put into each step. Taking a little time to prepare turns holiday decorating from a chore into a celebration my boys look forward to each year!
Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas for Living Room
When it comes to christmas decorating ideas for living room, the best memories always seem to come from getting my boys elbow-deep in simple, joyful projects right alongside me. Our living room rarely looks like something from a catalog, but it feels magical because it’s filled with laughter, a touch of chaos, and treasures made by tiny, eager hands. If you’re hunting for ideas that are easy, fun, and safe for families, I’ve got you covered! Let’s jump into some creative Christmas decorating ideas you and your kids can actually enjoy together.
DIY Decor Projects for Kids and Moms
Nothing beats the look on my boys’ faces when they spot their homemade treasures on display. Simple do-it-yourself projects keep little hands busy, fill the house with love, and—bonus—they work for every budget. Here are three of our favorite Christmas decorating ideas for living room that just beg for tiny helpers:
1. Handprint Ornaments
Every year, I treasure the sweet, messy handprints pressed into salt dough. These homemade ornaments become time capsules right on the tree.
How to make them:
- Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup water. Knead until it forms a smooth dough.
- Roll out dough, then help each child press their hand gently into it.
- Cut out the shape (I do circles or hearts) and poke a hole at the top for string.
- Bake at 200°F for about two hours, cooling completely.
- Let your kids paint their prints any way they want. Add glitter or names with a marker. Thread with ribbon and hang proudly.
2. Colorful Garland Chains
Paper garlands are a classic for a reason—my boys can make them for hours, and they’re great for doorways, mantels, or twirling down the stairway.
Here’s how we do it:
- Cut colored construction paper into strips (about one inch wide).
- Form loops with the strips, taping or stapling each end, linking them as you go.
- Let kids decorate each link with stickers, drawings, or stamps.
- For a twist, alternate red and green or add bits of wrapping paper for sparkle.
3. Painted Pine Cones
If you can handle a bit of glitter, these pretty pine cones make every mantel more festive (and picking them up is a mini-adventure all its own).
Get started like this:
- Gather pine cones outside or grab a bag from the craft store.
- Set out washable paints and brushes—let kids paint them all one color or go wild with rainbow stripes.
- Once dry, dab the tips in white paint for a “snowy” effect, then roll in glitter.
- Set on shelves, fill bowls, or string up on yarn for a nature-inspired garland.
Tip: Any of these crafts can double as gifts for grandparents or neighbors. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a ribbon for a heart-melting surprise.
Decorating the Tree: Memories and Safety
The Christmas tree is the star of our living room. It’s where the biggest smiles, silliest stories, and (sometimes) wrestling matches happen. Here’s how I make sure decorating stays safe, meaningful, and a little magical:
Choosing the Right Tree
I always think about safety before anything else, especially with curious little ones on the run. If you have toddlers or pets, a sturdy artificial tree with soft branches keeps accidents to a minimum. For a real tree, check for secure branches and set it up away from fireplaces or space heaters. Anchor big trees to the wall if your kids still love to climb!
Safe Ornament Options
Breakable glass ornaments are gorgeous but rarely make it past December 5th in our house. Instead, we use:
- Shatterproof plastic ornaments
- Felt, fabric, or wooden decorations from the craft store
- Stuffed ornaments (I let the kids help make simple ones from old socks or felt)
I keep the “special” or fragile ornaments up high, telling the boys those are just for looking. Everything else? Fair game for little decorators.
Making Tree Decorating Meaningful
Tree decorating in our home is more than picking ornaments. We build traditions, like:
- Letting the youngest hang the first ornament
- Snapping a goofy family selfie in front of the tree
- Sharing a short story about each homemade or memory ornament
My boys love to spot their handprint ornaments from years past. Every year, we add a new creation. This turns the tree into a living scrapbook, full of our family’s best moments (and plenty of glitter blobs).
Safety reminder: Always check lights for frayed wires, never overload outlets, and turn the tree lights off before bed!
Adding Magic with Lights, Pillows, and Throws
A cozy living room doesn’t need fancy decorations or a magazine-worthy color scheme. The right lights and a few soft touches turn our space from everyday to enchanted in no time.
Simple Lighting Tips
Soft, warm lighting sets a magical mood. I love:
- Stringing fairy lights across the mantel, windows, or bookshelves
- Placing battery-powered candles in safe spots for gentle glow
- Using LED string lights inside clear jars or vases for a twinkly centerpiece
The boys sometimes help drape lights around the window frames or weave them through big basket handles.
Festive Pillows and Cozy Throws
Switching out a few basics makes a huge difference without cluttering up the room. Here’s what I do:
- Toss a cheerful holiday pillow or two onto the couch. Try ones shaped like stars, gingerbread men, or reindeer for extra delight.
- Layer soft, chunky knit blankets or plaid throws over chairs. My kids claim them for movie marathons!
- If you sew, make simple pillow covers out of old Christmas pajamas or flannel shirts.
To add some playful charm, I set out a “pillow fort” kit—a big basket of floor pillows and holiday quilts. The boys get creative and build their own hideouts for reading or hot cocoa breaks.
Themed Textiles
Each year, we change up our theme. Some favorites include:
- Classic red and green plaids
- Woodland creatures (think owls, foxes, and pine trees)
- Candy cane stripes or gingerbread prints
It’s amazing how swapping a few covers and spreading a cozy blanket changes the whole feel of the room.
With these simple swaps and bright ideas, your living room will sparkle in the kind of magic only families can create. Decorating is less about getting it perfect and more about making space for joy, laughter, and memories together.
Making Christmas Decorating a Family Tradition
When I think back on my favorite Christmases, it’s always the little traditions that make my heart happy. Building family rituals, big or small, turns “just decorating” into a special event everyone’s excited for. Trying new christmas decorating ideas for living room together creates warm memories you’ll remember far longer than any store-bought garland. So, let’s make your living room sparkle with togetherness and a bit of family magic!
Capturing the Memories: Photos and Keepsakes
Every Christmas tells its own story, and I love finding simple ways to capture each year with my boys. Documenting these moments isn’t just about snapping a few quick photos. It’s about preserving all those giggles, paint-stained fingers, and “oops I glued my sleeve” antics.
Here are my favorite ways to turn our decorating day into a memory book:
- Yearly Family Photos in the Living Room: Each year, we take a group picture after the last ornament is hung. Sometimes our hair is wild, and someone’s still covered in glitter, but those are the shots I love most. Each photo turns into a keepsake, and when I look back, I see how much the boys have grown from one Christmas to the next.
- Kids’ Ornaments with Names and Ages: Every December, my boys make an ornament with their name and age written right on it (sometimes I sneak in the date, too). It could be a salt dough shape, a painted pinecone, or even a felt cutout. Hanging them up year after year creates a living timeline right on our tree.
- Decorating Aprons or T-Shirts: One year we started wearing the same “decorate with mom” shirts for painting and crafting. We add a handprint or funny doodle each December, and by now the shirts are wild works of art I wouldn’t trade for anything!
- Shadow Boxes or Photo Collages: I save ticket stubs from holiday light shows, pieces of ribbon, or favorite holiday cards. Each season, we add a little something to a shadow box or frame a collage. It’s a tiny treasure chest of Christmases past.
Keepsakes don’t have to be perfect! I treasure the ones with smudged paint and crooked writing most. They capture the real spirit of our Christmas celebrating—joy, laughter, and just a bit of chaos.
Letting Kids Take the Lead
Giving children some control during Christmas decorating makes things more fun for everyone. It also helps kids build their confidence and feel truly part of the tradition.
Here’s how I help my boys take charge with their decorating:
- Create Kid Decorating Corners (“Kid Zones”): I set aside one part of the living room that’s just for the boys. They get to pick the theme, decorate with their own crafts, and even rearrange it as many times as they want through December.
- Personal Mini Trees: Each boy gets a mini tabletop tree to decorate. They can use tiny ornaments, string their own paper garland, or layer it with candy canes. Watching them choose and arrange everything with pride is the sweetest thing.
- Let Kids Choose the Playlist: While we decorate, my boys each pick a few holiday songs. They love hearing “their song” come on and it turns the whole room into a holiday dance floor. Sometimes the music even matches their wild tree-decorating style.
- First-Ornament or Last-Decoration Rights: One tradition that never fails is letting the kids decide who gets to put up the first ornament or the last special decoration. It’s a simple way for them to feel in charge and makes for great memory photos, too.
- Craft Display Walls: We use a section of the wall with removable hooks or string to hang paper snowflakes, homemade ornaments, or funny holiday drawings. My boys know that spot is their “gallery” for the month.
Encouraging kids to lead a piece of the decorating adventure lets their personalities shine. It also helps build a love for family traditions that, trust me, they’ll want to carry on with their own kids someday. So pass down a few boxes of ornaments, hand over some tinsel, and let the magic happen.
Conclusion
Trying new christmas decorating ideas for living room with my boys always fills our home with laughter and heart. The real magic isn’t in perfect pillows or flawless trees, but in the stories and giggles that grow along with those paper garlands and handmade ornaments. The best “christmas decorating ideas for living room” are the ones that bring out bright smiles, silly dances, and happy messes you’ll remember year after year.
Thank you so much for joining me on this holiday adventure! I’d love to hear the moments that made your living room sparkle—drop your favorite memories or tips in the comments so we can cheer each other on. Here’s to making memories with your family that will last long after the decorations come down!
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