Minimal Christmas decor and so much more.
These days we spend so much time in the family room, and with colder weather arriving I wanted to make the space feel a bit warmer and more festive. I also pushed to put our Christmas tree in the family room this year—and it’s finally up and ready to share.
I worked with Bed Bath & Beyond to bring a cozy winter and Christmas vibe to life. The result feels intentionally minimal yet comfortably layered, with a mix of simple pieces and small bursts of personality.
One of the best parts was shopping everything in one place. I ordered the tree, the tree basket, wrapping paper, pillows, a cozy throw, candles, candlesticks, bowls and more—all from Bed Bath & Beyond. It made the whole decorating process much easier during a hectic season.
If you haven’t visited Bed Bath & Beyond lately, it’s worth a look. They have competitive deals across a wide range of categories, and their Beyond+ membership makes frequent discounts even better.
We pick up household staples there—SodaStream supplies, trash bags, and even bigger purchases like Hayes’s Stokke highchair. Last year I also sourced all of our holiday tableware from them when I set up a minimal modern holiday tablescape.
So it felt natural to get the bulk of our living-room refresh from one retailer, starting with the tree.
Christmas Tree
We chose a large faux tree this year so I could set it up ahead of Thanksgiving. Life had other plans, but I still love the final look—and I’m hopeful next year I’ll have the whole house done before turkey day.
I selected a 7.5-foot pre-lit Fraser tree because it offered great value and looked full in photos. Buying a big tree online felt a little risky, but it arrived exactly as hoped: full, realistic, and very lifelike.
One thing I appreciated was the tree’s pre-strung 600 smart LED lights, which stay lit even if one burns out. I dread stringing lights myself, so pre-lit is a lifesaver for me.
Tree Basket
I don’t love tree collars and skipped a traditional tree skirt, so I wanted a basket to hide the stand. The basket I used is the largest in a nested set and has enough flexibility in the rope weave to accommodate the stand feet.
The tree feet do peek out from the basket a bit, but that was easy to conceal with presents. The basket gave the base a relaxed, natural look that suits our boho-modern living room.
Alternative Wrapping Paper
For a fresh take on gift wrap, I used patterned wallpaper as wrapping paper to match our sofa’s color and introduce a cohesive pop of pattern under the tree. Using non-traditional materials for wrapping is an easy way to make gifts feel custom and visually interesting.
Beaded Garland and Ornaments
I draped multiple six-foot beaded garlands around the tree for a soft, textural look, and filled the branches with DIY ornaments. With a large tree, I made a lot of ornaments this year—mostly designed for Hayes, our little one—so the tree feels whimsical and kid-friendly.
He adores the tree, which is the most important part for me. Seeing him enjoy the ornaments is what makes the effort worthwhile.
DIY ornaments I made:
- Star and moon fabric ornaments
- Paper globe ornaments
- Painted wooden ornaments
- Clay strawberry ornaments
- Terracotta cookie-cutter ornaments (rainbows, stars, etc.)
Gift Ideas and Home Decor
Beyond the tree, I pulled together accessories that helped the whole room feel cohesive and ready for the season. Many of these items also make thoughtful gifts for people who love spending time at home.
Pillows
My favorite pillow is a beige-and-green square throw that fits our palette perfectly. I wish I’d bought a second. There are several other great pillow options that add texture and warmth without feeling overdone—knit styles, oblong shapes, and subtle patterns that layer well.
Throw Blanket
I added a soft white throw blanket that’s warm and cozy for movie nights. It comes in multiple colors so you can match your own decor.
Home Decor Gift Ideas
To style the coffee table in a way that feels festive year-round, I mixed a few sculptural pieces and seasonal accents. A moss-green bowl paired with a beige bowl provides useful, attractive storage for ornaments, keys, or mail. Pretty candleholders in a soft powder hue add shape and color, and pairing them with simple flat-top candles completes the vignette.
I also included a white serving bowl that doubles as an ideal popcorn bowl for holiday movie nights—practical and pretty.
I’ve long admired the Iittala brand for its timeless designs and clean shapes, so several of the decorative pieces are from that label; they work well as both everyday and seasonal objects.
How are you decorating for winter or Christmas this year? Are you going all-out with festive decor everywhere, or do you prefer subtle touches that feel cozy and winter-like? I’d love to hear which approach you lean toward.
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This post is in partnership with Bed Bath & Beyond. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper and Stitch running.