In a Small Home

I’ve mentioned that I have a pretty tiny home that I actually call our bungalow. Over the years, in addition to some expansions like adding second floor bedrooms, I’ve learned to manage living in a smaller space and making the most use of it. (See my post on space saving ideas for a small home.)

At holiday time this holds true as I try to make my little house welcoming for family and friends. We also host an annual New Year’s Eve Party, so we keep the festive environment going through January!

Here are some ways I pull it off and make the house festive without cluttering it up!

Stockings. If you ask my children, opening their stockings is probably the most fun part of Christmas. I get crazy creative with my stocking stuffers, if I do say so myself. (See my post on great gifts for stockings.) So having their stockings out for display is an important part of decorating for Christmas.

However, we do not have the space for a free-standing fireplace (see next section), so I thought a cute idea was to use the traditional hangers like these, but hang them over a big window sill I have in the kitchen. Cute, right?

It doesn’t take up any extra space, but lets us display the stockings for everyone to enjoy.

On Christmas morning, I fill up the stockings and move them over to the couch. They are so full and heavy, there is no way they could stay hanging. I even use extra bags I give them so much stuff. 😄 And it’s all cute and useful!

Fireplace. I mentioned we don’t have space for a fireplace. But I grew up having a working fireplace that my dad kept going evenings when it was cold and definitely on Christmas. So I wanted one in my home!

Given I had no space for it, I bought this tv stand and cabinet that serves many purposes, including housing an electric fireplace.

No, it’s not the real thing and doesn’t have that wonderful crackling sound and smell. But it makes the house cozy, and puts off some warmth, too. I especially love it when all the lights are out.

Greenery. In addition to the Christmas tree, it creates a festive environment to have some greens throughout your living area or where you spend time. Often people have buffets or fireplace mantles where these can be displayed, but not me!

So, how about hanging them from the ceiling?

I actually think doing this gives an Italian/Tuscan vibe, so I keep it up the whole year now. It’s easy enough to get some command strips with hooks. Just stick them to your ceiling and hang a few artificial plants.

Buffet. I mentioned in my post about preparing large holiday meals (see it here), that it’s helpful to set up your serving bowls and dishes ahead of time on a self-serve buffet.

A buffet like this is super helpful when you don’t have much space on the dinner table. I use card tables and a long charcuterie board that acts as a second shelf for more room. Covering it with a tablecloth or runner disguises the fact that it’s really card tables, and makes it a bit classier.

Cocktail Stations. Creating self-serve stations is the way to go in a small home, since you want to have an easy flow in your entertaining space. Picture all the guests at a wedding waiting in lines at the bar. Spreading different food and drink stations throughout the area gives the illusion of a larger space.

See my post on cocktail stations in a small home for more ideas!

Lights. In addition to a Christmas tree, I like the ambiance of fairy lights in other parts of my holiday space. I have a few large artificial trees because they add a pop of greenery to my rooms. It adds a touch more holiday flare to adorn one or two of these trees with small lights. I love this look so much!

Replace things you use every day (so already have the space for them) with fun holiday and seasonal varieties, like these!

Candles. I love them year round, but seasonal scents like these are incredible.

Save even more space by having some candle holders like this on the wall.

Hand Soap. Change up your regular soap for a special holiday scented one. Or better yet, a variety pack! These soft soaps come in gingerbread, peppermint and iced berry. So festive.

I don’t go so far as to have special holiday hand towels, but it’s an idea if you really want to be all holiday.

Snacks and Drinks. Start incorporating seasonal themes to get in the holiday mood. Have you seen these Polar holiday seltzers? I especially love the spiced pear cider. I drink a lot of seltzer, so this is my thing. But maybe the cranberry holiday Sprite?

I keep holiday flavored coffee syrups next to the coffee maker. A pump of chocolate and peppermint create the perfect peppermint mocha. Or opt for the delicious creamers at the store.

This cute cookie jar stays on the coffee table for holiday Hershey Kisses, along with cookies my good friend made and sent to us!

Cups and Plates. Time to break out your holiday ones! I love this cup a colleague got for me one year because I can use it for my morning coffee, or (as it says) a cocktail at night.

Outside Space. It goes without saying that if you take a drive around your neighborhood, most people who celebrate Christmas have some sort of holiday lights and decorations outside. We have small trees and lights on our porch, and garland on the fence as well.

Using your outside space is a necessity when your home is small. In the summer I am out on our back patio ALL the time, and we even show a movie back there at our NYE party! It’s chilly, but fun!

I hope you have fun adding holiday touches to your home, no matter its size.

If you have limited space and want to maximize holiday peace and joy for you and your loved ones, try these ideas! Enjoy!