With Christmas a mere four days away, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is officially at its peak. Thankfully, your new home can serve as a haven from the excitement while still radiating the cheerfulness of your newlywed Christmas. Whether your home is decked out in 100 feet of freshly trimmed garland or you’re on the heels of your honeymoon and need a few quick tips, here are some simple ways to put a home – and a heart – in the Christmas spirit!

1. Make it cozy. – Maybe colder weather is to blame, but the holidays have a subtle way of making you want to curl up with a classic novel (or a new husband) and the softest of blankets. Make your home especially comfortable for the two of you and any guests by mixing in seasonal textures throughout your space, such as a few festive pillows on your living room couch or a plaid cashmere throw draped at the end of your bed. If hosting a gaggle of guests, fill a woven oversized basket with blankets for keeping warm. And if you’re ready to take cozy to another level, just light up your fireplace.
2. Make it bright. – Nothing says Christmas more than the beauty and simplicity of lights. Whether colored or white, Christmas lights are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to embellish your home from the outside in. Candles of all scents and sizes are another cost-effective way to bring light – plus a pleasant fragrance – into your home (Nest Candles are some of our favorites!) Finally, recruit your husband’s help to carefully string lights and ornaments on your first Christmas tree, which might just become a new tradition for the two of you.
3. Make it merry. – For an extra dose of Christmas cheer, spend an afternoon setting your kitchen or dining room table for the holidays. Or, try arranging magnolia leaves or garland for an elegantly ornamented mantle complete with treat-filled stockings. There are no limits to making your home gorgeous during the holidays, but remember, there’s more to Christmas than an impeccably decorated living space. For a full sensory experience, try cueing up your favorite Christmas music playlist or filling your house with the aroma of mulled apple cider (we know a great recipe!)

While a festive home can be fun to piece together, your first Christmas as newlyweds will be one to cherish if your focus remains on the love, joy and peace the season brings, and most of all, the true meaning of this special holiday.

Photos by Kelli + Daniel Taylor Photography