10 Small Items That Will Make Christmas Decor More Magical

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Creating extra magic in your Christmas decor is easy using these inexpensive Christmas-enhancing items. Every home can use a bit of charm, beauty, and magic by hanging a small wreath, sprinkling faux snow over an arrangement, or filling a bowl with the sparkle of ornaments!

What if your Christmas decorations could go from beautiful to downright magical? You can transform your home into a holiday wonderland with just a few special touches! These simple yet enchanting embellishments will make your Christmas decor sparkle with charm and cheer—I use them every year, and they never fail to bring the magic!

Want to know the secret to add that sugarplum-and-pixie-dust feeling to your holiday home? These ideas are easy to use and perfect for reimagining year after year. Let’s make this Christmas your most magical yet by using these items to embellish our Christmas home.

While you peruse the images in this post, take notice of how I used these wonderful Christmas elements together! Let’s start with something I can’t resist…

Use Faux Snow Liberally

This is my absolute favorite Christmas decor embellishment, and for good reason! Up close, it looks like finely shredded white plastic, but once it’s sprinkled into place, it transforms into the softest, most ethereal-looking Hallmark movie snow. It’s perfect for creating magical displays at the base of a candle or down the center of a table. The effect? Simply stunning!

Here’s the best part: faux snow is reusable! I scoop it up after the holidays, store it in a plastic bag, and bring it back out year after year.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in faux snow, Pottery Barn has it covered. Their fake snow is hands down the best—it’s all I ever use! Add a little to your decor, and watch your holiday spaces come to life with wintry charm! See my favorite faux snow HERE.

Add Cranberries For A Pop Of Color

Real cranberries are an essential holiday decor, adding a natural and festive touch to your Christmas displays. Their bright, cheerful red hue pops against greenery, whites, and metallics, making them perfect for creating that classic holiday feel. Cranberries are versatile and beautiful.

To make sure they last, select firm, hard berries without any mushy spots and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to use them. Cranberries are pretty Christmas decor and a budget-friendly option for adding a natural, seasonal touch to your home. Once the holidays are over, you can compost them, making them an eco-friendly choice, too!

Ideas For Using Cranberries

• Create a Floating Candle Centerpiece– Fill a beautiful glass container with water, sprinkle in real cranberries, and add floating candles for a simple yet elegant centerpiece.
• Surround a Candle for Festive Charm– Place cranberries around the base of pillar candles on a tray or in hurricane vases for a pop of holiday color.
• Layer in a Mason Jar Display– Drop cranberries into a mason jar over a bed of faux snow, then tuck in some evergreen sprigs for a rustic, festive look.
• Use Them in a Small Bowl Display– Fill a small decorative bowl with cranberries for a simple yet striking pop of holiday color on a coffee table, console, or kitchen island.
• Simmer for a Delicious Holiday Scent—Combine cranberries with cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and whole cloves in a pot of water and simmer on the stove. Your whole house will smell like Christmas!
• Top Off a Cake Stand Display– Arrange cranberries on a cake stand with candles for a cheerful and layered decor piece.
• Decorate Your Table Settings– Place a few cranberries on napkin rings or sprinkle them along the table for a finishing festive detail.

Cranberries are amazing little pops of color. They also give off a wonderful aroma when added to a Christmas Simmer Pot!

Bits Of Greens And Berries

I have clear plastic shoeboxes brimming with bits and pieces of faux greens—some sparkly, some frosted, some adorned with berries, and others simple evergreens. Every piece has a realistic look, and these small additions always elevate my Christmas decor. Just a tiny sprig of evergreen or a cluster of berries can make any holiday creation look more polished and festive.

You’ll have a treasure trove of versatile pieces to tuck into your Christmas decor. These little bits and pieces of greenery look so festive and pretty tucked into a bow on a gift or a decorative bowl full of ornament.

I used some of these bits and pieces to create the easy tiered bowl centerpiece you see above. You can find the step-by-step instructions for making it HERE.

These small, realistic greens and berries add a finishing touch to any holiday design—simple, inexpensive, and oh-so-beautiful!

Make sure you read these post filled with lots of easy ideas…

• Best Tips For Decorating With Faux Greens At Christmas
• Tips For Keeping Live Greens Fresh At Christmas

Votives And Fairy Lights For A Golden Glow

Using votives and fairy lights is one of the easiest ways to fill your Christmas home with a warm and inviting golden glow. These tiny light sources create a magical ambiance. Votives, with their soft flickering flames, are perfect for adding warmth to tablescapes, mantels, or shelves. Placing them in frosted or metallic holders can amplify their glow, casting beautiful reflections and giving everything around it a more magical look.

Add Christmas Ornaments And Balls To Coordinate Your Decor

Christmas ornaments aren’t just for the tree. They’re versatile decor elements that can add a touch of sparkle and magic to your home. By carefully coordinating ornaments and Christmas balls with your existing decor, you can create a lovely holiday look that feels intentional and polished. Ornaments can tie everything together while adding depth, shine, and personality. The key is to think beyond the tree and use ornaments creatively throughout your space.

Way To Use Christmas Balls and Other Ornaments In Your Decor

• Fill a Bowl or Cloche– Arrange ornaments in a decorative bowl or cloche to create an elegant and eye-catching centerpiece. Choose colors and finishes that complement your room’s decor.
• Add Them to a Wreath– Attach ornaments to a wreath for a pop of color and shine. Use a mix of sizes and textures to make it more dynamic.
• Nestle in a Dough Bowl– Combine ornaments with greenery, pinecones, or fairy lights in a dough bowl for a festive tabletop display.
• Dress Up a Garland– Wire ornaments onto garlands for the mantel, staircase, or doorway to elevate the look and add extra sparkle.
• Incorporate Into Gift Wrapping– Tie a small ornament to gift packages for a charming touch that doubles as a keepsake.
• Hang from Chandeliers– Dangle ornaments from a chandelier or light fixture to create a whimsical holiday focal point.
• Use as Napkin Rings– Thread a small ornament onto a ribbon and tie it around a napkin at each place setting for a festive table detail.
• Fill a Tiered Tray– Add ornaments to a tiered tray along with candles, greenery, and holiday figurines for a layered, festive look.
• Decorate a Houseplant– If you have houseplants, use ornaments as mini decorations to add a sweet Christmas look without a full tree.
• Stack in a Glass Vase– Layer ornaments of different sizes in a clear glass vase or cylinder for a chic, modern display.

Tiny Wreaths Add Beauty And Whimsy

Tiny wreaths have a unique way of adding a bit of magic to holiday decor. These little accents can effortlessly draw the eye to their thoughtful placement and create a sense of whimsy. I just love them! These wreaths have the ability to tie a look together, making holiday decor feel cohesive and so charming!

I have collected small wreaths over the years and have a wonderful collection of evergreen and boxwood ones.

Here Are Some Charming Ways To Use Small Wreaths

• As Napkin Rings– Slip them around rolled napkins for a charming and festive place setting.
• On Cabinet Doors– Hang them from ribbons on kitchen or living room cabinet doors for a subtle holiday touch.
• In a Gallery Wall– Incorporate tiny wreaths into a gallery wall by hanging them over frames or artwork.
• On a Mirror– Hang one from a mirror using a ribbon for a layered, festive look.
• As Ornaments– Add tiny wreaths to your Christmas tree as ornaments for a cohesive look.
• On Door Handles- Hang them on door handles with a pretty ribbon to spread the Christmas spirit throughout the house.
• In a Window Display– Hang small wreaths on ribbons in windows.
• As Candle Rings- Lay them flat and pair them with candles, fairy lights, or figurines for a layered effect.
• As Filler– Place them at the bottom of a bowl and add Christmas balls or fruit.

Tiny wreaths may be small, but their impact on your Christmas decor can be truly magical!

Anything With Glitter

Glittery Christmas decor has a way of catching the light and instantly transforming any space into a holiday wonderland. Don’t we love a bit of glitz during the Holiday season? Glittter’s reflective sparkle adds depth, dimension, and a sense of glamour to your festive settings, elevating even the simplest displays. Mix a bit of glittered decor with other textures and materials, making your decor feel balanced and intentional.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, glittery touches evoke feelings of joy and celebration, adding an extra layer of magic to the season. The most common way to add a bit of glitter is on a Christmas tree. But think about using a bit of frosted sparkle to your decor as well.

Use Real Ribbon

Forget the flimsy gift wrap ribbon. Real ribbon elevates your Christmas decor to a whole new level. With its rich textures, vibrant colors, and sturdy construction, real ribbon adds an unmistakable sense of luxury to your holiday displays.

Whether it’s satin, burlap, silk, or velvet, these high-quality materials bring depth, beauty, and character to your decorations that synthetic alternatives simply can’t match. Real ribbon is also incredibly versatile and reusable, making it a smart investment for years. I have collected real ribbon for decades, a little every year! Now, I have a large collection for many uses during Christmastime. I just iron it, and it is ready to decorate my tree or a gift or embellish an arrangement!

Real ribbon holds its shape, drapes elegantly, and ties into full and polished bows, adding that extra touch of magic to your festive home.

Ways To Use Real Ribbon In Christmas Decor

• Tie Big, Beautiful Bows– Add oversized bows to wreaths, garlands, or Christmas trees for a show-stopping effect.
• Weave Into A Christmas Tree– Tuck ribbon into the branches of a Christmas tree or cascade it vertically for a tailored look.
• Decorate Holiday Gifts– Use real ribbon to tie elegant bows on gift boxes, making presents part of your decor.
• Enhance a Tablescape– Use ribbon as napkin ties, placemat accents, or to wrap around candle holders for a cohesive table setting.
• Adorn Stockings– Hang stockings with decorative ribbon or tie small bows onto stocking hooks.
• Embellish a Mantel Or Staircase– Weave ribbon through garlands draped on stair railings or mantel for a sophisticated touch.
• Hang Ornaments– Replace standard hooks with real ribbon to hang ornaments for a polished look.
• Decorate Gift Bags– Attach ribbon to the handles of gift bags for a festive and personalized detail.
• Accent Floral Arrangements– Wrap ribbon around vases or tie bows around stems in holiday centerpieces.
• Dress Up Chairs– Tie ribbon around the backs of dining chairs for an extra festive touch at holiday gatherings.
• Add to Lanterns– Tie bows on Lantern handles for a charming holiday look.

You might like to read more about using ribbons and bows at Christmas…

• Christmas Ribbons And Bows

Beautiful Mongolian Throws And Pillows

Mongolian throw blankets and pillows bring a touch of luxury and coziness to any room, making them the perfect addition to your Christmas decor. I added my first Mongolian pillow to our living room sofa over 15 years ago and have collected these luxurious pillows and blankets, so now I can put them in almost every room in our home.

Their soft, fluffy texture adds instant warmth and dimension, creating an inviting space. Whether draped over a sofa, layered on a bed, or nestled on a favorite chair, these throws and pillows have an undeniable way of transforming everyday furniture into something perfectly magical. Their rich, tactile quality pairs beautifully with twinkling lights and festive greenery, enhancing the room’s overall ambiance.

Just beautiful and so welcoming! You will want to snuggle right in!

Add Versatile Pinecones

Pinecones are nature’s perfect holiday decor accessory. Their timeless beauty and natural texture make them a versatile addition to any Christmas home. Whether left au natural, lightly dusted with glitter, or painted to match your holiday color scheme, pinecones bring warmth and charm to your decor. They evoke a sense of coziness and tradition, tying your holiday look to the season’s natural beauty. Best of all, they’re reusable and easy to store, and can be collected so they are free!

Pinecones can complement a variety of Christmas styles, from rustic farmhouses to elegant winter wonderland. Their neutral tones and organic shape add depth and visual interest to any arrangement, making them the perfect finishing touch. They are my go-to Christmas decorating element!

Ideas For Using Pinecones In Your Christmas Decor

• Fill a Bowl or Basket– Arrange pinecones in a decorative bowl or basket for a simple, natural centerpiece.
• Create a Pinecone Wreath– Glue pinecones to a wreath form for a rustic yet elegant holiday door decoration.
• Add to a Garland– Attach pinecones to a garland for the mantel or staircase to add texture and depth.
• Tuck Into a Christmas Tree– Place pinecones among your tree branches for a woodland-inspired look.
• Use as Ornaments– Tie ribbons around pinecones to hang them as ornaments on your tree.
• Enhance Gift Wrapping– Add a small pinecone to a gift ribbon or bow for a festive, organic touch.
• Create a Candle Ring– Arrange pinecones around the base of a candle to create a beautiful holiday accent.
• Incorporate into Tablescapes– Scatter pinecones along the center of a holiday table or tuck them into napkin rings.
• Use in a Dough Bowl– Combine pinecones with greenery, ornaments, or faux snow in a dough bowl for a cozy display.
• Make Pinecone Firestarters– Dip pinecones in wax and use them as both functional and decorative fire starters. See How To Make Pinecone Fire Starters.
• Display in a Cloche– Showcase a few pinecones under a glass cloche for an elegant yet simple vignette.
• Hang from Ribbon– Suspend pinecones from ribbons in front of windows or on doors for a charming display.

Decorating With Pinecones At Christmas: A Holiday Ultimate Guide has so many ideas on how to collect, debug, and decorate with them. As well as how to store them.

Pinecones are a simple yet sophisticated way to bring the outdoors in and add a natural touch to your Christmas decor. Their beauty lies in their versatility, making them a must-have for the holiday season!

Bonus Magical Christmas Element: Dried Oranges

What goes around, comes around. Are you old enough to remember when dried oranges were so popular as a part of a homespun Williamsburg Christmas? Using dried oranges in Christmas decor is HUGE this year! And no wonder they are truly magical! Dried oranges add a beautiful pop of color, can be tucked in almost any decor, and are very economical to create.

These pretty little gems are eligible and can be used to embellish drinks and desserts or put in Christmas Mulled Cider.

Make sure you check out How To Dry Oranges So They Stay Vibrant.

It’s not too late to collect these magical elements of Christmas decor and use them to decorate your Christmas house! They will add that charming, magical look to your home!

Merry Christmas, friends!