Decorating With Christmas Collections: The Ultimate Guide

Discover how to display your Christmas collections with these creative tips and ideas for incorporating them beautifully into your holiday home decor.

Do you have a cherished Christmas collection? Whether it’s Santas, snowmen, stars, snowflakes, Christmas villages, nutcrackers, or trees, many of us enjoy collecting Christmas decor to highlight during the holidays. I usually say I’m not much of a collector, but I’ve amassed a rather large collection of Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes. So, how do we highlight these treasures without them making our Christmas home look cluttered?

Today, let’s explore creative and meaningful ways to use our Christmas collections to beautifully decorate our homes for the season!

The holiday season flies by, so it’s important to make the most of our collections by showing them off in stunning and festive ways!

As we explore ideas for using Christmas collections, I’d like to share a glimpse of some my tree collections and how I’ve styled them to enjoy them and enhance the rest of my Christmas decor.

Why Do We Collect

The reasons we collect Christmas treasures are as unique as the items themselves! Perhaps you inherited a cherished nativity scene from a relative and lovingly added to it over the years. Or maybe, like me, you’ve always had a soft spot for small trees! Do you collect sleighs, gnomes, or ornaments? Mushrooms are big this year, and I’m sure some of us have started a collection of them.

Your collection might have started with friends or family gifting you festive mugs, and now you enjoy curating a fun, quirky, and delightfully kitschy collection. Or maybe your sister-in-law (me!) gave you Spode Christmas serving pieces for years, and now you (Sue!) have nearly the entire collection.

Perhaps your grandmother’s collection of vintage Christmas sheet music inspired you to start your own. I’ve recently started a collection of vintage Christmas ornaments as I have inherited some of the ornaments that hung on my grandmother’s Christmas tree.

Whatever sparked your collection, these beloved items likely tug at your heartstrings—and maybe your purse strings, too! Whether it’s by nature or nurture, many of us are collectors at heart. If you have a collection of Christmas treasures, let’s give it its due and find creative ways to make it part of your home’s holiday charm this year!

What Do You Collect

If your basement, garage, attic, or even the space under your bed is home to a growing stash of Christmas treasures, this post is for you! We’ll explore ways to organize and display your collections beautifully during the holiday season.

And if storage is tight for those snowflakes you’ve been hoarding, congratulations—you’re officially a collector! Let’s turn that winter wonderland of snowflakes into a dazzling display that brings a flurry of festive charm to your home.

Here’s the truth, my friend: if you own even three similar Christmassy items, you’re well on your way to starting a collection! Collecting a specific holiday decor category is a fun hobby and a creative way to add unique accents to your home at Christmastime. Christmas collections can be stunning focal points for your holiday decor—if you know how to display them with flair.

So, what do you collect?

And if you’re not a collector (yet!), this post might just inspire you to start your own collection this year!

The big question is HOW to use and display our amazing Christmas collections.

My Christmas Collection Story

I really have a huge collection of little Christmas trees! And I can honestly say I’m not sure how my collection got so large. I guess I have not seen a little tree I do not love!

When I was a little girl, I fell in love with our Christmas trees! We had live ones, fake ones, big ones, tabletop ones, and even a silver metallic one with a spinning light that shone on it to make it different colors.

One of my favorite things to do when I was a girl was to lay on the floor with my head under the tree and look at the lights. Back then, they were colored lights. My parents had a stereo that played lots and lots of Christmas records, so looking at the lights and listening to Christmas music was the epitome of Christmas beauty to me.

No wonder I love Christmas trees in all their marvelous forms. I just can’t resist adding to my collection each year!

One thing I always keep in mind when I use my Christmas trees to decorate our home for Christmas is to only use the best! Don’t feel the need to use every item you have collected.

3 Guidelines To Follow For Using Christmas Collections

Christmas collections can fill our homes with holiday spirit and cheer, but if we’re not careful, they can also bring clutter and visual chaos! The secret lies in using your collections thoughtfully to enhance your decor, creating beauty, and adding a sense of wonder or whimsy.

To help you achieve that magical balance, here are some tried-and-true designer tips for decorating with your Christmas collections.

Here are three rules or guidelines to help you create beauty and balance when displaying your collection during the Christmas season…

Use Only the Best

• Choose the pieces that are in the best condition or hold the most sentimental value. Display these items as focal points in your decor to create a charming and meaningful look.

Cull Your Collection

• Go through your collection and remove items that feel outdated, damaged, or no longer fit your style. Keep only the pieces that bring you joy and will look attractive in your home.

Keep It Simple

• Less is often more. Avoid overcrowding your display area so your collection can shine. Leave space between items to give each piece the attention it deserves.

Helpful Tips Using The Three Guidelines

One of the most helpful tips I can offer for displaying a Christmas collection is this: Use only the best pieces from your collection. If you’re showcasing reindeer, Christmas pillows, or any other festive treasures, focus on the ones that are in the best condition or have the most visual impact—especially if your collection is extensive!

I’ve collected a variety of beautiful Christmas ornaments over the years, though I never really thought of them as a collection until now! My favorite way to display the heaviest and most ornate ornaments is in shallow pedestal bowls mixed with fresh or faux Christmas greens. This creates a simple yet elegant centerpiece.

Of course, there isn’t room to display every ornament every year. Some ornaments stay tucked away in the basement, while others are culled and passed along to new homes.

Now, here’s the exception to the “use your best” rule: If something in your collection is a bit tired, worn, or quirky but holds deep sentimental value, then by all means, display it! However, try to limit this to just one or two items, as they’ll have more impact when displayed thoughtfully. Surround yourself with things you love, and make your home truly festive and special.

For collections with more sentimental than decorative value, consider displaying them in private or less formal spaces, such as a bedroom or study. This keeps your home decor cohesive while still allowing you to enjoy those meaningful pieces.

For example, when my son was in nursery school, he made me a wooden triangle Santa Claus as a Christmas gift. Only through the eyes of love can Santa be recognized in this creation! But every time I bring out this precious piece, it floods me with warm memories of little dimpled hands and my towheaded three-year-old’s creative energy.

That triangle Santa, as funny-looking as it may be, is my most prized Christmas possession. It has a place of honor on my desk, where I can see it every day and be reminded of those sweet Christmas moments. Ultimately, the most meaningful displays are those that bring joy and reflect the heart of your Christmas memories!

En Masse Collections

Grouping entire collections of nutcrackers, bells, or Santa mugs can create a striking and impressive display—especially if you have the perfect spot to showcase them! While this isn’t my personal go-to method for displaying collections, I’ve seen en masse displays done beautifully, and they can truly make a statement in your holiday decor.

If you have a large collection that you’d like to show off as a group, here are a few tips to help your display look its very best:

• Choose a Dedicated Space: Select a spot that allows your collection to shine, such as a mantel, shelf, or buffet table. Keep the area clean and uncluttered to let the collection take center stage.
• Create Visual Balance: Arrange the pieces in varying heights and sizes to add interest and depth. Use risers, stacked books, or stands to elevate some items while keeping others grounded.
• Stick to a Theme or Palette: For a cohesive look, group items by color or style. For example, arrange nutcrackers with similar designs or Santa mugs that share a common color scheme.
• Use Lighting to Highlight Your Collection: Incorporate twinkle lights, candles, or focused lighting to draw attention to the display and create a warm, inviting glow.
• Keep It Contained: Use trays, baskets, or a defined surface to give your collection structure and keep it from looking scattered.
• Add Supporting Decor: Incorporate greenery, garlands, or small accents that complement your collection without overshadowing it.
• Edit Thoughtfully: Resist the urge to display every single item. Choose the best pieces or rotate parts of the collection each year to keep it fresh.

With a little planning and creativity, you can turn your collection into a stunning focal point that enhances the beauty of your holiday home!

Collections Throughout Your Home

My favorite way to display my little Christmas tree collection is by incorporating small groupings alongside my other Christmas decor. It creates a charming look while adding a touch of Christmas whimsy to various spaces in my home.

If you collect items like little wreaths, you can do the same! Try grouping several together on a wall, hanging one on a mirror, or even propping them in front of books on a shelf. A wreath will get noticed on a, hang a kitchen hood—it’s an unexpected but festive detail.

For my trees, I like to cluster them in small groups and use them throughout my home. This approach not only highlights the collection but also blends them into the overall holiday decor.

Interestingly, our eyes are naturally drawn to repeated patterns, like similar objects, colors, or shapes. This repetition is often perceived as very attractive, making it a powerful tool in decorating. However, too much of a good thing can feel overwhelming. So, as tempting as it may be, avoid adding Christmas collections to every bookshelf and flat surface in your home. A little restraint goes a long way in keeping your decor elegant and balanced. Know when enough of a good thing is enough!

Create Small Groupings

One of the most effective and visually appealing ways to display your collection is by corralling it into a defined space.

For example, you can place your jingle bell collection in a large, shallow bowl for a cheery centerpiece. Or, consider using a dough bowl to contain and showcase your vintage Christmas cards—it’s a simple yet elegant way to give them prominence.

I personally love using decorative trays to group smaller items in my collection, like Christmas trees. Even a large platter works beautifully for collections such as Santa mugs or ceramic white houses. Corralling keeps your display contained, organized, and attractive while drawing attention to the items.

When grouping my Christmas trees, I pay close attention to good design principles. I consider the color palette, vary the heights of the trees, and incorporate trees with different textures to add visual interest and depth. These thoughtful details make the display feel intentional and cohesive.

By corralling your collection and using design precepts, you can elevate your holiday decor while keeping it neat and stylish!

Use Collections To Enhance Other Decor

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to incorporate your Christmas collections into your holiday decor. By using just one or two items from your collection, you can elevate vignettes or arrangements, making them feel more connected to the rest of your Holiday home.

For example, last year in my kitchen, I created a display featuring a large white pottery lantern that I repurposed as a vase. It was filled with white hydrangeas and Christmas greens, paired with a smaller glass vase holding seeded eucalyptus and a single green budding hydrangea. I completed the grouping with a small gold votive candle and a tiny white light-up ceramic tree. This combination of the floral arrangements, a candle, and a little tree created a balanced and inviting display.

Here’s another Christmas arrangement in my kitchen. I added a little light-up ceramic tree (I have over a dozen in various sizes) next to a silver pot filled with fresh greens. The arrangement was lovely on its own, but when I tucked in a small white Christmas tree from my collection, the entire vignette felt more cohesive and tied into the rest of my holiday home.

Using pieces from your collections this way is a simple yet powerful way to elevate your Christmas decor. It reminds us that sometimes, the smallest touches can make the biggest difference!

Best Places To Display Your Christmas Collections

Here are some of the best places to display your snow globes or any other Christmas collection you might have…

• On any flat surface: Coffee tables, sideboards, or dining tables provide a perfect stage for your collection.
• Tucked into a bookshelf: Add charm by interspersing your collection among your books and other decor.
• Perched on top of a book: Elevate smaller items by placing them atop stacked books for added height and interest.
• On a shelf under a coffee table or end table: Utilize lower shelving to create layered displays with depth and texture.
• On floating shelves: Showcase your collection in a clean, modern way on wall-mounted shelves.
• Along a deep windowsill: Let your collection catch natural light for a festive and lovely look.
• On a nightstand: Add holiday cheer to bedrooms with a small grouping from your collection.
• In a vignette or arrangement: Incorporate pieces into a styled vignette alongside florals, candles, or greenery.
• On several stairs: Use your staircase to display items on alternating steps for a unique presentation.
• Hanging on hooks or pegs: Display lightweight items like wreaths, bells, or mugs to add vertical interest.
• In a decorative tray: Corral your collection on a tray for an organized and polished display.
• On a kitchen counter or island: Add festive touches to your kitchen by placing a small collection in an often-used space.
• On a mantel: Create a focal point by incorporating your collection into your mantel decor.
• On a desk: Brighten up your workspace with a piece or two from your collection.
• In a glass-front cabinet: Highlight delicate or precious items in a protected display case.

Other Places To Use Your Collections

Looking for creative ways to display your Christmas collections? Here are even more unique and beautiful ideas:

• Wired in your Christmas tree: This is an ideal spot to showcase smaller items like ornaments, bells, or even mini figurines for a magical, layered look.
• Displayed on a wall: Arrange items like dishes, wreaths, or framed holiday cards to create a striking gallery wall.
• Down the stairs: Place your collection on alternating steps for a whimsical display that draws the eye upward.
• Wired into garland: Incorporate small ornaments, toys, or keepsakes into a garland draped over a mantel, banister, or doorway.
• Attached to a wreath: Adorn a wreath with miniatures, jingle bells, or themed items from your collection for a personalized touch.
• Inside glass cloches: Place delicate or special items under glass cloches for a charming, protected display.
• On a holiday buffet table: Use your collection as part of the decor for a serving area, adding a festive and thematic touch.
• In apothecary jars: Fill clear jars with ornaments, bells, or snow globes for a simple yet eye-catching centerpiece.
• Inside lanterns: Tuck small items into lanterns and surround them with fairy lights for a cozy glow.
• Suspended from the ceiling: Hang lightweight items like snowflakes, stars, or small wreaths for a dramatic floating effect.
• Tucked into flower arrangements: Add figurines or ornaments to floral arrangements for a festive twist.
• Under the Christmas tree: Use decorative boxes, train sets, or themed collections to create a scene beneath the tree.
• On cabinet or pantry doors: Attach wreaths, small signs, or collections to the front of doors for extra holiday flair.
• In a shadow box: Showcase flat or small items like vintage cards, ornaments, or medals in a framed display.

These ideas can help you find fresh and unexpected places to showcase your beloved Christmas collections, ensuring your holiday decor feels both festive and unique!

The goal of any Christmas collection is to evoke cherished memories, fill your home with joy, and enhance its beauty and festive spirit. May your collection bring all this and even more magic to your holiday season!

Merry Christmas collecting!

Happy Christmas decorating, Friends!