This is my first holiday season with my son. Initially I wanted to go big. I’m talking holiday decor in every room. But being a new mom, I had zero time. And being a single mom, I’m on a budget. So instead, I decided to keep things simple. I thought about how to create a warm neutrals Christmas tree filled with memories. Here’s what I came up with:
The Tree
I was going back and forth between a real or faux Christmas tree. I ended up going faux and I love the tree I found during Black Friday! I made sure to get one with warm lights. That way, you get a golden glow in the room.
The ornaments
Growing up Jewish, I never had a Christmas tree as a kid. But when my mom married my stepdad when I was a teenager, we got to have a tree. I was so excited. I was even more excited that my mom decided we should hand-paint all the ornaments. I’d come home from school and help her paint the clear glass ornaments with different designs. And for years after that, she’d add new ornaments with new memories. And she always personalized ornaments anytime a friend or family member celebrated the holidays with us (you can see some of them in Jack Jack’s first Christmas video).
I knew it would be impossible to top her tree so I didn’t even try. Instead, I tried to think of something that was personal, but still dog and kid friendly (glass is a no now that I have a baby). I also wanted something that fit the California casual vibe of our new home. I cam up with a mix of natural elements and ways to showcase memories for years to come (here’s a video of our tree on Instagram).
Natural Elements
I was inspired by Nordic design with these lightweight ornaments. Then I used pinecones as filler. Preston and I collected pinecones on our walks. I glued velvet ribbon on them to fill in any holes in our tree. I also used natural elements to fill the majority of the plastic fillable ornaments. Some I did with wood flowers. And the rest I put in dried baby’s breath and mini pinecones. For the tree topper, I found a wood bead star.
Memories for Years to Come
I collected some of my favorite memories of the past year: my first sonogram photo, the hat Preston wore to come home from the hospital, his fave onesie, wings from his first flight, etc.). Over the years, I can’t wait to add in more memories I create with my boys.
ornament tips
use Ribbon for Cohesion
Using one type of ribbon makes everything cohesive. I did all khaki velvet. But you could also choose one color in different textures. Or you could do one texture, like velvet, in different colors.
Double faced velvet makes life easier
In previous years I did single sided ribbon for ornaments. This year, I spent a little extra on double faced velvet. It was totally worth it. I was able to make bows so much faster not having to worry about the different texture.
Give ample time to dry flowers
I made the huge mistake of not letting my baby’s breath fully dry out before placing them in my ornaments. I came back from vacation to a tree of moldy flowers. It was gross. So I just bought dried baby’s breath as a quick fix. But if you’re drying on your own, make sure you let it fully dry out before locking in the moisture.
As for the rest of my holiday decor? I kept things simple and in line with my warm neutrals Christmas tree:
The Mantle
Everyone has different ideas on how to decorate a mantle for the holidays. I personally like assymetrical garland. I found this awesome faux garland at Home Goods. Then I added large bells and small bells on twine on one side (my son loves ringing the bells). I still had these clear reindeers from my West Hollywood glam holiday decor. So I mixed in a little glass with the candles and tray and contrasted it with more natural elements like pinecones and dried baby’s breath.
I also used my TV as holiday artwork. It’s a little trick I’ve been doing since I first got a Frame six years ago. I’m so obsessed I bought another Frame TV when I moved to San Diego. I uploaded a bunch of holiday paintings and photographs I love. Then I favorited them and created a holiday slideshow. Every 15 minutes, I get to see new artwork that spans the centuries.
Holiday Flower arrangements
I love creating fresh floral arrangements. But again, I have zero time these days. So I bought a bunch of faux hydrangeas and peonies at Michaels that I can use throughout the year. To make them holiday, I added faux pine and pinecone bushes and some baby’s breath that I let dry out.
holiday decor tips
Use scents if going faux
Since I didn’t get a real tree, I scattered scented pinecones around my home (both on the tree via ornaments and on my mantle). I bought my Balsam scented pinecones at Trader Joe’s but they have a bunch online.
Create a playlist
In addition to my TV artwork playlist, I always have a Spotify playlist going. It instantly makes a home feel more holiday.
Don’t be afraid of mixing vibes
Even though I have California casual decor now, I was still able to incorporate a few holiday pieces I had used in my previous glam decor. I love sprinkling in unexpected home decor elements.
More of a glam girl? I used to be too! Here is how I decorated my condo as a chic winter wonderland over the holidays:
This is such a beautiful approach to your first holiday with your son! I love that you’re prioritizing memories and warmth over going overboard with decorations—that golden glow from the warm lights sounds so cozy. The hand-painted ornament tradition from your mom sounds like such a meaningful thing to pass down to your little one too. It’s these personal touches that actually make the holidays special, not the Pinterest-perfect stuff.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.8.26
This is so relatable for new moms! Realizing you have zero time and a budget means simplifying is key. I love that you’re focusing on a warm, memory-filled tree instead of going big. Can’t wait to see your creative, simple approach!
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.9.26
This guide is beautiful! As a non-native speaker, I used speech to textapp’s translation feature to help me better understand the nuances of your Nordic design tips. Truly inspiring!
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.9.26
What a beautiful way to start this tradition with your son! I love how you’re focusing on meaningful details like the warm lights and hand-painted ornaments instead of feeling pressured to decorate every room. As a fellow budget-conscious parent, I really appreciate the honesty about keeping things simple—it sounds like you’re creating something so much more special than any over-the-top setup could be. The fact that you’re continuing the hand-painting tradition your mom started with you is just perfect.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.9.26
There is something so timeless about a neutral color palette, especially when it is balanced with meaningful ornaments collected over the years. I love how you have managed to make the tree feel sophisticated yet deeply personal and cozy. This approach really highlights the stories behind the decorations rather than just the trends.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
This guide on creating a warm neutrals Christmas tree filled with memories is a beautiful and practical approach to holiday decorating, especially for new moms on a budget. The tips on using faux trees, hand-painted ornaments, and natural elements like dried baby’s breath add a personal and cozy touch. For enhancing photos of such festive decor or other home styling content, tools like https://www.hdphotoconverter.io can help improve image quality and resolution.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
I liked the point you made about this topic. Thanks for sharing a practical perspective on it.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
This is such a beautiful and heartfelt approach to Christmas tree decorating! I absolutely adore the concept of combining warm neutrals with ornaments that hold special memories. It truly makes the tree a unique reflection of family history rather than just a pretty display, bringing so much more meaning to the holiday season.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
There is something so incredibly soothing about a neutral color palette during the busy holiday season. I love how you have balanced a sophisticated aesthetic with personal mementos, making the tree feel both stylish and deeply sentimental. It is a wonderful reminder that festive decor can be calming while still telling a beautiful story.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
Unlock your creativity with zzo.ai, the comprehensive AI platform for all your visual needs. Whether you are a marketer, designer, or content creator, zzo.ai helps you:
1. AI Image Generator: Turn text into high-quality images instantly.
2. Magic Editor: Modify details and fix images effortlessly.
3. Background Remover: Clean up product photos or portraits with one click. Streamline your workflow and save hours of editing time. Try it now at zzo.ai.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
Solid breakdown. I found the key points very actionable. — Sophia coow
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
I love the idea of incorporating personal memories into the tree decor! Using ornaments that represent special moments definitely makes it more meaningful than just a pretty display. It’s such a lovely way to celebrate the season.
SkyreelsV4
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
I love the idea of keeping things simple and focusing on memories, especially as a new mom! A warm neutrals Christmas tree sounds so cozy and personal.
GrokImagine2
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
HaloAI is an online AI image editing platform offering smart templates for fast and creative design. Enhance, customize, and refine images using AI. https://haloai.fun Sign in to try for free.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.10.26
This is such a sweet first holiday with your son! I really love your approach to keeping it simple – as a new mom myself, I totally get the time crunch and budget reality. The warm lights on your faux tree is such a smart choice for creating that cozy golden glow without all the stress, and I’m so touched by the hand-painted ornament tradition from your own childhood. It sounds like you’re creating beautiful memories for your son while honoring your own family history, which is honestly what the holidays should be about anyway.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.11.26
What a beautiful and heartwarming Christmas tree! The warm neutrals create such a cozy atmosphere. Just like you focus on creating memories, we at ShipGrowth focus on helping developers and creators find the best AI tools to build their own projects and memories. Thanks for the inspiration!
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.11.26
I love how you prioritized meaningful memories over the stress of “going big,” as that warm glow is just perfect for a first Christmas with your son. It’s so important to simplify where we can during the busy holidays, even if it’s just using a tool to track your period so your health is one less thing to worry about.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.13.26
Love how your warm neutrals tree leans into memory-filled ornaments—it feels so calm and personal. When you’re choosing tones, do you pick the ribbon first or the ornaments to set the champagne-vs-gold balance? I’ve been mocking up tree looks in Leonardo AI to test ribbon width and light warmth before I commit, and it’s actually saved me a few returns.
Notice: Undefined variable: comment_ID in /home/nginx/domains/sydnestyle.com/public/wp-content/themes/sydnestyle2018/comment.php on line 30
3.13.26