The 2020 Ultimate Holiday Decor Guide

I think we can all agree that 2020 could do with a healthy dose of festive cheer. Spending more time at home with loved ones is the perfect excuse to go all out when it comes to your holiday decor, and here's your first tip — less is not more when it comes to holiday decorations. In fact, the more the better! But before you pull down all your decorations from storage, you need to read our helpful decoration guide to create a plan of attack and a shopping trip to Lowe's to help you bring the Yuletide cheer.

Let's start with a biggie, shall we? The tree is a must have when you're celebrating Christmas, and how you choose to decorate it can really make or break the rest of your holiday vibe. It's always a good idea to have at least three layers on a tree, for example; the first layer is lights, the second is round ornaments, the third is dangly ornaments. Feel free to add more: garland and tinsel can never hurt, and we're even partial to an old-fashioned popcorn strand when you're in a pinch. You can save yourself some time and hassle when you buy an artificial Christmas tree that is prelit.

Don't sleep on a decked out yard this season! Between lights, Santa inflatables, and garland, there are so many ways and opportunities to make your outdoor living space your own personal winter wonderland. The trick here is balance nighttime-only displays with daytime displays. Obviously, all the extra lights and effects won't be as noticeable in daylight, so be sure to have plenty of yard inflatables or pathway markers to show off your holiday spirit 24-seven.

Are you celebrating Hanukkah this year? Then it's time to light. it. up! Obviously you can't partake in the Festival of the Lights without a menorah, games, or gifts, but other decorative pieces make the eight days and nights a bit more special. If your family is celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah, then try to incorporate the two into your family traditions. Ideas like putting a Star of David tree topper as an homage to your interfaith family is a great way to truly embrace the spirit of the season.

There are two types of people in the world: those who grew up with holiday-specific dishtowels and those that have no idea what we're talking about. If you grew up with seasonal decor, then you know how fun it can be to switch out things like pillows and artwork with holiday-inspired pieces. If that's not your vibe, then just try adding a few holiday elements, like stockings and mistletoe, to your home decor for a subtle nod to the season.

Do holiday decorations even count if they don't light up? Not IMHO. Part of the magic of the season is being surrounded by twinkly lights. Luckily, that doesn't necessarily mean getting on a ladder to trim out your entire roof line. Prelit garland is a great option for banisters and mantels, while battery-operated strands can be used as a decor piece on their own when tucked under a small dome with greens or displayed amongst poinsettias as a centerpiece. And when it comes to holiday lights, the options are endless!