Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas

This is great and all, but nothing compares to Christmas!” So declared my teenage daughter one fabulously sunny day last summer. (I guess the ornament really doesn’t fall far from the tree!) And she’s right. When we come together to make memories, dive into traditions, deck the halls, and find the perfect gifts, it truly is a season like no other. Whether you’ve been dreaming about it since the Fourth of July or are currently in panic mode, we are here to help guide and inspire you. In this issue, tour beautifully decorated homes and learn about family traditions that can’t help but get you in the spirit. Ashley Wilson’s house decorated in a rainbow of pastels gives permission to let your style shine (“Christmas in Technicolor,” page 34), while…

FAUX FUNGI The earthy woodland holiday trend is rooted in nature, leaning into organic, textural elements.—interior designer AUDREY SCHECK 1 mushrooms The 1970s are back, complete with earth tones, all the texture, and a woodland-inspired aesthetic. Mushrooms are a symbol of happiness, health, and good fortune in the coming year, making them an apt item to fit into holiday decor. 2 santa mugs These were first produced in 1949 as part of a seasonal dishware set by Holt-Howard. True vintage mugs have indented markings that say “Holt-Howard,” “Japan,” or “Taiwan,” but you can find vintage-inspired options at places like Target or Pottery Barn. santa extravaganza MUGS WITH A JEWELED EYE, A BELL, OR THAT ARE WINKING ARE ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE.—COLLECTOR EMILY BAKER 3 macramé Another style of the 1970s, this knot-tying technique adds texture…

WHEN BROOKE AND KEVIN CHRISTEN MOVED BACK TO THEIR HOME STATE OF UTAH, they knew they had to buy a house big enough for entertaining friends and family. “We’re the house to host all the parties, which we really like,” Brooke says. With gatherings of up to 30 people during the holidays, the 1970s home, which Brooke shares with followers on Instagram (@nestingwithgrace), comes alive with festivities. From gingerbread house-building contests to white elephant gifting parties, the Christen household is bustling with Christmas cheer—and decor—in December. “I like colors, patterns, and texture,” Brooke says of her maximalist-style home, and the holiday season is no different. “I think it’s really important to mix in older vintage pieces, so it doesn’t look like you bought a whole kit at the store,” she…

INSTRUCTIONS FOIL BURST MATERIALS – Starburst template (go to BHG.com/WrapStars)– Pink and golden foil papers– Scissors– Scoring stylus– Glue stick– Cardboard– Hot-glue gun and glue sticks– Mini ball ornament 1. Trace the template twice onto each color of foil paper; cut out (you should have four circles, two in each color). On the back side of each circle, mark the fold lines where indicated on the template and score all lines with the scoring stylus. 2. Cut each circle in half and group by color. For the pink group, accordion-fold each half-circle with the first fold toward you, second fold away from you, and so on, above, on right. Repeat with each golden half-circle in the opposite fashion (away, toward, away, toward); keep pieces folded. 3. Trim ¼ inch off…

“Don’t let the pretty pictures fool you—there is so much more to my Christmas decor than what the eye can see,” laughs homeowner Tina Oddo of Tega Cay, South Carolina. “With every wreath and ribbon comes a magical feeling that anything is possible—from flying reindeer with red noses to Santa hauling gifts on his sleigh through the snow. The magic we create for the people we love during this season—that is where the real beauty lies.” If anyone knows a thing or two about making magic, it’s Tina. Since 2018, the grandmother and influencer has dedicated her Instagram (@velveteenandgrace) to seasonal home decorating and promoting small businesses—a nod to her parents, who owned a custom cabinet shop for 35 years in Smyrna, Delaware. “Growing up, there were years when we…

Ashley Wilson loves Christmas. And pastels. And decorating her home for Christmas in pastels. “I really believe in holiday magic,” says the Logan, Utah, homeowner, who documents her color-draped spaces on Instagram (@athomewithashley). “Having a young child, it’s important to me to create that magic.” Rainbow hues radiate from every corner in her home all year long, but during Christmas, the colors explode. About 70 percent of the decor stays the same from year to year. This includes her beloved collectibles—ceramic house figurines, bottle-brush trees in almost every size and shade imaginable, and ribbons and bows rendered in satin, grosgrain, and even metal—which hold places of honor on mantels, shelves, and tabletops. For the remaining 30 percent, Ashley starts dreaming up decorating ideas in October. She likes to make at…