You don’t need special powers to take a traditional decorating spot to ta-da! level

Reindeer acrylic figurines, $50 for a set of 3 (11" , 16" , and 21" tall), kailochic.com

1

CONJURE UP A RAINBOW

Adorable in a cluster or scattered across a mantel. And they can be broken down and stored flat at the end of the season.

PLAY WITH WORDS

You’ll delight the family if you spell out names with initial ornaments on a garland or a tree, or dangle their initials on stockings.

Opalhouse Monogram 3" -diameter glass ornaments, $5 each, target.com

Design by @jenniferdimplesandtangles

BOW OUT

No need to replace your existing decor: Different-size bows will zhush it right up. Stick with a simple palette—here, pink and red—to keep it cohesive. A sprinkling of bottlebrush trees and a banner or two add to the festivities; the “Merry Christmas” one is made of felt letter ornaments.

TRANSFORM YOUR STOCKINGS

Tassels, pom-poms, or tags will revitalize longtime faves. Or, hmm, maybe it’s time for some newbies?

Peace wool stocking, $26, ampersanddesign studio.com

Design by @inspiredbycharm

TRY A GARLAND SLEIGHT OF HAND

Sure, you can drape greenery to one side! (Mind: blown.) To trick out any basic garland so it’s more lavish and impressive, intertwine beads, pinecones, faux greenery, or a crocheted garland such as the star kind above. Sleek pieces, like the trees on the mantel, and a shiny Santa from CB2 balance the abundant texture.

5

GO MONOCHROME

Matching candles to the color of a menorah is understated chic. The cups pop out for easy wax removal.

Trace 10¾" x 10¾" metal menorah in clay, $155, and candles, $55 for a set of 45, both via-maris.com Geo 96" -long wood garland, $35, crateandbarrel.com

HAVE UNTRADITIONAL STUFF IN YOUR BAG OF TRICKS

A strand of geometric shapes is different but still plenty cheerful.

GIVE THE ILLUSION THAT YOU WORKED HARD Want to really feel like a wizard? Get pre-lit garland. Once it’ s up, just hit that ‘ on ’ button and voilà! Wind it around the banister of nearby stairs, too, for a little something extra.

9

SEE SPOTS

Even the most classic holiday plant, ye olde poinsettia, feels modern displayed in a jaunty planter with a dash of glitz.

Ontwerpduo candles in green velvet, sun, and blossom pink, $28 each, 54celsius.com

11

TRAVEL THROUGH TIME

Pastel taper candles with their own wax bases say A Christmas Carol in the coolest of ways.

Spot On 5¾" -tall metal cachepot in aqua and white, $36, jayesstudio.com

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MAKE YOUR HANGERS (ALMOST) DISAPPEAR I use penny nails to hang my garland. They ’ re so tiny that I leave them on my mantel year-round. The job goes quicker and, trust me, nobody notices. You will thank yourself every December.

—Tamara Day, Bargain Mansions

Design by @jaclynrjohnson

12

ENCHANT WITH BLACK AND WHITE

Whether your fireplace is plain white or graphic, like this tile stunner, black-and-white accents are dressy. (The black trees on the left are from Target, and the candleholders on the right are from High Fashion Home.) Work in a bit of green for yet more abraca-drama.

13

MIX ’N’ MATCH TREES

Bottlebrush trees aren’t the only game in town—behold these style standouts.

Opalhouse Designed With Jungalow Tassel 8¾" -tall polyester tree in red, $10, target.com 14 WHIP OUT A GOODIE-BAG BANNER Eight places to tuck in presents for each night of Hanukkah a treat for all. It’s available at Memory Threads NYC on Etsy, is or DIY it by folding kraft paper into pockets, decorating them, and gluing to a fabric ribbon. Also memorable: the silver candle sticks (from HomeGoods) and menorah (from Michael Aram) that bookend the mantel, and the dreidel and Star of David gel clings on the mirror.

CD-1624 glass figurines in green, $170 for a mixed set of 3 (largest is 18¼" tall), codyfoster .com for buying info

Honeycomb paper tree, from $5 for 12" tall, shopsweetlulu.com

Design by @ariel.loves

15

UNVEIL A VERY FAB NUTCRACKER

Those colors! The glittery hats! You may be tempted to keep these dudes out the whole year.

Colorful Nutcracker 5½" -tall wood figurines, $35 for a mixed set of 6, shop.ohyaystudio.com