The Best Holiday Decor – Holiday Decor That’s Not Tacky

It’s officially Thanksgiving, which means it’s no longer aggressively early to start decking your halls for December. That said, shopping for seasonal decor can be tricky. On the one hand, it’s tempting to be extra because it’s festive and fun. But unlike your go-to ugly sweater, you’re putting up decorations for weeks on end—not just wearing something for one night. So it’s best to go a little more subtle and sophisticated, like the above homeowner did, if you want your decor to have staying power throughout the season. Not to worry. We’re here to save you from any potential misses and wrong turns into reindeer-shaped gravy boat territory. Check out these stylish picks and get your holiday on at home. If you buy now, you can cash in on those Black Friday sales.

Add a sweet touch to your tree with these pretty pastel cookie shaped ornaments. Each luminescent macaron features textured sequin trim and comes ready for hanging with a silver fabric loop.

Buy: Macaron Ornaments, $58/Set of 6 at Anthropologie


Look forward to the launch of Diptyque’s holiday candles all year? Us too. This year’s lineup includes a twist on a tried-and-true scent, a fragrant pine needle candle. Notes of Siberian and Balsam fir combine with cedar, a touch of basil, and sage to create an intoxicating scent that isn’t over-the-top Christmasy.

Buy: Diptyque Protective Pine Candle, $38 at Nordstrom

Transform your home into a winter wonderland with these beautiful snowflake paper lanterns. They look graphic and stylish during the day, and—with the addition of a lamp cord kit (sold separately), they emit a warm, cozy vibe at night. 

Buy: 24″ Snowflake Paper Lantern , $23.00 $18.35/each at Paper Lantern Store


This three-compartment serving tray is perfect for serving an assortment of crudités, desserts, or simply leaving out a selection of varied nuts or hard candy. We love that the antlers don’t overwhelm but instead bring a subtle holiday touch to your coffee table. 

Buy: Faux-Antler Trio Serving Tray, $55.99 at Houzz


This festive jingle bell wreath would be perfect for a front door. Or you can hang it over a mantel by its pretty red grosgrain ribbon for a similar warm, cheery vibe.

Buy: Silver Jingle Bell Wreath, $49.95 at Williams-Sonoma

Forget the clunky plastic tree toppers of yore. This unique star topper combines simplicity with a touch of modern elegance to ensure your tree is a standout. Each starburst spoke is covered in gold glitter and will twinkle, even without the glow of your tree’s lights.

Buy: Gold Star Tree Topper, $13.97 $19.95 at Crate & Barrel

Set these chic candlesticks out on your holiday table and let inspiration strike. Neutral tapers are included to complete this ceramic trio. We love the low-key look of this subdued assortment that won’t clash with other, more traditionally colored décor.

Retro bottle brush trees are back in a major way. Each of these trees are sold separately, but they definitely make more of an impact when grouped together, as shown. Choose a solo shade or one from each color of the rainbow for an eye-catching centerpiece. Or cluster a grouping on a shelf or mantel—they’re super versatile.

Buy: Rainbow Glitter Bottle Brush Trees, Starting at $16 per tree at Etsy