Tips for Transitioning to Winter Decor After Christmas
In this post: Whether you feel let down after the holidays or can’t wait to put things away, these ideas will help you transition to winter decor after Christmas.⇒
Do you pack up the holiday decor on December 26th, vacuuming up every last pine needle?
Or are you the sort who still has ornaments around as Valentine’s Day is nearing?
Most of us probably fall somewhere in between and a little skillful planning can make the transition smoother and more pleasant.
I’m definitely closer to ‘team cleanup’, as I get to the point where the extra decor from the holidays begins to feel oppressive and I want a clean peaceful setting to rest my eyes on.
That said, a few little holiday remnants during this phase can be still welcome. Here are some tips for making the transition seamless.
Color is often the place I start and it’s key in this case.
The first thing I remove is all the bright color, especially the reds, as I move into an icy pastel palette for winter. Touches of lavender or pale blue can look wonderful against a backdrop of white and cream.
Some holiday greenery can stay at this early stage, although once we get into January I remove all signs of the holidays. I love to keep fresh flowers all year long and soft winter pastels work great for these arrangements.
Along with a calmer palette I also move into a cooler palette, using lots of silver and greys, along with the whites and pastels. These smoky crystals maintain a festive air, albeit much more understated than the full breadth of holiday fare.
A few subtle trees can remain at this time, quietly forecasting the winter that’s just beginning. The lovely snowy glass trees look pretty flanking my winter floral.
To underscore my cool colors and focus on silver, a few scattered ornaments can enhance the look. Like the greenery, once we move into January, these too will be put away, but for a gentle transition, a few silvery ones can stay for a bit.
Mercury glass is perfect for January decorating and is lovely with creamy white and pale lilac. The silver platter is at home against the white marble, as well.
Candlelight is always welcome in the winter months, along with a roaring fire in the fireplace.
The balance I like to strike at this time of year is between icy colors and hints of warmth, and pretty soon I’ll be pulling out the sweater knit throws and fur pillows.
The liberal use of silver gives me an opportunity to showcase some of my favorite vintage pieces. The delicate work on this candelabra is something that might’ve gotten lost among all the holiday flash, but in this serene setting it can really shine.
I use silver candles for extra shimmer.
As the holiday season draws to a close, I look forward to an organized and serene home, but keeping out a few subtle remnants from the past few weeks makes for a calming and gentle transition.
I tend to hibernate during the winter and it’s a time for resting and recharging.
Peace. Calm. Quiet.
It sounds blissful after a month of celebrations and holiday activities!
Winter Decor After Christmas Source List
To get the look, enjoy these winter decor options. Click on the items below for direct links to the products. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
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Love your winter decor and thank you for sharing … Me although is slow to want to take the Christmas decor and as a child brought up you bring in the New Year with the Christmas lights and decor up God bless
Yes, you should always do what makes you happy. When you are ready, you can follow these ideas… 🙂
Love your transition from holiday decor to simple and elegant winter decor. When I was a child back in the ’50’s, we didn’t put up a tree until the week before, not three months ahead of Christmas. Taking down the tree around the New Year seems to be standard. Your decor tips never disappoint!
Thanks for the kind words!
Ahhh, it’s peacefully beautiful! I’m taking down the tabletop tree today! Have lavender Alstroemerias in silver pitchers on silver trays. Crystal candle holders out. The few blush and mercury glass ornaments will stay under cloches until next week. I’m so done with it!
Ahh, you’re right there with me!! 🙂
This is beautiful. I’ve been collecting some lavender and orchid items to put in my white bedroom this Spring. Now, I don’t think it can wait. Once again you’ve inspired me. Thank you and Happy New Year!
There you go! That’s awesome!
Where did you get the adorable little Christmas trees?
They’re linked right in the post. Click on “snowy glass trees”. They’re from Love Feast Shop.
Robin Vaughn—I didn’t see them at Love feast, but found them(sold out) on Walmart.
Yes, I unlinked them because they no longer have them. If you ever find a source that’s not sold out, I’m happy to add the link here. Thanks!!
I’m doing blue, white, silver, but might add lavender after reading your post
Oh, I think an icy blue can work really nicely too… 🙂
The icy pastel color scheme is so pretty. Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things, but I also like cleaning up and putting Christmas away. Thank you for sharing at the Home Matters Linky Party.
Lovely transition and great tips.I like the lavender idea – it looks very beautiful!
Thank you!!
Will be putting Christmas away today and now have some ideas for a winter theme! Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Laurie,
Where did you get the beautiful silver candelabra used in this post?
I got it at an antique market nearby. I’ve seen similar ones on ebay… 🙂
I love the idea of refreshing and paring down! But for now I’m just tired and will rest til after New Year’s then down comes the Christmas decor but I think this year I’ll do it in stages as you suggest, leaving out some of the more ‘wintery’ pieces to enjoy more fully on their own!
Lory, I love how you transition to Winter! Your arrangement is so beautiful! There’s nothing like beautiful flowers! We will be packing most of our Christmas decor away next week. This Christmas, with a total lockdown in our province, the Christmas decor has brought so many precious memories as well as a coziness. In a way, it’s a little tough to pack it away as it has brought us so much happiness in a world that is full of so much uncertainty. How we look forward to happier days in 2021.
Hope you have a wonderful New Year! All the best to you and your hubby.
Thanks, too, Lory for always bringing us your wonderful posts! Always enjoy them!
Thank you for your lovely comment! I, too, look forward to better days in 2021. My tactic around the house is to enjoy the clean purity of January whites and then go full force into romantic decor for February. This is definitely the year to embrace Valentine’s Day and a few little romantic touches can be in order. Be on the lookout for something upcoming… 🙂
I always thought January 6th was little Christmas, so on January 7th I turn on all the lights and take down Christmas.
I never heard of that, but it sounds lovely. That’s a good time to start your winter decor… 🙂
So when do you transition out of winter and what do you transition to?
I usually do a little bit of understated Valentine’s Day and then start bringing in touches of spring. Not full on spring, of course, but I start to lighten the accessories in our rooms. For instance, I just got linen throw pillows, but in neutral colors, that will replace the heavy textured pillow covers in the family room. I won’t start adding spring color until March, but by end of February I start putting away the pine cones and bark covered accessories. I also LOVE to bring in fresh hyacinths the second they hit the garden center, as I find the scent heavenly!