Once Halloween is over, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed (or already behind) on Christmas decorating. With Christmas decor already hitting the shelves in stores and online, plus all of the Instagram inspiration reels, it can be tempting to run out and purchase everything you see. But before you add to cart, check these 5 simple, yet effective things off your list to help you plan your Holiday decor this season.

Start with finding inspiration

You guessed it – the first step is all about gathering images, songs, magazines (do people still read those?), articles, blog posts, YouTube videos – you name it! For me, I’m drawn to something new each season, or even a different take on a design I’ve already done in previous years. I always think about how I want my home to feel during the holidays and what colours, and accessories will help bring that feeling to life.

Take inventory

While my retail days of inventory are over (thank goodness), it’s still a very wise decision to take stock of what you already have and then compare it to your inspiration for this season. Not only will this help to save money, you’ll also be helping the planet by reusing your decor. It may be a great time to go through and donate items your style has outgrown or put them up on Facebook Marketplace to go towards funding some new pieces. 

Do it yourself

Before you head to the store to purchase your new decor pieces, ask yourself if there are any DIY’s you’d love to do. Maybe there’s a couple of items you already own that just need a little love? I love crafting during this time of the year (see my post about DIY gift tags from a few years ago!). It can be a fun activity that you do with your friends and family over some hot chocolate and baked goods.

Fill in the gaps

Now that you know what you have and where you want to take your design, it’s time to fill in the gaps. Be mindful about what new items you want to incorporate into your decor. Are these pieces that you’ll be able to have for years to come? I’ve really tried to become more thoughtful in my spending habits and add items that I absolutely love and will be able to cherish for longer than just one season. Take a look at thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace for yourself! You never know what treasures you’ll find. 

Clean it up and map it out

Now that you have all of your items and your theme ready to go, this is a great time to map out where you want your big ticket items – aka your tree, any wreaths, garland and large decor items. If you’re decorating multiple rooms, place your larger items in their homes first and then add in the smaller decor. This includes figuring out what items or pieces of furniture you will need to edit out or move to different rooms. 

And last but not least, clean! A crucial first step before you decorate. Give your opens shelving a dusting and anywhere you plan on decorating. While you’re moving items around to clean, pull out the decor accessories that won’t work during the holiday season and store them away for after Christmas. 

Check out my Affordable Christmas Decor Haul here: 

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I can’t wait to show you how our decor turns out this year! What is your go-to colour scheme for Christmas? Are you team red and green or gold and silver or candy-land or..? The combinations are truly endless. Let me know in the comments below some of your inspiration for this year!