Colonial Christmas Entryway Decor

Christmas in the foyer has finally arrived!

Ever since we installed our DIY stair wainscoting, contrasted the trim with a muted green paint color, and hung antique brass frames on the staircase gallery wall this fall, I have been dying to fill this space with Christmas cheer.

traditional Christmas entryway decor

Paint: Sherwin Williams Willowleaf & Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace | Garland | Twinkle Lights | Nativity Set | Flameless Candles | Pedestal Bowl | Mini Tree | Burgundy Ribbon | Orange Slices | Rug | Picture Frames | Mirror | Light Fixture (similar)

This is the first time I’ve been able to fully deck this space in two years with a whole new look. I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together.

Natural Christmas Decor Elements

I wanted to lean into the style of Colonial Williamsburg, Little Women, and A Christmas Carol as much as possible. So I added dried orange slices to garlands using wire ornament hooks for a traditional detail.

Adding natural elements to artificial garlands, wreaths, and trees is one of my favorite ways to make them look real. It totally tricks your mind.

Related: 18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself

Colonial Christmas decor in an entryway

Related: The Most Realistic Fake Garland + How to Make It Even Better

A few months ago, I gel stained this cabinet a coffee color. It was definitely the right choice.

Entryway Table Vignette

For more traditional decor touches, I placed a basic mini tree inside of an antique style pedestal bowl. And I found this chinoiserie nativity set to feature front and center of our Christmas entryway decor.

entryway cabinet with blue and white nativity set and candles decorated for Christmas

Battery Christmas Lights & Candles

I used several different battery operated Christmas lights in this space since none of the lights can be conveniently plugged in.

These flameless twisted taper candlesticks look vintage, but they’re battery operated so we don’t have to worry about our kids knocking over an open flame. The best part is they can be set on a timer, so I don’t have to remember to light them in the evenings.

I’ve had these for 3 Christmases now, and they’ve held up perfectly!

vintage twisted flameless candles

My favorite realistic Christmas garland doesn’t come pre-lit, unfortunately. So I like to add this strand of battery operated twinkle lights.

I usually hide the battery pack underneath the greenery and weave the strand of lights through the leaves, twisting around a few branches here and there to secure them.

staircase railing garland with dried orange slices and red ribbon

Related: How to Hang Garland on Stairs + Entryway Christmas Decor

For our stair railing garland, I hid the battery pack on the floor just underneath the trailing garland.

I hang the garland on the railing using these decorative twist ties so they blend right in.

hiding battery pack of twinkle lights in garland

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I do the same to our doorway garland, mounting the twinkle light battery pack to the wall with a Command velcro hanging strip.

It frames our dining room Christmas tree so perfectly and is my favorite view each year.

how to add lights to unlit garland

No one ever even notices the battery pack tucked behind the garland hanging on the wall. It definitely wouldn’t be the same without those twinkle lights.

hiding battery pack for twinkle lights in unlit garland

Christmas Bows

Adding burgundy velvet ribbon with a few bows on the greenery creates the best little pop of color.

I seriously thought about adding Christmas bows to picture frames on the gallery wall, but less is more. (And less means less cleanup in January.)

modern colonial Christmas entryway decor

This entryway finally feels exactly as I hoped it would all of these years. (You can see more about our traditional foyer makeover HERE.)

It took some tweaking and adjusting and figuring out our style as it evolves, but since this house is, in fact, a colonial, colonial traditional Christmas just seems right.

I hope some of these little Christmas entryway decorating tricks helps you out in your own home a bit.

Traditional Christmas Decorating Ideas

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8 Comments

  1. It’s all so beautiful in true Lauren style! I love all that you’ve done in the entry. After visiting New England this fall, I’m more in love with the colonial look! Also, how did we ever survive without battery operated lights? They are such a game changer! I also love the garland framed doorway view of your dining room Christmas tree, absolutely stunning! Merry Christmas to your and your family!

  2. I’m so curious about the candles on your Christmas tree! They’re dreamy! This whole space is just stunning, and so welcoming!

  3. So lovely ! I just found a used copy of “Christmas decorations from Williamsburg”, the timing couldn’t be more right !