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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
Would you like to save this?
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.
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.
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.)
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.