Our real estate agents love every season in Chicago, but there's something truly special about the holidays. From the festive lights that illuminate the Magnificent Mile to the city's official Christmas tree in Millenium Park, there's always a lot to experience around Chicagoland this time of year.
If you want to bring some of that holiday cheer into your home, here's how to deck the halls in your Chicago home this December.
Up Your Candle Game
'Tis the season to illuminate your home with candlelight. The warm glow of candles provides a warm holiday atmosphere, especially for family dinners. Choose some lively ornamental candle holders to pair with candles in holiday colors. If you're concerned about open flames, choose a battery-powered candle — many of them are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Lighting some scented candles is another perfect way to use candles to add to the holiday vibes. Choose seasonal scents like cinnamon or evergreen to spice up the aroma in your home.
Go Wild With Garlands
Decorative garland really captures the essence of the season. And while garlands are plenty cheerful on their own, consider upping your garland game with the addition of string lights, ornaments, pine cones or other adornments. Garland is a great accent for windows and door frames during the holidays. It's also the perfect way to add a festive touch to a staircase — try winding it around the railings and banisters for a classy, inviting look.
DIY-it
Making your own decorations is a fun and rewarding way to get the whole family involved in adorning your home with holiday cheer. Plus, it can be a great, eco-friendly alternative to buying things new. If you have room, encourage everyone to sign and date their hand-made decor so you can look back on it for years to come.
Put Out Some Cookies
Nothing says "welcome to our home" quite like a plate of impeccably decorated cookies or other seasonal sweets. This might just be the year to up your cookie game with some next-level cookie decorating ideas like these. Plus, your house will smell amazing.
Restrict Your Color Palette
Want to try a fresh approach to decor this season? Try decorating with a limited palette. Holiday decorations tend to be wildly eclectic — not that there's anything wrong with that — and using a carefully chosen color scheme can create a unified look that really makes your home stand out. If you're decorating a tree, choose bulbs or ornaments in neutral colors for a peaceful, distinctive ambiance.
Pull Out the Plaid
Plaid patterns have a way of bringing out a warm and cozy quality in any room, and they make great additions to your holiday decor. While using too much plaid can be a bit overpowering, touches of it here and there create a stylish and inviting atmosphere. Don't be afraid to look beyond classic black and red — there are plenty of other plaid patterns out there!
Enliven Your Home With Holiday Houseplants
Colorful houseplants can bring some much-needed life into your home during the winter months, and the holidays are a great time to spruce up your space with some winter blooms. Poinsettias and amaryllises are classic choices, but any plant with green foliage and white or red flowers will look right at home.
Contact us to learn more about spending the holidays in Chicago. Our real estate agents are here to help you find your perfect home for the holidays in any Chicagoland neighborhood.
