Nutcrackers are a timeless symbol of Christmas magic, bringing a touch of whimsy to any space, and the best part? They are easy and inexpensive to decorate with. Today, we’re sharing nutcracker and simple holiday decor ideas you can easily recreate.
Whether you’re styling your mantel, setting the table, or decorating a tree, I hope these ideas inspire you to add a nutcracker, two, or even more to your holiday decor.
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
And guess what…
We have an early Christmas present for you!
Today we’re joining the Merry and Bright Holiday Home Tour!
Our amazing creative blogging friends are opening their homes decorated for Christmas and welcome you to visit!
We hope you enjoy our tour and then click the links at the bottom of this post to visit everyone!
Ready to be inspired?
Welcome
Welcome to our home!
Today we’ll tour our entryway and the dining room with a whimsical nutcracker theme!
Come on in!
The first thing you see when you enter our home is the staircase, which contains a hint of our whimsical theme!
Nutcracker Decor Ideas
Make Bows with Nutcracker Ribbon
The handrails of our stairs are draped with garlands of greenery adorned with bows made out of nutcracker ribbon.
Feature a nutcracker in a vignette
The entryway table holds a simple vignette I created by placing greenery in a tray, adding a gold magnolia spray, a tall nutcracker, four pillar candles, and a bow with the same nutcracker ribbon.
Now let’s move into the dining room!
Use a Nutcracker as a Tree Topper
We have a slim tree in the dining room and we attached a nutcracker to the top as our tree topper.
Then, we surrounded him with white berry and pink crabapple picks.
Decorate with Nutcracker ornaments
The tree is decorated with pink, gold, and white items and some adorable nutcrackers.
Design Nutcracker Art Work
The mantel is filled with DIY art created from gift bags!
You might be interested to know that the nutcracker gift bags came from Walmart and inspired this year’s theme and color scheme.
I would have never thought to pair pink, red, and gold together, but somehow it works!
Display Nutcrackers on plates
A nutcracker sits atop each place setting on the dining room table.
Craft Nutcracker Napkin Rings
I had a little leftover ribbon and decided to use it for napkin rings.
They were so simple to make.
I wrapped the ribbon around the napkin, cut off the excess, and used a stapler to hold it together.
Incorporate nutcrackers in a china cabinet
Finally, I added a few nutcrackers on the shelves of our china cabinet.
So what do you think so far?
Did I use way too many nutcrackers or just the right amount?
You’ll have to let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
If nutcrackers aren’t your thing, here are other holiday decor ideas that may inspire you!
Simple Holiday Decor Ideas
Decorate an Asymmetric Mantel
I love symmetry, so hanging my garland unevenly on the mantel was out of my comfort zone.
I’m so glad I tried it, I think it looks fabulous and is balanced by the tree in the left corner of the room!
I tried another first this year by hanging all the stockings on one side of the mantel.
On the other side, I hung a pink and white pom pom garland (leftover from the tree) and a DIY wood bead pom pom garland I made earlier this year.
Last, but not least, I hung three pink ornaments in the corner and tucked white berry picks along the garland.
Create a Unique Tree Collar
If you enjoy a great upcycle project, you will love this!
I made this adorable drum tree collar from a lampshade!
Isn’t it perfect for this slim tree?
Adorn Chairs with Wreaths
Decorate the back of your chairs with small wreaths tied with a velvet ribbon!
Make DIY Ornaments
If you like to DIY you can make beautiful ornaments with gold leaf and napkins!
Layer Garlands for a Centerpiece
This centerpiece was simple to put together.
I started with a nine-foot evergreen garland, bent it in half, placed it on the table, and fluffed it.
Then I added a pink glitter leaf garland on top of it and tucked candles into it.
Next came white berry picks, pink crabapple picks, and frosted ball picks.
Hang Greenery Swags
I placed swags of greenery on the china cabinet and embellished them with a white berry pick and velvet bow.
Tuck Bottlebrush Trees Into a China Cabinet
Tuck bottle brush trees between the dishes in your china cabinet.
Incorporate Holiday Dishes
Originally, I planned to use white dishes but since there are pops of red color here and there, I decided to use my Christmas china and glasses!
If you don’t have seasonal dishes consider using paper plates to add to your theme or color scheme!
Conclusion
Thank you for joining me on this festive home tour featuring nutcracker and simple holiday decor ideas!
I hope you’ve found inspiration to add a touch of whimsy and maybe a nutcracker, or two, or three to your holiday decor.
If you enjoy the blog, please sign up for our email list so you won’t miss a post!
Blessings, Donna and Rich
Merry and Bright Holiday Home Tour
Before you go, don’t forget to click the links to see our friends’ holiday home tours!
- From Farmhouse to Florida- Brocante Style Holiday Home Decor
- Cloches and Lavender- Natural Christmas Decor Ideas for Any Home Style
- Bushel and a Pickle- Christmas Time With Red and Green Decor
- My Home and Travels- Minimalist Christmas Home Tour
- Bluesky at Home- Ideas for Bright and Colorful Christmas Decor
- Yellow Cottage Living- Easy Ways to Add Christmas Cheer to Your Home
- An Organized Season- You are here
More Holiday Decor Inspiration
Don’t leave yet, if you love seeing holiday decor as much as I do, you’ll want to check out the posts below:
- Neutral Christmas Decor Ideas You’ll Love
- Festive Gingerbread Christmas Kitchen
- Tips to Decorate With a Woodland Christmas Theme
- Seven Ways To Decorate For Christmas on a Budget
- Beautiful Way to Style a Christmas Village
Get The Look
If you want to recreate this look in your home, we have linked similar items below.
Click the blue links for more information on the items in the picture!
Flameless Candles | 4-Piece Stemless Glasses | Set Christmas Nutcrackers
Three Wooden Nutcrackers | Unfinished Wooden Nutcracker | Single Nutcracker Bag
Nutcracker Trio Gift Bag | Christmas Knit Stockings | Cypress Evergreen Garland
Lenox Gold Banded Dinner Plate | Christmas Salad Plate Set | Gold Charger Plate
Pin It For Later
Don’t forget to pin the image below to one of your Pinterest boards (click the red Pin button in the top left corner).
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Donna this gorgeous. The nutcracker tree topper is gorgeous!
Love the mantel too. Pinned and loved your home.
Hi Cindy! I wasn’t sure if the nutcracker would work as a tree topper, but I’m loving it! Thanks so much!
Hi Donna, I really enjoyed seeing your nutcrackers! Two years ago we gave our son the nutcracker collection. Many were bought for him over the years. His love for nutcrackers started with his fascination with the’ big black hat soldiers’ in England. Now they decorate his family’s home.
Hi Linda! That is wonderful! You are so fortunate to have a child that loves something you collected! Nutcrackers are timeless!
SUCH a cute and whimsical Christmas theme, Donna!! Love that nutcracker ribbon…so pretty!! You did such a great job of tying each room and space into the next. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Rachel! So glad you like it! I bought the ribbon to go on the mantel and table centerpiece and then pivoted to put it on the stairs instead! I’m happy with how it turned out! Merry Christmas to you!
Donna!!!! When do I need to be there to eat dinner in that magical dining room? Love all the nutcracker touches! Such a fun theme! We may end up with Nutcrakcers on our plates on Christmas Day! Merry Christmas!
Hi Jen! We would love to have you for dinner, let us know if you ever come to Florida!! Glad you like our nutcracker theme, it was fun to put together! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I have always love nutcrackers but never used them a lot. I plan to continue with my black and white next year as well and think nutcrackers could fit in with it. Maybe that will be what I’m looking out for this year., MERRY CHRISTMAS
I agree Rosemary, nutcrackers would look fabulous with your Christmas decor! You could buy plain ones and paint them black, white, and dark green! Maybe you can find some on clearance after the holiday? Anyway, here’s to a very Merry Christmas!
Donna, I love your nutcracker theme. That ribbon is gorgeous. We collected nutcrackers for our son when he was a little boy. I have no idea where they are now, but I want them back. The mistakes as a tree topper is a brilliant idea. Have a Merry Christmas in your beautiful home.
Thank you Carol! I had so much fun putting these spaces together! I hope you find that nutcracker collection! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!