Design 101

Curate Nostalgic Charm With Cottagecore Christmas Ideas

November 14, 2024

Christmastime is all about celebrating traditions, making it a particularly joyful season for fans of old-fashioned and rustic styles. In particular, we’ve noted a trend in cottagecore-themed holiday decorations that beautifully marry country charm and romantic vintage decor. If you’re interested in learning more, here are the key design elements you need to create a cozy and festive cottagecore wonderland.

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Cottagecore Christmas Trees & Botanicals

An undeniable part of cottagecore’s charm is the grounding effect of plants, botanicals, and other natural elements that offer timeless beauty and soothing calm. For the holiday season, consider swapping out creeping vines and sunny wildflowers for pine garlands and artfully arranged holly branches. And though there’s usually a large central Christmas tree that serves as the focal point of the holiday living room, consider also scattering mini trees or wreaths throughout other rooms for even more holiday cheer.

Soft & Earthy Color Palette

For a cottagecore-themed holiday, we recommend sticking to delicate pastels and earthy hues to evoke a cozy and inviting feel. Popular colors include deep reds, dusty rose, sage and forest green, chocolate brown, and other foundational neutrals like cream and vanilla white, beige, and dove gray. Though cottagecore is usually full of refreshing and airy pastels, leaning more heavily on these muted and toned-down colors will feel like a natural transition into winter.

Layered & Organic Textures

To emulate the unparalleled coziness and warmth of cottagecore style, it’s time to layer up. We like to mix different textures to create not only warmth but also depth. Think knitted and chunky throws, soft wool or sherpa blankets, and even touches of linen or burlap accents for a rustic overtone. Another small but effective detail is to add bows and ribbons throughout your cottagecore Christmas decorations — from the Christmas tree to the garlands and wreaths decorating your mantel.

Vintage Cottagecore Christmas Decorations

Have any vintage tree ornaments, glassware, or family heirloom pieces like handknitted stockings, festive china, or grandma’s quilt? Bring them out for your cottagecore Christmas. They’re perfect for adding character, personality, and a sense of nostalgia to your home. Other popular cottagecore elements include rustic decor that feel secondhand, like vintage-inspired wooden crates and chests, mason jars, and decor made of galvanized metal or wrought iron.

Sparkling Fairy Lights & Candles

The easiest way to create a cozy ambiance is by using low and warm lighting. Fairy lights, also known as Christmas lights, are a great festive option to deliver an enchanting and magical glow. You can string them throughout your cottagecore Christmas tree, wreaths, garlands, and even around your mantel and windows. For a delightful piece of tabletop decor, simply fill a mason jar with twinkling fairy lights. We also recommend using a mix of pillar candles, tea lights, and lanterns for a dose of classic, old-timey charm.

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Seasonal Christmas Scents

Did you know your sense of smell is closely intertwined with your memories? Evoke nostalgia with seasonal scents that take you back to Christmas mornings as a kid — or use seasonal scents to create new joyful memories for your little ones. Common Christmas and wintertime scents include aromas that naturally emanate from the kitchen like cinnamon, orange, and chocolate, or refreshing and earthy scents like pine and peppermint that can come from the Christmas tree or strategically placed candles.

Mismatched Cottagecore Table Setting

Cottagecore is anything but ultra-formal and stodgy. Everything should look and feel homey, inviting, and lived in. The same rules apply to your table setting for holiday gatherings and dinner parties. Add mismatched chairs and plates to create a sense that each piece was hand-selected, personalized, and has a story to tell. As a final touch, we recommend adding linen cloth napkins or table runners to enhance the sense of organic and earthy texture.

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