Written by Maria Sabella
Published Sep 17, 2026 | 5 minute read
Key Takeaways:
The latest holiday trend isn’t about finding the perfect gift. It’s all about “holidayscaping”—the practice of transforming your home for the season. Think twinkle lights, cozy quilts and the fresh scent of pine or holiday cookies drifting through the air.
“Holidayscaping is about creating an atmosphere, not just decorating,” says Fariha Nasir, an interior designer and the author of Home, Improved. And the good news is you don’t need a magazine-worthy home or massive decorating budget to bring some holiday magic to your space.
Here’s how to create your own holidayscape without adding unnecessary stress to your holiday spending.
Holidayscaping puts a meaningful spin on decking the halls. Rather than gifts or outings being the sole focus of holidays, it’s a shift toward investing in experiences.
This reflects a larger overall trend: People are craving comfort, connection and intentional living—and the home is at the heart of it all. The best part is that these experiences can be created within what your budget allows.
“When I think about holidayscaping a home, it goes beyond basic store-bought ornaments and garlands,” says Tara Karolski, owner of the seasonal styling company Gather & Glow. “It’s about layering in the old with the new to create that one-of-a-kind, curated look that makes your house truly feel like a holiday sanctuary.”
Of course, holidayscaping doesn’t mean abandoning the decorating traditions people already love. Nearly 90% of Americans decorate ahead of the holiday season, with the most popular items being ornaments, wreaths and string lights, according to a 2026 Angi survey. If anything, holidayscaping is about giving those familiar holiday favorites a little more intention and personality.
READ MORE: 6 Tips To Host an Affordable Holiday Party at Your Home
Before you pull out the decorations, consider how you want your home to feel. Cozy? Rustic? Like a winter wonderland? Having a clear vision makes it easier to curate décor and helps guide purchases.
Here are a few holiday aesthetic ideas:
Holidayscaping isn’t just about decorating the rooms that guests will see. It can also carry into the spaces you spend the most time in.
Give bedrooms a holiday makeover with cozy flannel bedding, add twinkle lights and flameless candles to your reading nook, or place decorative bowls filled with pinecones around your home.
Lighting is key, according to Karolski. “It’s a must for bringing that festive coziness into your home,” she says. “Think lit garlands across your bed’s headboard, a mini tree in your home office or a candlelit centerpiece in your dining room.”
READ MORE: Get More Joy From the Holidays
Holidayscaping extends beyond what your home looks like. It’s about engaging your senses, too.
When it comes to scent, “candles and potpourri are great for keeping your home smelling beautiful throughout the holiday season,” says interior designer Vanessa Arenas of Mackenzie Collier Interiors. She also loves making simmer pots with spices, apples, oranges and lemon.
Some other ideas include:
“I love creating interactive spaces where family and guests can gather and connect, such as setting out a holiday puzzle or creating a station for making gingerbread houses,” Arenas says. “It encourages slowing down and spending time together.”
You don’t need to spend a lot to holidayscape your home. Designers say the key is investing in timeless, quality staples that you can use and add to year after year.
Focus on classic pieces you’ll use for years, such as:
“Choose classic greenery you’ll want to reuse,” Karolski says. “Some of my favorites are magnolia, eucalyptus and boxwood garlands.”
Rather than buying holiday-specific décor for every room, look for versatile items that work throughout the year, including:
These pieces can easily transition from everyday décor to holiday styling with a few seasonal accents.
If you’re investing in your home, consider upgrades you’ll appreciate long after the holidays, such as:
When you’re shopping for seasonal décor or home upgrades, always look for promotions, financing options and Marketplace offers before clicking “buy.”
READ MORE: Top 7 Tips to Rein in Your Holiday Spending
Whether your version of holidayscaping is a single strand of twinkle lights or every room decked out for the season, the goal is the same: creating a home you’ll look forward to coming back to every day. Remember, there’s no “right” way to holidayscape. And that’s the real magic of it.
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Maria Sabella is a lifestyle writer, certified interior designer and e-design consultant and decorator. She’s worked in the interior design and staging industries for more than six years and covers home-related topics for numerous publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping and The Spruce.
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