Cottage Christmas Decor Ideas

Come tour An Oregon Cottage holidays through the years for Christmas decor ideas and new ways to reuse your favorites from year to year.

My family's Christmas decor growing up pretty much consisted of the same things every year. There was one year that I was too young to remember where the traditional tree was supplanted by a silver one with red balls, but other than that we pretty much decorated the same. We'd add a few new ornaments, but that was about it.

And there's nothing wrong with that. I love pulling out the things that have been around for years, remembering all the other times we put them up and the memories around that. I have my Grandma's nativity set, which is super special to me and when I put it up, I remember when little hands helped me (and yes, I usually get teary).

But if you find joy from your surroundings like me, changing up some parts of the yearly decorating scheme is fun. I never buy all new stuff or throw out everything - it's usually just changing up the colors, emphasizing gold or silver, or going more natural. And lots of rearranging. Whatever strikes my fancy that year.

I know you will fall into one of two camps - those who agree with me and think it's fun to do a few new things and those that roll their eyes and say, "oh, please." And that's okay - there's room for everyone in the Christmas decorating realm.

However, I thought it would be interesting for both camps to take a little history tour with me through the years of Christmas decorating on AOC. You will see how my style has changed - and how it's also reflected in my overall style changes, too. You'll also see how I use the same items from year-to-year, just in different places and maybe different ways.

As you scroll through the photos below, I hope you are inspired to find ways to enjoy your holiday decorating in different ways - and think about how yours may - or may not - have changed, too! (Oh, and note how far my photography skills have come - though I still find it hard to photograph in our gray Oregon winters…)