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Christmas Decorating Ideas 2026: 6 Looks to Style Your Home & Tree

Decorating for Christmas is one of the best parts of the season. Whether you love a classic red-and-gold tree, a cosy Nordic village on the mantel or a Kiwi summer Christmas with ferns and koru, the trick is to pick a look and carry it through the house. Below are six Christmas looks our team loves, with the pieces to create each one, followed by our best tips for decorating the tree.

Jump to: Nordic village · Classic red & gold · Vintage woodland · Kiwi Christmas · Pet lover’s tree · Family traditions · Tree decorating tips

1. The Nordic Christmas village

Soft whites, deep reds and forest greens with the warm glow of tealights. This look is all about building a little village on your mantel, sideboard or windowsill. Start with two or three larger houses, like the Nordgard Grand Chalet Tealight House or the Nordgard Village Church Tealight House, then fill in with smaller cottages such as the Torp Red and Torp Green cottages.

How to style it: lay the French Country 150cm Mixed Green Garland along the mantel first, then set the houses into it at different heights. Raise a few on books or boxes hidden under the greenery. Add a cluster of Le Forge White & Gold Ceramic Tealight Houses at one end and a gold mistletoe votive or two for extra sparkle.

Tip: use LED tealights in your ceramic houses. They glow just as beautifully, they’re safe to leave on, and they won’t scorch the greenery.

2. Classic red & gold

Timeless and traditional, this is the look most of us grew up with. Keep it to red, gold and green, and repeat each colour around the room so everything ties together.

How to style it: hang the Le Forge Rustic Red Berry Yuletide Wreath on the front door or above the fireplace. Group a tall and short rustic gold bell with a Classic Noel Christmas Music Box on a side table. On the tree, the nutcracker and drummer ornaments and the Gold Mica Hanging Angel Ornament bring the story to life. Finish with red & gold wired ribbon and a few berry sprays tucked into the branches.

3. Vintage woodland

Think forest walks, little animals, natural textures and candlelight. This look is warm and a little whimsical, and it’s perfect if you love a cosy, collected feel.

How to style it: make the Aurora Lying Stag and the Woodland Tree with Deer & Birds the stars of your coffee table or hall table, surrounded by pine bundles and Rustic Ornamental Birds. On the tree, the Le Forge Mama & Papa Bears and the Yuletide mice are pure charm. Light a Moss St Black Cherry Noir Christmas Candle and the whole room smells like Christmas.

4. A Kiwi summer Christmas

Christmas in New Zealand means long evenings, the beach and the barbecue, so why not decorate for it? Bring in greens and golds inspired by native ferns and pounamu.

How to style it: fill a tall vase with gold fern stems and a light-up gold branch for a statement that glows at dusk. Hang ceramic koru and tiki ornaments on the tree alongside your usual baubles. Drape a Green Cypress Pine Garland 180cm along the table for Christmas lunch, and pop the Koru Set of 4 Wine Charms on the glasses.

5. The pet lover’s tree

Our furry family members deserve a spot on the tree too. Pet ornaments make a fun mini-theme, or a lovely gift for the dog or cat lover in your life.

Tip: if you have a curious puppy or cat, hang breakable ornaments higher up and keep the soft felt ones, like the Pashom range, on the lower branches.

6. Family traditions

The decorations that mean the most are often the ones that tell your family’s story. Start a new tradition this year with a Baby’s First Christmas Bell Photo Ornament or a photo frame ornament for each child. For the kids, a Letters to Santa Kit, a Kids DIY Stocking Kit and the 27cm Dear Santa Ceramic Plate for Santa’s treats make Christmas Eve extra special. And the North Pole Express Train is a showstopper that will be brought out year after year.

How to decorate a Christmas tree like a pro

1. Choose your colours first

Pick two or three colours plus one metallic (gold, silver or copper) and stick to them. It’s the single biggest difference between a tree that looks 'busy' and one that looks styled.

2. Lights go on first

Start at the trunk and work out along each branch, rather than just wrapping the outside. As a rough guide, allow about 100 lights for every 30cm of tree height for a full, glowing look. Switch them on while you work so you can spot gaps.

3. Add ribbon or garland next

Wired ribbon is your best friend. Instead of wrapping it around the tree, cut lengths of about 60cm and tuck them in so they cascade from top to bottom. Our gold sparkle and red & gold leaf ribbons hold their shape beautifully.

4. Hang the big pieces, then the small

Place your largest ornaments first, spacing them evenly and tucking some deeper into the branches for depth. Then fill in with medium and small ornaments. Hang heavier pieces closer to the trunk where branches are strongest.

5. Group in odd numbers

Clusters of three or five look more natural than pairs. Try grouping three matching ornaments together in a few spots around the tree.

6. Add fillers and picks

Berry sprays, gold fern stems and pine picks tucked into the gaps make an artificial tree look fuller and more luxurious.

7. Finish with the topper

A star, an angel like the gold mica angel, or a big ribbon bow. Then step back, squint, and move anything that leaves a gap or a clump.

Bonus: Kiwi summer tips

If you have a real tree, keep it out of direct sun and water it every day, because our summer heat dries trees out fast. Use LED lights and tealights, which stay cool. And bring your outdoor decorations inside if a summer storm is forecast.

Need it before Christmas?

We post from our Ashburton warehouse, and every order is gift-wrapped FREE on request. Order by 18 December for the North Island and 21 December for the South Island (before midday), or 7 December for Australia. FREE NZ delivery on orders over $160.

Shop all Christmas decorations →

Looking for presents too? Read our Christmas Gift Guide NZ 2026 or browse our Christmas gifts for her.

Tag us in your Christmas decorating photos on Instagram and Facebook. We love seeing how you style your pieces!

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