How to Create a Christmas Mood Board
As part of my Christmas prep, I create a Christmas Mood Board with my plans for my holiday decor. Am I the only crazy person who would consider this a fun activity?
Challenge for you! Even if you decorate your tree every year with the same family ornaments, try using this as an exercise to imagine something new—something you’d never do unless tradition took a little nap. Think of it as your “in my wildest dreams” tree. Kind of like me decorating with red or, even worse, cranberry 😂
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What is a Christmas Mood Board?
A mood board is a place to gather all of your inspiration for a particular subject —in this case, Christmas.
Because my home is small, and my trees are close to each other, having a plan keeps things cohesive.
How I Use My Holiday Mood Board
Once my boards are done, I use it as my decorating compass. It helps me:
- Pull together your color palette
- Identify your textures and materials
- See any new decor ideas you want to add
- Shop your home before you buy
- Avoid impulse buys while shopping
- Stay focused on your decorating plan
A mood board keeps everything in one place, removes redundancy, and instantly improves decorating flow. I keep a copy in my purse so I can refer to it anytime I spot something tempting.
Planning Your Christmas Color Palette
Each year when I choose my color palette, I use one of these schemes, or a version of it.
Classic Christmas
When I think of Classic Christmas, I think about reds, greens, and plaids. With Ralph Lauren—inspired style being so popular this year, this style is definitely on point.
Winter Wonderland
A favorite of mine, especially because of my neutral home. Inspires thoughts of:
- Whites
- Soft beiges
- Sliver & gold
- Fresh Greenery
It’s calm, bright and works beautifully with almost any room.
French Country Christmas
Another one of my favorites and a staple that works in my French Country office. Blues and Whites with touches of gold create a refined and traditional look—elegant or rustic, depending on your accents.
Color Palette
- Soft French blues and crisp whites
- Antique gold, brass, or copper for warmth
- Linen and neutral stone tones for grounding
Decor Elements
- Blue and White china or chinoiserie accents
- White or mercury glass ornaments
- Blue and white plaid ribbon and toile fabric touches
- Simple greenery or olive branches
- Vintage candlesticks, gilt frames, or mirrors for subtle shine
Rustic Country French Christmas:
You can soften the look for a more rustic French Country Christmas by using:
- Weathered wood and galvanized metal accents
- Burlap or grain-sack ribbons instead of silk
- Earthen pottery, woven baskets, and pinecones
- Fresh greenery with lavender or herbs for fragrance.
This variation keeps the soul of French Country style but adds a relaxed, farmhouse-by-the-fire charm, perfect if you want something less formal yet still effortlessly chic.
Old World Elegance
A look that I embraced back when my walls were cranberry in the 90s.
You can go two ways:
Deep & Dramatic
- Velvet
- Deep Greens
- Cranberry
- Jew tones like purple, navy, or chocolate
- Brass and gold accents
Soft & Vintage Pastels
- Rose gold/pink
- Sage green
- Lace accents
- Velvet ribbons and ornaments
Natural Woodland Look
This theme is endlessly charming and one I’ve embraced in several iterations.
Color Ideas
- Bronze and copper
- Dusty blue
- Creams
- Browns
- Soft sage
Decor Elements
- Wood
- Metal
- Seeds and Pods
- Feathers
- Dried flowers
- Dried fruit and vegetables
- Deer, owls, woodland animals
- Lots of pinecones
- Natural—feel faux trees
It’s warm, cozy, and full of texture.
Romantic Christmas Charm
If your holiday heart leans towards soft, graceful touches, this look is for you. Romantic Christmas style layers gentle color, texture, and light for a dreamy cozy feeling.
Color Palette
- Blush pinks, champagne, cream and soft gold or rose gold
- Accents of antique silver or crystal
- Touches of lace or ruffles
Decor Elements
- Candles in mercury glass holders
- Velvet or satin ribbons
- Fresh florals like roses, ranunculus, baby’s breath in soft pastel colors mixed with greenery
- Delicate ornaments in pearlescent or frosted finishes
The result is an atmosphere that feels like a Hallmark movie come to life. Soft, glowing, and filled with warmth.
Cranberry Christmas
Putting Your Mood Board Together
If you’re not familiar with Canva, you need to check it out. I create everything in Canva—from invitations to reels—and it’s where I design my mood boards.
Here is my process:
- Use the clipping tool (Shift + Cmd + 4 on a Mac) to grab photos of decor, colors, fabrics, and inspiration.
- Upload everything into Canva
- Drop your inspiration pieces onto a clean layout
- Use fun fonts but keep them simple, so the focus stays on the visuals.
- Arrange your images, so your board tells a clear story
- Step back and ask: Does this feel cohesive? Does it feel like “me”?
A mood board helps you instantly see if you’re on the right track.
Final Tips for a Cohesive Holiday Look
While I change my look every year, you’d be surprised how little I buy. A few thoughtful swaps make big impact.
- Repeat staple items from room to room for unity: I use Dollar Tree snowflakes everywhere
- Stick to your base palette: mine is white or linen
- Use seasonal sparkle sparingly: a few pillows, ribbons, or textiles can transform a room.
- Invest in wired ribbon: It stores neatly in rolls and lasts for years.
When I’m decorating my living spaces, I keep my holiday pieces pretty simple. The base of my decor is my books (both vintage and new) and staple vintage pieces that I already own but might move around from room to room each season.
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Peace and Love,
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