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How To Decorate An Old Fashion Cottage Christmas

I decided this Christmas season I wasn’t going to follow a trend. Feeling a little sentimental as I was going through all of my Christmas bins, I wanted to bring back the feeling of Christmas’ past. Making that decision allowed me to use most of the stuff I’ve gathered over the years. Let me show you my take on how to decorate an old fashion cottage Christmas!

It’s going to be a great day and week! Want to know why? Today, I am participating in the Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tour hosted by my sweet blogging buddy, Kelly from The Tattered Pew! You can check Kelly out in the recent issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Christmas!

Every day this week seven bloggers will be sharing part of their holiday homes with you!

How fun is that?!

If you are looking for inspiration, we got you covered!

If you are coming to my Cottage in the Mitten from my friend Aliya at Open Doors Open Hearts, a big Christmas welcome to you! Doesn’t Aliya have the prettiest home all decorated for Christmas?

If you’re new here, my name is Kim. I’m all about pretty decor, DIY, faith, family and a hot cup of tea!

Affiliate links are used in this post. Read my full disclosure here.

What Is An Old Fashion Cottage Christmas?

Now old fashion is relative to what you think it means. The definition is “of, relating to, or characteristic of a past era”. It doesn’t have to be circa 1800’s.

See what I mean?

Using items that remind me of my Christmas past give me that old fashion vibe!

“Something about an old fashion Christmas is hard to forget.” Hugh Downs

Also, wanting to be mindful of our somewhat crazy economy, I didn’t want to spend a lot and I wanted to use as much as I already had.

Wreaths in the windows, candles, garland, vintage artwork, plaid fabrics, lots of red and green and some jingle bells were tops on my list! Decorating my tree with all the ornaments I have gathered over the years was also super important to me. Not a themed tree like some years, just good old fashion Christmas ornaments.

You can see how I recently made my own vintage inspired ornaments here.

Old Fashion Cottage Christmas Decor Ideas

Below are some typical decor ideas when you hear the term old fashion.

  • Greenery on staircases, mantels and focal pieces of furniture
  • Multiple candles
  • Wreaths
  • Handmade stockings
  • Homemade orange garland
  • Vintage ornaments
  • Bells
  • Poinsettias
  • Tree skirt instead of a collar
  • Plaid blankets

My Old Fashion Christmas Table Setting

Bringing in some of the elements above, I created my version of an old fashion Christmas table setting.

I started with my table runner. Can you guess what I used by looking at the picture? If you said a scarf, you are correct!

Who says you can’t use a scarf as a table runner?

Garland

Nothing says old fashion like homemade orange garland! I have never dried oranges to make garland and I promised myself not another year would go by without doing it.

I couldn’t break a promise to myself, right?

I’m happy to report I kept my promise, it was an easy craft and so much fun! The crafting was done with my three year old granddaughter. She loves to help!

I added some single dried oranges into the greenery on my centerpiece and I love how they look with my faux arrangement!

Candlesticks are a great addition to any decor space. I used wood and brass to round-out the centerpiece on my table.

Dishes & Linens

Transferware is some of my favorite type of dishes and there are so many great winter patterns to chose from. I found these Johnson Bros dishes entitled “The Friendly Village”, at a local antique fair this past summer, and knew I just had to have them for my old fashion Christmas table!

Aren’t they pretty?!

Next I added some simple glass stemware that were my mother’s. I’m so grateful to have them and use them now on my table!

The wicker charges are the right balance and color. The cream and white napkins are a big staple in my home. They can be used in so many different table settings and you may have seen me use these before.

Pillows & Wreaths

Keeping a pillow on my side chairs at the end of the table is something I always do. I change the pillow covers out each season. It’s a super inexpensive way to get a different look and it makes the table look a little more dressed. Plaid pillows and blankets say old fashtion to me so I chose these red plaid covers.

I found these little boxwood wreaths in one of my bins and decided to hang them on the back of the chairs with some ribbon I already had.

Side Buffet

I have a buffet style cabinet next to my table that we often use for extra side dishes. Wanting to keep the decor simple, in case I need to use the top, I only added a few items. I don’t want to have to move a million things to make it accessible.

Using three wooden candlesticks, a wooden reindeer and a red and white string of orange garland, was just enough.

Oh, and don’t forget the Santa picture and giant reindeer! I bought these last year with my granddaughter in mind. She loves them and therefore, you will probably see them every year…and that’s just fine!!

It didn’t take me long at all to create this table setting. My table is simple and festive…just like I like them!

An Old Fashion Christmas Cocoa Bar

Nothing says old fashion like hot cocoa! Last year, I set up a big hot cocoa bar on my buffet but this year, I just wanted to simplify it.

Big Al got the Ninja Dual Brew Coffee Maker and I thought that was the perfect place to set-up. If someone wants coffee they can have that, too!

Every hot cocoa bar needs a cute little sign!

I set out my old poinsetta coffee cups and used pods instead of hot cocoa packets. I found these cute little chocolate sticks with marshmellows for a little added touch!

Old Fashion Christmas Tree and Wreaths

You can hang wreaths in other places besides your doors. I love hanging them in the front windows of my living room. They can be seen from outside and they look so pretty inside. I switch up my ribbon from year to year and this year, of course, I used plaid ribbon to go along with my theme.

I love poinsettias and so I added them into my blue and white vases throughout the house.

Solid red pillows adorn all the furniture and…throw blankets! Can you ever have enough throw blankets?

I think not!

I was lucky enough to get a King of Christmas tree this year! It’s an 8 ft. Queen Flock Slim and I love it! It is gorgeous! It’s tall enough for my 9 ft. ceilings and because it is slim doesn’t take up a lot of room.

I was all set on doing a theme tree, this Christmas, but something in my heart told me to bring out all the ornaments I have gathered over the years and use those. I’m so glad I followed my heart because I’m very happy with the way it came out.

It’s traditional and holds all the old ornaments that hold so many memories from those Christmas’ past!

A Festive Entryway

I recently shared How To Create A Festive Entryway For Christmas. I have a few front entrances to my home and it’s fun to decorate them for my family and friends who stop by.

How To Decorate An Old Fashion Cottage Christmas

Well, that’s it from my cottage to yours! I hope you enjoyed my post today on how to decorate an old fashion cottage Christmas!

If this is your first time here, I would love it if you signed up to get my emails and followed me on Instagram and Pinterest!

Next up on the tour is my friend Cecilia from My Thrift Store Addiction. She is sharing all her vintage Christmas goodness! Make sure you stop by and see for yourself!

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas season!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!

Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours 2022. Thirty-five talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each Christmas home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

Monday

The Tattered Pew // Cottage On Bunker Hill // Stonegable // My Wee Abode

Open Doors Open Hearts // Cottage In The Mitten // My Thrift Store Addiction

Tuesday’s Tours

Tuesday

Midwest Life & Style // She Gave It a Go // Sand Dollar Lane // Bricks n’ Blooms

Pasha Is Home // Robyn’s French Nest // The Ponds Farmhouse

Wednesday’s Tours

Wednesday

Shiplap and Shells // White Arrows Home // This Is Simplicite // White Lilac Farmhouse

Peacock Ridge Farm // Cloches and Lavender // Simply2Moms

Thursday’s Tours

Thursday

County Road 407 // Country Peony // Eleanor Rose Home // Le Cultivateur

Thistlekey Lane // My Family Thyme // Follow The Yellow Brick Home

Friday’s Tours

Friday

Southern Crush At Home // A Life Unfolding // Southern Home and Hospitality // WM Design House

Dabbling and Decorating // Lora Bloomquist // Vintage and Grace Living

Shop My Christmas Favorites

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Comments

  3. Cecilia says

    Hi Kim, your old-fashioned Christmas decorations are absolutely charming!
    I love that nostalgic garland and I have the same Friendly Village dishes–pinning! Wishing you a joyous Christmas season! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

    Reply

  6. Jen says

    Everything looks so gorgeous, Kim. I adore those vintage ornaments that you made, and your tablescape is stunning! Happy to be hopping with you this week. I hope this holiday season is filled with love, peace, joy, and wonderful memories.

    Pinned!

    Reply

  8. Kelly Radcliff says

    Kim!!! I am obsessed with your tree!!! I pinned it and want to copy it if I can next year. Your old fashion theme is just so lovely. Have a very Merry Christmas my friend, so very thankful for you and that you were able to join me this week!

    Reply

  11. Julie Briones says

    Your Christmas tablescape is lovely, Kim. And it’s amazing how many ornaments you have from Christmases gone-by! WOW! So glad you went with your heart this year! Love touring with you!

    Reply

  15. Lora Bloomquist says

    I dried citrus slices for the first time this year, too and loved turning them into garland. I based my kitchen decor on my Friendly Village set and went totally traditional this year; it’s so cozy. Loved your beautiful tour!

    Reply

  16. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    Your home is beautiful, Kim! I don’t think you are alone in wanting a more old-fashioned, traditional, and cozy Christmas! Do you remember how big dried oranges were in the past? Probably not. You are not that old! But I do. And when I saw that darling little hand helping you put the oranges on the sheet pan my heart melted! This is what Christmas is all about! Making memories. And your lovely Christmas home is full of them. Such a beautiful tour! Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  18. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says

    Kim, your tour was so cute, bright and happy! I love your tree and all the nostalgic decor everywhere. And I love that you use things from your mom. I was young, dumb and turned down everything my mom tried to give me. Although, my kids will probably do the same. :/ Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  21. Libbie Burling says

    Hello from the other side of the Mitten!

    Loving your old fashioned cottage Christmas! I love the tablescape and the dried orange garland. Off to pin!

    Happy Weekend!!

    Reply

  22. Wendy McMonigle says

    Simply gorgeous my friend. Your tree is so pretty and I love that you followed your heart. That is what is really is all about. You have so many beautiful decorations. Merry Christmas

    Reply

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