Every year, the holidays arrive in exactly the same order and yet somehow still manage to feel
like a surprise party we forgot to RSVP to. One minute we’re in light jackets, the next we’re
panic-buying wrapping paper and searching for the “good” guest towels. This guide takes a
Remodelista-inspired approach to holiday prep: calm, edited, quietly elegant, and just a little
bit obsessed with the details.
Instead of filling every surface with glitter and gadgets, we’ll focus on what Remodelista does
best: timeless pieces, natural materials, and thoughtful rituals. Think string lights instead of
inflatable lawn decor, fresh greenery instead of plastic garlands, and a table that looks
styled but still has room for actual food. Consider this your playbook for holiday prep that
feels intentional, cozy, and surprisingly low-stress.
Holiday Prep, Remodelista-Style
When Remodelista talks about current obsessions, it’s rarely about buying more stuff.
It’s about honing an eye, curating what you already own, and choosing a few new things that
actually earn their place in your home. Holiday prep in this spirit is less “haul” and more
“edit.” The goal: a home that looks festive without looking like a seasonal pop-up shop.
Edit, Don’t Accumulate
Start by pulling out everything you own that has even the slightest jingle bell energy: garlands,
ornaments, candleholders, table linens, string lights, the works. Lay it all out in one place
(yes, this will look worse before it looks better). Then edit. Ask:
- Do I still love this? If not, donate or pass along.
- Does it fit my current color palette? If it clashes with everything else, it’s not invited this year.
- Is it in good condition? If it’s broken and you haven’t fixed it for three years, it’s probably time to let go.
The result should feel like a capsule wardrobe for your home: fewer pieces, better cohesion,
and much less visual noise. A few well-chosen items will always beat a crowd of random decor
shouting for attention.
Choose a Quiet, Cohesive Palette
Remodelista and Scandinavian-inspired spaces tend to lean on calm, nature-based colors: soft
whites, warm wood tones, black accents, and deep greens, with maybe one or two seasonal hues
layered in. Instead of bright red and neon green, think olive, forest green, charcoal, sand,
and the occasional muted gold or copper.
Pick a simple palette like:
- Evergreen + white + wood (timeless, calm, very “mountain cabin but with strong Wi-Fi”).
- Charcoal + brass + greenery (elegant and slightly dramatic).
- Warm neutrals + black iron + candlelight (perfect for small spaces or apartments).
Once you have your palette, let it guide everything: wrapping paper, ribbon, candles,
table linens, even the cookies if you’re feeling committed.
Let There Be (Soft, Cozy) Light
If there is one thing Remodelista and its sister site Gardenista agree on, it is this: the
right lighting can do more for holiday atmosphere than any amount of themed decor. Instead of
going maximal with flashy displays, aim for layers of soft, warm light that make your home
feel instantly inviting.
String Lights as Your Secret Weapon
A curated strand of string lightsthink cafe lights, warm white fairy lights, or simple globe
bulbscan transform a room faster than you can say “holiday playlist.” Drape them:
- Along a window frame or curtain rod.
- Across open shelving in the kitchen.
- Down the center of a dining table, tucked around greenery.
- Over a headboard for a low-key, off-duty ski lodge vibe.
Keep the color temperature warm rather than icy blue; you’re aiming for “cozy winter evening,”
not “airport runway.”
Candles, Lanterns, and Little Glimmers
Scatter candles in different heights and sizespillars, tapers, and tea lightsto create depth
and movement. Use simple glass holders, ceramic candlesticks, or black metal lanterns. Group
them:
- On a mantle with a garland of greenery.
- Down the center of the table among pine branches or eucalyptus.
- In a cluster by the entryway, paired with a small bowl for keys and mail.
Flameless LED candles can work beautifully in hard-to-reach spots or homes with kids and pets.
The key is consistency: keep the color and style similar so everything feels intentional, not
random.
Greenery First, Ornaments Second
One of the most enduring Remodelista holiday prep obsessions is using fresh (or realistic
faux) greenery as the base layer. Instead of huge plastic arrangements, think simple boughs of
cedar, fir, pine, or eucalyptus, tucked into places where you already look every day.
Where to Tuck Greenery for Maximum Impact
- The kitchen: A short swag tied to the range hood, a small wreath in the window, or a cluster of branches in a stone crock.
- The dining room: A low, loose garland down the middle of the table, with candles nestled in.
- The entryway: A simple wreath on the door and a vase of branches on the console table.
- The living room: Greenery draped over a mirror or art, or a bare branch in a large vase with a few ornaments.
To keep things from feeling flat, layer in subtle color and texturedried oranges, fresh
citrus slices, red berries, or magnolia leaves with their deep green fronts and velvety brown
backs. The effect is lush but still grounded in nature.
Real vs. Faux: The Eternal Debate
Real greenery wins on scent and authenticity. Faux greenery wins on longevity and zero pine
needles in your socks. A Remodelista-style compromise: use real greenery in smaller, high-impact
momentslike the table or entrywayand rely on good-quality faux garlands for mantels, stair
rails, and high shelves where no one will be inspecting them up close.
A Calm, Beautiful Holiday Table
The heart of holiday prep is often the table: it’s where people linger, where stories are told,
and where someone inevitably drops gravy on a napkin you love. A Remodelista-inspired holiday
table is equal parts practical and poetic: nothing too precious to use, but everything just a
little bit elevated.
Start with a Simple Foundation
Choose one of the following as your base:
- Crisp white tablecloth: Classic, bright, and forgiving when you layer on top.
- Natural linen runner: Relaxed and textured, perfect on a wood table.
- Raw wood table, no cloth: Just use placemats or chargers and let the grain shine.
Then add plates and glassware you already own. You don’t need a matching 12-piece set; mixing
simple white plates with vintage finds can look effortlessly stylish. The trick is to keep the
palette cohesive and avoid anything too busy under the food.
Low, Lush, and Conversation-Friendly
For the centerpiece, keep things low so people can actually see each other. A few ideas:
- A loose garland of greenery on the table, with tea lights tucked along its length.
- A group of three or five small vases with single stems (like eucalyptus, pine, or winter blooms).
- A long wooden board holding candles, citrus, nuts, and a little greenery.
Consider adding one subtle holiday referencea single ornament at each place, handwritten
place cards, or a sprig of rosemary tied to each napkin with twine. It feels special without
tipping into theme-park territory.
Gift-Wrapping, Remodelista Edition
If you’ve ever fallen down a rabbit hole of kraft paper and twine ideas, you already know the
Remodelista-approved approach to gift wrapping: simple materials, beautiful textures, and one
small detail that makes the package feel personal.
Keep the Materials Simple
Build a small “wrapping kit” that works with your overall holiday color palette:
- Brown kraft paper or solid-color paper (white, black, or deep green).
- Natural twine, cotton string, or soft ribbon in one or two colors.
- Plain tags, a good pen, maybe a simple stamp.
- Clippings of greenery, dried orange slices, or cinnamon sticks.
The beauty of this approach is that everything coordinates automatically. A pile of gifts under
the tree wrapped in cohesive materials looks like its own minimalist installationno printed
cartoon characters required.
Five Quick Ways to Elevate a Plain Package
- Wrap in kraft paper, tie with twine, and tuck in a sprig of evergreen.
- Use black paper with a white pen for bold, handwritten names.
- Layer a strip of torn linen or fabric over the paper before tying the ribbon.
- Add a small ornament or bell as a reusable gift topper.
- Stamp a simple motif (star, branch, initial) in the corner of each package.
None of these take long, but they make each gift feel considered and uniquenot just something
you grabbed in a rush near the checkout line.
Hosting Without Losing Your Mind
Beautiful decor is lovely, but if you’re so stressed you can’t enjoy your own gathering, the
holiday magic fades fast. Fortunately, many of the best hosting and entertaining experts agree
on a few principles that align perfectly with this Remodelista-inspired holiday prep.
Plan Backwards from the Moment Guests Arrive
Instead of starting with an ambitious menu, start with this question: What do I want the
evening to feel like? Cozy and casual? Elegant but relaxed? Board games and slippers?
Once you know the feeling, you can work backwards:
- Choose a menu you can prep mostly in advanceroasts, braises, make-ahead sides, or even an appetizer-only spread.
- Set the table the night before (or that morning) so you’re not fussing with napkins when guests ring the bell.
- Put drinks and glassware in a self-serve zone so guests can help themselves.
Hosting is instantly easier when you are not trapped in the kitchen while everyone else is
laughing in the living room.
Lower the Bar, Raise the Mood
Here is an underrated secret: people remember how they felt, not whether your napkin rings
matched. Light the candles, play music you actually like, and serve food you know how to cook.
Store-bought dessert on a pretty plate? Absolutely allowed. Takeout sides with homemade main
course? Festive and efficient.
When you’re relaxed, everyone else relaxes too. A home that looks pulled together and smells
like something delicious is more than enough.
Real-Life Lessons from Holiday Prep Obsessions
Spending a few seasons paying attention to Remodelista-style holiday prep has a way of quietly
restructuring how you approach December. Instead of a sprint filled with late-night errands,
the process becomes slower and more ritual-drivensomething you can actually enjoy instead of
endure.
The Year of “More, More, More”
Many of us have had that one chaotic year: multiple trees, themed rooms, bags of new ornaments,
and scented candles battling each other in every corner. The house looked like a holiday
store, but no one could relax. Surfaces were crowded, extension cords were everywhere, and the
cleanup felt like moving out of a small apartment.
The lesson from that year is simple: more decor doesn’t equal more joy. In
fact, the visual clutter often mirrors mental clutter. Guests don’t need a million decorations;
they need a place to sit comfortably, a spot to put their drink, and an atmosphere that feels
warm and welcoming.
The Year of Editing and Intention
Contrast that with the first year you really pare back: one tree with a restrained palette,
a few favorite pieces in each room, greenery in strategic places, and an edited collection of
candles and lights. Suddenly, the house breathes. You can see the architecture, the furniture,
the art on the walls. The decor isn’t competing with your home; it’s supporting it.
Guests tend to comment not on specific decorations, but on how “calm,” “cozy,” or “peaceful”
everything feels. That’s the Remodelista effect: design that serves the experience instead of
shouting over it.
Small Rituals, Big Impact
Another shift that comes with this kind of holiday prep is the focus on rituals instead of
random tasks. You might:
- Light the same candle scent every evening in December as a “homecoming” signal.
- Play a particular album while decorating the tree.
- Set aside one afternoon purely for wrapping gifts with music and a drink in hand.
- Walk through the house at night, turning on only the tree, the garlands, and a few lamps.
None of these rituals require a huge budget or elaborate decor, but they anchor the season in
memory. Years later, people rarely recall the exact ornaments, but they remember how the house
glowed and how it felt to be inside it.
Learning to Leave Some Corners Quiet
One of the most powerfuland counterintuitiveholiday lessons is that not every corner of your
home needs to be festive. In fact, intentionally leaving some spaces undecorated can be a gift
to your future self. A calm bedroom with no tinsel or lights becomes a retreat when the rest
of the house is buzzing with activity. A simple, uncluttered hallway lets your eye rest as you
move from room to room.
Think of your home as a visual soundtrack: there should be crescendos (the tree, the dining
table, the entryway) and quieter moments in between. That rhythm is what makes each decorated
area feel special instead of overwhelming.
Why This Kind of Holiday Prep Sticks
Once you experience a season where your decor, hosting, and schedule actually support your life
instead of competing with it, it’s hard to go back. A Remodelista-inspired approach to holiday
prep isn’t about perfectionthere will still be spilled wine, forgotten gifts, and at least one
slightly burnt side dishbut the overall structure holds.
The tree looks beautiful because you edited. The table feels welcoming because you planned
ahead. The house glows because you invested in a few great strings of lights and some good
candles. And you, crucially, have enough energy left to enjoy it all.
That, ultimately, is the real obsession: not the objects themselves, but the feeling of a home
that’s ready for the holidaysand ready for the people who make them matter.
Conclusion: Prep Less, Enjoy More
“Current Obsessions: Holiday Prep – Remodelista” is really about resetting the standard. You do
not need a themed tree in every room or a dozen new decor hauls to create a magical season.
Instead, focus on a few well-chosen, well-loved pieces; layer in natural greenery and soft
light; set a simple, thoughtful table; and plan gatherings that you can actually enjoy.
When holiday prep shifts from frantic to intentional, your home stops being a backdrop and
becomes a true refuge. And that might be the best gift you give yourself this year.
