A stunning idea for a Christmas tree alternative: Spray pain tall branches white, insert into a urn or large flower pot (In this case also white) filled with sand. Cover the sand with florist’s moss (available in craft stores) and then hang an abundance of beautiful glass Christmas ornaments from the branches.

In the photo featured here, a monochromatic look was created for this display (to complement the color scheme in the rest of the room), by matching the white branches to the white pot, and staying away from colors for the ornaments in favor of silver and antique gold.

A Christmas tree alternative like this is a fabulous option  if you are opting for Christmas trees in multiple rooms of your home and you want to try something a little different from the ordinary in one of the rooms. But,  of course,  there’s nothing to say that you can’t go this route if its the only Christmas tree in the house – why not dare to be a different this year and show your guests that you’re a style leader.

There is nothing more welcome than the front entrance (exterior) of a house festively decked up for the Holiday season.  It may be cold outside, but it makes a home look warm and cozy as guests arrive, and gains the admiration of passersby.

Here a really abundant pine garland is swagged around the door for starters. And, by that way, that’s really key – when using a garland to adorn your front door, you don’t want it to look anemic, so use a really full, lush garland to get that abundant look.
Next, its all about the urns.  They may hold geraniums or petunias in the summer, but when the weather turns nippy, you want to get those babies filled with festive holiday decor. Again, make them FULL, and lush – remember, think ABUNDANT for the best visual effects. And to really make the display striking, you need height – that’s where the tall branches rising up from the center of the urns come into play, really capturing the essence of nature and spirit of the season at the same time.

Christmas window decorating ideas and a beautifully set Christmas table from Canadian House and Home Magazine.

Christmas table decorations in a red theme with candy canes.  From Accent on Design

If your invitation to the Obama’s Christmas Party got lost in the mail, here’s your chance to take a Christmas House tour of  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – the White House.  Check out the White House decorated for Christmas 2012!  Source:  HGTV

A table top Christmas tree sits in front of a window in a room at the White House for Christmas 2012 to be enjoyed by President Obama and his family. Its lovely to see the White House decorated for Christmas.

The Obama’s love their dog Bo, who joined their family shortly after they moved into the White House.  Their Christmas decor for 2012 includes not just one but SIX hand-made decorative replicas of Bo! If you were to be so lucky as to go for a stroll through the White House this Christmas, you’d never know where Bo would turn up.  Incorporating Bo into their Christmas decor shows the Obama’s love their their furry family member, and their sense of whimsy and humor.  This version of Bo, shown above,  is crafted from plastic pom-poms!

The intimate family dining room at the White House where just the family gathers. The Obamas have been criticized by the opposing party this year for putting up too many Christmas trees, however, there are only a few more than the Bush’s typically had when they were in the White House.

The festive front entry way decorated for Christmas with a Victorian Kissing Ball made from evergreen sprigs; a pretty red ribbon dangles from the bottom. Very festive, very romantic!

Christmas wreaths are suspended on red ribbons in the windows of this beautiful sun lit corridor which the president walks through several times each day. Classic, elegant Christmas  window decorations.

A “cranberry urn” on a console table is part of the Christmas decor in a room at the  White House.

 Bo sits in front of some Christmas table decorations at the White House, including one of six eco-friendly replica’s of him, made from re-purposed materials.  He’s one good looking dog!

Bo wanders through the White House, decorated for Christmas,
& makes a Final Inspection of the Christmas Tree – Watch!:

Get a Look at the White House Christmas Decorations
Inside the White House Christmas Party:

The Christmas fun begins!  Michelle, Bo and the girls come out to inspect the main Christmas tree for the White House when it is delivered by horse drawn carriage, a White House Christmas tradition.

Image from the 2012 White House Christmas Card –
Bo in the Snow!

Bo in the Snow! This is the image from the White House Christmas Card for 2012!
Its Bo, frolicking in the snow on the White House grounds. Love it!

We love simple but creative Christmas decor ideas like this one. A row of overturned large clear glass water goblets is placed up the center of the dining table.  An assortment of smallish purple, pink, and cream colored glass ball ornaments is placed within each overturned glass. Positioned on the top of each glass (really the bottom of each glass…), a small ivory pillar candle. Its a clean, modern, linear look, and really, really pretty.

Modern Christmas Decor Ideas – Dining Room with White Christmas Tree

A gorgeous setting is created in this modern dining room,  decorated for Christmas. Situated near the dining room table, a white Christmas tree, illuminated by clear lights, nestles into the corner, decorated with blue and gold decorations which coordinate perfectly with the large piece of blue and artwork handing on the wall behind it.

The white and gold theme carries through to the the dining table decorations. All set for Christmas dinner, the table is ready with white china at each place setting, a grouping of seven modern geometric crystal candle holders of assorted heights, holding white taper candles. And a scattering of tinted gold glass votive holders with white votive candles aglow inside.

A stunning example of clean, simple Modern Christmas Decor Ideas.

Christmas Decor Ideas – An Entry Table decorated for Christmas with snowman ornaments in three different sizes, a pine branch, a miniature (very miniature!) table-top tree in a silver urn, decorative acorns, flocked pine cones, and ball ornaments. Winding its way through this festive display, a sting of clear mini lights causes the glitter on the ornaments to sparkle and shimmer, and brings the little scene to life.

On the right hand side of the table, a slate colored urn  holds real spruce braches, silver sparkle twigs, and pre-lit branches with clear lights.

Cozy Christmas decor ideas like this one on an entry table offer a wonderful welcome for guests at the entry to your home during the Holiday Season.

DIY Christmas Decor – Luminaries are created using frosted cylinder vases and white twinkle lights.

Loosely coil a single strand of clear mini-lights on a white cord in each vase. Run the plug end over the back edge of the vase and behind it so the cord is out of view.  Of course, always use lights that have been safety tested (read the label), and always unplug the strand when the display is left unattended.

This idea is great for a stand alone vase, but looks even better when vases of varying sizes are grouped, as shown above.  When combining vases into a group, always use odd numbers for the most powerful visual effect.

You could also use vases of the same height and display them in a row for a different look.

The bottoms of these vases have gold ribbon wrapped around the bottoms and affixed with double-sided tape. A second ribbon (narrow) is the fastened over the first to give more visual interest.

Such an easy DIY Christmas decor idea, but it looks so sophisticated!  Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

How does your Christmas dining room decor compare to this…? Do you prefer this dining room to yours for Christmas?