Easy Christmas Kitchen Decor Ideas

Between wrapping up end of the year tasks, entertaining family and friends, and baking batches of cookies in mass, the kitchen becomes my own little Santa’s workshop. So naturally it should look merry and bright.

Today I’m going to be showing you around our kitchen and sharing some simple Christmas kitchen decor ideas.

You can also find many more ideas from my post on Cheap Christmas Decorating Ideas that are poised to appeal such as:

• Display holiday cards. Pick your favorites to showcase.
• Incorporate ornaments.
• Forage greenery and berries from your yard or local woods.
• DIY an advent calendar.
• Use every day white items like dishes, bowls, or cookbooks.
• Swap out everyday towels for Holiday tea towels.

Basic Christmas Color Scheme

This is always where I start – adding details that match the existing color palette. Greenery is a good place to start or mix in a touch of red, orange, blue, or winter white.

Can you ever have too many wreaths? It’s debatable. These mini wreaths placed over my large window are simple and sweet. No damage command hangers are the best for hanging on cabinets, windows, and doors. There are lots of creative ways to hang kitchen cabinet Christmas decorations, however.

• Put mini wreaths over cabinet doors. Boxwood, magnolia, and cedar are classics.
• Lay a festive swag over the tops of cabinets.
• Use dehydrated citrus and berries or cookie cutters.
• Use a swag over a kitchen window.
• Tie up anything with ribbons and bows.

Decorate a Tray

Spruce up a countertop or kitchen island with a holiday vignette that acts like a kitchen centerpiece by using a tiered tray or a serving board. I also love to mix in some functional items too like bowls, saltshakers, and utensil cannisters.

Spruce Up Kitchen Island Christmas Decor

Soft light makes everything sparkle so I weaved in some fairy lights and a scented cinnamon candle. It’s difficult to feel anything but joyous while encased in a soft lit space warmed by comforting aromas.

Gingerbread Christmas Decor

The smell and sight of gingerbread is one of my most favorite Christmas traditions! I have baked gingerbread for decorating with the kids and to put out on our Scottish Christmas table, but if you want an even easier project, check out my DIY gingerbread ornaments. They smell and look like the real thing but won’t ever get stale!

The Smell of Christmas

While gingerbread may be one of the quintessential Christmas kitchen aromas, many baked goods are just as festive and enticing. Try our Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Hot Chocolate Cookies, or Stovetop Potpourri.

Candles are another way to make it smell like Christmas and they last a long time. Top scents include Sugar Cookies, Vanilla Spice, Frasier Fir or Pine, and Apple or Cinnamon Spice.

Make A Simple Advent Calendar

A simple DIY advent calendar is easy with recycled materials or Dollar Store items. This one was as simple as some brown paper bags and red twine. Because we have a light switch, I used tiny command strips and clothespins to anchor, but a cork board would be super easy.

10 Easy Advent Calendar Filler Ideas

How you choose to fill each day on the countdown calendar is up to you but here are some starting points. I also have TONS more ideas on our DIY Christmas Tree Advent tutorial or our Ultimate guide to Christmas Bucket List Ideas.

1. Candies or snacks
2. Bubble gum
3. Cool stickers
4. Bath bombs
5. Lego minifigures
6. Coupons for activities
7. Scripture or message of the day
8. Chapstick/Lip Balm
9. Family Game Night.
10. Books

Merry Decorated Shelves

This is one area I don’t overthink and use common items I already have on hand like family recipe books or wrap books with leftover wrapping paper. Add in a framed wintery printable or a festive figurine and white dishes.

Oh! Kitchen Christmas Tree

Crazy for kitchen Christmas trees? If you want to feel extra cozy, place a traditional or small tree in the kitchen. More space saving ideas:

1. Place fir, spruce, or pine branches in an oversized jar.
2. Perch a small tree on a tabletop to make it appear larger.
3. Create a bottle brush forest.
4. Make and hang dried citrus garland.

Hot Cocoa Bar Mania

I saved the best for last! A self-serve hot cocoa bar is both fun and functional.

The key is to include a few festive toppings in small jars with lids. Favorites include mini marshmallows, peppermints, sprinkles, cookie crumbles, whoppers and candy bits like toffee. Bottles of Baileys and Kahlua for adult versions, if you wish. Don’t forget the whipped cream!

My favorite hot cocoa bar decor:

• Miniature chalkboards or seasonal signs.
• Tiny mason Jars.
• Free printable to display in a photo frame. 
• Colorful straws.
• Sprigs of cedar or greenery.
• Fairy lights.
• Brightly colored stir sticks.
• Mason jars.
• Festive napkins.
• Seasonal mugs.