Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Decor See The 2022 Southern Living Idea House All Dressed Up for the Holidays Tour our cheery coastal escape in River Dunes, North Carolina. By Caroline Rice Caroline Rice Caroline Rice is a Southern Living fellow who finds joy in knowing stories and telling them, whether that be through writing, marketing, or photography. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on February 27, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Just in time for the holiday season, we filled our 2022 Idea House in River Dunes, North Carolina, with plenty of cheer. The Red Rickshaw, a design boutique located around the corner from our Idea House, decked the halls with Christmas spirit. Plan your visit to see the seasonal decor in person (the Idea House is open for tours until December 18th, and a portion of the ticket proceeds are donated to our three local charity partners—HeartWorks, Hope Clinic, and Pamlico Partnership for Children), or you can scroll through these spirited snaps to sneak peeks of some of our best holiday decorating ideas. 01 of 11 Home for Christmas Cristina Harth Photography Welcome guests for the holidays by decorating the doors and windows with timeless magnolia wreaths. Hang the wreaths with bright red velvet ribbon for eye-catching curb appeal. 02 of 11 Magnolia Moment Cristina Harth Photography Nothing says ‘it’s Christmas in the South’ better than full wreaths and garland made of magnolia leaves. We garnished the wreaths with red holiday blooms to stay consistent with a botanical theme. New Growth Designs, located in North Carolina, brought our outdoor decorating vision to life. 03 of 11 Wrapped in Red Cristina Harth Photography Presents wrapped in cheery paper add festive flair to the foyer. We hung garland decked with red berries and velvet stockings for a merry and bright statement. 04 of 11 Livened-Up Living Room Cristina Harth Photography A colorful Christmas tree dressed up with patterned ornaments feels right at home in the playful living room. A monogrammed J. Wilkerson chair delivers a polished (and personal) finishing touch to the warm gathering space. 05 of 11 Wintry Blooms Cristina Harth Photography Adorn your dining room with vibrant pops of red, like amaryllis blooms and extra ornaments from the tree, for a space that’s ready to entertain. 06 of 11 Sentimental Displays Pull in china and cookware from past generations to give the kitchen an extra nostalgic feel. Mixing old and new Christmas ceramics creates memorable holiday harmony. 07 of 11 Christmas Spirits Cristina Harth Photography Brighten up the bar by layering in red glassware and hanging a fresh evergreen wreath. Nothing inspires Christmas spirit quite like our favorite holiday cocktails, like Cranberry Sangria Punch or a Peppermint Martini. 08 of 11 Season's Greetings Cristina Harth Photography Hanging Christmas cards with care has never been easier, thanks to damage-free Command Brand products. For an easy craft, attach three short strands of garland to a hanger, then clip your card collection to them; finally, hang the display on a Command hook for quick clean-up after the holidays have come and gone. 09 of 11 Alfresco Celebrations Cristina Harth Photography Create a winter wonderland on the porch by adding a full-sized flocked tree, topped with delicate branches and cranberry tree picks, from our friends at Summer Classics Home. It’s the ideal spot to invite your guests to cozy up around the fireplace, which we decorated with an evergreen wreath and lush garland. 10 of 11 Trimmed Table Cristina Harth Photography Thanks to our mild winters in the South, holiday gatherings are often enjoyed on decked-out porches and patios—especially when you can see the mouth of the Neuse River from the table. The Southern Living Collection at Dillard’s has plenty of pretty pieces to achieve wintry and southern flair. 11 of 11 Festive Corner The carriage house doubles as a wrapping station this time of year. Placing a miniature tree and a few festive presents on the desk makes it a celebratory (and quiet) nook for tying bows or addressing Christmas cards. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit