14 Old Money Christmas Decor Ideas That Look Inherited, Not Bought

Magnolia Garland Across a White Painted Mantel

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A heavy magnolia garland runs the length of a painted wood mantel. Glossy green leaves mix with their brown, suede backs. Brass candlesticks stand at each end, one apiece.

Magnolia is a classic in grand old homes, and it looks good even as it dries. Let the garland hang a little past the mantel edge for an easy, unfussy feel. Faux versions work well and last for years.

Copy it: Measure your mantel and add a foot on each side before you order a magnolia garland. (about 20 minutes, cost $$$)

Mismatched Silver Candlesticks Down the Table

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Seven silver candlesticks of different heights and styles run down the dining table. Cream taper candles glow in each. Sprigs of boxwood lie loose between them.

Mismatched silver looks collected over years, which is the whole point. Pick up single candlesticks at thrift shops, where they cost far less than sets. Keep greens away from the flames and never leave lit tapers alone in the room.

Copy it: Gather every candlestick in the house, silver or not, and line them up on the table tonight. (about 20 minutes, cost $$)

Small Boxwood Wreath Hung Over an Oil Painting

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A small boxwood wreath hangs right over the frame of an old landscape oil painting. It dangles from a thin red ribbon looped over the frame top. The painting still shows around it.

This is a classic trick in old family homes, and it costs almost nothing. Hang the ribbon from the picture wire or hook, not the frame, to protect old gilt. Keep the wreath small, about a third of the painting width.

Copy it: Pick your favorite framed picture and tie a small wreath to hang over it today. (about 10 minutes, cost $)

Tarnished Silver Bowl Piled With Clementines

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A tarnished silver footed bowl sits in the center of a sideboard, piled high with clementines. Some still have their green leaves. Holly sprigs tuck around the edge.

Fruit in silver is old fashioned in the nicest way. Leave the tarnish, since a too shiny bowl looks new. Swap in pears or pomegranates in January to keep it going.

Copy it: Fill your best bowl with clementines from the grocery store and tuck in any greenery you have. (about 10 minutes, cost $)

Faded Wool Rug Under a Simply Dressed Tree

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A full tree stands on a faded red and blue wool rug. It wears old glass ornaments, a few strands of tinsel, and white lights. Nothing matches, and nobody minds.

Old money trees look like they grew year by year, with ornaments from every decade. Look for faded rugs secondhand, since sun fading gives that soft, gentle color. Skip the matching ornament sets entirely.

Copy it: Pull out the oldest ornaments you own and put them in front where they show. (about an hour, cost $$)

Blue and White Ginger Jars Filled With Holly

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Two blue and white ginger jars sit on a console, lids off, with holly and red berries in each. A brass lamp stands between them. The blue and red look crisp and classic together.

Blue and white china shows up in old homes everywhere, and it suits the season well. Fill a glass liner with water inside each jar to protect the glaze. Mix glossy holly with a little pine for depth.

Copy it: Look in your cabinets for any blue and white pottery and fill it with clippings this afternoon. (about 15 minutes, cost $$)

Needlepoint Pillows With Winter Scenes

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Two needlepoint pillows sit on a chintz sofa, one with a snowy cottage and one with a red cardinal. Their wool stitches look slightly worn. A tartan throw lies beside them.

Needlepoint feels handmade and passed down, even if it is new. Search secondhand shops for old covers and add fresh inserts. Mix one holiday pillow with regular florals so it looks lived in.

Copy it: Check online resale listings for vintage needlepoint pillows and save three you love. (about 10 minutes, cost $$)

Boxwood Topiaries in Stone Urns by the Door

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Two round boxwood topiaries stand in gray stone urns on either side of the front door. Each wears a plain red ribbon around the stem. A brass door knocker gleams between them.

Symmetry at the front door says this house has always been ready for guests. Faux topiaries hold up in cold weather and never need water. Concrete urns washed with thin gray paint look old in an afternoon.

Copy it: Place two matching pots by your door and fill them with any round evergreen you can find. (about 30 minutes, cost $$$)

Paperwhites in Old Clay Pots on the Windowsill

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Three clay pots of paperwhites line a deep windowsill. Their white blooms stand tall against the cold glass. Moss covers the soil in each pot.

Forced bulbs are a quiet old tradition, and they smell sweet. Plant them about four to six weeks before you want blooms. Tie the stems loosely with twine if they start to flop.

Copy it: Buy a bag of paperwhite bulbs this week and set them in pebbles and water in any pot. (about 15 minutes, cost $)

Ironed Linen Napkins in Old Silver Rings

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Crisp white linen napkins are folded and pulled through old silver napkin rings. Each one sits on a plate with a sprig of rosemary. The table looks set by someone who knows just what they are doing.

Linen is a small luxury you can buy once and use for decades. Iron the napkins slightly damp for that sharp, starched look. Mismatched silver rings from thrift stores look more inherited than a new set.

Copy it: Wash and iron four linen napkins tonight and roll each through a ring or a bit of ribbon. (about 30 minutes, cost $)

Worn Leather Club Chair With a Tartan Throw

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A worn brown leather club chair sits by the window with a green tartan throw over one arm. Beside it, a small side table holds a stack of books and a glass of something warm. The leather is cracked in the nicest way.

Worn leather is the opposite of new and shiny, which is why it works. Look for secondhand chairs and condition the leather rather than replacing it. Plaid wool adds the holiday note with no ornaments needed.

Copy it: Drape your best wool throw over your oldest chair and see how it changes the corner. (about 5 minutes, cost $)

Cloth Bound Books Tied With Velvet Ribbon

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Stacks of old cloth bound books sit on a coffee table, each stack tied with burgundy velvet ribbon. A small brass bell rests on top of one. Their faded covers are deep green, rust, and navy.

Books make a room look lived in, and tying them turns them into decor. Buy faded books by the bag at library sales for very little. Turn the spines inward for a calmer look.

Copy it: Pull three old hardcovers from your shelves and tie them with ribbon in a simple bow. (about 10 minutes, cost $)

Brass Log Holder Beside a Crackling Fire

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A brass log holder by the fireplace is stacked with split birch and oak. Behind the screen, a fire crackles. Pinecones fill a basket on the hearth.

Firewood stacked neatly is decor in itself, and it smells wonderful. Always use a screen, keep greens and stockings away from the opening, and never leave the fire alone. Even without a working fireplace, logs in a basket bring the same mood.

Copy it: Buy one bundle of firewood and stack it neatly by your hearth or in a basket today. (about 15 minutes, cost $)

Brown Paper Gifts With Grosgrain Ribbon and Holly

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Gifts under the tree wear plain brown paper and dark green grosgrain ribbon. A sprig of real holly sits in each bow. They look neat, simple, and quietly expensive.

Restraint is the secret of this whole look. One paper, one ribbon, one sprig, and the pile looks planned. Grosgrain costs little and ties a crisp bow that holds.

Copy it: Choose one ribbon color for every gift this year and stick to it. (about an hour, cost $)

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