19 Festive Christmas Decor Kitchen Ideas to Copy

So you’re standing in the kitchen with coffee in hand and think it looks a little too ordinary for the most wonderful time of the year? Yes, I get it. The living room gets all the Christmas love – tree, stockings, the works – while the kitchen sits there as the forgotten middle child of holiday decorating. But here’s the thing: your kitchen deserves a little festive style, too, especially since it’s where all the magic (read: cookies, cocoa, and maybe a little wine) happens during the holidays.

I’ve spent far too many Decembers trying to figure out how to redecorate my kitchen without making it look like Santa’s workshop exploded. And honestly? It’s easier than you think. You don’t need a massive budget or Pinterest-level crafting skills. Just a few strategic moves can transform your cooking space into a cozy, festive sanctuary that will make you really want to bake those gingerbread cookies.

Ready to give your kitchen the Christmas glow-up it deserves? Let’s get into it.

1. Hang Garlands Everywhere (Yes, Everywhere)

First things first: wreaths are your best friend. Drape them over closet doors, wrap them around your hood, or string them along open shelves. I’m talking fresh pine, faux evergreen, or even the sparkly tinsel ones if that’s your mood.

Pro tip? Add some fairy lights to those garlands. The warm glow makes everything instantly feel cozier, especially on those dark winter mornings when you’re stumbling around making coffee. And if you’re feeling extra, throw in some mini ornaments or pine cones for texture.

Just don’t go overboard near the stove. Nobody wants a fire hazard with their holiday cheer. 🙂

2. Swap Out Your Dish Towels

This one is almost embarrassingly simple, but it works. Replace the everyday dish towels with festive, holiday themed ones. Think red and green plaids, snowflake patterns or cheeky sayings like “Sled all day”.

I love this trick because it’s low-commitment and budget-friendly. You can find cute Christmas towels everywhere from Target to HomeGoods. What’s more, they are functional! You’ll use them daily, so they’re not just sitting there looking pretty (unlike that decorative sled you bought three years ago and never touched again).

3. Create a Hot Cocoa Station

Have you ever wondered why coffee shops are so popular? Because dedicated drives just make life better. Set up a hot cocoa station on your counter or a corner of your island with all the trimmings: marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, chocolate chips, you name it.

Use mason jars or cute holiday containers to store everything. Add a little chalkboard sign that says “Hot Cocoa Bar” and boom—you’ve got an Instagram-worthy setup that’s also super functional when guests drop by.

Item	Container Idea	Extra Touch
Marshmallows	Glass jar with ribbon	Mini candy canes as stirrers
Cocoa mix	Vintage tin	Cinnamon sticks on the side
Toppings	Small bowls	Festive napkins nearby

4. Hang a Wreath on Your Pantry Door

Why should your front door have all the garland fun? Take a beautiful Christmas wreath and hang it on the pantry door or any interior kitchen door. It’s unexpected, it’s festive, and it fills that awkward empty space you’ve been ignoring all year.

I like to use garlands of eucalyptus, berries, or even dried oranges for a more rustic, kitchen-friendly feel. Skip the super sparkly ones unless you want sparkles in your dinner (been there).

5. Display Christmas Cookbooks

If you have a collection of Christmas cookbooks gathering dust, now is their moment to shine. Stack them on your counter, open them on a stand, or place them on open shelves with some small decorative elements like candles or mini trees tucked around them.

FYI, this works even if you never actually cook from them. They’re basically festive props that make you look like you have your life together.

6. Add Festive Canisters

Replace your everyday boxes with a Christmas theme, or just tie some red ribbons around the existing ones. Fill them with holiday goodies – candy, Christmas cookies, peppermint bark – and suddenly the worktop is both decorative and delicious.

Glass canisters work great because you can see the colorful contents inside. It’s like free decoration that you also get to eat. Win-win.

7. Use Wooden Cutting Boards as Decor

Here’s a trick that surprised me: decorative cutting boards make great Christmas displays. Place some wooden boards towards the back and add small evergreen sprigs, ornaments or even tiny bottlebrush trees in front of them.

The rustic wood texture provides warmth, and it’s super easy to change up throughout the season. In addition, they are still functional if you suddenly need to chop something.

8. String Lights Under Cabinets

If you don’t have under-cabinet lighting, Christmas is your excuse to add some. Place battery-operated fairy lights under your upper cabinets for a soft, ambient glow that makes everything feel magical.

This is especially perfect for early morning or late night cake baking. The lighting is subtle but makes a big impact on the overall mood.

9. Fill a Bowl with Ornaments

The easiest centerpiece ever? Take a large bowl or tray and fill it with Christmas decorations. Mix and match different sizes, colors and textures – matte, shiny, sparkly – whatever floats your boat.

Place it on your kitchen island or dining table. It takes literally two minutes to put together and looks way more impressive than the effort required. IMO, this is the lazy decorator’s dream.

10. Add a Table Runner

If you have a kitchen table or island, a festive table runner instantly ups your Christmas game. Go for classic red and green checkered, elegant white and gold, or something with fun patterns like reindeer or snowflakes.

Layer it with a centerpiece (remember that decorative bowl?), some candles and maybe a small vase of fresh greenery. Suddenly your kitchen table looks like it belongs in a holiday catalogue.

11. Hang Stockings on Cabinet Handles

This one is quirky but adorable. Hang mini stockings from cabinet handles or drawer pulls. You can fill them with candy, small utensils, or leave them empty – they’re cute either way.

I’ve seen people do this with red and white striped stockings, burlap ones, or even personalized ones with family names. It’s a fun, unexpected detail that makes people smile.

12. Display Cookie Jars Prominently

Nothing says Christmas like freshly baked cookies (or store bought – no judgement). Store them in a vintage or festive cake tin that sits on the counter. Even though it’s empty, it adds to the homey, grandma’s kitchen feel.

Bonus points if you actually keep it stocked. Your family will thank you, and you’ll look like a domestic goddess.

13. Create a Miniature Tree Display

Who says Christmas trees only belong in the living room? Set up small table trees on the bench, shelves or windowsill. You can choose traditional green, opt for white flocked versions, or even try the trendy black ones.

Decorate them with mini ornaments, tiny lights, or even kitchen-themed decorations like miniature whisks and rolling pins. Yeah, that’s a thing, and it’s surprisingly cute.

14. Add Plaid Everything

Can we talk about how plaid is basically Christmas in pattern form? Buffalo check, tartan, whatever you call it – it screams holiday cheer. Add plaid chair cushions, placemats, or even just a plaid rug draped over a kitchen chair.

It’s classic, it’s cozy, and it never goes out of style. Plus, it hides stains really well (just being honest here).

15. Hang Bells on Cabinet Doors

Tie some tinkling bells to the cabinet handles with ribbon. Every time you open a door you get a little festive jingle. Is it practical? Not really. Is it fun? Absolutely.

This is especially great if you have children. They’ll love the sound, and it adds that extra sensory element to your holiday decor. Just maybe skip this one if the noise drives you crazy :/

16. Use Christmas-Scented Candles

Ok, technically this is more about smell than sight, but scented candles are essential for the full Christmas kitchen experience. Think of scents of cinnamon, pine, vanilla, peppermint or sugar cookies.

Place them on the bench, windowsill or dining table. Even when not lit, they add a decorative element. And when they are lit? Your kitchen smells like Christmas thrown up in the best possible way.

17. Display Vintage Holiday Tins

Find thrift stores for old Christmas cookie boxes and display them on open shelves or grouped on your counter. They are nostalgic, colorful and give instant vintage charm.

You can use them for storage (tea bags, napkins, whatever) or just leave them as decoration. I’m a sucker for the old-school Santa and snowman designs from the ’80s and ’90s.

18. Decorate Your Window with Greenery

If you have a kitchen window above the sink, you can frame it with fresh or imitation evergreen branches. You can attach them with removable adhesive hooks or attach them temporarily.

Add some red berries, pine cones, or a bow for extra pizzazz. It’s like a living frame that makes doing dishes slightly less terrible.

19. Create a Gingerbread House Display

Whether you bake one from scratch or buy a kit, a gingerbread house is top Christmas kitchen decor. Display it on a cake stand or wooden board, and boom – instant conversation.

And let’s be real: even if it looks a little wonky (most homemade ones do), that’s part of the charm. It’s festive, fun, and you can eat it come January when you’re over looking at it.

Wrapping It Up

Look, decorating your kitchen for Christmas doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Start with a few of these ideas—wreaths, festive towels, a hot cocoa station—and build from there. The goal is not to create a magazine-perfect space; it’s to make your kitchen feel warm, festive and ready for all those holiday memories you’re about to make.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, especially during the holidays. Give it the Christmas love it deserves, and I promise you’ll enjoy every minute you spend in there—whether you’re baking cookies, sipping cocoa, or just standing there eating cheese straight from the fridge at midnight. (We’ve all been there.)

Happy decorating! 🎄