The end of the year can often feel like a frantic sprint to the finish line. With so much potentially pulling your focus — like buying gifts for everyone on your list, finishing up work tasks before the new year, and getting ready for the chaos of travel — decorating your home for the holidays can often feel like a stressful obligation instead of a festive and fun activity. But today we’re making a case for dedicating yourself to decorating. It is possible to get into the holiday spirit without derailing your already overpacked schedule or straining your bank accounts. Don’t believe us? Scroll down for our complete guide for how to decorate your NYC apartment for the holidays and see for yourself!

8 Tips for Decorating Your NYC Apartment for the Holidays

Lighting is Everything

When brainstorming how to decorate your NYC apartment for the holidays, lighting should be one of your top considerations. After all, most winter holidays — especially Kwanzaa, Diwali, Yule, and Hanukkah — revolve around the important symbolism of light. Candles are an obvious choice here, with colored tapers, columns, and tea lights generally easy to find at most general stores. We especially love placing said candles in thrifted or antique candle holders for extra pizazz.

Beyond candles, there are countless more ways to bring the magic of holiday lighting into your home. String lights are a relatively affordable piece of decor that can make a big impact on your space: Bonus point if you opt for LEDs for more environmentally-friendly decor. Tinsel, light projectors, and even disco balls can also be used as more eccentric sources of light. 

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Beekman

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Laurelton

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Think Natural

Seasonal blooms are a treat to the eyes and nose this holiday season. The obvious choices are poinsettias, holly, winter heaths, Christmas roses, and winter berries. But really any blossoms can elevate your space. If you’re an early riser, we suggest heading to the New York City Flower District and perusing the plethora of flowers, stems, and greens for sale. Or just head down to your local bodega or grocery store and browse their floral options. Bask in the soothing work of creating a natural bouquet on your own, or host an interactive floral arranging party with family and friends. Don’t forget to whip up some hot chocolate and play your favorite holiday music!

Bouquets aren’t the only possible vessels for festive flowers, however: Wreaths, garlands, and even flower crowns can be fun to make in preparation for a holiday hang. Beyond individual blooms, you can also source wintery plants such as peace lilies or Christmas cactus. Bonus: Indoor plants can increase fresh oxygen levels in your NYC apartment. Neat! 

Swap Out Your Linens

A simple and affordable way to show your holiday spirit is swapping out your daily linens for themed fabrics. Sure, it’s a little kitschy. But we dare you not to smile as you’re drying your dishes with a cartoon Santa towel or wiping down your bathroom sink with the help of a microfiber snowman. For a more subtle nod to the season, you could simply adorn your table with holiday colored napkins or invest in an extra-cuddly, snow-white throw blanket for your couch or bed.

Consider Edible Arrangements

Seasonal produce makes excellent — and zero waste! — decorations. Try filling a bowl with pomegranates and grapes for a dramatic and eye-catching centerpiece. Or sprinkle a few seasonal pieces of citrus — like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit — for fun pops of color along your tablescape or mantle. And don’t forget about gourds: Contrary to popular belief, they’re not just for Halloween! Winter squash come in dynamic color schemes like green, yellow, and oranges that have mass holiday appeal. Potted herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme can serve as unique accent pieces with major olfactory benefits. Other classic edible decorations include popcorn and/or cranberry garland for trees and doorways alike. The best part about using edible decorations is that you can eat them all afterward, so be sure to prep those winter recipes!

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Secondhand is King

Visiting thrift stores is a great way to find unique, affordable bits and baubles. Be sure to block off a good couple of hours to browse for gently-used lights, ornaments, trees, stockings, and other festive items to your taste. Plus, you’ll get to sit back and enjoy your decorations knowing that you didn’t contribute to unnecessary waste and over-consumption. Win-win!

Don’t Be Afraid to DIY

Crafts aren’t just for children! Don’t shy away from do-it-yourself projects to bring some cheer into your NYC apartment this winter. Paper crafts like snowflakes, colorful paper chains, and tissue paper flowers are relatively easy things to create and often require things you might already have on hand. If the thought of cleaning up little scraps of paper stresses you out, the internet is full of other simple holiday crafts, from pom-pom winter animals to Hanukkah sun catchers to macrame Christmas trees. Re-activate those Pinterest accounts, people!

Superior Scents

A simple way to get your home holiday ready is to fill it with comforting seasonal scents. Again, candles come in handy for this task. But you can just as easily sprinkle some peppermint oil into a diffuser to create a holly jolly atmosphere. Other ways to create an attractive aroma is to throw together a simmer pot using easy-to-access pantry spices like nutmeg, ginger, citrus, star anise, cardamon, and others. And of course, don’t sleep on the Trader Joe’s cinnamon broom!

Use What You’ve Got

You may be feeling daunted by the prospect of adding more bulky or delicate items in your already cramped space. But rest assured that there are still hundreds of ways to decorate your NYC apartment for the holidays even if space is limited. Repurpose your wall niche as a menorah stand. Decorate a house plant that you already have with ornaments. Arrange candles in your fireplace mantle. Tape paper snowflakes onto your windows. If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony or terrace, wind string lights around your railings so that passersby can participate in your celebratory spirit, too. When it comes to holiday decor, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to create a winter wonderland in your own space.