Every holiday season, households across America divide into two very passionate camps: the “tree goes up November 1” people and the “please let the turkey have its moment” people. Somewhere in the middle, wearing matching charm and carrying a tape measure, stand Drew and Jonathan Scottthe Property Brothersready to turn the great holiday decor debate into something surprisingly practical, personal, and, yes, sparkly.
Their take on holiday decorating is not about chasing perfection. It is about creating a home that feels warm, festive, functional, and joyfully lived in. Drew tends to embrace the all-in holiday spirit early, especially when lights, music, and family memories are involved. Jonathan also supports early cheer, especially indoors, but has mentioned saving the outdoor Christmas switch-over until after Thanksgiving when harvest displays come down. In other words, the brothers agree on the big ideadecorate in a way that makes your household happybut they still leave room for a friendly sibling debate. Classic Property Brothers behavior: renovate the argument, add better lighting, and somehow make it open-concept.
Why the Property Brothers’ Holiday Decor Debate Works
The reason Drew and Jonathan Scott are so fun to watch in any design conversation is that they do not treat style as a rigid rulebook. Their decorating philosophy usually balances beauty, function, budget, personality, and real life. Holiday decor is the perfect playground for that mindset because it asks one important question: should your home look like a magazine spread, a nostalgic family scrapbook, or Santa’s craft closet after three espressos?
The Property Brothers’ answer is refreshingly flexible: it can be all three, as long as it feels intentional. A glamorous tree can still hold homemade ornaments. A minimalist mantel can still glow with cozy lights. A front porch can welcome guests without looking as if a reindeer union meeting is being held there. The point is not to copy someone else’s holiday look; it is to create a seasonal style that supports the way your family actually celebrates.
The Big Question: How Early Is Too Early to Decorate?
For many people, holiday decorating begins when the first peppermint mocha appears in the wild. For others, Christmas decor before Thanksgiving feels like wearing snow boots to a pool party. Drew and Jonathan have both expressed support for early decorating, especially when it brings joy to kids and family members. Drew has leaned into the idea that once Halloween ends, the lights can come on. Jonathan has also defended early holiday cheer, especially inside the home, while still giving Thanksgiving its outdoor moment.
The Best Compromise: Decorate in Layers
The smartest solution is not choosing one holiday over another. It is layering decor so your home transitions naturally from fall to winter. Start with evergreen garlands, warm white lights, candles, pinecones, brass accents, and cozy throws. These pieces feel seasonal without screaming “Santa has entered the building.” After Thanksgiving, bring in ornaments, stockings, red ribbon, outdoor lights, and more specific Christmas decor.
This layered approach keeps your home festive for longer without forcing your Thanksgiving guests to pass the mashed potatoes under a giant inflatable snowman. Everyone wins, including the snowman, who gets to rest until December like a professional athlete.
Holiday Decor Rule No. 1: Start With a Clear Theme
One of the biggest holiday decorating mistakes is buying random pieces because they are cute in the store. A glittery moose here, a plaid pillow there, a neon sign that says “Sleigh My Name”suddenly your living room has no theme, only vibes and mild confusion.
The Property Brothers often encourage homeowners to make design choices that feel connected to the rest of the home. Holiday decor should follow the same principle. Before buying anything new, choose a simple theme. It does not need to be fancy. Try one of these directions:
Classic Christmas
Red, green, gold, plaid ribbon, traditional stockings, wreaths, and warm white lights. This style is timeless because it feels instantly familiar. It works especially well in homes with wood tones, fireplaces, or traditional architecture.
Winter Woodland
Think pinecones, cedar garland, velvet ribbon, mushrooms, owls, deer, birch logs, and soft neutral colors. It feels cozy without being too flashy and can stay up after Christmas as general winter decor.
Whimsical Family Holiday
This is where pastel ornaments, handmade crafts, colorful trees, paper chains, toy trains, and playful displays shine. Jonathan and Zooey Deschanel’s holiday style has been described as whimsical, creative, and family-friendly, proving that holiday decor does not have to follow traditional red-and-green rules to feel magical.
Modern Metallic
Silver, champagne, matte black, glass ornaments, sculptural candles, and simple greenery create a polished look. This is great for apartments, condos, and modern homes where too much visual clutter can overwhelm the space.
Tree Decorating: The Main Event
The Christmas tree is the star of holiday decor, which means it also gets blamed when the room feels chaotic. The key is building the tree in layers: lights first, then ribbon or garland, then large ornaments, then medium ornaments, then sentimental pieces, and finally a topper that does not require a structural engineering degree.
Lights Come First
Good lighting makes even simple ornaments look expensive. Use warm white lights for a classic glow or color-changing LEDs if your household enjoys options. Start near the trunk and move outward so the tree glows from the inside. A tree that only has lights on the outer tips can look flat, like it got dressed in a hurry.
Use Ribbon Like a Designer
Ribbon is one of the easiest ways to make a tree look finished. Instead of wrapping it tightly around the tree like a holiday mummy, tuck ribbon in loose waves. Use wired ribbon so it holds shape. Two ribbonsone wide and one narrowcan add depth without requiring professional florist skills.
Mix Store-Bought and Sentimental Ornaments
A perfect tree is pretty. A personal tree is memorable. Mix beautiful glass ornaments with handmade pieces, travel souvenirs, kids’ crafts, and family favorites. The ornament your child made with one googly eye and too much glue may not match the theme, but it probably has more emotional value than the entire “champagne frost collection” at the store.
What Holiday Decor Trends Should You Skip?
Every year brings new holiday trends, and not all of them deserve a place in your home. Drew and Jonathan have publicly poked fun at cheesy or overdone decor trends, especially pieces that rely too heavily on obvious wording. Signs can be cute, but when every wall says “Believe,” “Joy,” “Merry,” and “Ho Ho Ho,” your house starts to sound like it is trying to pass a seasonal vocabulary quiz.
Skip Overly Literal Signs
Instead of covering the house in word art, use texture and atmosphere. A bowl of ornaments, a garland over the mirror, a wreath on the pantry door, or a velvet bow on a lamp can say “holiday” without actually spelling it out in glitter.
Skip Fragile Decor in High-Traffic Areas
Glass ornaments are beautiful, but they do not belong where pets, kids, backpacks, or enthusiastic uncles can knock them over. Use shatter-resistant ornaments near the bottom of the tree and save delicate pieces for upper branches, shelves, or display bowls out of reach.
Skip Decor That Blocks Daily Life
A gorgeous holiday display is not helpful if it prevents you from opening the front door, using the dining table, or finding the TV remote. The Property Brothers are practical designers at heart. Decor should enhance your home, not turn it into an obstacle course with bells.
Outdoor Holiday Decor: Festive, Not Frantic
Outdoor holiday decor is where enthusiasm can quickly become a neighborhood spectacle. That is not always bad. Some homes are born to glow. But if your goal is polished curb appeal, choose a few high-impact areas: the front door, porch railings, pathway, windows, and one strong lighting feature.
Start With the Front Door
A wreath is the easiest way to make a home feel holiday-ready. Choose one that matches your overall style: evergreen and red berries for classic charm, eucalyptus and bells for a softer look, or ornaments and ribbon for something bright and playful.
Use Symmetry for Instant Polish
Two lanterns, two mini trees, or two matching planters can make a front porch feel designed even if the rest of your decorating plan is “please let this extension cord reach.” Symmetry calms the eye and makes outdoor decor look intentional.
Choose Lighting Carefully
Outdoor lights should be rated for exterior use, secured properly, and connected safely. Avoid overloading extension cords, inspect older strands, and turn off lights before bed or when leaving the house. Holiday magic is wonderful; electrical drama is not invited.
Safety Is Part of Good Design
Beautiful holiday decor should never come at the expense of safety. The National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission both emphasize careful use of lights, extension cords, candles, and trees during the holiday season. That advice may not sound glamorous, but neither does explaining to guests why the mantel garland briefly became a science experiment.
If you use a real tree, keep it watered and away from fireplaces, radiators, candles, and heat vents. Dry trees can become dangerous quickly. If you use an artificial tree, check that it is labeled fire-resistant. Inspect light strands for cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections before decorating. Use clips instead of nails or staples when hanging lights so wires stay protected.
Candles should sit on stable surfaces away from greenery, curtains, wrapping paper, and curious pets. Flameless candles are a smart choice for mantels, bookshelves, staircases, and children’s rooms. They deliver the glow without the “who left that burning?” panic.
Small-Space Holiday Decorating: Big Cheer, Less Clutter
Not every home has a grand staircase, double-height living room, or fireplace mantel waiting for garland. Many people decorate apartments, dorm-style bedrooms, rental homes, small condos, and compact family spaces. The good news: holiday decor does not require square footage. It requires focus.
Use Vertical Space
If floor space is limited, decorate walls, windows, shelves, and doors. Hang a wreath indoors, add garland above a doorway, or place ornaments in a glass bowl on a narrow console table. A slim pencil tree can provide the feeling of a full Christmas tree without consuming the room like a festive green roommate.
Swap, Don’t Add
Instead of piling holiday items on top of everyday decor, swap pieces out. Replace regular pillow covers with seasonal ones. Trade a normal centerpiece for a bowl of ornaments or greenery. Change kitchen towels, entry rugs, and throw blankets. Your home will feel festive without looking overcrowded.
Decorate the Places You Actually See
Focus on the entryway, living room, dining table, kitchen counter, and bedroom nightstand. These are the spots that affect daily mood. Decorating every room is optional. Decorating the laundry room is allowed, but only if folding towels under twinkle lights genuinely improves your personality.
Sustainability: Reuse, Repurpose, and Make It Meaningful
One of the most refreshing holiday decor ideas connected to Jonathan Scott’s family traditions is reusing wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and cards for crafts and future decorations. This approach saves money, reduces waste, and makes holiday decorating feel more personal.
Try turning old cards into gift tags, paper garlands, framed seasonal art, or ornaments. Save ribbon scraps for wreaths, napkin ties, and small packages. Reuse neutral garlands, string lights, lanterns, and candleholders year after year, then refresh them with different bows or ornaments. A strong base collection gives you flexibility without forcing you to buy a brand-new holiday identity every December.
How to Make Holiday Decor Feel Expensive on a Budget
The secret to expensive-looking holiday decor is not buying the most expensive pieces. It is editing. Choose fewer items with more impact. Repeat colors. Use natural textures. Add warm lighting. Hide messy cords. Fluff greenery. Steam wrinkled ribbon. These small details make a major difference.
Repeat Materials
If your tree has velvet ribbon, use the same ribbon on the mantel or wreath. If your entryway uses brass bells, repeat brass candleholders on the dining table. Repetition makes separate areas feel connected.
Mix Real and Faux Greenery
High-quality faux garland can be reused for years, while fresh clippings add scent and softness. Layer them together for a fuller look. Even a few fresh branches tucked into artificial greenery can make the whole arrangement feel more natural.
Use Everyday Items
Books, bowls, trays, baskets, cake stands, mirrors, and jars can all become holiday displays. Stack books under a small tree, fill a bowl with ornaments, place pinecones in a basket, or use a tray to group candles and greenery. This is the decorating version of opening your closet and realizing you already own an outfit.
The Property Brothers-Inspired Holiday Decor Debate: Our Final Verdict
So, who wins the holiday decor debate? The early decorators? The Thanksgiving defenders? The minimalists? The maximalists? The people who put a tiny Santa hat on every houseplant?
The Property Brothers would likely argue that the winner is the home that feels most like you. Drew’s enthusiastic, lights-on approach reminds us that joy does not need permission. Jonathan’s thoughtful, family-centered style reminds us that traditions, creativity, and sustainability matter. Together, their holiday decor debate points toward a simple truth: decorating should support happiness, not stress.
Start when it feels right for your household. Choose a theme that fits your home. Keep safety in mind. Reuse what you love. Add personality. Leave room for family memories. And if your holiday decor includes one slightly ridiculous item that makes everyone laugh, keep it. Every good home needs at least one conversation piece, even if that conversation is, “Why is there a glitter squirrel on the piano?”
Real-Life Experience: What Holiday Decor Teaches Us About Home
After years of seeing people decorate for the holidays in every possible style, one thing becomes obvious: the best holiday homes are rarely the most perfect ones. They are the homes where the decorations have stories. A slightly crooked ornament from a child’s kindergarten class. A wreath that has survived three moves and one unfortunate garage incident. A string of lights that only works after someone jiggles the plug with the seriousness of a NASA engineer. These are the details that make seasonal decorating feel human.
The Property Brothers’ holiday decor debate feels relatable because every household has its own version of it. One person wants the tree up immediately after Halloween. Another insists on waiting until the Thanksgiving leftovers have officially become suspicious. Someone loves white lights. Someone else wants colorful lights because “it feels more fun.” One family member wants elegant gold ornaments, while another brings home a dancing plush reindeer that sings loudly enough to disturb the neighbors. Holiday decorating is not just design; it is negotiation with tinsel.
In real homes, the most successful approach is usually a blend of planning and flexibility. A simple color palette helps prevent chaos, but a few sentimental pieces keep the space from feeling staged. A beautifully wrapped garland can elevate a staircase, but a handmade paper snowflake on the fridge can make the kitchen feel warmer. The goal is not to impress imaginary design judges. The goal is to create a space where people want to gather, laugh, eat too many cookies, and take photos they will lovingly mock ten years later.
One practical lesson is to decorate in zones. Start with the entryway because it sets the tone. Add a wreath, a small rug, a lantern, or a bowl of ornaments. Then move to the living room, where the tree or mantel becomes the focal point. Finally, add small touches in the kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms. This method prevents burnout. It also reduces the chance of reaching that dangerous decorating stage where you stare at a bare lampshade and wonder whether it needs a bow. Sometimes it does. Sometimes you need lunch.
Another experience-based tip is to create a “holiday repair kit.” Keep ornament hooks, floral wire, command hooks, spare bulbs, batteries, ribbon, scissors, tape, and zip ties in one box. This small habit saves time and prevents the annual tradition of searching for hooks while holding a fragile ornament in one hand and questioning every life choice with the other.
Finally, remember that holiday decor is allowed to evolve. A young couple’s first apartment tree may look different from a family home filled with kids’ crafts. A downsized home may need slimmer decor. A new pet may require shatterproof ornaments. A tighter budget may inspire more DIY projects. None of that means the holiday spirit is smaller. It simply means the decor is adapting to real life, which is exactly what good design should do.
That is the charm of the Property Brothers’ approach to holiday decorating: make it personal, make it useful, make it safe, and make it joyful. The holidays do not need a perfect house. They need a home that feels ready for memories. If that home happens to include twinkle lights, reused ribbon, a nostalgic ornament, and one questionable glitter squirrel, even better.
Conclusion
The Property Brothers are not really debating whether holiday decor should exist early, late, indoors, outdoors, classic, colorful, minimal, or wildly whimsical. They are debating how homes can feel more joyful, personal, and welcoming during the season. Drew and Jonathan Scott remind us that holiday decorating works best when it blends design sense with family traditions, smart safety habits, sustainability, and a sense of humor. Whether you decorate on November 1 or wait until December, the real goal is the same: create a home that makes people smile when they walk in.
