Transitioning from Late Fall To Christmas Decor The Easy Way

Want an easy way to transition your home from fall to Christmas decor! Learn how to almost effortlessly create a cozy, holiday-ready space without the rush. Enjoy decorating for Christmas without the stress!

I find it so much easier to gradually transition from fall to Christmas decor rather than rushing to take everything down in a day and immediately redecorating for Christmas. That frantic shuffle and hauling out of bins can feel overwhelming!

Instead, I like to transition gradually, making each change feel intentional and beautiful. Let me show you how to gently transition from fall to Christmas without losing the festive spirit.

One of my favorite parts about decorating is the ability to savor each season as it changes. Rushing into full-on Christmas mode doesn’t fit my style—I prefer a slow, thoughtful shift that lets my home reflect the cozy, calming charm of late fall and the early excitement of the holidays.

Before diving into all the details, here’s a simple checklist to help you begin the transition from fall to Christmas. It’s an easy way to start making small, thoughtful changes that will bring your home gently into the holiday season.

This step-by-step guide for a graceful transition just might become your new favorite way to decorate, too!

Quick Checklist To Get Started

Use these simple steps to start easing your home from fall to Christmas without feeling rushed:

• Change the scent—switch from pumpkin spice to pine, cinnamon, or peppermint.
• Put away most of your pumpkins, leaf sprays, and acorns, but keep neutral pieces like lanterns and dough bowls.
• Add greens—swap fall foliage for pine, cedar, or eucalyptus.
• Layer in texture with cozy throws and pillows in velvet or faux fur.
• Bring in light—add one strand of twinkle lights or candles to key areas.
• Mix seasons—combine pinecones with pears or dried hydrangeas for a soft transition.
• Choose a calm color palette that works for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Set up your tree early—keep just the lights on until after Thanksgiving.

A Slow And Beautiful Shift

Now is the perfect time to start transitioning your decor. Thanksgiving is very this year, so it’s a good idea to think about starting your Christmas decorating now. I would have never put even one tiny Christmas ornament in our home before Thanksgiving, but over the years, I’ve changed how I think about these two beautiful holidays! I can celebrate Thanksgiving with a Christmas tree in our living room. It just adds to the ambiance.

Why not start the Thanksgiving to Christmas transition a little earlier this year?

Take Down Fall In Stages

The first fall decor to say goodbye to is most of your pumpkins. Hold back a few to adorn your Thanksgiving table if you are hosting. I’ll store a few very nice real pumpkins in the garage to add to our Thanksgiving table, along with some evergreens, pears, berries, and pomegranates. Over a few days, I removed fall elements, such as sprays of leaves in vases, acorns in bowls, and Indian corn. Soon, the house feels fresh and ready for Christmas magic.

I don’t take all my fall decor down in one day. I like to take my time. I no longer want to spend a whole day putting things away. I’d rather schedule a few mornings or afternoons to complete this.

One item I leave until the Friday after Thanksgiving is my fall front door wreath. I don’t decorate my front porch for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

Things to Pack Away:

• Faux pumpkins
• Fall-colored tartans
• Acorns and Indian corn
• Fall wreaths
• Fall-inspired pillows
• Mums- all but one or two that look good
• Fall tableware, unless you are hosting Thanksgiving

This gradual process allows me to clear away fall decor without feeling rushed. I keep some pieces that feel appropriate as we inch closer to Christmas and winter, like chunky lanterns, warm throws, and dough bowls filled with seasonal fillers.

Things to Keep Out:

• Dough bowls
• Warm throws
• Lanterns and candlesticks
• Dried hydrangeas
• Faux apples and pears
• Pheasant feathers
• Pinecone wreaths

Choosing the Right Color Palette for Transitioning

Transitioning from fall to Christmas can be made even easier using a complementary color palette that flows from one season to the next. Instead of starting over with a completely different color scheme, consider a palette that seamlessly bridges fall and Christmas. This keeps your decor looking cohesive and intentional while gradually introducing wintery elements.

This is the approach I took last year, and I will do the same, yet in a different way this coming season. I chose a woodland theme for Christmas and enjoyed a beautiful, rich color palette of browns, copper, greens, and gold that worked so well from late fall to Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Start with Simple Christmas Decor

With a blank slate, it’s time to introduce Christmas decor, but bring it into your home lightly. I like to start in our foyer and on the mantel, layering evergreens and understated winter decor to create that first hint of Christmas. This way, the decor feels festive but not overdone, giving us a lovely atmosphere for Thanksgiving.

I usually decorate in two stages. Before Thanksgiving, I keep it subtle with Christmas greenery and more quiet decor. It’s only after Thanksgiving that I bring in snowy branches, ornaments, and all the classic Christmas touches.

I started decorating my mantel for Christmas this year. I added most of the evergreen garland, greenery like eucalyptus, and ribbon. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, and when I finish decorating it, it will look even more festive for Christmas.

Layering Texture For Seasonal Transition

One way to visually transition from fall to Christmas is by gradually adding different textures that feel both cozy and festive. Textures create a sense of warmth, perfect for fall, while adding a sense of richness and depth as Christmas nears. With each layer, you’ll add a subtle Christmas feel without overwhelming your space.

Ideas For Adding Festive Seasonal Textures

Start with Cozy Base Layer: Begin with soft, comfortable textures like chunky knit throws or flannel blankets. These foundational pieces set a warm tone and provide the perfect base layer for building a cozy Christmas ambiance.

Introduce Faux Fur or Velvet: Add faux fur throws or pillows. Velvet is also perfect for this time of year, as it feels luxurious and festive without being overtly Christmas-themed. Avoid themed pillows until after Thanksgiving.

Bring in Sparkling Accents: Metallic accents, like gold, silver, or brass, add a hint of glamour and catch the twinkle of holiday lights. The shimmer and shine of metallics help layer in a festive holiday glow.

Centerpieces: Start Small and Simple

One beautiful way to ease into Christmas decor is with centerpieces. Think organic and understated. This is your chance to play with natural elements that transition well between the seasons. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Lanterns with candles or fairy lights.
• Bowls filled with pinecones, greens, and metallic ornaments (not overly Christmassy ones).
• Boxwood balls placed in terracotta or mercury glass pots.
• Pheasant feathers arranged in a simple vase or pitcher.
• Candles on candlesticks.
• Small evergreen or boxwood wreaths hung on neutral-colored ribbons over mirrors with festive ribbons.

As December arrives, I add a little more Christmas cheer, bringing out more ornaments, winter berries, and cozy textures. By then, my home feels fully dressed for the holiday season, but the transition is so gradual that it feels almost effortless.

How To Include A Christmas Tree Before Thanksgiving

Here’s an easy way to enjoy your Christmas tree before Thanksgiving and save some of the Christmas magic for after Thanksgiving!

With Thanksgiving falling so late this year, putting up a Christmas tree before the holiday can be a practical, festive idea. Not only does it allow you to enjoy the Christmas season’s beauty for a bit longer, but it can also add a cozy ambiance that enhances your Thanksgiving gathering. Over the years, I have been putting up our tree as part of our Thanksgiving tradition and as a harbinger of the Christmas season ahead.

Start by setting up the tree and simply adding lights. After Thanksgiving, you can add ornaments and other embellishments. Doing this lets you experience the beauty of each decorating stage and truly enjoy the holiday transformation.

Other Ways To Transition From Thanksgiving To Christmas

Replace Pumpkins with Pinecones or Ornaments: Swap out pumpkins in bowls or trays with pinecones, ornaments (not Christmassy), or seasonal fruits like cranberries or pomegranates.

Add Festive Greenery to Vases: Replace fall foliage in vases with winter greenery, such as pine, cedar, or eucalyptus.

Add Faux Snow or Sparkle to Existing Decor: Sprinkle faux snow or glitter on pinecones, table centerpieces, or around candles to give fall items a wintery feel.

Mix Fall and Christmas Elements Together: Combine pinecones with Christmas greenery, and tuck in your best pumpkins until after Thanksgiving.

Gradually Swap Out Table Settings: Slowly incorporate Christmas-themed napkins, placemats, or table runners with your existing dinnerware.

Incorporate Seasonal Scents: Add candles or diffusers with holiday scents like cinnamon, pine, or peppermint.

Hang Holiday Garland Mantels: Drape a simple green garland that can be embellished with ornaments closer to Christmas.