Go beyond red and green this holiday season with a wintry blue. Here are our favorite ideas for blue Christmas decorations.
Claire Hoppe Norgaard is the editorial assistant at Better Homes & Gardens. She has a passion for making others feel at home in their space. Xmas Skirt
Sure, you can use blue in your Christmas decor—in fact, blue is arguably more traditional than red and green. It's a softer choice, too, that pairs well with winter whites and silver. This is the time to think flower arrangements filled with blue hydrangea, delphinium, larkspur, blue thistle, white roses, and juniper berries.
How did blue come to be associated with Christmas? One reason is that the color is associated with the Virgin Mary and her blue robes. Also, the Victorians, who played a big part in popularizing Christmas traditions, used blue and other colors in their Christmas cards. At the time, Santa sometimes wore blue robes, not red ones. That changed in the 1930s when popular Coca-Cola ads pictured Santa in a red robe, and the notion stuck.
Whether you just want a break from red and green or want a more vintage look, we've got ideas for you on ways to switch up your holiday decor with everything from blue-and-white Christmas trees to blue glassware.
This petite blue Christmas tree display exudes elegance. Place a small blue spruce into a blue-and-white chinoiserie cachepot. Carry the blue Christmas decorations through the tree with miniature ginger pot ornaments, blue ribbons, and bejeweled orbs. Finish the look with a velvet ribbon and gold tassels.
Draw from your home's existing color palette for Christmas decorations that are an elegant addition to the space. Here, blue-and-white Christmas ornaments tie into blue ceramics and white woodwork throughout the home. Feathery branches and silvery poinsettia blooms bring in a touch of glamour. A wide sage velvet ribbon throughout the blue and white Christmas tree adds a layer of comfort that welcomes guests to Christmas.
Embrace the blue decor in your home, and add silver Christmas accessories that will complement, not compete, with your home's design. Here, glitzy silver Christmas trees, furry white stockings, and flocked garland imbue the space with Christmas charm without pulling attention away from the entry's signature blue-and-white wallpaper. Blue-and-white Christmas-themed throw pillows tie it all together.
A flocked Christmas tree allows the brightly colored Merry Christmas pendant garland to stand out. Bright colors feel jolly and festive. Blue Christmas ornaments sit happily alongside pink, yellow, and orange ones. Use colors that spark the spirit within you.
Put a funky fresh spin on Christmas with colorful decorations you can make yourself. String together your own garland using yarn poms, painted wooden beads, and gold bells. Paint ceramic houses in shades of cerulean blue. Paint bottle brush trees and wooden cones to create a colorful forest atop the mantle. Bright paper lanterns create big visual impact.
Playing off the mix of plaid patterns in the home, these twin trees are dressed in green, gold, and navy blue Christmas ornaments. Blue-and-green plaid ribbon runs through the trees, adding to the cozy feel of this living room. Plaid gift wrap topped with wide blue Christmas bows finish the look.
Incorporate vintage blue glassware into your holiday tablescape this Christmas. Colored glassware can be purchased secondhand for a low price. Pair your blue glasses with silver and metallic accents to create a wintry look for guests to enjoy at this year's Christmas dinner.
Make use of your home's shelving this holiday season to show off everything from ceramic Christmas trees to artwork and books in a rainbow of colors. Organize sections of your shelves in specific colors, or go with a randomized look. Or stick with all blue and organize in an ombre pattern, with accessories that range from soft pastel blue to deep navy.
Turn your mantel into a winter wonderland with decorative blue-and-green trees, Christmas garlands, and stockings. Make the trees at home with cardboard, paint, and glitter. Place the trees on a mantel topped with fluffy snow-like cotton, and then hang colorful garlands and finish off the look with coordinating stockings.
Bring out the blue china for this year's Christmas feast. Layer blue plates with simple accents like white napkins and candy canes for a colorful twist on the classic Christmas table setting.
Bows are the perfect finishing touch, whether you use them to wrap presents or decorate your tree. Place gifts with blue bows under your tree or tie the bows directly onto your tree's branches. Try satin ribbon or velvet bows to add different textures to your blue Christmas decor.
Bar carts are a fun and easy way to decorate for the holidays. To dress up your bar cart this Christmas season, add a miniature wreath with a blue velvet bow. To take the look a step further, use coordinating blue glassware on the cart.
With a stout Christmas tree decorated with large snowflakes and blue-and-white ornaments, you're guaranteed to have a white Christmas no matter where you live. Icicle ornaments add to the wintry mix on this Christmas tree. Blue Christmas stockings hung above the fireplace complete the look.
Create a party atmosphere with Christmas decorations in bold jewel tones. Bright red, green, purple, and blue Christmas decorations greet guests with energy. Tuck in golden and silvery Christmas trees to balance bright colors elsewhere.
Cool colors create a serene scene for Christmas dinner. The blue-and-white chinoiserie charger pops against the neutral sage tablecloth and dishware. A blue velvet ribbon holds the blue-and-white napkin in place. When you sit down to eat, guests will feel like they're opening a present on Christmas morning as they unwrap their napkins.
Light blue Christmas stockings set the tone throughout the house. Soft blue Christmas decorations abound. Topiaries wrapped in turquoise burlap add a dose of blue to the mantle. From icy blue ornaments to turquoise gift wrap, the blue Christmas tree is dressed head to toe in soft and serene hues.
You don't need to invest in a bunch of blue Christmas decorations to make a big statement. Drape a classic evergreen garland along a railing or mantel. Accent the display with blue velvet ribbon tied in large classic bows.
Blue Christmas decor can be as simple as placing wrapped gifts on your shelves or bookcases. Tie the packages with simple bows to keep the attention on the blue papers. Accent the gifts with sprigs of fresh greenery and pinecones.
Bring the holiday magic into the bedroom with a miniature blue-and-white Christmas tree. An oversized "Let It Snow" garland spells out big fun on this small Christmas tree in a child's bedroom. Blue-and-white ornaments, pale blue ribbon, and a plush faux fur tree skirt dress it up.
Lighten up the Christmas tree with simple metallic ribbons and ball ornaments. A flocked tree feels cozy. Add multiple shades of blue ornaments in a variety of shapes. Finish the display with simple wrapped gifts.
Greet guests with a jolly pop of color. Set this blue tabletop Christmas tree in your front entry. Light blue accents and pastel Christmas decorations are a surprisingly delightful departure from traditional holiday color schemes. Pair the tree with simple bottle brush trees and holiday figurines.
Blend traditional holiday color schemes with cheeky pops of pink and blue. Here the ornament wreath boasts traditional red, green, and silver orbs with a few pink and blue ornaments. The multi-color scheme repeats on the mantle with garland and in the Christmas tree ornaments. A blue Christmas tree skirt and fireplace screen connects the holiday decor to the watery wall color.
Deer Stocking “How Red and Green Became The Colors of Christmas.” NPR.