Music-inspired holiday decorations

Sing your way into the spirit
of the season

Whether it's Christmas or Hanukkah, the winter holidays are embodied by our favorite holiday tunes. Impress your guests with unique styling, using these classic favorites to inspire your holiday decor this season.

The key to beautiful holiday decorating themes is making sure they’re elegant, never gaudy. Decorations based on your favorite music can get trashy quickly if you aren't careful. Try these ideas based on a handful of our favorite carols or try your own!

Let Rudolph's shiny nose guide the way this Christmas season by using him as the inspiration for this kid-friendly idea.

Decor

String the tree with red and white lights, using elegant, stylized reindeer-themed ornaments in a single color family (red, gold or silver). Instead of the traditional poinsettias, try a Rudolph-themed floral arrangement. (1-800-FLOWERS.COM, $40)

Food

Buttercream-frosted reindeer cookies — make them homemade or purchase them from a local retailer or online. (Cheryl's, $40)

Soundtrack

The Essential NOW That's What I Call Christmas. (Amazon, $9)

Put a little edge on your Christmas festivities with a theme inspired by the beloved Brenda Lee Classic.

Decor

Deck the tree with classy guitar-themed ornaments. Stick with a color theme, or go retro for a little added flavor — we like assorted vintage guitar ornaments. (Etsy, $12).

Food

Serve your guests mini-sandwiches inspired by the King of Rock and Roll himself. Make peanut butter and banana sandwiches, spiced with just a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon, and cut them into tiny triangles.

Soundtrack

Monster Ballads Xmas. (Amazon, $7)

Toys are a big part of any holiday celebration. This year, try theming your home with an assortment of classic Hanukkah toys.

Decor

Decorate with a host of modern handmade dreidels. Just make sure the kiddos know that these dreidels are meant to be seen, not spun! (Jewish Gift Place, prices will vary)

Food

Fudgy Hanukkah cakes are a decadent treat for grownups that are also the perfect size for little hands, too.

Soundtrack

Shine Little Candles: Chanukah Songs for Children. (Amazon, $15)

You'll go to enough malls this season to get your fill of the traditional greens and reds that accompany this holiday. This season, celebrate the wonder that is winter with a sleek color scheme of white and silver.

Decor

Keep the tree simple with some traditional white balls, tasteful tinsel and white lights, and top it with an elegant silver snowflake. For the table, go with a sleek white tablecloth adorned with fine silverware and white china. Add a special touch with white paper napkins with silver striping and monogram. (FineStationery.com, prices will vary)

Food

White treats of any kind will add a bit of flair to your holiday table. For a special touch, try a white gourd cheese ball.

Soundtrack

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Silent Night: The Greatest Hits of Christmas. (Amazon, $8)

Your home should be a haven during the holidays, especially if you have kids in from college or soldiers home from overseas for their first Christmas. This decor idea is all about keeping it familiar and cozy.

Decor

Decorate the mantel with cinnamon-scented candles, evergreen garlands, pinecones and family holiday photos accented with dim white decorative bulbs. Display your favorite Christmas books on the coffee table (hit the old bookstores to find vintage copies).

Food

Try a decadent fireside treat of chocolate covered strawberries. You can make your own or buy beautiful assorted varieties online. (Fannie May, $35)

Soundtrack

Christmas by Michael Bublé. (Amazon, $12)

More holiday decorating ideas

DIY 12 Days of Christmas wreath
Holiday decorating ideas for small spaces
Homemade Christmas ornament ideas