How to Bring “Winter” In (Without Going Full Holiday…Yet) With Target

I hate starting a post with bad news, but we only have three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Last year, we had just over 4. I don’t know who decided that Thanksgiving should be so late, but they should be canceled (also, I know it’s just how the last Thursday of the month landed, but still). So, the question becomes, how do we stretch out the feeling of the holidays, create moments earlier and honestly get the most out of all the effort of decorating for as long as possible? We got you. Today, we are showing you how to “winterize” your home—how to make it feel like a snowy wonderland with a nod to the holidays (yes there are stockings, but no tree…YET) in early November that could easily be added to for the holiday you celebrate but also stripped back a bit to last you through February. This, my friends, is not a “Christmas” post; instead, it’s a “winter decorating” post that is giving me all the cozy feels.

We shot this up at the mountain house, in a few different rooms, using 100% Target product that is in this beautiful winter vibe. Our general aesthetic thesis was “Scandi hygge ski village” so we kept everything simple and minimal to work with the style of the house up there. The main palette was set with whites, grays, woods and greenery rounded out with lots of soft ambient (faux) candles (those lanterns up there are battery-operated, FYI) and twinkle lights…starting at the front door.

Create a Simple, Subtle Welcoming

That entry shot actually kills me. It looks so pretty. Faux greenery is your long-term friend and you don’t just have to use it on the mantel. We fastened it together with wood and twine to make a little winter moment instead of a big wreath for the door, and also wrapped it around the top half of the round mirror, which is incredibly welcoming with very little effort. (Oh, and sorry, but those skis are vintage…I know, it hurts.) BONUS: No messy pine needles to sweep up constantly, because nothing robs you of your joy quiet like getting needles stuck to the bottom of your feet every day or finding rogue ones deep into March and thinking they’re sprouting from your floors.

Just around the corner near the stair landing, is this little “moment” we set up. Yes, since we were going for Scandinavian, we went all hygge on you with a lot of texture, warmth and coziness, which we get easily through more textiles. Layer it on and go for chunkier textiles (like the sherpa-like fabric on that great chair that’s new to Target this fall) if you want it to last longer.

The runner over the table tones down the black of the console so the etched glass trees and votive holders feel less high-contrast. Oh, and if you want to start early, real greenery won’t last you so here (and throughout the house) we used faux garland and greenery—this flocked wreath is great—everywhere (and yes, you can reuse year after year).

FYI, trees are year-round natural elements, guys, so I think it’s perfectly acceptable to bring them in early. Those glass hurricanes in the shape of trees add a lot of light reflection/glimmer. Again, we kept it quiet by keeping them in a very light color palette. The baskets store extra textiles nearby.

Bring in (Toned Down) Iconic Holiday Elements

This star focal point is pretty awesome, guys. It’s big but still subtle and just made us all so happy. At night, the ambiance was incredible in this room because of all the soft ambient glow coming from the star’s twinkle lights, the fireplace and all the candles smattered across the mantel. Lighting is extremely important during these darker days, and with small, grabby kids, I am pro faux candles. These glowed like the real deal, both pillars and tapers.

I wanted to note that while yes, this house is already pretty neutral, going with softer colors instead of traditional holiday hues like red and green (or even blue and silver) neutral colors really extends the life of the “winter” look. Plus, I don’t know if you’re like me, but just a few days after Christmas, I get what I call “clutter body” and want to rip everything down. I can’t imagine getting tired of cozy, pet-able pillows and glowy candles, tbh, so I know this is something that I could carry until at least spring.

It wouldn’t be a shoot with Target product without my favorite Esters chair. This is an “evergreen” product in that it is sold year-round because it’s not seasonal, but a squishy sherpa pillow and a nubby throw makes it instantly even more welcoming. Set it up near a fireplace or reading corner with a wood table (this one here is from Threshold’s 2018 fall collection and is technically a “coffee table” but it’s a great size and height as more of a drinks-and-popcorn table).

You could easily hold off on the stockings until after Thanksgiving because the faux greenery garland and candles would definitely stand on their own here. And when you’re ready…stockings up! We loved these because of their sweater knit that felt nostalgic but also really fresh and modern (and it’s always a “yes” for me when it comes to faux fur this time of year).

Add a Few Festive Touches to Get Party Ready

There’s something about a ceramic tiny house village that instantly makes it feel like wintertime, but I know a lot of them can feel very…present, like you stumbled into a Cracker Barrel and bought the whole lot, which is why these white porcelain ones are so, so great. You get that “holiday village” feel without the visual noise. These could easily work on a console table somewhere, but here we brought them into the dining room to create more of a party vibe. And FYI, these are SUPER affordable—under $10—from Wondershop.

If you want something more casual than a big sit-down dinner, take your table and transform it into a winter scene with a few textiles (like the subtly sparkly tablecloth here). We used a faux fur runner here which is so fun because it kind of gives off snow vibes but is really just something I bet everyone will end up petting. A few more bottle brush trees (also a great budget buy) and some great faux branches (these are only sold in stores, FYI) and ta-da…you have yourself the perfect dessert or buffet table.

Quick party hack: don’t feel like you have to run out and get a cake stand that you’ll probably use twice a year if you don’t want to. Using a larger dinner plate in the same setting (or different setting, whichever!) you already have keeps things cohesive and just simpler for you. Mix in some brass flatware (grounded by linen napkins) and anything feels special.

Fit In Unexpected Moments

How to decorate your bathroom for winter/the holidays is probably something that has (likely) never crossed your mind. If it has, maybe you should work here. But if you have a “window moment” like the one in my master bathroom, a simple (battery-operated) lit wreath goes a long way to remind you about seasonal stress while you try to unwind from seasonal stress (kidding). It’s just a smile-inducing addition to an unexpected room.

A bubble bath and a wreath moment = my winter happy place.

Those etched glass hurricanes are so pretty and high-end looking and frankly, could be used from now until…always. They have that “magic” of the winter season but would also just be so special on a random day in March.

The same goes for a corner in a bedroom (this is in the adjacent master bedroom). I love those little lit trees; they’re such a great scale to fit into basically any and every vignette around your home. Throw in a knit blanket (I LOVE the oversize tassels on this one), something to squish your toes into (may I recommend a faux fur pelt?) and the perfectly updated buffalo check wing chair and you’ve got yourself a dreamy, comfy “winter” reading nook.

Don’t Forget Your Littles

We love to let the kids decorate their rooms, but if you don’t want to hand over the reins, it’s really just about sprinkling a few little touches throughout to add a little wonder.

The soft Christmas calendar is so sweet and easy for the kids to take off the wall without fear of breaking anything. Then it’s just bringing in a little lit faux green tree, another (smaller) star and fuzzy, furry, plush textiles.

Oh, and a kid-sized wreath, of course. The lights are battery-powered so you don’t have to worry about any cables or wires if outlets are scarce. This would be so sweet over twin beds, on the door, over windows or in a nook like this one above.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m full-on ready now to bring in winter (even though it’s 75 in LA). The snow will be falling up in the mountains in no time and all that will be left is bringing in the tree.

To shop each of these looks, Target put together these super useful collection pages by vignette (or scroll down to the Get the Look to shop that way, too).