Christmas Decor that Creates a Santa's Workshop

For idyllic Christmas decor, dress up your home in designs inspired by Father Christmas himself. Our "Santa's Workshop" theme incorporates traditional red and green hues with images of Ole Saint Nick to help you create a festive, family-friendly gathering.

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Get in the Spirit

The focus of your Christmas decor should center around heirloom-quality, collectible Santa Claus christmas decorations. Select specialized Santa Claus dolls that represent your personality. If you're a dog lover, find a Santa Claus figurine walking dogs or dog ornaments. You can also display Santa-inspired Christmas decor at your bar to show visitors that even the jolly guy himself takes a break to enjoy a refreshing beverage.

For additional merriment, pose our life-sized Santa and Mrs. Claus dolls by the entrance to welcome guests. You can also place smaller holiday dolls and Santa fairies in guests' chairs to creatively greet them at dinner. For a more vintage slant on Christmas, fill your rooms with antique-looking toys and Old-world Santa Claus figurines and throw pillows. Hand Christmas tree ornaments that feature Santa, and set up a holiday train set around the base of your Christmas tree.

Inviting Holiday Cheer

When creating your guest list, include the young and young at heart. Anyone who enjoys the holiday season will delight in celebrating all that Santa Claus accomplishes, with the help of his elves and reindeer.

To re-create the homey feeling of the North Pole, start with the party invitations: Use lots of red, green, and gold materials, and decorate the envelopes with images of Santa Claus in his sleigh, Rudolph, and pictures of traditional toys, such as a children's drum set or doll. Mail invitations approximately three to four weeks in advance to ensure guests have enough time to review and respond.

If throwing a larger party where guests will mingle throughout your home, make sure each room matches the theme of Santa's polar hideaway. Deck your halls with quintessential Christmas decor, including evergreens accented by colorful ornaments, pinecones, and berries. Fill your living room with overstuffed, comfortable seating — Father Christmas would be hard pressed to fit into low-grade folding chairs.

Make your dining room a decorating feast: Top your tables with festive table linens, placemats, and runners. Set out individual place cards to make each guest feel incredibly welcome, and finalize your dining decor with a unique Santa-inspired holiday centerpiece.

And don't forget about your kitchen: Infuse this room with the spirit of Mrs. Claus by incorporating the traditional smells of Christmas. Bake cookies or funnel cakes for guests, or simply light a delicious-smelling candle to permeate the air with a home-cooked aroma.

No Santa's Workshop party would be complete without personalized Christmas stockings on your mantel to prepare for Kris Kringle's impending visit. Celebrate your own personal tradition by displaying a nativity set, menorah, or other religious artifact.

Don't Forget your Exteriors

When it comes to outdoor Christmas decorations, welcome guests with holiday brilliance that sets the stage for what's to come. Lighted outdoor decor serves as a bright reference point when giving directions to first-time visitors, and can allow you to add a hearty Santa welcome. Place bunches of lighted gift boxes along your entryway to show visitors that Santa has already begun stocking up for his long journey. Group these dazzling presents together in clusters of three, and vary their height and colors. These outdoor Christmas decorations will brighten up your landscape, and ensure party guests will gleefully anticipate what's in store for them at your gathering.

Closer to the entryway, use colorful outdoor lights to decorate your outdoor evergreens and to light the path for visitors. All-weather holiday door mats, wreaths, and garlands complete the look.

Last-minute Countdown

3. Plan your Christmas menu at least one week ahead. If you're doing the cooking yourself, make sure you have all essential ingredients on hand. Also, stock your bar with any necessary beverages and mixes, as well as basic glasses, appliances, and utensils.

2. The day before the gathering, prepare your dining room table. Organize your place settings and centerpieces. To keep your dishes hot, set up warming trays or chafing dishes on your buffet table. If serving appetizers, place red and green napkins near food stations.

1. Welcome guests. With all of the planning and preparation out of the way, make sure to relax and thoroughly enjoy your party.

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