During the holiday season, my kitchen becomes the heart of the home. It’s where I cook everything from large holiday meals to simple dinners, bake treats, and even prep for holiday parties and crafts. With all the activity that takes place in the kitchen, I wanted my space to reflect the Christmas spirit without overcrowding my countertops or taking away from the functionality I need.

Keeping It Simple and Festive

Since my kitchen and breakfast area are one open space, I’ve kept the kitchen decor minimal while allowing the decorations in the breakfast area to add holiday cheer to the whole room. The goal was to add just enough festive touches to say “Merry Christmas” without sacrificing the workspace I need for cooking and baking.

The Centerpiece of the Kitchen: The Island

The kitchen island is the heart of the room and is a perfect spot to add a festive touch. This year, I opted for a two-tiered tray from Emory Valley Mercantile, a wonderful online shop specializing in farmhouse-style decor. While tiered trays are typically used for hot chocolate stations or beverage setups, I decided to use mine to showcase some of my favorite Christmas village pieces. I arranged the village items on the tray, sprinkled some fake snow around them, and now the island is ready for the season. The beauty of a tiered tray is that it’s easy to move, so I can quickly relocate it if needed.

Small Touches That Make a Big Impact

It’s the little things that can really bring Christmas into the kitchen without overwhelming the space. For example, I’ve had large glass canisters in my kitchen year-round, but for Christmas, I added sprigs of greenery and hung cute cookie cutters from the lids. I also swapped out the regular scoops with plaid mugs for an extra festive feel.

The tray beside the cooktop, which typically holds salt and pepper grinders, now features a set of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus salt and pepper shakers. It’s a small change, but it adds a fun Christmas touch. On the opposite side of the cooktop, I added a mini Christmas tree to the basket that holds my utensils, and I added a couple of colorful spatulas to the utensil holder—instant holiday spirit!

Finishing Touches

To wrap up my kitchen decor, I hung two Christmas plaid towels at the end of the island. Using small suction cups to avoid any damage to the cabinets, I was able to add a pop of red and green without the hassle of traditional towel hooks. And, just between us, these are actually square napkins instead of kitchen towels, but they work perfectly for the season!

A Festive and Functional Space

By focusing on small, thoughtful details, I was able to bring Christmas cheer into my kitchen without overcrowding the space or disrupting the functionality. A few simple touches like festive towels, a tiered tray with holiday decor, and playful salt and pepper shakers have made my kitchen feel cozy and welcoming for the holidays.