Simple & Beautiful European Cottage Christmas in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the most used room in our home, so when I pull out my European cottage Christmas decorations I try to keep it simple.
I’m so excited to be joining 34 wonderful ladies for some Christmas home tours.
There will be so much Christmas inspiration all week, so make sure you keep coming back to see everything.
Before we get into my cottage style Christas decor ideas, I want to say thank you to my friend Kelly with The Tattered Pew for hosting this blog hop.
It’s one of my favorites!
If you’re here from Julie with My Wee Abode wasn’t her tiny home Christmas decor beautiful?!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Before we get into this post I just wanted to say a quick “Hi!” if we’ve never met.
I would love for you to head over to the About Aliya section so you can get to know me a bit more.
(Over there I share how and why I came to start Open Doors Open Hearts.)
You can also sign up to get the emails so you can stay up to date with everything that’s happening over here.
If you’d like, you can also watch my European cottage Christmas YouTube video you can do that HERE.
My Process for Decorating A European Cottage Christmas
European Cottage Christmas Ambiance
Set a Simmer Pot
When I start decorating I like to create some Christmas ambiance.
This is pretty easy with a simple simmer pot or a candle.
During the colder months of the year I love to throw together a simmer pot because I’m not worried about over heating the house.
But in the warmer months a candle or diffusing essential oils is usually what I do.
There is just something magical about smelling Christmas.
I love when my husband comes home from work and says, “It smells good in here.”
Whether it’s because of dinner or the fact that I intentionally tried to make the house smell good; it’s a reminder that I’m doing the work of a homemaker.
To me, there’s no greater compliment these days.
Turn on Some Christmas Music or Audio Book
Another thing I like to do is turn on music, a podcast or a book on audio.
If you decide to watch the video you might see me randomly smiling and laughing while I decorate out kitchen.
That’s because I was listening to a couple of ladies talking about their Christmas decor from last year.
But after they finished chatting I transitioned to Christmas music.
Clean the Area
Once I’ve set the stage and I’m ready to get to work I like to clean.
In the kitchen specifically I remove EVERYTHING.
The dining room is covered with the items from the kitchen while I give everything a good cleaning.
You wouldn’t believe how dirty it gets behind the 3 canisters on the counter.
Which actually really surprises me, because I move the flour out of the canister and away from the wall, not toward it haha!
It must be like the silverware drawer.
How in the world do I find crumbs and such in that drawer.
I only put clean silverware away haha!
Begin Decorating the Low Traffic Areas
Once I have everything cleaned and put back to it’s home, I decide where I’m going to start adding in Christmas decor.
I like to decorate this way for two reasons.
- Everyday items are always a priority regardless of the season. I don’t want our everyday items taking a backseat to any kind of decor.
- By prioritizing the everyday items I can see what parts of the kitchen are low traffic and know that when I add Christmas decor there it isn’t going to get in the way.
When I first started decorating our home I used to just decorate “willy nilly”.
I didn’t give a lot of thought to how life is lived in each room and therefore I found the decor really bothersome.
But as years have passed and we’ve had kids I’ve learned to value decor that isn’t in the way instead of big beautiful things taking the spotlight.
I want the spotlight in our home to be the life we live within it.
How do you decorate a European cottage Christmas?
When I started looking up what an old world Christmas looked like I got a bunch of different answers.
It really came down to the time and location.
But the one thing I found over and over again was this: Keep things modest.
I found this quote and thought it was a beautiful inspiration for a Christmas that was prioritizing family time over aesthetic beauty.
“Ma was busy all day long, cooking good things for Christmas. She baked salt-rising bread and ‘Injun bread, Swedish crackers, and a huge pan of baked beans, with salt pork and molasses. She baked vinegar pies and dried-apple pies and filled a big jar with cookies, and she let Laura and Mary lick the cake spoon…That very Christmas, Laura Ingalls was delighted to find a shiny new tin cup, a peppermint candy, a heart-shaped cake, and a brand new penny in her stocking. In those days, these four small gifts in her stocking were a wealth of gifts to the young girl.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
When I read this I was reminded that the things during Christmas time that have the greatest meaning are not the decorations.
I’ll be honest, the pull to do all the things, and buy all the things is so strong.
Comparing and keeping up is such a battle.
But I’ve found such a freedom and letting go and refocusing my attention on the things that truly bring my family joy.
So, I decided for me to decorate a cottage-style Christmas has less to do with “the what?” and more to do with “how much?”.
Less is more.
If you want to decorate your home with European cottage Christmas style make your main goal to be using less.
European Cottage Christmas Elements
With that said I want to talk about the 4 elements that I decided to focus on for Christmas this year.
To help achieve that cottage-style Christmas I decided to limit the elements and I think our home this year is my favorite.
Ribbon
Ribbon is a simple statement.
I just took 2 yards of muslin fabric and ripped it into strips and then dyed them the color that I wanted.
I love ribbon for Christmas decor because it is such a subtle statement.
It’s not a flashy decoration, but it still says Christmas.
It reminds me of a time long ago when Christmas was a little more simple that it is today.
Which is one of the main reasons that I love using it so much.
Do you love ribbon like I do?
Simple Greenery
I’ve been known to buy garland and wreaths with pinecones and berries before.
In truth that’s probably pretty simple greenery when you think of some of the options available these days.
But this year I wanted it to be even more simple.
So I took all the berries, and many of the pinecones, off of the garland and wreaths that I used.
I feel like this helped simplify the Christmas decor.
It also helped me make all the greenery across the home look even more cohesive.
I have garland that I still use from years ago and it doesn’t look like the cedar garland I started buying.
But by removing everything that wasn’t greenery I was able to create a calm and cohesive effect across our entire home.
If you’re interested I shared our finished basement all decorated for Christmas last week.
The garland and swag I used down there look very similar to the wreath in our kitchen window, even though they are different.
Candles
I absolutely LOVE these beeswax candles.
I bought them last year one day while I was picking up chicken feed.
This is why my husband tries to be the one to pick it up as much as possible.
When I buy our chicken food I almost always walk out of the store with some really awesome locally handmade item that I simply can’t resist.
I am actually thinking about trying to make hand-dipped candles with the girls this winter.
I remember doing it as a little girl and I had so much fun.
Brass
The last element that I decided to use this year was brass.
I have a few brass things, but truth be told I made some of the brass decor in my Christmas theme this year.
I had a jar of Jolie Gilding Wax and decided to turn a few of my things into brass items.
The bells were brass before, but they needed a face lift for sure.
I also added brass to a few Christmas ornaments that I can’t wait to share with you soon!
But until then I made some European farmhouse Christmas ornaments last year that have some brass in them.
Now that I’m done sharing my simple country Christmas decor make sure you head over and visit with Kim with Cottage in the Mitten for more Christmas inspo!
And come back all week to see all the girls sharing their beautiful homes and ideas.
Pin for Later!
Don’t forget to head over to your favorite social media platforms Facebook or Instagram.
Also, make sure you follow along on YouTube & Pinterest to check out all the other Christmas decor ideas I’ve been pinning for this year!
Have a great week! XoXo
Open Your Doors,
Aliya
If you missed it, make sure you sign-up to join Open Doors Open Hearts mailing list!
You’ll be the first to find out all that’s going on over here and you’ll get decor and DIY inspiration!
Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours
This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours 2022. Thirty-five talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each Christmas home tour by clicking the links below.
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew | Cottage On Bunker Hill | Stonegable | My Wee Abode
Open Doors Open Hearts | Cottage In The Mitten | My Thrift Store Addiction
Tuesday’s Tours
Midwest Life & Style | She Gave It a Go | Sand Dollar Lane | Bricks n’ Blooms
Pasha Is Home | Robyn’s French Nest | The Ponds Farmhouse
Wednesday’s Tours
Shiplap and Shells | White Arrows Home | This Is Simplicite | White Lilac Farmhouse
Peacock Ridge Farm | Cloches and Lavender | Simply2Moms
Thursday’s Tours
County Road 407 | Country Peony | Eleanor Rose Home | Le Cultivateur
Thistlekey Lane | My Family Thyme | Follow The Yellow Brick Home
Friday’s Tours
Southern Crush At Home | A Life Unfolding | Southern Home and Hospitality | WM Design House
Dabbling and Decorating | Lora Bloomquist | Vintage and Grace Living
37 Comments
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Cecilia
Hi Aliya! Your European Christmas decor is simply charming. I adore the fresh greenery and copper accents–pinned! Wishing you a joyous Christmas season! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Aliya
Cecilia! Thanks so much!! Can’t wait to head over to your tour today!!
Tammy
Aliya, I really enjoyed your video. Your home looks beautiful for Christmas. I love the book Little Women and the movie. I would watch it with my daughter (her favorite). Now she watches it with her own daughter. It’s one of my granddaughter’s favorite movie. I even collect vintage Little Women Books when coming across them. The wreath in the window looks wonderful. Beautiful home!
Aliya
Tammy!! Thank you so much! I’m hoping that I can do the same thing with my girls! My grandma told me she has read the Little Women books at leas 50-60 times in her life. It’s a tradition to read it every winter for her…that’s where I got the idea for me and my girls! Can’t wait to see your tour!
Rachel Harper
Aliya,
Your Kitchen is decorated perfectly. Love your style. Such a fun tour.
Aliya
Thanks so much, Rachel!! I’ve always done a garland over the window but I think from now on I’ll be doing a wreath! Can’t wait to see your tour friend!!
Rachel
Your kitchen is quintessentially European cottage and I LOVE it. You decorate so beautifully and in such a purposeful, meaningful way. Every item that you decorated with was hand chosen by you for a specific thing and I adore that, Aliya!! Amazing job, my friend!
Aliya
Thank you so much Rachel!! Your support means more than you know! Can’t wait for the Link Party this week!!! Can’t believe I’ve been missing all the fun for this long!!!
Jen
Gah! Friend, you outdid yourself. I am obsessed! The simplicity is so refreshing and totally getting European Christmas vibes. And can we talk about that beautiful color combination of the brass and the ribbon? Love, love, love.
So happy to be hopping with you this week. Pinned!
Aliya
Thanks so much Jen!! You’re so kind! Truly blessed beyond measure because I can call you my friend!! Can’t wait to see all you have for us tomorrow!!!
Renae
This looks amazing! I adore the European cottage look. Just gorgeous. So fun hopping with you this week.
Aliya
Thanks so much, Renae!! I love hoping with you too! Can’t wait to see all you share this week!
thetatteredpew
Aliya you do Christmas for “less” so well! Your European cottage is so charming and I enjoyed gazing at all the details! Your heart for more than decor is very evident yet your gift for making space come alive is just so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us!
Aliya
Kelly, thank you so much! You truly have no idea how much that comment means to me! You are a sweet friend and I’d be less than I am without you as a role model in my life! Love you girl!
Jennifer Howard
I love reading how you write!! You are a great storyteller. Everything is just so pretty and your photos are so good!! Give the girls a hug for me.
Robyn Huff
Aliya, this is beautiful! I love every detail and loved reading how it came together. You’re so talented and this inspired me!
Cindy
Hi Alyia
I love greens fir Christmas too and I love Little Women too. The quote from Laura Ingalls Wilder is perfect.
I try to use greens and pinecones as much as possible because it’s soothing
AnnMarie | Simply2Moms
I love your kitchen! Your whole home is so beautiful and looks so perfectly decorated for Christmas! Pinned.
Julie Briones
Aliya… you simple and lovely Christmas decor in your kitchen is perfect for you home. I love the ribbons that you used throughout, and I can’t agree more with you about the scents of Christmas being in our homes! Pinned, and thanks for the shout-out. Love touring with you!
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Kim
Aliya, this is such a beautiful postl! Not only are the pictures pretty, your words speak volumns! So happy to hop with you this week! Christmas blessings to you!!
stacy
Aliya I love your home. The European influence together with the natural neutrals is so pretty and classy. Always enjoy touring your pretty home! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane
I could look at those pretty shelves all day Aliya! You have styled your kitchen perfectly, and I’m loving this European cottage look especially with your vintage copper accents. Happy Christmas!
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Lora Bloomquist
Lovely tour, Aliya. And loved how you explained your decorating process, creating a theme and simplifying. You are a lady of great wisdom:)
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Yvonne @ StoneGable
Aliya, your home feels so comforting to me. Even though our Christmas home is far different I feel a tug at my soul when I see the beauty and simplicity of our kitchen! I just want to come over and sit with you while you bake! Thank you for giving us a direction to start and what we should do when we decorate. Beautiful and peaceful! Just what Christmas should be!
Kim | Shiplap and Shells
I absolutely love the way you style your open shelving Aliya, especially for the holidays. The greenery looks amazing and really adds a pop of color. I love the color you dyed the muslin ribbon. Your kitchen is warm and inviting. Happy holidays!
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Cindy@CountyRoad407
Absolutely beautiful and I love that you shared the quote – prioritizing family time over aesthetic beauty. Such great advice. I know I get caught up in things looking nice and miss the family time. I’m about to start decorating the kitchen and was feeling overwhelmed but your tips have really changed my perspective. Thank you! Merry Christmas.
Amber
This is simple and elegant Christmas perfection! I love everything about your Christmas kitchen. The ribbon color is just what I have been looking for but couldn’t find. What a great idea to die muslin.
So much inspiration here! Merry Christmas!
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