How to Decorate Your House With Christmas Lights

Stuck in a Christmas decorating rut? Join us on a nostalgia-filled journey through the House Beautiful archives for the ultimate in holiday season inspiration. From the DIY-obsessed '50s to the country-chic '80s to the tastefully neutral aughts, we're taking a look back at 70 years of tablescapes, tree toppers and tinsel. And while we might not suggest reviving every trend (hanging wrapped gifts upside-down from the ceiling seems like a possible safety hazard), we're sure you'll find a few worth bringing into the present.

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1950

House Beautiful kicked off the '50s by shaking things up: "Instead of holly red and ivy green, we'd as soon celebrate with daring rose pinks, blue-green and chartreuse," one story proclaimed. This "help-yourself-to-a-gift tree" features packages attached to bottle-brush branches with Scotch tape and ribbon.

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1951

Things took a turn for the subtler the following year. "Successful hostesses plan their very furnishings to adapt readily from family living to party-giving," the magazine advised.

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1952

Apparently the '50s were all about hanging presents from various things—here, it's the dining room ceiling. Entirely safe? Maybe not. Creative? Absolutely.

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1953

Here's a DIY project for you: wrap ornaments in "lengths of sequins and guilt braid (from the dressmaker-supply shop)" and "dime-store gems (nip off metal parts with a wire cutter)" before adding "a sprinkle of crystal glitter (from a paint shop)." Sounds like paint shops were a lot more fun in 1953.

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1954

Christmas got glam with jewel tones and "a galaxy of golden sunbursts"—actually stars cut from gilt paper.

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1955

More cut-out paper decorations, more jewel tones and more yellow—clearly the editors were feeling a warm palette during this decade.

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1956

Dorothy Draper would approve of this high-drama entryway, featuring "'stained-glass' plastic panels" on the windows and plant stands draped in golden ropes.

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1957

The gold tassel theme continues, but goes a bit more country here. Apparently "golden cabochons, like the links of a grandiose bracelet" were something you could go out and buy.

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1958

Even more tassels—plus some "silver aspen tinsel," which "calls up memories of Christmas past." (Did you know that "aspen tinsel" was a thing? Neither did we. )

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1959

Stuck inside on a snowy day? Gather the kids and make some cellophane "jewel clusters."

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1960

Welcome to the 1960s. Here, reproduction table glass, pewter, and silver table settings become "quite modern" with the addition of gold placemats.

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1961

Now here's something different: "The tall, bracketed geometry of a wood-dowel tree in the home of Heinrich Van Keppel repeats the structural lines of the modern living room," HB writes. No word on whether those silver-spiked balls can also be used as weapons.

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1962

Along with dramatic ribbon swags, some timeless advice: "Whatever your taste may be, one thing is certain: Christmas is the time, in the matter of decoration, to let the fancy roam, to be incentive, creative, gay, light-hearted and unafraid." Amen to that.

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1963

Another swaggy display, plus some important tree-trimming safety tips ("When children arrive for the trimming party, the tree should be fixed in its stand, properly positioned but bare of any ornaments") and a dash of parenting advice ("If each child has his own basket or ornaments to hang, there'll be less fighting over when gets each one").

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1964

The Three Kings get a (slightly terrifying) jewel-toned makeover. "Their unique faces and dashing headgear they will continue to brighten your Christmas scene year after year," the magazine claims.

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1965

Based on this "elegantly unpretentious" living room, the midcentury penchant for yellow isn't in danger of going anywhere.

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1966

Important question: Is this "frosted tree from Austria" in the foyer of a manor home at the Tennessee Botanical Gardens and Fine Art Centre actually from Austria?

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1967

This mind-boggling collection of objects—turtles, fish, rainbow candles, random loaves of bread—probably makes more sense when psychedelic substances are involved.

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1968

Between the roaring fire and the shag carpet, this room is ready for curling up with a cup of tea.

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1969

A completely different spin on shag carpet—courtesy of an "anti-establishment magician," because, well, the '60s.

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1970

The disco decade kicks off with gold, gold and more gold.

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1971

A "working fireplace" (as opposed to a non-working one?) is "the perfect centerpiece for an old-fashioned, sentimental Christmas." This writer advises letting the mantle "keep its natural charm—don't overdress it." (Giant bows are OK, though.)

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1972

Crafter extraordinaire Gloria Vanderbilt knew what it meant to be extra. "I just use things we like all year round—Mexican wood birds and animals, a turquoise-and-amethyst cross—but they take on a surprising holiday dimension if you put them in a Christmas context with holly and voice lights," she said. Sure!

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1973

Polka dots for Christmas? Why not! For extra credit, see if you can figure out how on Earth the "snowman-shaped centerpiece" is supposed to look like a snowman.

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1974

If '73 was the year of dots, '74 seems to be all about stripes. (And this "yum-yum tree that looks good enough to eat," which is a bit odd-sounding.)

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1975

"The loveliest table settings, as any hostess will agree, often include the personal touch of a bit of do-it-yourself"—for example, decoupage napkin rings and small favor boxes. (We wonder what's inside...)

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1976

Pure, sugar-fueled joy—or a mouthful of cavities waiting to happen?

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1977

It seems fair to say that this room would look ready for Christmas even without the Christmas decorations.

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1978

Those are some lucky, lucky kids. (Also: Babar!)

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1979

The Emmerling household sounds like a snacker's paradise: "I use everyday houseplants as ornaments and try to make every space festive with fruits and nuts, cookies and cakes and cinnamon sticks," says the family matriarch. "It's decoration but it's also to be eaten by friends who drop in."

How to Decorate Your House With Christmas Lights

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/g28862710/house-beautiful-vintage-christmas-decor/

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