A Snowy New England Christmas Decorating Guide: Snowshoes and All

Snow-covered porches, vintage snowshoes, retro Christmas lights, and a little ski lodge spirit—Christmas in New England has a style all its own. In this Christmas decorating guide, I’m sharing my favorite ideas for bringing that old-fashioned winter magic home, from handmade ornaments and festive Christmas trees to welcoming guest bedrooms, holiday tables, and treasured vintage finds. Snowshoes and all!

The Countdown to Christmas Is On

Vintage Christmas Decorating Ideas for Porches and Outdoor Spaces

At our mountain home, the porch is the main event at Christmas! With sweeping mountain views and snow adding its own finishing touches, I love going big with vintage winter finds, fresh evergreens, and sheepskins layered into the mix. From simple outdoor accents to full-on après-ski displays, these are some of my favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in the mountains.

Christmas Preparations on the Porch: Hot Cocoa, Tartans, and Evergreens

Around here, the first snowfall in the forecast is my cue to start getting ready for Christmas. Out comes my favorite vintage ski sweater, a little tabletop fire pit, and hot chocolate in those cheerful checkered mugs. I fill tartan buckets with fresh evergreens while Ella keeps me company in her plaid scarf. There’s something about those first chilly afternoons on the porch that makes getting ready for Christmas half the fun!

→ Come along for an afternoon of holiday preparations, hot chocolate, and a few festive touches on the porch.

Vintage Ski Lodge Decorating for a Snowy Christmas

When the mountains turn white, my favorite vintage ski lodge finds come out of storage and onto the porch. Old wooden skis, snowshoes, sleds, and ice skates take on a whole new life as Christmas decorations, with sheepskins and winter greenery adding to that old mountain lodge feeling. The best part? Most of these pieces stay right where they are long after Christmas, carrying us through ski season.

→ Explore my vintage ski lodge decorating ideas, with creative ways to style everything from antique snowshoes and sleds to wooden skis and ice skates.

Après-Ski Christmas Porch Decor in the Vermont Mountains

A vintage French SkiBob I found antiquing in Paris takes center stage in this après-ski Christmas porch display, surrounded by snow-covered mountain views, evergreen garlands, and the warm glow of retro Christmas lights. It’s my take on an old-fashioned alpine Christmas, with a little mountain adventure mixed into the decorating. And there’s nothing quite like seeing it all lit up against a fresh blanket of snow!

→ Step onto our snowy Christmas porch for a closer look at this vintage-inspired après-ski holiday display.

Vintage Après-Ski Bar Cart Ideas for Indoors and Out

My vintage green bar cart gets quite the workout during ski season! On snowy afternoons, I roll it onto the porch for hot chocolate, with antique silver ice buckets filled with marshmallows, alongside vintage glassware. Indoors, the same cart becomes a little cocktail station with my favorite blue-and-white Jeannette glassware. It’s one of those antique finds that makes winter entertaining just as much fun outside as it is in.

→ See how I style my vintage bar cart for après-ski entertaining, from hot chocolate on the porch to cocktails by the fire.

Outdoor Après-Ski Table Ideas for a Snowy Porch Gathering

Some of our favorite winter gatherings happen right outside on the porch, even when there’s snow on the ground! I bring out an old wooden wallpaper table, dress it with a red Mountain Weavers tablecloth, and arrange vintage demijohns with candlelight down the center. With our outdoor pellet stove keeping everyone warm, it’s a relaxed place to gather after skiing, enjoy a drink, and take in the mountain views.

→ Come see how I set up an outdoor après-ski gathering with vintage table decorations, warm drinks, and a little fireside fun.

Retro Outdoor Christmas Lights for an Old-Fashioned Glow

There’s something about those big, old-fashioned Christmas bulbs that brings me right back to childhood. I use vintage-inspired opaque white lights along our porch beams, where they cast a soft yellow glow against the snow. On our outdoor Christmas tree, I switch things up with colorful retro bulbs in the same classic style. Two 20-foot strands of white lights, a few simple hooks, and an outdoor extension cord are all I need for the porch beams, while the colorful tree lights add a cheerful touch against the snowy mountain backdrop.

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Decorating a Christmas Front Door with Vintage Snowshoes

At our mountain home, vintage wooden snowshoes make a wonderful Christmas decoration for the front door. I love hanging a pair with a simple ribbon and a few evergreen sprigs for a little ski lodge character that feels right at home in the snowy mountains. It’s an easy decorating idea that looks just as fitting throughout the winter as it does at Christmas.

→ Discover more ways to decorate with vintage snowshoes, from Christmas porches to winter displays around the home.

A Three-Wreath Christmas Tradition on Our Maine Front Door

Although we spend Christmas in Vermont, there’s one holiday tradition I never miss at our family home in Maine. Years ago, I discovered an old photograph of the house during its very first Christmas, with three evergreen wreaths hanging down the front door, each tied with a red bow. My mother started that tradition, and I’ve loved carrying it on since we inherited the home. Some years I change the ribbons or greenery, but the memories behind those three wreaths always stay the same.

→ See how this family Christmas tradition began, with decorating ideas and tips for hanging three wreaths on your own front door.

A Vintage Red Wagon Wheel for Christmas Porch Decorating

This old wagon wheel came with our mountain home, and it’s become one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I recently gave it a fresh coat of red paint, making it even more festive against the snowy landscape. It’s a simple piece of New England country history that looks right at home leaning against our split-rail fence, especially at Christmas. Sometimes, a little paint is all an old find needs for a whole new look!

→ See how I decorate with this vintage wagon wheel throughout the seasons, including its latest red makeover.

Christmas Kissing Balls and Evergreen Garland for a New England Porch

Nothing dresses up a snowy New England porch quite like traditional Christmas kissing balls and evergreen garlands. I hang kissing balls from our porch beams with deep burgundy bows, letting them sway gently above the winter decorations below. Fresh garlands frame the porch and bring that classic Christmas look I love, especially after a snowfall.

→ See more of my Christmas porch decorating ideas, from traditional kissing balls and garlands to favorite vintage winter finds.

DIY Ice Lanterns and Ice Candles for Snowy Winter Nights

One of my favorite ways to spend a snowy afternoon is making ice lanterns! I’ve tried everything from old tins filled with colorful stems to frozen ice globes that light up with the click of a remote. They’re such a fun way to take advantage of freezing temperatures, and they look especially pretty glowing along the porch steps after dark.

→ Learn how to make glowing ice lanterns with remote-controlled lights.

→ Try making colorful ice candles with everyday containers on your next snow day.

Swedish-Inspired Christmas Bottle Decorations with Vintage Demijohns

A little inspiration from Swedish winter homes led me to one of my favorite Christmas projects using vintage demijohns. I filled the old glass bottles with fresh evergreen branches, pinecones, and red berries, then topped each with a candle. It’s such a simple way to bring that Swedish-inspired look. to a porch, mantel, or holiday table, using natural materials and vintage finds.

→ See how to make these Swedish-inspired Christmas bottle decorations with vintage demijohns.

Vintage Christmas Decorating Ideas for Indoors

The Christmas decorating continues inside, where family heirlooms, thrifted finds, and a few handmade favorites take center stage. From festive mantels and decorated Christmas trees to welcoming guest bedrooms, bookshelves, and holiday displays, these indoor Christmas decorating ideas bring a little old-fashioned New England spirit into every corner of the home.

A Snowy Christmas Tree with White Owls and Polar Bears

Fluffy polar bears and white owls peek out from the branches of this flocked Christmas tree. I added handmade dried orange slices, then arranged vintage wooden skis, blue ice skates, and a sled around its sheepskin-covered base. It brought a bit of our mountain ski lodge indoors, and Ella was especially curious about those polar bears!

→ Take a closer look at this snowy Christmas tree and discover how to decorate with polar bears, white owls, and vintage winter finds.

Colonial Christmas Mantel Decorating in Our Maine Home

Christmas decorating takes a more traditional turn around the old Colonial fireplace in our Maine home. I love dressing the rustic wooden mantel with pinecones and evergreen garlands, then bringing in a few favorite antiques, like an old Boston rocker, a carved wooden horse, and a brass candle snuffer. It’s a simple way to celebrate the home’s history while adding a little Christmas spirit to the hearth.

→ See how I decorated our Colonial fireplace and mantel for Christmas with traditional greenery and favorite antique finds.

Simple Christmas Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Holiday Guests

Getting our Maine guest bedroom ready for Christmas doesn’t take much! A favorite quilt or winter blanket, fresh linens, and a few seasonal touches can make the room feel festive without a complete makeover. I especially love adding a little personality with my favorite lobster pillow, a nod to our coastal Maine home. It’s all about making family and friends feel welcome during the holidays.

→ Explore five simple Christmas bedroom decorating ideas to make your guest room feel festive and ready for holiday visitors.

Natural Christmas Decorating with Pinecones, Paperwhites, and Winter Berries

Some of my favorite Christmas decorations come straight from nature! I love filling old ironstone pitchers and vintage bowls with paperwhites, gathering pinecones for simple holiday projects, and adding a few winter berries for a splash of seasonal color. These little finds are easy to work into Christmas mantels, centerpieces, and shelves, especially when paired with favorite antiques.

→ Discover creative pinecone decorating ideas and easy Christmas projects using nature’s finds.

→ Explore simple ways to use thrifted finds, including vintage vessels filled with paperwhites, for thoughtful holiday gifts.

A Vintage Dress Form Dressed Up for Christmas

A $40 vintage dress form I found while thrifting in Maine became one of my favorite little Christmas projects! In just 15 minutes, I transformed the tabletop mannequin into a miniature evergreen dress, complete with a pink bow, tiny navy Christmas ornaments, and vintage pearls. It’s now a festive addition to my craft room and a fun reminder that the most unusual thrift store finds can become Christmas decorations.

→ See how I turned a vintage dress form into a Christmas evergreen dress in just 15 minutes.

DIY Christmas Ornaments from Vintage Wooden Spindles and Finials

Old wooden spindles, antique finials, and cobbler’s shoe molds are some of the most fun finds to repurpose at Christmas. Their worn wood and interesting shapes make wonderful handmade ornaments, each with a little history of its own. I love finding new ways to use these forgotten pieces, especially when they become something I can bring out year after year.

→ Discover how to turn vintage wooden spindles and finials into creative handmade Christmas decorations.

DIY Vintage Book Christmas Tree for Holiday Decorating

Have a stack of old books sitting around? Put them to work this Christmas! I love the idea of turning vintage books into a tabletop Christmas tree, using their worn covers and different sizes to create a playful holiday display. It’s a fun project for book lovers and a clever way to decorate a bookshelf, side table, or reading nook with something you already collect.

→ See how to make a Christmas tree from vintage books with this easy holiday decorating project.

Christmas Bookshelf Decorating with Vintage Finds and Blue Ribbon

Our built-in bookshelves get a little Christmas makeover each year, and I love working holiday decorations into the antiques already on display. Vintage books, ironstone, transferware, and favorite little collectibles stay right where they are, while evergreen snowflakes hanging from blue satin ribbons add a festive finishing touch. It’s a simple way to decorate for Christmas without clearing the shelves and starting over.

→ See how I decorated our bookshelves for Christmas with vintage finds, greenery, and blue ribbon.

Vintage Clock Faces for New Year’s Bookshelf Decorating

Once Christmas is over, I like to give our bookshelves a little New Year’s refresh without taking everything down. Vintage clock faces are perfect for the occasion, tucked among the books and greenery while the blue ribbons and hanging snowflakes stay in place. It’s a fun little nod to the countdown to midnight and an easy way to carry the decorations into the new year.

→ See how I styled vintage clock faces into our Christmas bookshelves for a festive New Year’s look.

Vintage Christmas Decorations and Treasures from My Mother’s Attic

Some of my favorite Christmas decorations have been in our family for generations. When we inherited our Maine home, I rediscovered a collection of holiday keepsakes tucked away in my mother’s attic, including handmade ornaments, an old nativity scene, and an antique sled. Every Christmas, bringing these pieces out feels like reconnecting with the holidays I remember growing up. And it’s a wonderful reminder to look through your own attic before heading off to the antique store!

→ Take a peek at seven vintage Christmas decorations from my mother’s attic that I still cherish and decorate with today.

Casual Christmas Table Setting Ideas with Vintage Finds

Holiday entertaining around here is anything but formal! I love mixing vintage dishes, handmade pottery, and favorite collected pieces to create tables that feel welcoming without being overly dressed up. From an après-ski gathering in the mountains to a casual Christmas table and a winter setting for those quieter days after the holidays, these ideas are all about making the most of what you already have.

Explore my favorite Christmas and winter table settings below for more decorating inspiration.

Vintage Christmas Finds to Look for While Antiquing

Old-fashioned ornaments, mercury glass, wooden skis, sleds, and Santa figurines are all worth watching for while antiquing this season. Look beyond the Christmas displays, too: an antique bowl can hold ornaments, and a vintage basket can become a base for a small tree.

Explore the holiday finds below for inspiration before your next antique store or market visit.

Bring a Little New England Christmas Home

A favorite antique, a family tradition, a pair of snowshoes waiting for their December debut—Christmas decorating can begin with things you already love. I hope this Christmas decorating guide has given you a few ideas to try with your own collections, indoors and out.

Save this guide for your next decorating afternoon, and tell me in the comments: What’s the one decoration that makes it feel like Christmas at your house?

Happy decorating!

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Keep Decorating Through Winter—The ornaments may go back into their boxes, but the snowshoes can stay. Explore these winter decorating ideas for inspiration that carries you beyond Christmas.

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Continue the Christmas Home Tour

Christmas looks a little different in every home, and that’s part of the fun! Visit the other bloggers on this Christmas home tour below to explore their holiday decorating ideas and find a few favorites to try yourself.

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