Deck the Halls: 20 Holiday Decorating Ideas From Across Canada

We challenged you to capture the prettiest holiday decorating ideas on camera, and you delivered! Here's how Canadians deck the halls, from coast to coast.

1 / 20
Deck the halls - holiday table setting
Photo: Paula Brown

Holiday Decorating Ideas

Set With Style

A festive feast never looked so good! This incredibly creative table setting was captured by Paula Brown of Ottawa, who writes, “I decided that a change was in order for Christmas dinner. Do you like it?” We LOVE it, Paula!

2 / 20
Deck the halls - holiday outdoor planter and dog
Photo: Norma Keith

The Pup and the Planter

We’re not sure what’s sweeter—the holiday planter with its gorgeous variety of evergreens, dogwood branches and ornaments, or the precious pup! Norma Keith of Baltimore, Ontario, sent in this shot of her festive decor and her sadly departed Monty.

Check out more of Canada’s most adorable pets.

3 / 20
Deck the halls - holiday light show
Photo: Cheryl Power

A Christmas Kaleidoscope

Talk about merry and bright! We’re loving the light show captured by Innisfil, Ontario’s Cheryl Power.

Compiling your Christmas playlist? Here are the 20 best Christmas songs—ranked!

4 / 20
Deck the halls - outdoor tree decorations ornaments
Photo: Joyce Stolte

Outdoor Decor

Bare branches, begone! Even after they’ve lost their leaves, the trees at Joyce Stolte’s in Edmonton are treated to some festive flair.

Check out more of Joyce’s creative captures in this gallery of beautiful boat photography.

5 / 20
Deck the halls - blue holiday mantel vignette
Photo: Edith Beerda

Mantel Peace

Edith Beerda of Smithers, B.C. gives her mantel a very merry makeover with the help of festive trees, reindeer figurines, and a white feather boa to stand-in as snow. So creative! A hand-painted winter canvas hanging on the wall above serves as a seasonal backdrop.

Add festive flair to your own home with these DIY holiday decorations anyone can make.

6 / 20
Deck the halls - home exterior lights
Photo: Tammy Green

Home For the Holidays

“Every year my husband always puts his very best effort into decorating our home for the holidays,” writes Tammy Green of Harrington Harbour, Quebec. “Our children always look forward to seeing it.”

Kick off your own holiday countdown with one of these unique advent calendars.

7 / 20
Deck the halls - upside down Christmas tree
Photo: Alexandra Fontaine

Dare to Dazzle

Alexandra Fontaine of Mission, B.C., adopts an old Eastern European tradition with her upside-down Christmas tree. The look is quite striking!

Would you believe this is the best time to buy a Christmas tree in Canada?

8 / 20
Deck the halls - dog Charlie
Photo: Linda Sweeney

Santa’s Little Helper

One of the cutest decorations at Linda Sweeney’s in Miramichi, New Brunswick? Her little dog, Charlie!

You’ll find more of Linda’s photography in this gallery of Canadians enjoying winter activities.

9 / 20
Deck the halls - festive light display
Photo: Marg Newton

All is Bright

There’s no missing this brilliant display! This striking shot captured by Marg Newton of Port Coquitlam, B.C., showcases the brighter side of those long December nights.

Take a virtual cruise through Canada’s best drive-through holiday light displays.

10 / 20
Deck the halls - Christmas carolers vignette
Photo: Danny Heath

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Here we come a-caroling! Danny Heath of Toronto sent in this shot of a very festive vignette.

Read the heartwarming story of an Irish immigrant family’s first Christmas in Canada.

11 / 20
Deck the halls - Lego wreath
Photo: Alan Cheng

Wreath Easy

Do not adjust your screen! Although this may look like a pixellated image of an evergreen wreath, it’s actually a wreath (and chimney stack) made entirely out of LEGO bricks! Thanks to Alan Cheng of Scarborough, Ontario, for sending in this playful picture.

Discover 13 Canadian Christmas facts most people don’t know.

12 / 20
Deck the halls - outdoor lights red car
Photo: Deb Sandau

Festive Spirit

It looks like Santa’s upgraded his sleigh! This festive front yard captured by Deb Sandau is a holiday hit in Red Deer, Alberta. (Check out that full moon trying to photo-bomb!)

You can spy more of Deb’s striking snaps in this gallery of “in the backyard” photography.

13 / 20
Deck the halls - Nutcrackers
Photo: Russ Hayes

Nutcrackers Sweet

“Nutcrackers at attention!” writes Russ Hayes of Sherbrook, Quebec. Keep an eye out—it looks like they’re ready to take over a fireplace mantel near you!

Read up on seven quintessentially Canadian holiday traditions.

14 / 20
Deck the halls - Christmas in the Park Morinville
Photo: Frank Koenig

Let There Be Lights

Christmas in the Park in Morinville, Alberta, is a colourful affair! Thanks for sharing this very merry photo, Frank Koenig.

Find out what a country Christmas was like in the 1950s.

15 / 20
Deck the halls - Collage of holiday decor
Photo: Elizabeth Shaw-Pickard

Merry Montage

“It’s hard to submit just one photo so I created a photo collage,” writes Elizabeth Shaw-Pickard of Ottawa. “I love to decorate the house for Christmas and enjoy all the twinkling lights. It’s magical!”

Don’t miss this collection of funny Christmas stories shared by our readers.

16 / 20
Deck the halls - nativity scene
Photo: George Vanderberg

Away in a Manger

This is one of the most beautiful nativity scenes we’ve ever laid eyes on. Is it any wonder it’s a particular favourite Christmas decoration of Lethbridge, Alberta’s George Vanderberg?

How extensive is your holiday vocabulary? Test your knowledge of Christmas words!

17 / 20
Deck the halls - Window decorations from outside
Photo: Donald Zurakowski

Inside Out

Donald Zurakowski of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, takes a pretty—and practical—approach to holiday decorating. “When it’s difficult to put lights outside, I do this from the inside,” he writes. “It’s the safest for seniors.”

Not feeling festive yet? This countdown of the best Christmas movies of all time should get you in the spirit!

18 / 20
Deck the halls - Neighbourhood Christmas lights
Photo: Nicole Watson

Light Fantastic

This showstopping light display was snapped by Nicole Watson of Kingston, Ontario, who came across it on her drive home one evening. “It drew lots of attention—there were lots of cars pulling over for photos,” she writes.

Next, check out the most magical places to spend Christmas in Canada.

19 / 20
Deck the halls - front door decor with snow
Photo: Paula Brown

White Christmas

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Although it’s already gorgeous, the front door decor at the home of Paula Brown gets a further festive flourish from what looks to be a full foot of snow. “Decorating for Christmas is an annual ritual for me and I love it,” says Paula. “The wreath is my creation!”

Want to shake up your holiday decor? Consider these festive Christmas flowers that aren’t poinsettias!

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Deck the halls - glittering doves ornaments
Photo: Alan Cheng

Peace on Earth

Talented shutterbug Alan Cheng also sent in this glittering detail shot, along with a sentiment we no doubt all share: “I hope these decorative doves on a Christmas tree will bring peace to earth.”

Next, check out this gorgeous gallery showcasing the best Canadian winter photography.

Originally Published on ourcanada.ca

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