Winter Wonderland

Have you ever created a Winter Wonderland Theme for Christmas? If not, here are some ideas to create the look. As I prepared for the theme, I envisioned layers of white and crystal with white animals for an elegant yet whimsical Winter Wonderland.

In the Dining Room, I start with square mirrored tiles to create a reflective runner down the center of the table. I then place two small (3′ tall) and one large (7′ tall) white glitter trees. (The small trees were battery operated and the large tree needed to be plugged in. I hid the cord under the snow along the table scape and plugged into an outlet below the window.) In between the trees I use gem candle holders. At the end of each side, I use white glitter deer head candlesticks. I drizzle plastic snow all over the mirrors before placing the remaining elements: owls, seals, bunnies, wax pine cone battery operated votives, icy ball garland, and Vickerman floral stems. I want to keep an open feel to the trees, so on the large tree I use crystal icicles, a few snowy pine cones, “Let it snow” ornaments, various crystal snowflakes, a few glass ornaments filled with snow, and only a few floral stems at the trunk. On the small trees I only use two white birds.

For the place settings, I use silver sparkle placemats, white glass spruzzo chargers, white porcelain dinner plates, glass textured salad plates, and crystal drop napkin holders on white damask napkins. I found white wine glasses at Macy’s and they made a huge impact, in my opinion. I would have liked to use white chair covers, but my large dining chairs require custom covers and I did not think far enough in advance for that detail.

To continue the theme around the room, I use various sized white and crystal snowflakes and icicles over the mirrors, above the fireplace, and in the large window.

TIP: I use small curtain rods to tie the individual ornaments with clear lines for the mirrors and atop the fireplace. Small cup hooks are used for the high arched window ornaments.

Large gem vases hold large icy white floral arrangements in each corner of the room, on the chests flanking the fireplace. At the base of the vase, I place an owl and a 3D snowflake with more plastic snow.

The fireplace mantel was a lot of fun and different from what I normally do at Christmas. I use Vickerman white and silver ball garland. They actually broke during shipment, so I received a replacement set and they let me retain the originals. I re-strung them mixing the textures and colors to the exact length needed (and I now had enough for both fireplaces AND the staircase in the Foyer!).

For the mantel, I use various glass, acrylic and white cone trees, a frosted finial tree topper, crystal and diamond accented candlesticks holding snow and a pinecone votive, bugle beaded penguins, a seal, a squirrel, snowflakes and floral stems. For placement, I stagger height and finish for a balanced look, even though it is not perfectly symmetrical. A dusting of snow connects it all together. I love the sparkle and icy glow at night, and the white pops on the newly painted black fireplace and dark grey wall.

I decide not to do the traditional Dicken’s village this year, and so instead carry the Winter Wonderland Theme into the Foyer and Living room. Another gem vase and floral arrangement fill the corner table, sitting atop a dusting of snow. The large vessel on the coffee table holds various ornaments and a large snowflake. At the stairs, a small vignette of penguins, snowflakes and a white deer candlestick sit below the draping ball garland – tied with ribbon and snowflakes to create the swags along the rail.

In the Great Room, I decorate the fireplace mantel with similar elements. I start by placing the large polar bears and penguins on opposite sides. With the spaces defined, I place the extra large 3D snowflake, cone trees and large white snowflakes. Next, I center on the wall a deer head and place two small led birch trees on the mantel. I fill in the spaces with snowflakes at different depths and add the frosted finial and a floral stem at the center. Again, it isn’t symmetrical, but there is balance. I hang the large ball garland using 3M command hooks and place a floral stem at each end to cover the hooks. I then hang three furry white stockings to finish the area.

The flocked 10′ tree is topped with an arrangement of glittered snowflakes, crystal sprays and white branches reminiscent of the arrangements in the dining room. A crown of white florals surrounds the tree top. Ribbons of white fur and white glitter garland spiral around the tree from top to bottom. I place the various animals (Penguins, owls, foxes, bunnies, hedgehogs, polar bears, squirrels, small birds and peacocks) around the tree, keeping it fairly symmetrical and anchored with the large penguin in the center near the top. Small bouquets of florals are placed strategically. I use white frosted pinecone light covers all around the tree. Snowflakes and ornaments of various sizes and finish fill in the spaces. Long spiral crystal icicles dangle elegantly over all of the ornaments. Shorter icicles hang from the branch tips as well. A furry white tree skirt finishes the look. The tradition of hiding the Mickey ornaments (black icon head, white glove hand, red shorts, gold shoe) is also complete, and amazingly hard to find despite their colors on this white tree. I also have large foam snowflakes hidden in the sleigh to hand out to visiting children to play with and take home!

Around the room are more touches of the theme. Furry white pillows on the couch, a silver glitter sleigh holds presents wrapped in white and silver paper. On the dinette table, a gem pedestal bowl holds ornaments and a snowflake. On the island is a gem candlestick and below, a hedgehog plays in the snow atop a white glass spruzzo charger.

It was a really fun theme and everyone seemed to enjoy it. I hope I gave you a few ideas and this inspires you to create your own elegant and whimsical Winter Wonderland next Christmas!

NOTE: I created and displayed this theme in December 2020. I shopped for the items 1-2 years in advance to take advantage of sales along the way, so many items are not currently available. I sourced the ornaments, snowflakes and animals from several stores including Zgallerie, Grandinroad, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels. I also took advantage of the super after Christmas sale at a local store Al’s Garden Center. The long dangle icicles and Vickerman ball garland were purchased from Christmas Central and the Vickerman floral stems from Lightbulbs.com.