A Christmas in Provence: How to Recreate French Coziness at Home

Why a “Provence Christmas” feels special

In a time where "Ralph Lauren Christmas" inspiration seems to be everywhere, I like to settle into something that feels more authentic and less social media driven. To me, a Christmas inspired by the South of France means incorporating simple elegant touches that highlight the best parts of the holiday season. Natural decor inspired or from nature itself, warm candlelight, and soft and cozy blankets.

Creating holiday magic doesn't have to be about buying the next "it" thing. It can be as simple as creating it yourself with affordable or even free materials. At the end of the day, the magic that comes from Christmas is about the warmth that you feel with your closest family and friends.

Creating Provençal Holiday Ambiance

To create that casual yet sophisticated Christmas elegance that the French do so well, there are a few key elements that you can rely on.

A soft, neutral color palette consisting of earthy neutrals (especially sage greens and burgundy this time of year) paired with understated neutrals creates a timeless color palette that will work well year after year. So instead of buying all that tartan for the "Ralph Lauren Christmas" that will certainly go out of style next year, invest in some solid Christmas pieces with this color scheme instead that will look great year after year. You can always add and subtract elements each year, place them in different areas of your home, or DIY your decorations to fit your tastes as time goes on. But my advice, buy a few soft timeless pieces that are a good investment in your holiday decorating instead of overdoing it with too much holiday decor. The phrase "less is more" definitely comes to mind here!

The other piece of creating that cozy holiday magic comes from layering soft textiles to create real warmth. I have several neutral colored throw blankets in my living room to ward off the coldest winter nights. Keeping the palette warm and neutral makes it feel less over the top and more authentically warm. You can definitely add pops of color to bring in that holiday cheer. I use a beautiful burgundy velvet, ruffled tree skirt to bring that bold Christmas feeling. But having a neutral base allows those pops of color to really thrive and not fight with other bright holiday decorations. It's easy to get carried away this time of year with lots and lots of decorations, but I've found over the years that just having a simplified decorating scheme allows for less chaos and more enjoyment.

Now, candles are an incredibly important part to creating literal warmth this holiday season. I take a big cue from the principle of Hygge on this one, but the French do it so well too. Hygge is the art of creating coziness at home. The idea that I always think of is from Meik Wiking's Book The Little Book of Hygge, of a cold winter night with the snow falling and you're curled up with a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, a good book and your loved ones around you. That is hygge. And a huge part of creating that feeling is through candlelight.

The type of candle you would ideally want to have is a beeswax candle or a soy candle. The Bath and Bodyworks candles are the furthest from what you want to do here. In Denmark they burn almost only unscented candles and are just after the warmth and light they give off. I like to have Balsam, Lavender, and Rosemary scented candles though. As a fun, and relatively simple DIY I use the glass jars from my French yogurt and create my own beeswax candles. You can buy candle making supplies, beeswax, and essential oil to make your very own candles for the holidays. They also make fantastic gifts!

How to combine “holiday cheer” with the Provence aesthetic

If you're wondering how to create that vintage, old world charm without making your home feel like a garage sale, my best piece of advice is layering vintage touches with modern day elements. For example, adding a vintage painting of a winter scene as part of your coffee bar decorating along with a string of neutral wooden beads, and a vase of holly branches picked from outside in a neutral vase. You get the neutral base color scheme (wooden beads and vase), with pops of earthy tones (holly branches), and the vintage flair (vintage painting). Now that painting can be store bought, this type of decorating is coming into style so you can purchase something like this Christmas tree painting or my advice would be to go to a local thrift store or estate sale to see if you can find something more authentic.

With all of these decorating tips and tricks here's an outlined plan of how you can get started decorating at home for the holiday:

• Step 1: Declutter — remove anything too modern or flashy.

• Step 2: Choose a neutral base — neutral walls, furniture, linens.

• Step 3: Add natural lighting and scent — candles, soft lights, simmer potpourri.

• Step 4: Install simple decorations — garlands, wreaths, ornaments.

• Step 5: Add cozy textiles — throws, linen tablecloth or runner, pillows.

• Step 6: Add finishing touches — natural centerpieces, rustic kitchenware, minimal greenery.

Provençal Christmas Essentials

And to make things even easier, here are some pieces you can use in your own holiday decor and styling at home:

• Vintage Christmas Tree Painting (To add the touch of vintage flair)

• Candle making supplies, beeswax, and essential oil (If you're feeling like a fun holiday craft)

• The Little Book of Hygge (Tons of inspiration to create coziness all winter long)

• Neutral Vases (This are timeless and can be decorated to reflect every season with a change of flowers or branches)

• Pine Branches (To fill that gorgeous vase and create some beautiful Christmas ambiance)

• String of Wooden Beads (These are another timeless classic and can be moved and repurposed all year long)

• Beeswax Candles (For if you're not feeling like a holiday craft and just want the joy of candlelight)

• Simmering Pot Mix (Creating holiday smells is a huge part of setting the Christmas scene)

• Cozy Throw Blanket (Cozy up with a warm blanket all winter)

• Neutral Christmas Tree Decor (Decorate your mantle with an understated classic)

Warm Christmas Wishes

This holiday season I hope you create lots of warm and happy memories with your loved ones. Take the time this year the slow down, settle in, and cuddle up this winter. Every other season is full of rushing and racing around, but winter is the time to rest and recharge. It's a time to reflect on the great moments you've had and shared this year and plan for the year ahead.

From me and my family to you and yours, I wish you a very warm and happy holiday season! Joyeux noël!

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