1. Focus on the 5 senses.

When planning, think about how you can bring the holidays to life through sight, smell, sound, taste and touch.

2. Smell is key.

Of the 5 senses, smell triggers memories more than any other. Create a nostalgic vibe with scents of pine, cinnamon and gingerbread. 

3. Be seamless.

Use the same kind of decorative lighting – plus plenty of greenery! – to bring everything together.

4. Don’t forget the nooks & crannies!

Guest rooms, kitchens and bathrooms are great places for small, festive touches, like scented candles, dish towels and artwork. 

5. Talk to an expert.

The Wannemaker’s team has been decorating for more than 50 years—we have sleigh-loads of tips and practical
advice, and we’re happy to help! 

CHICAGOLAND’S HOLIDAY HEADQUARTERS is bringing the holiday season to life with stylish décor and tasteful gifts that you won’t find anywhere else.

HEAD TO WANNEMAKER’S FOR:

• FRESH-CUT TREES, garlands & wreaths, as well as life-like synthetics
• 10,000+ unique ORNAMENTS
• Festive OUTDOOR DÉCOR, including net, icicle & flicker lights
• A curated selection of GIFTS

Come in today, and we’ll help you find JUST WHAT YOU NEED!

Wannemaker’s is open daily for safe in-store shopping.

1: Make a mood board! Start with a theme based on a color scheme, ornament collection, or personal interest, then get inspired by searching Pinterest and home décor sites.

2: Start with the lights. We recommend purchasing about 100 bulbs (or 5 meters of lights) for every 2 feet of tree height.

3: When you’re ready to hang your ornaments, start with classic ones with traditional color schemes (like red, gold and silver). The idea is to create a base layer of relatively neutral colors, then make it pop with accents.

4: As you decorate, divide your tree into three sections – top, middle and bottom – and try to balance color, texture and density of ornaments within each one.

5: Tuck larger ornaments deeper into the tree, towards the trunk, to add visual depth.

6: Cluster similarly styled ornaments together. Each region of your tree can have a somewhat different look and feel, as long as they all fit within your theme.

7: Use picks like flowers, berries or pinecones to add a pop of color and texture, while filling sparse areas.

8: The top of your tree is a great place to make a bold statement. While you can’t go wrong with a traditional star, we like to get creative. Use floral wires to make a bouquet of picks (pinecones, flowers, berries, etc.) as a hand-made topper. Or use something unexpected, like a Victorian-era top hat!

9: Don’t forget the skirt. A skirt that matches your theme and color scheme creates a backdrop for your presents, while visually connecting them to the rest of your tree. Consider basing other elements of your indoor décor – stockings, wreaths, etc. – on your tree’s look (or vice versa).

10: Ask an expert! The Wannemaker’s team has been decking the halls for decades, and we have tons of tips and ideas. Talk to us in-store and we’ll help you find just what you need.

Get ready to bloom with us! We have everything you need for a beautiful garden. Visit our nursery and greenhouse for a large selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and more. Open daily for safe, in-store shopping.