Get into the holiday spirit
Decking the halls with DIY Christmas decorations is a fun part of the holidays, but let’s face it: Some of you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s OK! Not everyone has a knack for interior design or DIY Christmas ornaments. Even if you do, you may have hit a creative wall, stalling on Christmas tree ideas or which trinkets to add to your mantle.
Thankfully, your zodiac sign holds the key to understanding your decorating instincts and how best to use them. So while your neighbor may be living her best season with wreaths of every shape and style, you may be better suited to some subdued candles. In fact, astrology can guide you on more than just how to create the perfect holiday home. You can use it to determine little things like your favorite fall cookie, big things like how to celebrate the holidays according to your zodiac sign, and even bigger things, like the best dog for you.
Read on to find the best holiday decor for you. But no matter your zodiac sign, don’t overlook the classics. After all, what is Christmas without some twinkling lights?
Aries (March 21–April 19): Set out colorful candles
Two words: Slow down. According to astrologer Guadalupe Terrones, people born under this zodiac sign have a tendency to get ahead of themselves. “Aries should choose one object that’s going to spice up their home for the holidays and call it a day,” she says. “While shopping, they might get a bunch of exciting ideas, but by the time they get home, those ideas will have been just that.” Translation: They get caught up in the moment but have trouble committing to all their Christmas decoration ideas.
Since Aries is a fire sign, it is in their nature to burn bright. The trick, however, is to make sure they don’t burn out too quickly. “Colorful candles will be a nice touch to an Aries’ home and will help them to integrate the endurance of fire, not just the spark,” Terrones says. Embrace your fiery flare with red, flameless LED candles or a realistic-looking infrared stove heater. You can also light up with this LED vine stag head that’s reminiscent of your own Aries ram horns.
Taurus (April 20–May 20): Scent your home with fragrance diffusers
Taureans love stuff. This isn’t necessarily because they are materialistic; it’s because, for them, the pleasure of living lies in satisfying all five senses to the max. It’s important for them to not just present their holiday finds but also to create an entire atmosphere. “An essential oil diffuser is, for lack of a better word, as essential as music to Taurus,” Terrones says.
While fragrances and the best Christmas songs take care of smell and sound, that still leaves three more senses: sight, touch, and taste. Christmas cookies give a taste of the holidays, and holiday-themed accents satisfy sight and touch. “Adding new textures to their couch and tables, such as pillows and tablecloths, will feel nurturing to a Taurus during the holidays,” Terrones says. “Above all else, their homes have to look beautiful.”
Not sure where to start? Engage the senses with a gorgeous, gold-accented holiday reed diffuser, then set an enchanting wintry scene with snowball curtain lights. Or serve up luxurious treats with holiday-themed place settings.
Gemini (May 21–June 20): Stock up on board games
People of this zodiac sign see decorating as a means to an end. Their goal isn’t necessarily to make their house look the best but to provide their guests with the experience they’re looking for so they will enjoy being there. “They’ll decorate their home to accommodate their guests,” Terrones says. “This can mean getting the latest streaming devices [and] board games or the funniest ornaments.”
While your holiday get-together might consist of fewer people than you’d like, depending on the pandemic, you’ll still want to make sure everyone has a good time. Maybe humor rules the home this season; stock up on joke ornaments for laughs. Or go the entertainment route with fun Christmas party games, like Christmas-themed Monopoly, Catan, or charades. Hosting a virtual holiday party? Encourage your friends and family to get gaming headsets for some online gaming.
Cancer (June 21–July 22): Fill frames with past holiday photos
People of this zodiac sign crave a homey feeling. For Cancer, this means preparing meals and being surrounded by meaningful decorations. “Cancers will decorate their homes more with aromas from baking than anything else,” Terrones says. “All the decorative gifts they’ve collected from past family members will come out of storage and bless their furniture. Every decoration and holiday treat will have a story attached to it.”
Add to your holiday memories by displaying the perfect family picture in a handcrafted frame, a new Christmas Eve tradition that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Cute, holiday-themed serving trays and bowls that hearken back to Christmases of old are also a great way to celebrate for Cancer.
Leo (July 23–August 22): Go big and go gaudy
You know that house on the block that always has 10,000 strings of lights, three inflatable snowmen, and countless ornaments dangling from its trees? That’s Leo through and through. “They are a competitive sign,” Terrones says, “so they will be the ones most likely to overwhelm their windows or their porch with a loud, decorative piece that garners attention to them and their home.”
There is no such thing as “too much” for people of this zodiac sign—and that applies to decorating themselves too. Gaudy holiday sweaters and flamboyant accessories will be plentiful in a Leo’s home at this time of year. Don your best ugly Christmas sweater and go big with outdoor Christmas decorations—think an inflatable LED-light snowman or roof display.
Virgo (August 23–September 22): Use fresh greenery
Unlike Leo, Virgo is not a sign that indulges in excess. “A Virgo home is ordered—always,” Terrones says. “Virgo will decorate their home by switching out practical household items for their festive equivalent.” This is when the “Number One Mom” coffee mugs transform into ceramic Santa cups. For Virgo, it’s not so much about decorating as it is about establishing a Christmas party theme.
As an earth sign, Virgo also enjoys the simplicity and beauty of the natural world at this time of year. “They’ll enjoy bringing nature into their home,” Terrones explains. Real trees and Christmas wreaths are very important to Virgo. Can’t make it to a farm or tree nursery? Accent corners, tables, and mantles with red winter berries, or order a natural-looking, wintry pine wreath.
Libra (September 23–October 22): Display fine art
Libras are somewhat similar to Virgos when it comes to holiday decorating because they, too, like order. “To them, symmetry is beauty,” Terrones explains. “Libra is as close to a fine-art critic as you can get when it comes to decorating the home. Balancing things is their specialty in life and in aesthetics.”
For this reason, hanging themed art during the holidays is one of the most satisfying activities for Libra. Whereas some zodiac signs will find joy in being purposely tacky, a Libra’s home will be impeccable. So art won’t feature bright reds and greens, with a grinning Santa in the center; it’ll instead evoke a sense of the wintry season while providing perfect spacing. Stemless wine glasses for entertaining and—for families that open Hanukkah gifts instead of Christmas presents—luxe display dreidels provide some literal balance.
Scorpio (October 23–November 21): Set out chocolaty treats
Scorpio only really needs one item to ensure a successful holiday: chocolate. “Chocolate is essential,” Terrones says. “Chocolate is rich with symbolism, and Scorpios enjoy adding levels of meaning to their surroundings.” So, what’s the deal with this delicious treat? It’s luscious, it evokes passion, and it represents decadence.
Continue the chocolate theme in your decorating with a hot chocolate bar kit, which provides everything (except the candy) you need to set up a festive and interactive chocolate display for your guests. Sweet treats in pretty packaging make for great holiday food gifts as well as novelty pieces, and a chocolate Advent calendar doubles as both decor and dessert.
Sagittarius (November 22–December 21): Create a tabletop display
“They want their home to be bright, positive, and inviting,” Terrones says of people born under Sagittarius. “They enjoy the pleasures the holidays bring in terms of food, drink, and laughter, and so they want an ambiance that will match the joy.”
Upbeat holiday tunes and smiling, happy tchotchkes will set the mood. Sagittarians will love silly and sweet tabletop figurines and displays, like this musical snowman lantern, which features continuous swirling glitter. Get in the spirit even more with our ultimate guide to zodiac gifts.
Capricorn (December 22–January 19): Illuminate your decor
Winter is Capricorn season, so holiday decorating is almost therapeutic for this sign. “Decorating for them has to come with substance and be within Christmas traditions,” Terrones says. “It is good medicine for a Capricorn to take some time out of their busy day to mindfully beautify their surroundings with bright lights and glimmering ornaments.”
Their holiday decorations will be subdued compared to those of the other zodiac signs—think twinkle lights and illuminated decor—but it’ll be just enough to remind them that there is light shining in the darkness of winter.
Aquarius (January 20–February 18): Add comforting touches
Aquarius is rather selfless around the holidays, focused much more on giving than receiving. Like people born under Gemini, those born under this zodiac sign will do whatever it takes to ensure the happiness of their guests, even hanging personalized Christmas stockings for all. “They want the essence of the generosity of the holidays to shine through more than anything else,” Terrones says. “They understand that the physical ambiance means a lot to other people, and because they want everyone to feel open in their space, they’ll make it a point to decorate accordingly.”
Aquariuses will go out of their way to make their guests feel comfortable and safe, so they may want to wear or hand out holiday-themed face masks to protect against COVID-19 spread. Cozy Christmas kitchen appliance covers are also great because they will keep your guests’ hands from touching cold surfaces. (It’s cold enough outside!) And an understated holiday doormat lets guests know they’re welcome.
Pisces (February 19–March 20): Go with a Christmas movie theme
The same thing that makes Pisces lovable is, to some people, also what makes them somewhat irritating. Pisces loves the holidays. (Some would say a little too much.) “Pisces is a sign that loves the music and the nostalgia that the holidays bring out,” Terrones explains. “They’ll listen to the holiday music playlists 24-7 before November even rolls around.”
It’s not just a fun time of year for Pisces; it’s a truly sentimental one. When it comes to Christmas activities at your holiday gathering, classic Christmas movies, like Miracle on 34th Street, will be playing on repeat in the background. You can even play up your holiday movie favorites in your decor—think Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and the bell from It’s a Wonderful Life. A Pisces will also stay true to family holiday traditions, like putting out tons of Hanukkah chocolate gelt as a shiny, gold decoration and a sweet the kids can nibble on.
