The Art of Starting the Holidays in Style

The holidays are arriving with a renewed sense of warmth and creativity. Gone are the days of hurried decorating and disposable trends—this season celebrates craftsmanship, sustainability, and layers of comfort that last well beyond the festivities. According to Homes & Gardens and Better Homes & Gardens, 2025’s décor philosophy centers on nature-inspired details and thoughtful design.

From handcrafted lanterns and lifelike magnolia garlands to richly scented candles, CG Hunter’s Holiday Shoppe captures this shift perfectly. These pieces invite you to start the season early—creating spaces filled with glow, greenery, and meaning.

Starting the Season at the Door

The entrance sets the tone for the holidays. It’s the first thing your guests see and the last impression they take with them. This year, designers recommend moving beyond the traditional wreath-and-bow combination and creating layered entryway displays that feel intentional and elevated.

Homes & Gardens suggests “starting the fun at the front door,” using elements that evoke warmth even before your guests step inside. The key? Natural materials and golden light.

The Gold Lanterns from CG Hunter embody this trend with artisan precision. Handcrafted by skilled makers, each lantern features subtle variations that reflect its artisanal roots. Sold individually in three complementary sizes, they are designed to be displayed together for visual impact or styled separately for a more minimal approach.

When placed by the front door—either framing a wreath or illuminating the walkway—their metallic glow creates a sense of welcome. Add LED pillar candles, seasonal greenery, or even a few pinecones inside to bring texture and life to your display. Together, the trio of lanterns feels timeless—bridging elegance and comfort in a way that defines this year’s holiday aesthetic.

A Warm Welcome Indoors

Once guests enter, scent and atmosphere become the first layer of hospitality. In 2025, scent is being recognized as one of the most powerful design tools—one that sets mood and memory simultaneously. The perfect companion to this trend is the Balsam & Fir Candle.

With notes of fresh pine needles, balsam, and grounding cedarwood, this candle captures the nostalgia of winter forests while feeling distinctly modern. Each candle is crafted from a natural wax blend with an all-cotton wick, offering up to 50 hours of burn time. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens and phthalates—proving that luxury can also be conscientious.

Lighting it near your entryway or living room adds more than scent—it creates atmosphere. Its flickering glow complements metallic tones and natural textures, whether reflected in the gold lanterns or cast across magnolia leaves. This gentle interplay of fragrance and light transforms a house into a home ready for celebration.

Nature as the Heart of Design

One of the defining trends for both autumn and the holiday season is a return to nature. As Better Homes & Gardens notes, nature-inspired décor brings serenity and authenticity into our homes. Faux greenery, when crafted with precision, offers all the beauty of nature without maintenance—and CG Hunter’s lifelike designs are leading this movement.

The 7' Magnolia Tree exemplifies this natural luxury. Its glossy, lifelike leaves and sculptural form add structure and height to any interior space. Styled in a corner, beside a console, or near a window, it brings a sense of grounded elegance that complements every holiday palette—from winter whites and golds to deep emerald and walnut hues.

Unlike seasonal trees that fade when the season ends, the magnolia tree transitions gracefully through the year. Add ornaments or ribbon for December, then remove them to enjoy lush greenery well into spring. Its permanence makes it an investment piece for those who value both design and longevity.

Layered Greenery for Luxurious Spaces

This year’s holiday greenery is anything but minimal. Designers are embracing layered textures and botanical storytelling—mixing magnolia leaves, cedar branches, and eucalyptus sprigs to create rich, natural compositions.

CG Hunter’s 9' Magnolia Leaf Garland is a standout example. Each leaf is crafted to mimic the natural curvature and subtle sheen of live magnolia foliage. Its generous nine-foot length allows for effortless draping across mantels, staircases, or tabletops.

When styled with metallic accents—such as the Gold Lanterns—it captures the essence of the “maximalist tablescape” trend that Homes & Gardens predicts will define 2025. Pair it with a few tapered candles, linen napkins, and a scattering of natural elements like pinecones or dried citrus slices for a scene that feels both curated and comfortable.

The garland’s timeless beauty also extends beyond the holidays. Once the season passes, it can easily transition into winter décor by layering with neutral ceramics, wood tones, or soft textiles.

A Maximalist Tablescape to Remember

Holiday entertaining in 2025 is about abundance done beautifully. Maximalism doesn’t mean clutter—it means storytelling through texture, color, and layering. A well-composed table celebrates detail without feeling overwhelming.

Start by laying the Magnolia Garland down the center of your table as the visual anchor. Its deep green leaves provide contrast against neutral linens and white dishware. Add the Gold Lanterns at staggered heights for a warm glow that plays across the leaves. Between them, place the Balsam & Fir Candle, allowing its fragrance to blend with the natural textures of your greenery.

Incorporate layers of texture with woven placemats, brass flatware, or velvet ribbon accents. The goal is to create a table that feels gathered—not staged. As Homes & Gardens suggests, maximalist design succeeds when it feels collected over time, combining handcrafted pieces with personal touches.

Transitioning from Fall to Holiday

Another key design theme of 2025 is seasonal continuity—creating décor that transitions seamlessly from autumn to winter. Rather than swapping out entire displays, thoughtful updates allow spaces to evolve naturally with the seasons.

The Magnolia Tree makes this transition effortless. Pair it with pumpkins and amber glass in early fall, then swap them for gold accents and pinecones as winter arrives. Similarly, the Magnolia Garland can shift from rustic harvest tones to elegant holiday palettes with just a few adjustments in lighting and accessories.

By starting your holiday decorating early, you not only capture the excitement of the season but also create a foundation of warmth that carries your home gracefully through the months ahead.

Why Early Decorating Sets the Mood

Early preparation isn’t about rushing the season—it’s about setting intention. The holidays are a time for connection, creativity, and reflection. By beginning your decorating now, you allow yourself to savor each detail instead of scrambling at the last minute.

It also gives you space to experiment—testing how your lighting interacts with textures, or how different tones of greenery transform with the time of day. And perhaps most importantly, it lets you fully enjoy the beauty you’ve created instead of spending December in a blur of to-do lists.

As Better Homes & Gardens points out, fall and winter décor in 2025 share an aesthetic thread: a love for warmth, craftsmanship, and nature’s quiet elegance. CG Hunter’s holiday pieces embody those values, blending tradition with modern sensibility.

A Season of Thoughtful Celebration

This holiday season invites us to slow down, create intentionally, and find beauty in simplicity. Whether it’s the golden flicker of lantern light, the aroma of balsam and cedar, or the layered greenery of magnolia leaves, every detail contributes to a sense of serenity and sophistication.

CG Hunter’s collection reminds us that true luxury is timeless—it’s found in the pieces that last, the textures that invite touch, and the designs that feel both current and enduring.

Discover the Holiday Shoppe

Explore the full selection of handcrafted trees, candles, and décor through CG Hunter’s Holiday Shoppe and bring the season’s most beautiful trends into your home.

Follow @CGHunterHome on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for styling ideas, or shop our collections directly on Amazon. For trade and retail partners, explore our exclusive wholesale offerings on Faire.