Erin Napier Christmas: 20 Small Town Southern Decor Ideas That Feel Handmade and Cozy

An Erin Napier Christmas feels like a small Southern town in December: ribbons on the tree, handmade ornaments, a porch with rocking chairs and a wreath on an old painted door. Erin and her husband Ben host the HGTV series Home Town, which premiered on January 24, 2016 and is mostly filmed in the historic district of Laurel. Their Home Town Holiday Special aired on January 1, 2018, and fans have loved her simple holiday style ever since. One of her favorite tricks is tying long ribbons to the tips of the tree branches for a quick, nostalgic look. It costs very little and feels made by hand, not bought in a store. Below are 20 ideas inspired by that cozy style, from the tree and the gifts to the porch, the front door and the kitchen..

The Erin Napier Christmas Tree Everyone Copies

This is the entire mood in one room. A plain green tree gets long ribbon tails tied to its branch tips, a mix of red, plaid and cream. Handmade ornaments fill the gaps, and a soft quilt on the sofa makes the room feel lived in. Nothing here is fancy or expensive, and that is exactly the charm of an Erin Napier Christmas. If you love this ribbon idea, you can take it even further with a full ribbon Christmas tree..

You will need: a green tree, three or four rolls of ribbon in red, plaid and cream, sharp scissors, a few handmade ornaments.

How to make it: Fluff the branches first. Cut ribbons 30 to 60 cm long. Tie one around the tip of every third branch with a single knot. Let the tails hang straight down. Add ornaments in the gaps last.

The Erin Napier Christmas Ribbon Trick

This is the trick Erin Napier uses for a quick nostalgic look. Instead of bows, you knot a length of ribbon right onto the branch tip and let it fall. The tails move a little when someone walks past, which makes the tree feel alive. Use 30 to 60 cm pieces, so the tree looks full but never messy. Velvet ribbon hangs best because it is heavy. For more velvet ideas, see these velvet ornaments.

You will need: velvet and plaid ribbon, about 30 meters for a 2 meter tree, scissors.

How to make it: Cut the ribbon into pieces of different lengths. Wrap each one once around a branch tip and tie a simple knot. Trim the ends at an angle. Work from the top of the tree down.

Mix in Gingham Ribbon

Red gingham is the friendliest ribbon there is. It looks like a picnic cloth or a farmhouse curtain, so it fits a small town home perfectly. Mix it with solid red and plaid ribbons so the tree does not look too busy. Cut the ends in a V shape so they do not fray. A little jingle bell tied on a few ribbons adds a sweet sound when you brush past, and it pairs well with more plaid decor ideas.

You will need: red gingham ribbon, small red jingle bells, scissors.

How to make it: Fold the ribbon end in half lengthwise. Cut from the edge up toward the fold at an angle to make a V. Thread a bell onto a few pieces before you tie them on.

Sew Simple Fabric Ornaments

Fabric ornaments are what make a tree look handmade. Cut hearts and stars from gingham, plaid or felt leftovers, stuff them lightly and stitch the edges. Old shirts and kitchen towels work great for this. Even kids can help with the stuffing. They suit an Erin Napier Christmas tree perfectly. Make a dozen in one evening and mix them with a few shiny red ornaments. For more ideas you can make at the kitchen table, look at these handmade ornaments.

You will need: leftover fabric pieces, a paper heart and star template, polyester stuffing, needle and thread, thin ribbon.

How to make it: Trace the shape twice on the fabric and cut it out. Stitch the two pieces together, leaving a small gap. Push in a little stuffing, stitch the gap closed and add a ribbon loop.

Frame a Child’s Drawing in Tiny Gold Frames

Fans went wild when a tiny framed Christmas drawing showed up in Erin Napier’s holiday decor, and it is easy to see why. A kid’s crayon tree in a little gold frame is personal, sweet and costs almost nothing. Thrift stores sell small gold frames for a dollar or two. Ask the kids to draw trees, stars or snowmen, then line the frames up on a shelf or mantel. You will find more frame ideas in these frame crafts.

You will need: small gold frames, plain paper, crayons or colored pencils, a little greenery.

How to make it: Cut the paper to fit each frame. Let the kids draw one holiday picture per sheet. Slip each drawing into a frame and group three to five frames together.

Fold Paper Stars

Folded paper stars look old fashioned and very handmade, which fits this style perfectly. They take a little practice, but once you learn the folds you can make one in a few minutes. Use red, cream and gold paper bands and hang the stars on the tree or in a window. They also make sweet gift toppers. See these paper stars for easier versions if you want something quick.

You will need: four long paper bands per star (about 1.5 cm by 45 cm), scissors, thread.

How to make it: Fold each band in half. Weave the four bands into a square. Fold the points following a star tutorial, then tuck in the ends. Add a thread loop to hang it.

Wrap Gifts in Brown Paper and Twine

Brown paper and twine is the most small town gift wrap there is. It is cheap, it looks warm under a tree and it never clashes with anything. Tie the twine around the box several times for a thick, rustic look, then tuck in a little wooden star or a sprig of greenery. Stack a few of these under the tree and the entire corner looks styled. More easy wrapping ideas are in these gift wrapping tricks.

You will need: a roll of brown kraft paper, jute twine, tape, small wooden stars.

How to make it: Wrap the box with the paper, folding the ends neatly. Wind the twine around it three or four times each way. Tie a knot on top and slide a wooden star under the twine.

Stamp Your Own Wrapping Paper

Plain kraft paper turns into custom wrapping paper with one simple stamp. Carve a little tree shape from a potato or a rubber eraser, dip it in white or green paint and press it all over the paper. It looks handmade in the best way, kids love helping, and it fits an Erin Napier Christmas beautifully. Every gift ends up a little different. For more wrapping inspiration, peek at these gift wrap ideas.

You will need: brown kraft paper, a potato or eraser, a small knife, green and white craft paint, a paper plate.

How to make it: Cut a potato in half and carve a simple tree shape on the cut side. Pour a little paint onto the plate. Dip the stamp and press it onto the paper in rows. Let it dry for an hour.

Paint a Tiny House Ornament

Erin Napier is known for her drawings, so a hand painted ornament feels just right on a tree inspired by her. Paint a simple little house on a wood slice or a plain round ornament: a white front, a red door and a tiny green wreath. You do not need to be an artist. Simple shapes look charming. Make one for each family home you love. See these hand painted ornaments for more painting ideas.

You will need: plain wood slices or matte ornaments, acrylic paint, a thin brush, a pencil, clear sealer.

How to make it: Sketch a square and a triangle roof with a pencil. Paint the house white and let it dry. Add a red door, windows and a tiny wreath. Seal it once the paint is dry.

An Erin Napier Christmas Starts on the Porch

In a small Southern town, the porch is the first room guests see. A deep porch with a swing and a rocking chair is ready for the holidays with just a few touches. Add a red pillow, a plaid blanket and a bit of greenery on the railing. Keep it simple so the old wood and white paint still show. Neighbors will notice, and you will want to sit out there with coffee. More ideas are in these winter porch ideas.

You will need: a red or plaid pillow, a wool blanket, a short length of pine garland, zip ties.

How to make it: Sweep the porch and wipe the chairs. Lay the blanket over the arm of a rocker and set the pillow in the seat. Zip tie a short pine garland along the railing.

Dress Up the Porch Swing

A wooden porch swing is the heart of a Southern porch. For Christmas, give it a quilt or plaid blanket, two pillows and a small swag of greenery on each chain. It turns into the coziest seat in the house, even in winter. If your swing is bare wood, a coat of clear sealer will protect it. Pair it with ideas from these front porch ideas for a porch that looks warm from the street.

You will need: a plaid blanket or quilt, two pillows, small evergreen bundles, red ribbon.

How to make it: Fold the blanket over the back of the swing. Add the pillows at each end. Tie a small evergreen bundle to each chain with red ribbon so it sits at hand height.

Gather Glossy Magnolia Leaves

Magnolia leaves are a Southern Christmas classic. They are glossy green on top and soft brown underneath, so they look rich in a wreath or a garland. If you have a magnolia tree nearby, cut small branches with five to seven leaves. The leaves dry well and keep their shape for weeks, even indoors. Use both sides for contrast. They look lovely mixed into these Christmas wreaths.

You will need: pruning shears, magnolia branches, a bucket of water.

How to make it: Cut branches early in the morning. Pull the leaves off the bottom 5 cm of each stem. Stand them in water overnight before you use them.

Hang a Magnolia Wreath on the Front Door

A full magnolia wreath is one of the most Southern things you can hang on a door, and it fits an Erin Napier Christmas perfectly. Mix the shiny green tops with the brown undersides for texture, and finish with a big red velvet bow. A painted door in blue, green or red makes the leaves pop. It looks expensive but comes together with one wire frame. See these door swags for another quick door idea.

You will need: a 40 cm wire wreath frame, 40 to 50 magnolia leaves, floral wire, red velvet ribbon.

How to make it: Wire the leaves into small bundles of three. Attach the bundles to the frame, overlapping each one so the stems hide. Turn some leaves to show the brown side. Tie the bow at the bottom.

Paint the Front Door a Cheerful Color

Restoring old houses is a big part of Home Town, and a freshly painted front door is one of the quickest ways to bring an old house back to life. A bright red door feels like Christmas all year, and it looks even better with a green wreath in December. Pick a gloss exterior paint so it wipes clean. Add two potted evergreens on the steps and the entry feels finished. For more ways to dress up a door, see these old door ideas.

You will need: exterior gloss paint in red, painter’s tape, sandpaper, a 5 cm angled brush, a small roller.

How to make it: Remove or tape the hardware. Sand the door lightly and wipe off the dust. Paint the panels first with the brush, then roll the flat parts. Let it dry and add a second coat the next day.

An Erin Napier Christmas Wreath in Every Window

A wreath in every window is the classic look of a historic small town home. It makes the house look welcoming from the street, even in daylight. Small wreaths, about 30 cm, hang neatly from a suction hook or a ribbon taped to the top of the window frame. Use the same size and the same red bow on every one so it looks tidy. This idea pairs well with these farmhouse ideas.

You will need: one small wreath per window, red ribbon, suction cup hooks or command hooks.

How to make it: Clean the glass where the hook will go. Press the suction hook on the inside of the window. Hang the wreath and tie on a matching bow. Check that every wreath sits at the same height.

Drape a Red and White Quilt

A red and white quilt is instant Christmas, even if it was made long ago. Drape one over the sofa arm, the back of a chair or the foot of a bed. For an Erin Napier Christmas, old quilts from a grandmother or a thrift store feel the most special because they carry a little history. Fold it loosely so the pattern shows. You can find more quilt ideas in these quilt decor ideas.

You will need: a red and white quilt or a patchwork throw.

How to make it: Shake the quilt out and fold it in thirds lengthwise. Lay it over the sofa arm so about a third hangs down. Smooth the top so the pattern is easy to see.

Wooden Toys Under an Erin Napier Christmas Tree

Simple wooden toys look like they came from a woodworking shop on Main Street, and they make the space under the tree feel nostalgic. A little train, a few blocks or a rocking horse is enough. Ben Napier even has his own spin off called Ben’s Workshop, so wooden pieces fit this look nicely. Look for old ones at flea markets, or make your own with the ideas in these wooden gifts.

You will need: a small wooden toy train or blocks, a tree skirt or quilt.

How to make it: Lay a quilt or tree skirt flat under the tree. Set the train in front at an angle so it is easy to see. Add a few wrapped gifts behind it.

Add Red Gingham to the Kitchen

The kitchen deserves a little Christmas too. Red gingham towels hanging on the oven door or stacked on the counter look cheerful and old fashioned. Add a jar of candy canes and a red mug and the entire room feels festive. It is the easiest decor of all, because you will use it every day. For more kitchen ideas, look at these Christmas kitchen ideas.

You will need: two or three red gingham kitchen towels, a jar of candy canes, a red mug.

How to make it: Fold the towels in thirds and hang one on the oven handle. Stack the rest on the counter. Fill the jar with candy canes and set it next to the mug.

Toss a Cream Knit Throw on a Chair

A soft cream throw makes any chair look ready for a cozy winter night. It balances all the red and plaid of an Erin Napier Christmas room and adds texture. Drape it loosely over the back so it spills onto the seat. Knit throws are also great handmade gifts if you like to knit or crochet. Learn how to make one in these chunky knit blankets.

You will need: a cream knit throw blanket, an armchair.

How to make it: Hold the throw by one corner. Drape it over the back of the chair at an angle so it falls onto the seat and over one arm. Fluff it so it looks relaxed.

Finish the Erin Napier Christmas Look With Cocoa

End the day the small town way: a red mug of hot cocoa on the porch rail. Tie a little gingham bow on the mug handle and add a cookie on the side. It is a tiny detail, but it ties the full Erin Napier Christmas look together: handmade, warm and a little bit old fashioned. A mug like this also makes a sweet gift. See these gifts in a mug for ideas.

You will need: a red mug, cocoa mix, a short piece of gingham ribbon, a cookie.

How to make it: Tie the ribbon around the mug handle in a small bow. Make the cocoa with hot milk. Set it on a small plate with a cookie and serve it on the porch.