Shea McGee Christmas: 17 Designer Tree and Decor Ideas You Can Copy for Way Less
Shea McGee Christmas style is soft, warm and full of texture, and it is one of the most copied holiday looks around. The designer and Netflix Dream Home Makeover star went viral when Homes and Gardens shared how she carried two huge buckets of faux hydrangeas into her artificial tree and tucked them between the branches for a full, luxurious, organic look. Her tree also showed brass honeycomb ornaments, velvet baubles in brown and gray, brass garland and an oversized red striped grosgrain ribbon. The good news is that every piece of this designer look can be copied with thrifted finds, craft store basics and a little Mod Podge. Here are 17 ideas inspired by her style that bring the Shea McGee Christmas feeling home for way less..
The Shea McGee Christmas Tree Everyone Copied
This is the look that started it all. A full green tree packed with cream hydrangea blooms, brass ornaments and a striped ribbon running from top to bottom. Pair it with a plain white mantel, a simple garland and a stack of kraft paper gifts, and the entire room feels calm and expensive. The secret is restraint: a few colors, lots of texture and no clutter. See how other famous names decorate in our celebrity Christmas trees roundup. Start here and the rest of your Shea McGee Christmas look follows easily..
You will need: An artificial tree, 20 to 30 faux hydrangea stems, brass ornaments, wide striped ribbon, kraft paper, twine.
How to make it: Fluff every branch first. Cut the hydrangea stems to about 15 cm and push them deep into the tree, spacing them evenly. Add brass ornaments in the gaps. Wrap the ribbon down from the top in loose loops.
Dried Hydrangeas Make an Easy Winter Centerpiece
Hydrangeas are the star of this look, and dried ones last all winter without water. Cut them from the garden in late summer or pick up a bunch at a farmers market, then let them dry right in a vase. Their papery cream and green petals look soft next to brass and wood. Set one big bunch on a coffee table or dining table and you have a centerpiece for months. It is the easiest Shea McGee Christmas detail to copy. Find more fresh ideas in our Christmas flower arrangements post.
You will need: Mature hydrangea heads, a ceramic or glass vase, sharp pruners, a little water.
How to make it: Cut stems about 40 cm long and strip the lower leaves. Stand them in 5 cm of water. Leave them somewhere cool and let the water evaporate. In two or three weeks the heads will be dry and papery.
Dry Your Own Hydrangea Heads for Free
Faux hydrangeas can add up fast, so save money by drying real ones. Tan and cream heads like these tuck into a tree just as well as silk stems and look even more natural. Pick them when the petals feel a little papery on the plant. Spare petals are perfect for crafts, too: brush them onto clear ornaments with Mod Podge for tiny keepsakes. For more flower projects, see our pressed flower crafts ideas.
You will need: Hydrangea heads, string, a dark closet or garage, Mod Podge Matte, clear ornaments, a soft brush.
How to make it: Strip the leaves and tie the stems in small bunches. Hang them upside down in a dark, dry place for two weeks. For ornaments, brush Mod Podge onto a clear ornament, press petals on, and seal with one more thin coat.
The Striped Ribbon From the Shea McGee Christmas Tree
An oversized red striped grosgrain ribbon was one of the standout pieces on her tree. Wide stripes add a classic, almost vintage feel against neutral blooms and brass. The trick is to let the ribbon fall in soft loops with long tails instead of wrapping it tight. Add a brass bead garland for a little shine. Our ribbon Christmas tree post has more ways to style ribbon from top to bottom.
You will need: Wide striped grosgrain ribbon (about 7 cm), a brass bead garland, florist wire, scissors.
How to make it: Tie a big bow at the top and leave two long tails. Let the tails drop down the tree, pinching a loop every 30 cm and securing it with florist wire. Drape the bead garland across the branches between the ribbon loops.
Stock Up on Plaid Ribbon for Bows
Ribbon is what makes a designer tree feel finished, and you need more of it than you think. Buy wired ribbon by the roll at the end of a sale or check thrift stores for bags of leftover spools. A pile like this can become tree bows, gift toppers, wreath bows and chair ties. Mixing one plaid with one stripe keeps the look rich but not busy. Find bow tying tips in our Christmas bow decor post.
You will need: Wired plaid ribbon, a ruler, florist wire, sharp fabric scissors.
How to make it: Cut 1 meter of ribbon. Make four loops, two on each side, pinching the center. Wrap florist wire tightly around the middle. Fluff the loops and trim the tails at an angle.
Velvet Baubles in Brown and Gray
Her tree mixed flocked and embroidered velvet baubles in brown and gray tones with brass honeycomb ornaments. Those soft colors look cozy and grown up next to green branches. You can make your own velvet baubles by wrapping old ornaments in fabric remnants, and honeycomb shapes are easy to find as paper decorations. Spray a few honeycombs gold for that brass glow. Our velvet Christmas ornaments post shows more ways to make them.
You will need: Old plastic ornaments, velvet remnants, Mod Podge, a brush, jute twine, paper honeycomb decorations, gold spray paint.
How to make it: Brush Mod Podge onto one section of an ornament and smooth a velvet remnant over it. Work around the ornament and trim the extra at the cap. Spray paper honeycombs gold outdoors and let them dry. Hang both with jute.
Keep the Palette Cream and Gold
A huge part of the Shea McGee Christmas style is the color palette. Cream, taupe, soft white and gold work together so nothing fights for attention. A flocked tree like this one, with just gold baubles and a little gold trim, gives the same quiet look. Shop your own ornament bins first and pull out only the neutrals. To get the snowy effect at home, read our flocked Christmas tree ideas.
You will need: Gold and champagne ornaments, cream ribbon, a flocked or white tree, ornament hooks.
How to make it: Sort your ornaments and keep only cream, gold and taupe. Hang the largest baubles deep in the branches first. Fill in with smaller ones near the tips. Finish with a few short pieces of cream ribbon.
Tuck Tartan Bows and Brass Bells Into the Branches
A tartan bow with a small brass bell is a quick way to add warmth and a little heritage charm. Mix them in with neutral ornaments so the plaid shows up in small doses. Brass bells are often sold cheaply in bags at craft stores, and thrift shops have plenty of old ones too. Wire a bell to the center of each bow and clip it onto a branch. More tartan tips are in our plaid Christmas decor post.
You will need: Tartan ribbon, small brass bells, florist wire, a pinecone or two, a hot glue gun.
How to make it: Tie small bows from 50 cm of ribbon. Thread a bell onto a piece of florist wire and twist it around the bow center. Glue a tiny pinecone above the bell. Wire each bow to a branch.
Simple Knit Stockings in Soft White
Neutral stockings keep a designer mantel looking calm. Cream or white knit and linen styles blend with the room instead of shouting holiday. Tuck a sprig of dried greenery or lavender into each one for a pretty finishing touch. If you have a stack of mismatched red stockings, simply sew new white covers or knit a few yourself. Our DIY Christmas stockings post has easy patterns for every skill level.
You will need: White knit or linen stockings, small dried sprigs, wooden clothespins, removable hooks.
How to make it: Space the hooks evenly along the mantel or wall. Hang each stocking with a clothespin. Push a dried sprig into the top of each stocking so it peeks out. Keep the spacing the same for a tidy look.
A Shea McGee Christmas Entry With a Bench and Basket
Designer entries are simple and warm. A wooden bench, a woven basket overflowing with fresh evergreens, a plaid throw and a brass lantern on the floor say welcome without any fuss. Hang a plain green wreath on the wall above and you are done. Most of these pieces can be found secondhand. Get more ideas in our Christmas entryway decor post. Keep the lantern empty or use a battery free decorative filler like pinecones.
You will need: A wooden bench, a large woven basket, evergreen clippings, a plaid throw, a brass lantern, a small wreath, a wall hook.
How to make it: Set the bench against a plain wall. Fill the basket with evergreen branches cut to different heights. Fold the throw on one end of the bench. Place the lantern on the floor beside it and hang the wreath above.
Paperwhites for a Fresh White Bloom
White flowers are a favorite in neutral holiday rooms, and paperwhites are one of the easiest to grow indoors. Plant the bulbs about four to six weeks before you want blooms. Set a clay pot full of them on a console or sideboard and they bring fresh life to the room. Dress up a plain terracotta pot first with Mod Podge and tissue paper. Our Christmas sideboard decor post shows more ways to style the spot.
You will need: Paperwhite bulbs, a clay pot, small pebbles, Mod Podge, cream tissue paper, a foam brush.
How to make it: Tear tissue into small pieces and brush them onto the pot with Mod Podge. Add a top coat and let it dry. Fill the pot with pebbles, set the bulbs on top with their tips up and add water just below the bulbs.
Wrap Gifts in Kraft Paper and Gold Ribbon
The gifts under a Shea McGee Christmas tree are part of the decor. Plain kraft paper is cheap, and it looks rich with a metallic or velvet ribbon. Wrap everything in the same paper so the pile looks tidy and pulled together. Gold curling ribbon like this costs very little and catches the light beautifully. Swap in brown or gray velvet ribbon to echo the ornaments. Find more ideas in our gift wrapping tricks post.
You will need: A roll of kraft paper, double sided tape, gold curling ribbon or velvet ribbon, scissors.
How to make it: Wrap each box neatly and hide the seams with double sided tape. Tie the ribbon around both directions and knot it on top. Curl the ends of curling ribbon with the scissor blade, or tie velvet ribbon into a soft bow.
Top Kraft Packages With Fresh Pine
One sprig of pine tied on top of a kraft package is all it takes to look like a designer wrapped it. The green against the brown paper is fresh and natural, and it matches a tree full of greenery. Clip pieces from the bottom of your tree or the yard. Add a handmade tag and the gift is ready. Our DIY Christmas gift tags post has plenty of easy tag ideas.
You will need: Kraft paper, pine sprigs, washi tape or twine, a cardstock tag, Mod Podge.
How to make it: Wrap the box in kraft paper. Lay a short pine sprig on top and fix it with a strip of washi tape. For the tag, Mod Podge a tiny pressed leaf onto cardstock and seal it. Tie it on with twine.
Dried Oranges and Pinecones in a Wood Bowl
A wooden bowl or tray filled with dried oranges, pinecones and spices is a cozy, natural touch that costs almost nothing. It brings warm color to a neutral room and smells wonderful too. Set it on a coffee table, an island or a dining table. Dry the oranges yourself in a low oven in an afternoon. Our dried orange slices post walks you through every step.
You will need: Two oranges, a sharp knife, a baking sheet, parchment, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, star anise, a wooden tray.
How to make it: Slice the oranges 5 mm thick and pat them dry. Bake on parchment at a low heat for about three hours, turning every hour. Let them cool. Arrange them on the tray with pinecones and spices.
A Heritage Shea McGee Christmas Tree
Her newer holiday style leans heritage and equestrian, with rich, classic details. Think tan leather bows, tartan ribbon, brass bells and brass horseshoe shapes on a full green tree. It feels like an old country house in the best way. Faux leather ribbon is easy to find, and thrifted brass pieces add instant age. Learn how to shine up old brass in our brass Christmas decor post.
You will need: Faux leather ribbon, tartan ribbon, small brass bells, brass horseshoe ornaments, florist wire, kraft paper gifts.
How to make it: Tie small bows from the leather ribbon and the tartan ribbon. Wire a brass bell to the center of each tartan bow. Hang the horseshoes with the open end up. Alternate the bows around the tree and finish with a tartan bow on top.
One Wreath and One Big Red Bow
Designer front doors often keep it simple: one full wreath and one oversized bow. A big red ribbon ties back to the striped ribbon on a Shea McGee Christmas tree and makes the entire house feel connected. Choose a mixed greenery wreath with berries or eucalyptus for texture. Hang it a little above eye level so it shows from the street. Our Christmas wreaths post has wreath ideas for every door.
You will need: A fresh or faux greenery wreath, 2 meters of wide red ribbon, florist wire, an over the door hanger.
How to make it: Make a four loop bow with long tails and wire it tightly. Attach it to the lower part of the wreath. Trim the tails at an angle. Hang the wreath on the door with the hanger.
Finish Your Shea McGee Christmas Look Outside
Carry the look out to the garden shed, the barn or the garage door. An evergreen wreath with a red bow on old weathered wood looks charming and makes the entire property feel festive. It is the same simple formula as the front door, just repeated. Faux wreaths hold up best outdoors all season. For more outdoor ideas, browse our winter porch decor post. It is the perfect last step for a Shea McGee Christmas at home.
You will need: A faux evergreen wreath, wide red ribbon, florist wire, a heavy duty hook or nail.
How to make it: Tie a big bow and wire it to the bottom of the wreath. Fix the hook to the door at a comfortable height. Hang the wreath and check it sits straight. Fluff the greenery after hanging.
