Creating an Old World Christmas: Nostalgic Holiday Décor Inspired by Little Women

Bring timeless warmth home this season. Discover how to create an Old World Christmas filled with vintage charm, handmade touches, and cozy nostalgia — inspired by Little Women and complete with shoppable links.

An Old World Christmas: Bringing Nostalgia Home

There’s something about Christmas that makes us long for the past — the way candlelight used to dance across frosted windows, or how gifts were wrapped with paper and ribbon instead of tape and glitter. This year, I wanted to return to that.

When I started dreaming up this season’s Holiday Box, I wanted it to feel like a memory — like opening a trunk in the attic and finding pieces of Christmas past tucked inside. Something soft, sentimental, and touched with nostalgia. From the moment you unwrap it, I wanted it to whisper slow down, savor, and celebrate simply.

That same feeling guided how I decorated this year — creating an Old World Christmas inspired by Little Women, where handmade beauty, candlelight, and timeless charm come together to tell a story. It’s more than a theme; it’s a way of celebrating the season with heart.

The Vision: A Christmas That Feels Like a Memory

I wanted every element to feel layered with history — a collection of textures and tones that invite you in. The color palette leaned into evergreen, deep burgundy, champagne, and gold, grounded by the humble charm of ticking stripe ribbon that pulls in that vintage, homespun spirit.

It’s the kind of Christmas that makes you want to light a candle, cue the violins, and pour a cup of cocoa while the world slows down for a moment.

The Window That Started It All

It began with the window. I created a faux grid and frosted glass effect — inspired by those snow-dusted panes in vintage holiday photographs. It instantly set the tone for the rest of the space: warm, timeworn, and beautifully simple.

Recreate this look with frost spray and window grid tape from my Amazon Storefront.

It’s amazing how one nostalgic detail can change the entire mood — it’s like inviting a bit of storybook magic into your home.

The Tree: Handcrafted Heart

The tree is where the nostalgia really came to life. I wove in handmade wooden macramé garlands, bells, and antique-style ornaments, letting each layer tell its own story. The velvet ribbons and bows were everywhere — tied onto branches, draped over gifts, even used to hang ornaments.

And yes, candles in the tree — not real ones, of course, but flickering LED candles that bring that soft golden glow we all remember from Christmas illustrations and old films.

You can shop similar wooden garlands, vintage bells, and LED tree candles on my Amazon Storefront.

The tree feels alive — not polished, but heartfelt. A perfect reflection of the season.

Mantle & Greenery: Gathered Grace

The mantle is layered with evergreen boughs, bells, and mercury glass votives, with candles of varying heights tucked between. It feels both abundant and undone, like something that’s grown over time rather than styled in a day.

Wreaths hang from ribbons, greenery drapes over mirrors, and even the smallest spaces have a touch of life.

Find my favorite mercury glass holders, vintage-style ribbon, and holiday wreaths here.

It’s cozy, flickering, and a little romantic — exactly what I love most about this season.

The Table to Come

The tablescape will carry those same textures and tones — champagne and gold layered with ticking stripes, flickering candlelight, and small nods to nature. Picture antique glass, simple linens, and a few well-loved ornaments scattered along the table.

It’s where elegance meets ease — the kind of table that invites you to linger long after dessert.

The Art of Nostalgia

This year, I’ve been craving less perfection and more presence. Creating an Old World Christmas reminded me that beauty doesn’t have to be modern or extravagant — it just has to feel real.

So whether it’s through a handmade garland, a flickering candle, or something tucked inside this year’s Holiday Box, I hope it inspires you to find your own way to slow down, gather close, and let nostalgia lead the way.

Because the most beautiful Christmases aren’t about doing more — they’re about feeling more.

Shop the Look: An Old World Christmas

Bring a touch of this nostalgic magic into your own home — each piece was thoughtfully chosen to help you recreate the same warmth and charm.

Item	Description	Shop Link
Frosted Window Spray	Create a snow-kissed look on glass — perfect for old-world charm.	Shop here →
Window Grid Tape	Get that vintage pane effect without replacing your windows.	Shop here →
Wooden Macramé Garland	Add handcrafted texture to your tree or mantle.	Shop here →
Antique Brass Bells	A timeless touch that instantly feels nostalgic.	Shop here →
LED Tree Candles	Safely recreate the candle-lit trees of Christmas past.	Shop here →
Mercury Glass Votives	Scatter these along your mantle or table for that perfect glow.	Shop here →
Ticking Stripe Ribbon	The simplest way to add vintage texture to your wrapping or decor.	Shop here →
Velvet Ribbon Spools	Soft, elegant, and endlessly useful for bows and accents.	Shop here →
Holiday Wreaths	Classic greenery to carry your theme from door to table.