Effortless holiday tray ideas: 5 stylish and festive decor inspirations

As a home stylist, I’m always looking for creative yet effortless ways to help clients decorate their homes for the holiday season. One of my favorite tricks? Styling a holiday tray. It’s a simple and versatile way to bring festive decor into any space — from your mantel or kitchen island to your Christmas tree display. In this post, I’ll walk you through five easy and elegant holiday tray ideas using everyday Christmas decorations like greenery, ornaments, and flameless candles. Each design is easy to recreate and perfect for adding a touch of warmth, style, and holiday cheer to your home.

1. Mixing silver and gold for timeless elegance

For this elegant holiday tray, I started with a dark metal base and added brightness through carefully chosen accents.

I placed a white vase filled with cedar stems from Target, then added two charming reindeer. To tie in some sparkle, I dressed one with a gold ribbon and a tiny bell. Together, they create a cozy yet chic look.

Next, I added a candle in a small gold dish to echo the metallic tones, while white and green accents helped balance the composition. Finally, I layered in gold ornaments, silver highlights, and a large decorative ornament for the finishing touch.

This effortless tray design works beautifully on a kitchen island, console table, or dining centerpiece — combining metallic shine with festive warmth.

Elegant holiday tray featuring silver reindeer, a white vase with cedar greenery, and gold accents — a classic Christmas decor look that adds warmth and sparkle to your festive decor setup.

2. Creating a wreath centerpiece on a tray

For this second idea, I used a round wooden holiday tray and repurposed a wreath that fits snugly inside. I refreshed a few thrifted candle holders with Rub ’n Buff for an aged-gold effect, then placed them in the center.

I clustered ornaments in groups of three — two gold and one red — attaching them to branches with floral wire for a balanced, reusable design. To enhance the texture, I added gold stems following the wreath’s natural curve, filling any gaps for a full and cohesive look.

Once complete, I tucked in remote-controlled candles for a soft, glowing finish. This design makes a stunning and easy festive decor piece for your dining table or entryway.

Transform a simple wreath and tray into a stunning holiday centerpiece — a timeless festive decor idea combining gold Christmas ornaments and soft candlelight to bring cozy charm to your home.

3. Styling a rectangular tray with gold accents

This holiday tray design uses a rectangular metal tray paired with a cedar wreath and layered pine stems from Hobby Lobby. I incorporated pine cones, evergreen sprigs, and gold picks to create a rich, natural foundation.

To add a little sparkle, I chose rose-gold and copper ornaments, mixing them with shimmery accents to enhance the overall festive decor without overpowering the greenery.

By letting some greenery trail off the edges, the design feels relaxed yet intentional. It’s perfect as a centerpiece that looks great from every angle.

A warm-toned holiday tray styled with pine greenery, pinecones, and rose-gold Christmas ornaments — the perfect holiday decoration for dining tables or mantels this holiday season.

4. Rustic rectangular garland tray

If you love a cozy, rustic look, this deep wooden holiday tray is for you. I began by filling it with a lush garland, pine cones, and a mix of glass vases holding pillar candles.

Here’s a quick tip: if your vase is too short, lift your candle with a little Epsom salt or a small bowl underneath — secured with museum wax for stability.

Once your candles are in place, surround them with pine cones and metallic accents to balance the natural elements with a touch of holiday shimmer. This tray adds instant warmth to any festive decor display.

Natural textures, pinecones, and glowing candles make this rustic holiday tray the perfect festive decor centerpiece to celebrate the holiday season with traditional warmth and style.

5. Earth-tone small tray with natural charm

For a softer, earthy holiday tray, I started with faux pine branches as the base, bending the stems to fit neatly inside. I lifted a few branches for texture, then added pine cones and a velvet ribbon bow for contrast.

Next, I placed bottle brush trees for height and whimsy, tying the look together with gold leaf picks that mirror the tones throughout the tray. The result is a cozy, layered display that feels both festive and organic.

With just a few simple pieces — pine, ribbon, candles, and cones — you can create a charming festive decor accent that suits any space.

Soft, earthy tones and bottle brush trees bring organic texture to this minimalist holiday tray design — a beautiful blend of natural greenery and Christmas decorations to enjoy all season long.

Bonus: Decorating a cheese dome with holiday flair

For something a little different, try transforming a cheese dome into a magical holiday tray display!

Fill the base with fairy lights and green moss to conceal the wires, then add small pine cones and gold picks for texture. The lights will glow softly through the moss, creating a whimsical and elegant look — perfect for your mantel or coffee table.

A creative twist on holiday decorations — repurpose a glass cheese dome into a whimsical holiday tray filled with fairy lights, moss, and pinecones to bring magical Christmas decor to your mantel or tabletop.

Bringing it all together

These holiday tray ideas are a simple yet stunning way to elevate your festive decor this season. Whether you prefer metallic elegance, rustic charm, or natural textures, there’s a style here to inspire your creativity.

Which tray arrangement will you try first? Share your favorite in the comments — and happy decorating.

To see my step-by-step process for each of these festive decor pieces, watch my video:

Frequently asked questions of holiday tray festive decor

What should I put on a holiday tray for quick festive decor?

Start with a base: greenery wreaths, cedar garlands, or faux spruce sprays. Add height with a vase, mini Christmas tree, or stacked platters. Layer in texture—pinecones, ribbon, and mixed Christmas ornaments (matte + metallic). Finish with flameless candles for safe glow and a few statement picks in your color palette. This simple set-up works on a coffee table, mantel, entry, or dining table and brings instant holiday cheer.

How do I match my holiday tray to my Christmas tree and mantel?

Pick one palette for the whole season (e.g., copper + cream, classic red + gold, or natural greens). Repeat elements across spaces: use the same ornament collection on the trays, the Christmas tree, and the mantel; echo finishes with your tree topper, bead garlands, and tree skirts. If your tree has vintage glass ornaments, mirror that on the tray; if it’s modern, choose sleek metal accents. The repeating materials and mix of textures make your Christmas decor feel cohesive.

What lighting works best on holiday trays—are flameless candles bright enough?

Yes. Quality flameless candles (warm-white, timer/remote) give a soft, realistic glow without heat or wax—ideal near greenery and ornaments. For extra sparkle, tuck micro fairy lights under moss or cedar; on adjacent areas (porch or console) complement with outdoor lights to extend the look through the holidays. Pro tip: place a candle inside a glass hurricane for brightness and safety, especially on wood trays or platters.