Transforming a plain wreath into a welcoming work of art is one of the joys of the holiday season. This year, look beyond traditional details and incorporate gifts from your garden or pantry items like lemons, artichokes, and cinnamon sticks.

Even the simplest holiday decorations can achieve a high visual impact. Here, an unadorned garland held in place with white ribbon complements a trio of paperwhites in terra cotta pots. Resting a small grouping of wrapped packages on a chair creates an artful tableau.

To personalize a holiday mantel, combine traditional materials with cherished collections, suggest the editors of Better Homes & Gardens in their book Fireplace Design & Decorating Ideas. Here, a selection of milk glass is set aglow with votive candles and tea lights.

As pretty as it is simple to arrange, this window decoration features miniature wreaths hung from red ribbon of varying lengths. The small red package and single reindeer figurine resting on the windowsill complete this pleasing vignette.

When setting a holiday table, consider decorative chair covers to transform your everyday seating into a charming part of the overall theme. A red-and-white color scheme looks especially pleasing when paired with fresh greenery.

White pine boughs, green apples, and pinecones—with these three easily found ingredients, you can create festive and fragrant decorations on mantels, shelves, or tabletops.

Dramatic spaces deserve eye-catching decorations, like this banister garland that weaves together pine branches, magnolia leaves, white lights, glass ornaments, and silver ribbon.

Grab an extra box of tree ornaments to adorn windows throughout the house. Here, cheerful green orbs and sparkling snowflakes complement the greenery around the window without competing with the room's neutral palette.

Take advantage of the bright colors and heartwarming imagery of the holiday cards you are receiving by using them in decorating schemes! One simple idea is to string a length of red pom-poms in front of a window, mantel, or cupboard, and tie on the cards using a hole puncher and a strip of colorful ribbon.

Why should the first floor of the house get all the attention around the holidays? Feel free to deck bedrooms and even baths with greenery, poinsettias, and tabletop trees. Winter-themed pillow covers are a worthwhile investment: Around the holidays they enliven beds, sofas, and reading chairs.

If you are interested in more about holiday decorations, consider:

Christmas Tree Stands: 10 Designs That Can Stand Up to the Holidays

Bob Vila's Top 10 Artificial Trees for 2013

Holiday Planning: 10 Things to Do (Before You Do Anything Else)