Christmas Decorating Ideas For Banisters

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21 Best Staircase Christmas Decorations for Banisters and Railings

Step up your holiday decor with these festive ideas.

David A. Land

You can just picture it now: The pitter-patter of tiny feet (or adult ones!) on Christmas morning, bounding down the staircase in anticipation of what treasures Santa left under the Christmas tree. One way to make sure this moment is as magical in real life as it is in your head is to deck out your banister in elaborate holiday fashion with lights, bows, and garlands galore.

We spend a lot of time and energy decorating the whole house—inside and out—for the holidays. If you're anything like Clark Griswold (and you know who you are), you go all out with outdoor Christmas decorations—who said "less is more," right?! Inside, we tend to really amp up the cheer with Christmas living room decor (complete with a trimmed tree full of precious handmade Christmas ornaments, of course) and with Christmas kitchen decorations that makes the hub of the home an even more popular place to be. Give your staircases and railings the same holiday treatment as the rest of your house, with traditional evergreen Christmas garland, twinkle lights, bows, personalized Christmas stockings, and more.

Whether you're going up to bed for sweet dreams or coming down to start a new day, these Christmas decorations for your staircase promise a grand—and festive—entrance. Step up (ha!) your game with these 21 ideas.

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Red and White Vintage-Inspired Decorations

This banister greenery in the entryway gets a touch of sparkle with 1950s favorites like Shiny Brite ornaments. Other vintage touches (the sled, Santa, and tin for the mini potted tree) add a sense of nostalgia.

SHOP SANTA BLOW MOLDS

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Plaid Ribbon with Dried Oranges Decorations

Dried orange slices strung up with pretty yet understated plaid ribbon brings another layer of rustic beauty to this New York farmhouse railing.

SHOP PLAID RIBBON

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Evergreen and Gold Decorations

With an entryway as decorated as this one (that wallpaper!), all the banister needs is a simple swath of greenery laced with gold beaded garland for a little sparkle.

SHOP GOLD BEAD GARLAND

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Red Bows and Baubles Decorating

Dotting the railings lined with fresh greenery, classic red bows get an upgrade with a cluster of shiny red balls attached to the center. This simple decor works best here against the busy gallery wall beyond.

SHOP RED BOWS

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Collectible Christmas Decorations

In this charming Michigan farmhouse, found objects like the pennant (found at a local flea market) and a collection of ornaments are tucked in the greenery. Equestrian artwork, a toy car, and other keepsakes round out the collected look.

SHOP SHINY BRITE ORNAMENTS

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Greenery Decoration

The end of the staircase, decorated with fresh greenery and a row of stockings, becomes a Christmas "moment" complete with a seating area, packages, and a script Merry Christmas sentiment framed by a round wreath.

SHOP FRESH WREATHS

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Christmas Mugs Decorations

Sweeten a stairway's typical garland with personalized cups for the whole family. Fill with their favorite holiday candies, as well as hot cocoa.

SHOP CRAFT TAGS

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Red, White, and Green Decorations

Treat your staircase as the main attraction by placing ornaments, garland, stockings, and even presents on and around it for decoration.

See more at Inspired by Charm.

SHOP STOCKINGS

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Silver Ornaments Decorations

Achieve this minimalistic, polished look by attaching silver ornaments and striped bows to your garland.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

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Romantic Candlelight Decorations

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Marquee Letters Decorations

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Mini Wrapped Plants Decorations

It takes mere minutes to make this understated decor. Simply take faux winter greens, wrap in canvas trimmed to size, and tie with twine or ribbon the color of your choice.

See more at Craftberry Bush.

SHOP TWINE

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Dangling Stockings Decorations

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Classic Garland Decorations

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Colored Bulbs Decorations

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Galvanized Buckets Decorations

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Stacked Presents Decorations

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Vintage Pitchers Decorations

Tuck in fresh (or faux) greenery into a collection of similarly colored vessels. Tip: Group items in odd numbers, like the trio shown here.

See more at On Sutton Place.

SHOP VINTAGE PITCHERS

Jennifer Aldrich Editorial Assistant Jennifer Aldrich was the editorial assistant for CountryLiving.com.

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