Styling guide
Christmas Book Decor: 12 Easy Ideas for Every Room
The simplest Christmas book decor uses books you can put back on the shelf in January: burgundy, green or cream stacks under a garland, a coffee table stack tied with twine, a small book-stack tree. Below are 12 ideas, the palettes that suit them and the safety basics for candles near paper and greenery.
Choose a holiday palette
| Palette | Mood | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|
| Burgundy, rust and deep brown | Classic, cozy, traditional | Gold, plaid, fresh greenery |
| Cream and ivory | Modern, snowy, minimal | Silver, white, eucalyptus |
| Green and cream | Fresh, natural | Wood, red berries, kraft paper |
| Navy and cream | Wintry, coastal | Silver, white, blue-gray ribbon |
| Vintage-look mixed spines | Nostalgic, storybook | Brass, velvet ribbon, old ornaments |
Burgundy and deep brown from our Autumn Oak palette are a natural holiday choice. For a snowy look, Dunes cream and ivory pairs with silver and greenery.
Mantel ideas
1. Garland over books
Lay a short row of books on their sides along the mantel and drape garland over and around them. The books give the garland height and fill gaps.
2. Book stack bookends
Stack three to five books at each end of the mantel and top each with a lantern holding a battery candle.
3. Asymmetrical mantel
On one side, a tall stack of books with a lantern on top; on the other, a cluster of small evergreen trees in varying heights. Garland ties both sides together.
See mantel book styling for year-round mantel layouts.
Tree ideas
4. Books under the tree
A few stacks tied with ribbon look like wrapped gifts and fill space under a tree before presents arrive. Keep them a safe distance from lights and any heat source.
5. A book-stack "tree"
Stack books in a tapering pile (largest at the bottom) and top with a star ornament for a small tabletop tree.
6. Book page ornaments
If you have worn-out books you'd otherwise discard, their pages can be rolled or folded into ornaments. Keep your display books whole.
Shelf ideas
7. Swap in holiday colors
Trade a few everyday stacks for burgundy or green books and top them with pinecones, small ornaments or a sprig of greenery.
8. Wrapped spines
Wrap a run of books in kraft paper, plain white paper or sheet music and tie with twine. Use removable tape so nothing sticks to the covers.
9. Mini village on books
Use book stacks as risers of different heights for a small holiday village or a nativity.
For bookcase layout basics, see how to decorate bookshelves with books.
Table ideas
10. Coffee table stack
A stack of three to five books on a tray, topped with a bowl of ornaments or a small potted evergreen.
11. Dining centerpiece
A runner of greenery with short book stacks at intervals, each topped with a hurricane holding a battery candle.
12. Entry console welcome
A stack of books, a small wreath leaning behind it and a bowl of clementines.
Candle safety around books and greenery
Books, paper and dried greenery are all things that burn, and holidays are peak candle season. NFPA reports that:
- candle fires peak in December and January, with 12 percent of candle fires in December and 10 percent in January,
- candles started 49 percent of home decoration fires in December, compared with one-third year-round,
- in three of every five home candle fires, something that could burn was too close to the candle.
Practical rules for book decor: - use battery-operated candles on and near books and greenery, - if you burn real candles, keep them well away from books, garland and ribbon, and never leave them unattended, - keep book displays away from heaters, fireplaces in use and hot lights.
NFPA also notes that a heat source too close to the tree causes nearly one in four Christmas tree fires, so keep book stacks and wrapped paper under the tree clear of lights that run hot.
Styling tips
- Odd numbers: stacks of three or five look natural.
- Mix heights: pair tall stacks with short ones.
- Repeat colors: use the same ribbon on every stack.
- Leave space: holiday shelves get crowded fast; edit everyday items to make room.
- Natural toppers: pinecones, clementines, cinnamon sticks, greenery.
Ribbon and toppers by palette
| Books | Ribbon | Toppers |
|---|---|---|
| Burgundy and brown | Plaid, gold, twine | Pinecones, brass bells |
| Cream | Silver, white velvet | Eucalyptus, white ornaments |
| Green | Red, kraft twine | Red berries, wood beads |
| Navy | Silver, pale blue | Snowflake ornaments |
Christmas book decor by style
- Traditional: burgundy and brown books, plaid ribbon, brass candlesticks with battery candles, fresh pine.
- Modern minimal: all-cream stacks, a single eucalyptus sprig on each, white ceramic trees.
- Farmhouse: green and cream books tied with jute, wood bead garland, a galvanized lantern. See farmhouse bookshelf decor.
- Coastal: navy and cream books, silver ribbon, white starfish ornaments, a small bottle-brush tree.
- Vintage storybook: mixed vintage-look spines, velvet ribbon, old glass ornaments in a bowl.
Planning ahead
Decide on your palette before you start pulling out the holiday bins. If your everyday shelves are already cream and tan, you may only need a single stack of burgundy or green to make the whole room feel festive. A small change, repeated in three or four places around the room, reads as more intentional than a dozen different decorations.
Hosting tips
If you're hosting, book decor can work hard: - use short stacks as risers for platters on a buffet, - set a small stack at each place setting with a name card on top, - stack books under a cake stand to raise dessert to the center of attention.
Keep food on platters, never directly on book covers, and wipe up spills right away.
After the holidays
Christmas book decor has one big advantage: the books keep working year-round. Untie the ribbon, dust the covers and move them back to a shelf, a coffee table or a nightstand. Burgundy books work well through winter; cream suits any season.
When you pack holiday decor away, don't store books with it in the attic or basement. The Library of Congress advises keeping books out of attics, basements and garages, where temperature and humidity swing.
How many books for Christmas decor?
| Project | Approximate |
|---|---|
| Coffee table | 3-5 books |
| Mantel | 8-15 books |
| Under the tree | 6-12 books |
| Holiday shelf refresh | 1-2 ft |
Gift idea
A five-book stack tied with ribbon is a ready-made host gift. For more, see our decorative books gift guide.
Books for Christmas decor
Our real hardcover lots come as a five-book stack for $39.99, 1 foot for $69.99 or 2 feet for $129.99, with free shipping to the continental U.S. For a storybook feel, try the 2-foot Vintage-Look Shelf Collection. Browse all colors on our books by color page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you decorate with books for Christmas?
Tie small stacks with twine or ribbon, top them with greenery, ornaments or a battery candle, and use them on mantels, shelves, coffee tables and under the tree. Group books by color so the look stays tidy.
What color books look best for Christmas decor?
Burgundy, deep brown and cream look classic and warm. Green and cream feel fresh. Navy and cream with silver feel wintry. White and ivory with greenery look modern and minimal.
Is it safe to put candles on books?
Use battery candles on or near books and greenery. NFPA reports that candles started 49 percent of home decoration fires in December, and that in three of five home candle fires something that could burn was too close.
Can I wrap books in paper for Christmas decor?
Yes. Wrapping the spines in kraft paper, plain white paper or sheet music gives a uniform look. Use removable tape so the books stay intact.
