While holiday villages traditionally take up residence on a mantel or under the tree, your bay window makes an ideal site for a miniature town. Add stuffed snow-family members (Mama, Papa and kids) to complement the glitzy Christmas decor.

Line your windows with garland for a festive look that’s eye-catching both day and night.

Christmas Wreaths

A festive wreath is an easy way to add holiday spirit to a window. Traditionally made from evergreen branches and often accented with berries, pinecones, and other wintery elements, these festive adornments look equally beautiful inside and out.

Opt for something different than the traditional round shape by crafting a square wreath out of spray-painted twigs and cord.. Felt in cheerful colors is another alternative.

Stack a few of these simple wreaths in a window to make a statement, or create an inviting front door display with a trio of hanging ones flanked by evergreen swags and festive candles. You can also elevate your window boxes with pre-arranged evergreen cuttings, baubles, and other embellishments.

Christmas Trees

For those who want to decorate their windows but don’t have the space for a tree, a few bare branches can look festive. To make them really shine, drape them with bright baubles and gold ribbon.

If you have pets, be careful — an excited tail-wagging could send a priceless heirloom bauble flying to the ground. To avoid this risk, use a durable variety such as blue spruce or scotch pine.

A tree’s smell is a big part of its holiday appeal. If you have a balsam fir, it will fill your home with a welcoming scent that lasts all season long. It’s also sturdy enough to support heavier ornaments than a noble fir or white fir. Alternatively, you can get the scent of your choice by using holiday-themed home sprays.

Houseplants

For a different take on a holiday window display, consider using houseplants as the base for your decorations. “If you have a bay window, it’s the perfect spot to create a haven for your plants,” says interior designer Ana Maria Torres of AT Architects. If your bay window doesn’t have built-in shelving, you can add a console table to house smaller plants or large pots.

You can use pre-arranged fillers, bedecked with baubles and lights, or mix in your own branches for a natural look. Small tree-like plants like lemon cypress and myrtle (Myrtus communis) work well in this arrangement, as do lilac cyclamen, which can be wrapped in foil for gifting.

Snow-Covered Houses

While holiday villages usually find homes on mantel tops or under Christmas trees, your bay window offers a perfect spot for a miniature town. Use fake snow as a base and fill the space with tiny bottle-brush trees, lighted buildings, villagers, and more. When the sun goes down, your little town will emit a soft glow that neighbors and carolers can enjoy as they pass by.

Paper snowflakes cut from different colors of cardstock make a simple but attractive decoration for the windows. They can be hung from a wire or glued to the wall or windowsill with a glue gun.