December in Fort Lauderdale does not sneak up on us with a snowstorm. It arrives with golden light through the palms, a sea breeze down the street, and neighbors walking home from the beach with sand still on their feet. Getting a coastal home ready for the holidays is its own kind of decorating, and honestly, it is my favorite kind. No fake snow required. Here is how I prep a South Florida home, room by room, from the front door to the dinner table.
Start at the sidewalk: the entryway sets the tone
Your entryway is the first hello, so make it a good one. A handmade wreath on the door does most of the work all by itself. Everything in our coastal wreath collection is built for Florida doors: shells, sand dollars, driftwood, dried citrus, and greenery that looks right in bright coastal light.
A few entryway touches that always work here:
- Frame the door. A lantern or two, a potted palm, and a clean doormat make even a simple door feel dressed.
- Mind the sun. Our afternoon sun is strong, so a covered porch or a shaded door keeps colors looking fresh longer. I share my full routine in my guide on how to keep a wreath fresh in Florida heat, humidity, and salt air.
- Let gifts be decor. A small stack of wrapped boxes by the door reads festive and welcoming before anyone even knocks.
Let the Florida light do the decorating
Up north, holiday decorating fights the dark. Down here, we get to decorate with light. Open the shutters, wash the windows, and let that late afternoon glow pour in. A traditional conch house wrapped in palms is already halfway to festive before you hang a single ornament.
A few light loving tricks:
- Hang light catching pieces where the sun finds them. Capiz shell and sea glass tones glow beautifully in a bright window.
- Keep surfaces uncluttered so the light can bounce. Coastal style is breezy, not busy.
- Save the twinkle lights for dusk, when the sky goes pink over the water and the whole house exhales.
Pick one palette and let it travel
The prettiest coastal homes pick a color story at the door and let it wander through the whole house. That is exactly how I build the Properly Holiday collections, so the wreath on your door and the ornaments on your tree already speak the same language.
- Flamingo Bright is joyful pink and green, with shells, feathers, and one proud little flamingo. It is the life of the porch.
- Driftwood and Naturals is calm and collected: weathered wood, sand dollars, soft neutrals, and my driftwood wreath with its small white ceramic turtle.
- Citrus and Las Olas glows like golden hour, with dried oranges, warm sunset color, and a little glamour.
- The Sea Turtle collection is serene aqua and fresh lime, gentle as morning light on calm water.
Pick the one that feels like your house, then repeat its colors in your pillows, your table runner, even your wrapping paper. Instant cohesion, zero stress.
The tree, coastal style
A coastal tree does not need to be stuffed to be stunning. Start with your collection’s ornaments, then layer in natural texture: a few shells, a sand dollar or two, dried citrus if your palette leans sunny. All 24 handmade ornaments are made to order here in Fort Lauderdale, six per collection, and they mix across collections beautifully if you are a glorious rule breaker.
One more Florida truth: guests here drift in and out all season, from beach walks to boat parades. A tree that looks lovely in daylight matters as much as one that glows at night. Natural materials give you both.
A table that feels like golden hour
Holiday meals here often end with the windows open and the breeze joining the party. Keep the table light and layered: linen, woven textures, candlelight, and a few ornaments taking the night off from the tree. I walk through the whole setup, place settings and all, in my coastal holiday tablescape guide.
Keep it easy, keep it local
Everything at Properly Holiday is handmade to order by me, John Palmer Payne, right here in Fort Lauderdale, and priced for real life: wreaths from $95 to $110, ornaments from $14 to $22, and a DIY Wreath Kit at $55 if your house prefers the homemade route. Local pickup is free by appointment in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, local delivery is $15 in Fort Lauderdale and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea ($25 for Pompano Beach, Wilton Manors, and Oakland Park), and orders ship across the US too.
Ready when you are: shop the collections, pick your palette, and let your home say happy holidays the coastal way. No pressure, just pretty.
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