Somewhere between the recent explosion of blow-up lawn Santas and twinkling light displays choreographed to an orchestral rendition of “Joy to the World,” many traditional home decor elements have been siphoned out of the modern holiday season.

Not that long ago, preparing for holiday gatherings of family and friends meant physically changing the interior of your home to be warmer and more inviting. It meant creating an atmosphere where people would sit, talk and enjoy each other’s company.

But even though today’s holiday schedule can be a bit overwhelming at times, there are plenty of simple seasonal decor options that will restore tradition to your holiday, and create lasting memories for you and all of your holiday guests.

In many parts of the country, the joy of the holidays is dampened by the cold, wet, snowy and rainy weather that accompanies this time of year. People take refuge inside their homes to keep safe and stay warm. One of the simplest ways to create a holiday atmosphere that is warm and inviting is to change the colors inside your home.

“It is astonishing how affective it can be to repaint a living room or dining room from a cool blue to a rich red or orange,” said Cindy Cragg, home stylist for Colonial Williamsburg. “In the 18th and 19th centuries, rich paint colors were a sign of prestige. Today, many paint companies are offering historically accurate palettes that mirror those colors.”

Inevitably, holiday get-togethers seem to orbit around the dining room table. Whether your table is primarily used as a setting for the annual cookie buffet, or a more traditional location for a sit-down dinner, it has the potential to be a beautiful centerpiece for your home.

Cragg suggests choosing a tablescape that includes seasonal items that can complement your place settings.

“A red apple theme always makes a table setting really pop,” she said. “This can be easily accomplished by taking some fresh evergreen branches and positioning a few brightly colored red apples throughout the arrangement.”

“If you really want to wow your guests, try stacking alternate layers of apples and greenery in a conical tree formation,” Craig suggested. For an added jolt of color, place gold-colored chargers under the dinner plates.

Evergreen plants are holiday staples. During this time of year they have a beautiful green color and many of them have clean, refreshing aromas. And though the traditional Christmas tree is a great first step, there are many other ways to bring these evergreen accents into your home.

One of the most beautiful evergreen plants is the holly. Holly comes in many different variations and can be shaped to fit your needs. Simply placing a few branches of holly on a mantle or fireplace adds a whole new dimension to your decor.

Or, to really add some seasonal sizzle, get a few small potted hollies and place them in a foyer or vestibule. The contrasting red berries and green leaves on the female holly provide a beautiful, and seasonal, color contrast.

Complement your visible decor with an inviting nostalgic aroma. Try putting a little fresh cedar and a pine scented candle into a coffee table arrangement in your family or living room. The scents will fill your house, creating an inviting atmosphere for anyone who stops by.

No matter what you do, holiday decorating should be an easy and fun way to rejuvenate your home and create a beautiful environment for friends and family alike. All the sights, sounds and smells of your house will make a lasting memory for all of your holiday guests.