When you’re decorating a room—especially when it’s a large, open space like this great room—it helps to stand back and get an overview of the entire area before you decide you’re “done”. Let your eyes sweep the space, the way your guests’ eyes will. Your goal is to have a little something to surprise and delight everywhere the eye rests (without going overboard, of course).

What if the colors in your year-round decorating don’t look great with red and green? No worries: It’s easy to find holiday baubles and more in virtually every color of the rainbow—even ones that work beautifully with the great room’s western-inspired shades of terracotta and taupe. Also, don’t feel constrained by “traditional” décor choices. Add personality with off-beat and fun elements, like a cowboy hat tree topper.

Choose wrapping paper, ribbon, and other gift-adornments that coordinate with your holiday decorating color scheme. Then, arrange presents beneath and around your tree so they’ll add an enticing design element until the big day.

If you’re styling multiple trees in close quarters, choosing similar elements for each will create a coordinated, cohesive look. But pay attention to scale, using smaller-sized ornaments for smaller trees, and consider different toppers for the “main” tree and the accent trees.