Fun and Functional Christmas Décor

When you’ve found a way to swap stockings for gift bins, skip the gift wrap and still have your tree looking stylish, then you might just hold the secret to the holiday season. Jayne Flinn and her husband, Mike, have done just that in their Newport Beach, California, home. When guests walk into their elegantly modern abode on the coast, what they notice first is the spotless, well-edited and functional Christmas décor.

Mike and Jayne have also traded in TRADITIONAL STOCKINGS FOR SIMPLE BOXES. Not only can they fit more in front of the fireplace this way, but they also can fit more into the boxes.

You sense that this is purposeful—Jayne has made her home a calming respite in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. “The holidays for us are all about family and spending time together,” she says. “We keep the style pretty simple, yet really artsy and fun, so that we can enjoy as much time with the kids as possible. “

Instead of traditional Christmas stockings, this family packs goodies into individual boxes filled with fun and funky items. — **TIDINGS OF JOY.** “We came up with the fun box ‘stockings’ that we can cram full of little gifts,” Jayne says. “They are really the favorite thing to open, as they are packed with all kinds of funky and funny items, like fortune-telling 8 Balls, lip gloss, back scratchers, selfie sticks, cosmetic bags, watches, socks and gum.”

Be Different

Their uniquely stylized take on functional Christmas décor comes easy to the Jayne and Mike. “We love a pop of color when it comes to holiday décor and lean towards a Technicolor holiday rather than the traditional red and green,” she says. “Even with the modern color palette, I love a nod to past generations and use lots of vintage serving trays and vintage napkin rings. They always look great and bring in the family history that we treasure.”

“Just like blending our family, it is about BLENDING THE UNIQUE VINTAGE ITEMS that are a part of our family history and bringing in the hip modern design that we also embrace.”

A colorfully-decorated Christmas tree and brightly-wrapped presents represents the expressive and unique personalities of each family member. — **MODERN COLOR.** “We have a big, fabulous blended family with five children and two dogs,” Jayne laughs. “Every day is a little chaotic with a mix of personalities that are all expressive, unique and full of humor. So the look is very much in keeping with our big, colorful family. We have a lot of fun!”

An array of vintage Christmas ornaments adds personality to any holiday décor. — “Just like blending our family, it is about blending the unique vintage items that are a part of our family history and bringing in the hip modern design that we also embrace,” Jayne says.

Seasonal Swaps

It helps that their company, Boxfli, supplies them with a lot of what comes together as the building blocks of their Christmas style. Boxfli, a shipping store, offers shipping services but, more importantly, a line of products and services aimed at making shipping presents a fun affair, including sturdy boxes that come in an array of bright colors and patterns—all the better to reflect the recipient’s or giver’s personality.

Small dog perched in a modern bubble chair—paired with rustic dark floors and a cowhide rug, the blend of old and new is timeless and fresh. — **MODERN FLAIR.** Charli, one of the family pooches, is perched in a modern bubble chair. Paired with rustic dark wood floors and a cowhide rug, it’s easy to see that Jayne’s blend of old and new is timeless and fresh.

They use their myriad boxes not only for presents under the tree but for fun and functional Christmas décor that add color and festivity. “Getting the house holiday ready is always time-consuming for anyone, but it’s fun for me because that means all of the kids will be home soon and we get to spend time together,” Jayne says. “I do try to make it easier for Mike and me by skipping some steps since we are both busy at work too. With the printed Boxfli boxes, we don’t ever have to wrap a gift. Since there are so many of us in our immediate family, that is a huge time saver.”

The old worn pine farm table stands in contrast to the all white kitchen and simple cabinets, adding a rustic feel. Modern dining chairs add to the mix. — **DINNER FOR SEVEN.** The old worn pine farm table stands in contrast to the all white kitchen and simple cabinets, adding a rustic contrast and dose of Jayne’s personal style to the space. Modern dining chairs add to the mix.

Traditional Touches on Functional Christmas Décor

It’s not all modern minimalism in the Flinn house. Christmas dinner at the antique farm table is a place to honor family traditions and history. Jayne serves dinner with her collection of antique silver trays, and at each place setting is a different antique napkin ring she’s collected over the years. “I love a nod to past generations and use lots of vintage serving trays and vintage napkin rings,” she says. “Just like blending our family, it is about blending the unique vintage items that are a part of our family history and bringing in the hip modern design that we also embrace.“

Open shelving in the kitchen allows for holiday décor and beautiful kitchenware to be displayed. — **FESTIVE ACCENTS.** Open shelving in the kitchen not only lends the space a chic restaurant-style vibe but also affords easy opportunities to add pops of seasonal style in the room.

**RUSTIC CHIC.** The table is adorned with a mix of modern milk-glass inspired vases, sparkling wintry accents and a large, lush natural flower arrangement.

Looking for more fun twists on functional Christmas décor? Check out this Lake cottage where the laid-back waterside lifestyle has inspired this home casual and creative approach to seasonal style.

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