10 Simple Ways to Bring Festive Spirit into Your Home - Nerja Style

The festive season in Nerja is best enjoyed together - friends and family gathered around the table, children helping decorate, and cosy evenings shared in good company. Creating a joyful home becomes even more meaningful when everyone joins in. With that spirit in mind, here are ten warm, simple ways to invite the season into your home, inspired by our Mediterranean town and the Axarquía way of living.

1. Bring in Nature from the Hills and Coast

Some of the most charming decorations come straight from the landscapes around us. On gentle walks through Nerja, Frigiliana or Maro, gather fallen olive branches, sprigs of rosemary, or pine, and even a few pebbles or driftwood from Playazo or Burriana. These pieces bring colour, scent and a natural Nerja touch - especially when paired with bowls of local oranges and lemons studded with cloves.

2. Create Warm Mediterranean Light with Simple Touches

Cosy lighting transforms a home instantly on cooler evenings. Keep old glass jars from jams, honey or sauces and turn them into soft, glowing lanterns with tea lights or small LED candles. Mix them with fairy lights and rustic candles from local décor shops or Pepco to create that gentle, welcoming Mediterranean glow.

3. Dress Your Table in Handmade Local Style

A festive table doesn’t need much, woven placemats, and handmade ceramics from local boutiques all bring a warm Nerja feeling. Add a sprig of rosemary or a dried orange slice from your walks. And don’t forget a bottle of Axarquía wine from a local store or supermarket or some mulled wine- its deep fruity tones pair beautifully with Mediterranean dishes and make the whole table feel more festive.

4. Combine Spanish Traditions with Nerja Simplicity

Create a small nativity corner using a few Belén figurines and a piece of driftwood or sea-glass from the beach. For your doorway or walls, tie olive, bay or rosemary branches with rustic ribbon and tuck in dried citrus slices for scent. These little touches blend Spanish tradition with our simple coastal lifestyle.

5. Make Seasonal Fruits & Nuts Part of Your Décor

Pomegranates, persimmons, mandarins, almonds and walnuts displayed in bowls and baskets bring instant festive colour. Pick them up at the markets, local fruterías and enjoy them for snacking when friends and family visit.

6. Use Nerja Market Finds to Add Personality

The Tuesday Market and Plaza de España craft fairs offer baskets, candles, pottery and handmade treasures. Combined with little finds from Calle Pintada’s shops, they give your home a warm, collected, Nerja-inspired feel.

7. Create Cosy Corners for Evenings At Home

Soft throws, cushions and warm tones from town décor shops make any corner feel inviting. A comfy chair, a candle in a recycled jar and a warm drink or even a small glass of local sweet wine — creates the perfect December retreat for reading, chatting or enjoying a quiet moment.

8. Fill the House with Festive Scents

Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and orange peel to fill your home with natural fragrance or ready incense. Most of these spices are easy to find at the municipal market or the Tuesday Market stalls, and the scent adds instant comfort to winter evenings.

9. Repurpose Glass for Rustic Mediterranean Décor

Empty jars and small bottles become beautiful decorations during the festive season. Use them as miniature vases for rosemary, eucalyptus or tiny olive branches, or fill them with nuts, pinecones or dried citrus slices. Grouped on a tray or windowsill, they create a simple, eco-friendly look that feels very Nerja.

10. Share the Spirit with Neighbours and Guests

Pick up small Spanish sweets from local shops or market stalls and keep a bowl by the door for neighbours, visiting friends or delivery drivers. This simple gesture captures the kindness and generosity at the heart of Spanish Christmas — and fills your home with warmth that spreads naturally into the community.

With these simple, local touches, your home can carry the warmth of Nerja throughout the season. A fun night making with friends or children!