Holiday Décor with Breyer Horses

By Mia Zanzucchi

Decorating for the holidays doesn’t mean you need to pack your Breyer horses away for the season – in fact, they can be perfect accents for your décor!

Breyer is no stranger to the holidays – our yearly holiday collections are always favorites amongst fans. 2022’s Snowbird, a stunning grey Morgan stallion, is the 26th edition of the beloved Holiday Horse series, and his matching stirrup ornament is perfect to display on the tree or on its own.

But the equine decorating doesn’t have to stop there. Whether you’re looking for a big, flashy attention-grabber or a more subtle touch, here are some tips on prepping for the most wonderful time of the year while incorporating your Breyer model horses.

Holiday Ornaments

Each year, Breyer puts out an extensive range of horsey holiday ornaments, from Santa showing off his reining skills to flashy unicorns like Tyrian. For a personal touch on your tree, you can also make your own – either with a Paint Your Own Horse Ornament craft kit or by stringing craft wire or ribbon around a favorite Stablemates or Mini Whinnies model from your collection.

Wreaths & Garland

You can also use wire to affix Breyer models to a holiday wreath. Mini Whinnies, Stablemates, smaller Freedom Series/Classics models and even Traditional-sized foals could all work, depending on the size and strength of your wreath and wire. 1:24 scale models from the old-school Paddock Pals line are also a great size for wreath-making. If you’d like to affix the model(s) to your wreath permanently, use super glue or hot glue to attach them. You can also do the same with garland – just make sure everything is strong and secure so your models don’t go flying!

Table Centerpieces

Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday feast or just decorating for you, Breyer horses are a breeze to turn into a table centerpiece. Grab a Holiday Horse, a festive decorator model or a meaningful favorite and head to a craft or hobby store. Pick up some white felt or fake snow, garland or tinsel, and model-sized decorations like presents or a miniature tree. For a temporary display, piece the items together in the middle of your table using glue dots that won’t leave your models damaged. If you want something with durability that can be reused next year, get a solid base – you can keep things simple with a small piece of wood or thick cardboard, or upgrade to a diorama base or even a festive dish – and whip out the hot glue or superglue to keep everything in place.

Newsworthy leaps through a sea of presents and garland in this simple but eye-catching decorative centerpiece.

Festive Gifts & Wrapping

This season is all about sharing, and what better joy to share than the gift of Breyer? Give a Mini Whinnies advent calendar, or create your own custom one for a friend or family member using models and accessories hand-picked by you.

For a quick, more subtle touch, embellish your holiday cards and gift wrapping with Breyer stickers, hot glue a Stablemates model in the brim of a Santa hat, or tie a Stablemates model into the bow of a gift box. If you’re looking for a way to jazz up your stockings, try hot gluing small models like Stablemates or Mini Whinnies onto them.

Not normally an artistic person, but still want to give DIY a go? There are a variety of Breyer craft kits for all ages and skill levels, and you can take advantage of these beginner-friendly sets to paint your own models without having to buy a bunch of materials. Use holiday colors like silver, gold, blue, red, or green to give them a festive flair, and you can even add some tinsel, garland or ribbon for added effect.

If you’re short on time, materials or artistic ability, you can always lean on the artistry of Breyer by featuring your favorite holiday horses, such as our “Pony for Christmas,” Kohl, and other festive, display-ready models and accessories from the Breyer Holiday Collection.

Whether this is your first holiday season with Breyer or you’ve been collecting your whole life, there’s no shortage of ways to show off your love of horses and Breyer this winter!