Kristin Chenoweth Shares Her Best Christmas Decorating Tips and Holiday Plans as a Newlywed (Exclusive)

Kristin Chenoweth is in holiday mode as soon as the slightest chill crisps the air.

The ‘Wicked’ alum, 55, spoke to PEOPLE about her holiday plans while promoting her new role as Command’s “Partner-in-Cheer.” And for Chenoweth, the Christmas spirit runs deep, particularly when it comes to decorating. One of her most prized pieces of decor is a ceramic Christmas tree that has graced her family’s Oklahoma home since 1975.

“It’s the way [my mother] packs it to the nth degree,” the actress says of the ceramic tree’s resilience with a laugh. “That thing can go to space and not break. I kid you not.”

One of the Tony Award winner’s traditions that she “loves the most” involves her family lighting a candle and saying what they’re each most grateful for.

“Every year, my dad, who’s not a crier, tears up and pretends he is not, but he does,” Chenoweth says. “I look forward to it every year, and as I’ve gotten older, I’m like, ‘I’m going to keep that tradition.’”

This year will be even more special for the Holidate actress. It’s her first Christmas as a newlywed with her husband Josh Bryant.

“I think now we are concentrating on just being with the ones that love us and that we love so much since we’re usually working,” Chenoweth says. “He’s from Arkansas and I’m from Oklahoma, so our traditions are pretty close. I’m sure there will be decor and lots of food involved.”

The Emmy Award winner enjoyed a dreamy wedding with Bryant, 41, over Labor Day weekend in Dallas earlier this year.

“I was never going to get married,” Chenoweth told PEOPLE in September. “I even got engaged before and couldn’t do it. Until I met Josh. Then I was like, ‘Why would I ever let this guy go?’ I’m so blessed.”

The pair are more than “excited” to begin decorating their home together, especially after personally receiving “a bunch of Christopher Radkoornaments” for their tree, Chenoweth said.

“Josh was like, ‘Even though we got to go and work and go in and out of town, let’s do the tree. Let’s set up a Christmas village. Let’s have an advent calendar,’” she recalls.

Her partnership with Command will make this even easier, she adds.

“Command products are a big part of that,” she says of her favorite decorating tools. “We like to hang lights, and I’ve used all the Command strips and hooks since I was in college. They make things a lot easier at a time when you want to focus on family and remember the things that are really important.”

To that end, Chenoweth emphasizes that “decorating should not be stressful.” That’s why she decided to collaborate with the brand to launch a nationwide holiday decor sweepstakes for decorating enthusiasts.

To “make the holidays a little brighter,” all participants need to do is to follow Command Brand’s Instagram post in collaboration with Chenowethand tag a person they want to nominate and why for the top prize by November 29, which includes a Command Brand Cheer Package, a $1,000 gift card and a $25,000 cash prize.

The “Happiness is…Christmas!” singer knows the kind of “merrymaker” she would nominate — her mother, who Chenoweth says is “the center” of her family around the holidays.

“She brings light and joy and reminds us to be grateful,” she explains.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Command (@command)