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The time has come to start putting up Christmas decorations. But, before you run off to your local store to shop for this year’s collection of ornaments, wreaths, and garlands, think carefully about your decorating theme. Christmas themes can range from traditional to modern; elegant to fun; natural to high-tech, etc. Browse a few magazines and websites for inspiration, then decide on a general outline. Whatever you choose, it should complement your interior and your lifestyle.
Once you’ve chosen your Christmas theme, pull out the bits and pieces of decor from years past. Select those that would go with your current theme or could be easily adapted. Ornaments, garlands, candles and candle holders can simply be transformed with a little imagination. Embellishments can be painted, stenciled, sprayed, wrapped, or decorated with fabric, ribbons, glitter, pearls, and beads. Garlands and wreaths can be sprayed with metallic or frosted paint and decorated with berries, acorns, dried leaves, feathers, and pearls, depending on the theme.
You can also decorate some of your glasses and tableware: spray or affix them with removable paint and glitter or decorate them with stickers and removable films. Use your glass bowls, jars, vases, and containers to display ornaments, fairy lights, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate pieces, glass beads, and candles. Place them around your home or use as a centerpiece on your Christmas dining table.
When you’ve customized your existing pieces and household items, browse a couple of stores to find a few pieces to complete the look. It is best to buy simple pieces that can be further decorated and adjusted in subsequent years to suit different themes.
The two most important elements of Christmas decoration are the tree and the lighting. There’s nothing quite like the smell of a real pine tree, but if you want to create a modern look, a pre-lit twig or feather tree might be the right choice to fit your decorating theme. The secret of a successful tree is to use a maximum of three colours, shapes and materials when dressing it. To create an interesting tree, make some of your balls edible, with chocolate, candy, dried fruit, and nuts.
When it comes to lighting, use a variety of lighting systems. Wrap fairy lights and strings around door frames and handrails, hang them in windows, stack them in glass vases, drape them over your dining room table, or make them into a garland. Use string lights outside your house, around your windows, doors, pathways, and trees. Stack church candles on the mantelpiece, in large containers, on the dining room table, or in unused fireplaces. Place scented tea lights on your windowsills, shelves, and coffee tables.
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