If you want a warm, homely Christmas this year, go for a traditional Christmas decorating theme. Never mind about all those ultra-modern, white trees, black trees, pink trees, cerise and aqua decorations … invest in simple, traditional Christmas decorations, that you know you will enjoy, year after year.
The fresh scent of a real Christmas tree, just encapsulates the whole spirit of Christmas. A real tree will be a fantastic focal point for your traditional Christmas decorating theme. But, do think of those pesky pine needles, that you will be finding in your carpet for months … modern, artificial trees look beautiful and realistic, last for years, and can be much less hassle. So you choose …!
Whether or not you choose a real, or artificial, Christmas tree, gather loads of greenery, to bring into your home. These short, dark, winter days, are an ideal time to bring a touch of nature into your home. Choose traditional, seasonal greenery — holly, ivy and mistletoe. Add a little extra this year too — include some ‘exotic’ eucalyptus or sea holly — to give some variety and personality to your festive greenery. Create wreaths to hang on doors and walls, and drape garlands around stair banisters, and over the mantelpiece.
Make your greenery glow — add some pretty fairy lights into the arrangement. Simple white lights are best for a relaxing and traditional feel. You can also add lots of candles and tea-lights — but be very careful where you position them, and keep fire safety firmly in mind.
A creative and fun, traditional house decorating idea, is to create decorations and garlands from orange and lemon slices. Slice the fruits into slices approximately half a centimeter wide. Bake the slices in the oven, at 120 degrees Celsius/Centigrade or 250 degrees Fahrenheit or at Gas Mark ‘half’. Bake until they are hard, but not browned. Use the cooled slices to create garlands, hanging tree decorations, or combine with pine cones and nuts, in festive-style bowls.
Festoon your tree and your home with decorations in traditional Christmas colors — reds, greens, golds, silvers and bronzes will give a cozy, traditional feel. Don’t be afraid to jazz it all up a little, with accents of blues, or modern pinks, turquoises or black.
Continue your festive color scheme for your Christmas table. Use colored table cloths, napkins and table runners — layer these up over fresh, white cloths. Create your own napkin rings, with a red ribbon tied around each napkin. Fasten on a simple Christmas decoration, such as a snowflake, or a star. You can even include a piece of card with your personalized Christmas message, for each guest.
Decorate your festive table with garlands of greenery, candles and crackers. Get creative, and make your own center-piece for your Christmas table. Try filling jugs with greenery, or combine greenery and candles in small pots, decorated with pretty, Christmassy ribbons.
Place assorted church candles in a large bowl, platter or tray, then decorate with greenery, pine cones, nuts, orange and lemon slices, and even Christmas baubles. Why not try placing your candle in a storm lantern, glass vase or bowl, then filling the base of your container with trails of ivy, or small colored baubles.