Christmas Decorating: 4 Top Tips
Christmas Decorating: 4 Top Tips
Seasonal decorating will always be a popular pursuit and it’s a wonderful way to herald the changes every three months or so, but there’s something particularly magical about winter and the transformation that our homes undergo in order to ring in Christmas and the start of a new year.
Of course, the traditional decorations come out the closer we get to December 25th and there’s often a bit of disagreement about just when they should go up, with many opting for the end of November to get the job done. Elsewhere, it’s considered tradition to put up decorations on the first day of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
Where your tree is concerned, if you’re going for a lovely real one, you’d be wise to put it up no earlier than the first week of December, as real trees usually only last about four weeks… but a beautiful artificial one can go up whenever you like!
However, festive home decor isn’t just about the baubles, the tinsel and the tree. You’ll want to create a cosy atmosphere throughout the house so you can enjoy the yuletide season and spend time with friends and family… and the good news is that there’s a lot you can do throughout the house to really up the Christmas ante.
Here are our top tips!
Switch out the curtains
Hanging beautifully rich velvet curtains in a deep dark green or ruby red will certainly add a Christmassy touch to proceedings without being too overtly festive. Add some gold accents here and there, and your home will really come to life at this time of year.
If it’s pattern you’d like to see, consider opting for something that works well for both Christmas and winter so you can leave your curtains up for longer. Snowflakes, for example, will keep your curtains seasonal and you won’t feel the need to rehang them with something else once December 25th has been and gone.
Of course, if you aim for curtains that tie in well with the rest of your interior design schemes, you won’t need to take them down once the festive season is over. Heavier drapes also work wonders at trapping the heat inside your home, which is just what you want during winter.
Focus on fragrance
Getting Christmas decor right isn’t just about what you can see… it’s also about what you can smell. Make sure each room has a beautiful bowl full of dried sprigs, pine cones, pomanders and dried orange slices to transport people to a winter wonderland as soon as they step into the space.
Turn down the lights
Harsh overhead lighting can really destroy the cosy ambiance you’re trying to create, so use lamps throughout your living spaces to great effect, or light some candles for that subtle glow of warmth that’s sure to get you in the Christmassy mood.
And, of course, if you have a fireplace, get the fire crackling away, hang up your stockings and sit back with a warming glass of eggnog or a hot toddy to while away a few hours.
Bring in natural materials
Christmas is all about staying warm and cosy, and natural materials like wool, velvet and faux fur are all perfect for helping you do just that. Bring in lots of throws, cushions, wraps and bedding in natural fabrics to help you embrace winter… and make it through to spring in one piece.