By Jeanette Gaskill; Lead Designer, Coastal Cottage of Amelia
If you’re anything like me, you have more Christmas decorations than you know what to do with. You’ve gathered them over the years and now they don’t all seem to go with one another. You love most of them but there’s definitely some you need to get rid of. As I pull them out this year there are the same old suspects that instantly end up in a ‘never going to happen’ pile while for some reason I just don’t part with them. Then there’s the battered old tree that my child made out of a wooden lollipop sticks that I just love and makes the cut every year.
This year more than ever, when it comes to decorating, I thought I’d share some handy tips so you don’t go crazy. You can edit what you have, toss what needs replacing and refresh with some new decorations. You can get a great Christmas look in your home by just being a bit more thoughtful about what you’re doing. Here’s my handy tips for a Christmas home that looks lovely and makes you smile.
Take a breath before you start
I hate to say it but being just a little bit organized will work wonders. Before you do anything, go through the house and work out the areas that you want to decorate. This is likely to be the room where you have your Christmas tree but there are so many other areas that you can sprinkle some Christmas magic:
- The coffee and end tables
- The dining table
- The guest bathroom
- The front of your house
- Doorways and book shelves
Now, go through and group what you have by the areas you’re planning to decorate. Then when you see what’s left over you can either save it for next year or bin the stuff you no longer want. Don’t chuck anything yet – just keep it to the side. You can always donate to churches and schools at a later time.
Less is more:
You don’t have to use EVERYTHING you have every year. Many people are culprits of this and they run around hanging random bits on everywhere. Doing this makes it all feel cluttered and messy. If you go too overboard in one area, you’ll be ready to take it all down right after Christmas morning. Try and stick to some key areas and it will all feel more designed and planned and less chaotic.
Use things in a different way:
Think about using some of the things you love in different ways to normal. How about hanging some baubles from the bookshelves on ribbon or incorporating them in a Christmas wreath or table display? Put some lights in fireplaces that aren’t being used or use them to decorate doorways. Fill vases or baskets with lights and make the lights take on a different shape. A glass vase full of fairy lights can look lovely. If you don’t have a large vase or container that might be a new item to get this holiday season.
Use the Ceiling:
@styletheclutter is the one to watch for this as she suspends a branch from her ceiling above her Christmas table to hold a Christmas display. Have a look its beautiful and a great way to incorporate decorations if you’re short on space at the table.
Decorate your door and more:
This is one of my favorite things to do each season and a chance to make your home Christmassy before you even get through the door. A quick search on Google or Pinterest for ‘Christmas wreaths’ will bring you up a huge number of ideas to get your inspiration flowing. Most of which can be gathered from the garden or a quick stroll. Or use up some of those decorations that you’ve left to the side. Perhaps some baubles could be refashioned? Wreath rings are inexpensive and add nice touches here and there. All you really need is some florist wire to hold everything in place and then just have a go – it’s fun if you have the time. And while you’re there don’t just stop at one. They make a lovely present, or hang smaller versions on your windows, in guest rooms or even in the bathroom. When it comes to the door don’t be shy, the bigger the better!
Smells like Christmas:
Christmas for me is a total attack on every sense. So, get the Christmas smells going in the form of a candle or diffuser. Get quality scents. Find the one that smells like Christmas to you. And most of them last ages. Other ideas to get the right smells going is to make or simply heat some mulled wine. Put a bottle of mulled wine in your slow cooker at parties with some orange and spices – if nothing else it smells AMAZING!
Paper decorations:
These have been quite on trend for a while now but I love how simple and effective they are. Plus, they are easy to store year over year as most of them fold flat. What’s on trend that we’re loving, the colors are getting more earthy, which doesn’t sound great but think darker red and green tones mixed in with browns, beiges, creams, greys, whites and natural tones.
Here are Ten must haves for Christmas decorating:
1) A wreath – I LOVE them!
2) Blankets and throws – they don’t have to be Christmassy to be cozy. I’m not a fan of anything too garish but ALWAYS be cozy.
3) Candles – the more the merrier.
4) Warm white fairy lights – instant coziness. No main lights – turn off the main lights and just use lamps and side lights. Everywhere is so much cozier.
5). Centerpieces – Deer, Santa, or even a cookie jar. Get creative.
6) A decorating drink – mulled wine or baileys every time.
7) Garlands – I love to decorate our stairs every year. You can make or buy the garlands and then it’s all about the cable ties!
8) Bells- there are lots of lovely vintage looking brass bells around this year.
9) The table – I can’t wait to decorate the Christmas dinner table. I’m not a big planner I like just to wing it and see what happens.
10) Ornaments for the tree! Whether you’re a matchy matcher, a tinsel-tastic or a ‘throw it all on and see what happens’, it’s ALL about making you smile.
However you choose to decorate your home this Christmas, make sure you enjoy it and that it makes you smile. Don’t make it just another thing to tick off a to-do list, enjoy the process. Sometimes that’s easier said than done but I find putting on the holiday music always helps!
Happy Holidays!
