"…with logs on the fire, and gifts by the tree,
It's time to rejoice in the good that we see."
The season to be jolly and spread the good cheer is here, and what could be a better way to reflect the Christmas mirth than decorating our homes and making them look inviting, warm, and bright?
Lots of ready-made Christmas decorations, lights, festoons, streamers, and endless other attractive items are available now in stores and markets. Active You’s advice? Plan your budget and don't spend too much on decorations. By clever rearrangement of furniture, well coordinated upholstery and drapery, along with highlighting certain areas of the house with decorations, the final look will be just right and, importantly, not overdone.
Try keeping the decorations minimal if not simple, and stick to a theme if possible. Remember, subtle is better. You can either maintain a colour theme or decide on a particular aspect such as bows, candles, hollies, candy sticks, the nativity, Santa Claus, or angels as your Christmas decoration theme.
Focus on decorating your Christmas tree with bows and baubles in a color contrasted to that of the room in which it is placed. If your room is done up in cream or light shades, use maroon or royal blue ornaments for the tree. The point is, use one or two varieties of ornaments in shades that will pleasantly contrast with the surroundings.
To bring on the nostalgia, make a collage of all your old and recent Christmas cards. You can turn this collage into a feature wall, that's something new and different. You can also have a bowl of potpourri or floating fragranced candles on the centre table. Place plenty of candles around strategic locations in the house. On Christmas Eve, you can then light up all these candles and feel the magical warmth and light.
The outside of your home? God forbid you light up your house like a scene from National Lampoons’ Xmas vacation.....
....but you might want to consider a few lamps and lanterns. Try not to use too much electricity, the Copenhagen Summit wouldn’t like it, but go the traditional way and use candles instead. Mistletoes and poinsettias can also be used all around the house for a vibrant Christmas feel.
Let your creativity flow and involve the whole family in getting the house decorated for Christmas. That is the true essence of the festive season. Finally, Merry Christmas from us all at Active You!
