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Christmas Decorating Ideas
The time has come to start putting up Christmas decorations.
But, before you rush off to your local store to buy this year's
collection of baubles, wreaths and garlands, think carefully
about your decorating theme. Christmas themes can vary from
traditional to modern; elegant to fun; natural to high-tech etc.
Browse through a few magazines and websites for inspiration -
then decide on an overall scheme. Whatever you choose, it should
complement your interior and your lifestyle.
Having chosen your Christmas theme, get out your previous years'
decorating bits & pieces. Select those that would go with your
current theme or could be adapted easily. Baubles, garlands,
candles and holders can be transformed simply with a bit of
imagination. Baubles can be painted, stencilled, sprayed,
wrapped or decorated with fabric, ribbons, glitter, pearls and
beads. Garlands & wreath can be sprayed with metallic or frosted
paint and decorated with berries, acorns, dried leaves, feathers
and pearls - depending on your theme.
You can also decorate some of your glassware and tableware -
spray or stencil them with removable paint and glitter or
decorate them with removable stickers and film. Use your glass
bowls, jars, vases and containers to display baubles,
fairylights, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate pieces, glass beads
and candles. Place these around your home - or use them as a
central piece on your Christmas dining table.
When you've customized your existing pieces and household items,
look around a couple of shops to find a few
bits and pieces to
complete the look. It's best to buy simple pieces that can be
decorated further and adjusted in following years to suit
different themes.
The two most important elements of Christmas decorating are the
tree and the lighting. Nothing really beats the smell of a real
pine tree, but if you want to create a trendy look, a pre-lit
twig or feather tree might be the right choice to suit your
décor theme. The secret of a successful tree is to use a maximum
of three colors, shapes and materials when dressing it. To
create an interesting tree, make some of your baubles edible -
out of chocolate, candy, dried fruits & nuts.
When it comes to lighting, use a variety of illumination
systems. Wrap fairy & string lights around door frames &
banisters, hang them in the windows, pile them up in glass
vases, run them across the dining table, or make them into a
garland. Use rope lights outside your home - around your
windows, doors, pathway and trees. Pile church candles together
on the mantel, in large containers, across the dining table or
in unused fireplaces. Put scented tea lights in your windows, on
shelves and coffee tables.
Read more articles and
Christmas decorating ideas at our website!
About the author:
E Geller is an interior designer specialising in residential
spaces. She is a writer and advisor at diytogether.com on home
improvement, decorating & design.
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