For Christians, now is the time to deck the halls – here we have a few of the secrets to stunning Christmas home decorating, reflecting the spirit of the season and the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Christmas is a happy time of the year, when we go through the closets and the garage to find our Christmas ornaments, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands and holly, to dress up our homes with good Christmas cheer. Out come the special linens, candles and Advent calendars. We prepare special dishes, get the kids involved in Christmas art projects and Christmas crafts, to create that special Christmas ambience. So, what new ideas can you put in place this year to make a special impression that fills your family and guests with that holiday spirit? Let’s take a look!
Christmas lights, indoors and out, do much to spread cheer. As passersby view your home, the lights hung from your porch become a bright spot – whether you choose the traditional bulbs or icicle style, the message is clear. Why not add garlands of pine branches, highlighting the lights? When you shop for your Christmas tree, ask the tree vendor for snips of pine branches, to wind between the lights. Dig through your Christmas ornaments for that old-style Santa or dove, to interweave among the lights and garlands. Your Christmas home decorating project’s success depends on your ingenuity, plus a big dose of love!
Indoors, Christmas lights can be used in every room … all you need is a staple gun and a lot of lights. You’ll be surprised at the impression created by a raft of lights, garlands and holly. Children are especially impressed by a display of lights hung around the ceiling of their rooms, twinkling night and day. It’s part of the magic.
Potted Christmas flowers, such as Poinsettia, Christmas cactus and Cyclamen are relatively inexpensive. Place at least one pot in every room, with a fancy wired ribbon tied around the pot. You can make this Christmas home decorating display sparkle by placing the pot on a beveled mirror which is about twice the size of the pot, sprinkled with ‘snow’, glitter or jeweled beads. When the holidays are over, you can plant your pots outside and use them again next year. A word of caution on Poinsettias – keep them out of reach of young children, as these flowers are poisonous if eaten. Poinsettias look nice on a fireplace mantel, safely out of reach, but providing a lovely view.
Here’s a good Christmas home decorating project for the kids: buy a half dozen unfinished wood candlesticks at the crafts store, along with some acrylic paints and brushes. Spread out some newspaper and let them go for it! When their project is finished, coat each candlestick with clear acrylic sealer to prevent peeling. These also make nice family mementos or gifts for others on your gift list.
Nativity scenes also benefit from being placed on a beveled mirror. Mirrors reflect light, adding lots of sparkle and increasing that festive look.
Bake up a batch of gingerbread men, made of salt dough. Use a toothpick to make a hole large enough to fit a length of waxed string through, before baking. When the cookies are cool, decorate with paint or frosting. String them all together and hang them from the ceiling, tack a length to the front door with a big bow at the top, or wrap around a banister.
Make your Christmas home decorating projects a family activity – let everyone contribute their best ideas – and remember that the most important secret ingredient is love!