Deck the Halls: How to Decorate for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
By Sarah Fertsch
Okay, I have a theory. Christmas wouldn’t be fun without decorations. Think about it—Christmas isn’t a holiday, it’s a style. Brightly-wrapped presents sit under sparkling trees, and gingerbread cookies line red-and-gold plates. Santa’s face smiles across every room, and outside, strings of lights glow under the moonlight. Decorations shape a season.
This means that your house needs to be the cutest, trendiest look on the block. I know how to get you there.
Set a Theme
You’ve seen it before—primary-colored lights, random stockings, stuffed animals from twenty years ago—-weird right? Theme is important. Ask yourself, what does Christmas mean for you? I love old choirs singing carols, baking sugar cookies from scratch, and making some DIY Christmas gifts. I play out this theme through decorations. I’ll only use white lights and classy light-up reindeer in my yard, hang glass ball ornaments on my **not fake** tree, and wrap my presents in parchment paper, garnishing it with a trig of holly. When guests arrive, I’ll play Andy Williams on my record player, wear a cranberry-red sweater and pearls, and put out some peppermint bark.
Here’s some theme ideas for you: rose gold modern holiday (think Mariah Carey in “All I Want for Christmas is You”), winter wonderland, grandma’s house (you know it’s a vibe), or family-friendly (think Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, and a ton of toy trains).
- Get Cheap and Creative
This is the fun…and hard part. Browse on Pinterest and find your aesthetic. How can you make that a reality? Print high-definition photos on glossy paper and hang them around your home. Listen to music that suits your theme. Hit up some thrift stores and see if you can bring some old pieces to life.
My mom has worked hard to set a rustic, homestyle look to our home. She use twine to make decorative ornaments that she hangs from the chandelier. She tied white lights across the ceiling and displays an old, white cabinet door with the word “noel” spelled in red. Her holiday style inspires me to come home, sit by the fire, and sing “Joy to the World.”
- Incorporate the Theme in Everything!
It’s now time for implementation. Is your theme tech-savvy? Wrap your trending, robotic gifts in silver paper with curled ribbons. Drop a cookie-scented candle in your wax warmer, play orchestral music on your Echo, and brag about your “grow-it-yourself” poinsettia kit. If your theme is artsy, make your friends homemade soap, decorate cakes with intricate snowflakes, and get creative on the piano while you write a new version of “Oh Christmas Tree.” This may seem like a lot of work, but in the end, your family and friends will love it. Even you might see Christmas in a whole new way.
It’s less than a month until Christmas! Relish in the season every day by incorporating strategic décor in your home. Extend it to your office, classroom, or even car! You’ll never know how empowering the Christmas spirit can be.
