It is finally time….time to decorate for Christmas! I do realize that not all of us celebrate Christmas but these tips are not only Christmas specific. Feel free to apply these concepts to your home and alter things to incorporate your personal holiday beliefs.
Timing is everything.
The topic of timing comes up every year, how soon is too soon to start decorating for the holidays. Personally, I bring out fall decorations at the end of September and keep those up until Thanksgiving. The weekend after Thanksgiving is my time to pull out the lights! I like to turn on a Christmas movie, start a fire, and grab a cup of hot cocoa then I get to work.
Game Plan
My biggest holiday design tip would be to plan ahead. Look at your space, inventory your decorations then create a plan of attack. I like to strategize, purchase any necessary items, and execute.
The idea is to have a strategy so that your decorations look tasteful and well thought out. I am someone who adores Christmas so I have a tendency to want to use EVERYTHING when decorating! I have found that the decorations always come out the best when I am tactful and intentional. Some years I will even come up with a holiday decor theme and that keeps me focused.
Now that you have plan or a theme, let’s get started!
Here are my top 3 holiday decorating tips!
Light it up!
The best part of the holiday season are hands down, the lights! The glimmering glow of lights create the most magical feeling. Whether you choose to decorate the inside, the outside, or both, lights are the foundation for holiday decor.
I recommend including an array of lighting. Find ways to incorporate different lighting sources including traditional lights, twinkle lights, and candles (I even use the battery operated ones). Different lights give off different hues and create dimension. If you take away nothing else from this chat, please apply the lighting portion because it makes all of the difference. When it comes to lights, I use them everywhere. I use them on the fireplace garland, wreaths and vignettes around the house.
It’s beginning to smells a lot like Christmas
Fragrances are a great way to bring some warmth and coziness to your space. There are so many lovely smells to choose from this time of year, whether you are a lover of cinnamon spice or spruce trees there is something for everyone. I love to burn candles, diffusers, or scented pine cones.
Another holiday favorite smell is taking a pot of boiling water and adding orange peels and cinnamon. This is a trick that creates a warm sweet smell and can be used during fall and winter. I also find that the smell of fresh baked goods create the coziest environment. Whether it be sugar cookies or an apple pie, roll up your sleeves and get it in the kitchen, your nose and belly will thank you later.
If you really want a fresh holiday scent, go for a fresh Christmas tree…the aroma is heavenly. The smell alone makes the clean up totally worth it.
Accessorize!!!
Once you have decorated your tree, hung your lights, and burned holiday candle then we move onto accessories. This is the time to bring out your favorite holiday pillows, throws, and rugs. I love including accessories that are subtly festive. Meaning skip the Santa Clause pillow and bring in a plaid throw or a snowflake pillow.
I like to find pieces that are the classic Christmas colors such as red, green, gold, silver and plaid. Update the pillows in your living room and bedrooms with a couple of festive designs. Switch out your linens in the kitchen and bathroom for something that is sweet and cheerful.
I was eight years old when my family first celebrated Christmas and can still remember that magical feeling. I think it is why I love decorating for the holidays so much! Everything completely changes the last few months of the year and it always make me feel like a kid again.
Apply these simple tips this year when you decorate and curl up in front of the fire to sit back and enjoy your handy work!
Happy Holidays and Happy Decorating!
XOXO JSD Family!