By Michelina
Nothing says “Happy Christmas” as a beautifully decorated home. Twinkling lights, fragrant greens, holiday centerpieces – all set the stage for a merry holiday season.
But what of the cost of these preparations? Each year department stores, magazines and florists, set new trends, bring out new colours, new images, and designs all calculated to entice and confuse and to part you from your dollars to create that “holiday–feeling” atmosphere at home.
Each year, designers and stylists promote a new, hot colour scheme for holiday decorating, hoping to spur improved sales through colour obsolescence. One year, the colours will be bright, primary and inspired by the 1960’s, the next, rich reds and dense, dark green taking center stage.
Take heart before you dash out to the shops. Some simple strategies and a dash of creativity can go a long way when it comes to decorating. There is no need to break the bank these holidays, try these frugal, festive ideas for your home.
Memories fade from year to year, so refresh yours with a look into your storage room and make an inventory of the holiday decorations you already have on hand. Keep them firmly in mind as you read Christmas magazines or check out the festive trees displays. You can update your decorations with a few simple additions.
Wherever you live, look to the natural world for a source of inexpensive decorations. Pile gold- tipped pine cones into bowls, threaded dried apple slices into wreaths, and wind twinkle lights into spray-painted tumbleweeds. Look around you for inspiration, and bring Mother Nature inside for the holidays.
Those who travel do well to think “Christmas!” when it comes to souvenirs. Souvenir Christmas ornaments are widely available, pack well, and make a wonderful decorating splash. If you have collected enough ornaments, consider creating a travel tree: a small tree displaying souvenirs, postcards and ornaments make a great conversation piece for your holiday parties.
Decorate a tree with playing cards for your poker-playing or Njuga-makasa – husband and his friends.
Choosing a personal theme for Christmas decor not only makes decorating meaningful and fun, but gives others a head-start on gift-giving. Building a stock of holiday decor around a theme is easy when you spread the word amongst your friends.
Do not ignore the mundane and do not neglect local craft fairs as a source of inexpensive Christmas decorations. Most items are reasonably priced, and generally, the proceeds go to a good cause. Support your local crafters and save. Shopping the after-Christmas sales is also much easier
Whether it is Angels, Santa or gingerbread or your home town football team, choosing a theme can simplify decorating decisions. Christmas decorating should be lively, fun and beautiful, for the family, especially the children. Even such simple touches as a bowl of nuts on the table serves the holiday decor scheme. So get busy and create some magic this Christmas.
Michelina is a hospitality/sports/design consultant and specialist interior decorator and landscaper.
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