Christmas Decorating

Trees were used as Christmas decorations by Germany in the 16^th Century but the use did not become widespread until the mid nineteenth century when Prince Albert first brought a Christmas tree to Windsor Castle in 1834.  It was the Victorians that brought about the sending of decorated Christmas cards and added more decorations to the Christmas Trees. 

As time has gone on, we have increased the extent of our decorations - to exterior lights, exterior decorations, decorating bedrooms as well as the living areas of the home.

When should the Christmas Decorations be put up?

With Christmas decorations on display in the shops even before Hallow’een, one could be forgiven for wondering when should they be displayed in the home.  Occasional homes have their decorations up already but they are few and far between.  With the increase in artificial Christmas trees or using non-shed trees and watering them, there isn’t such an emphasis on ensuring the Christmas tree won’t have shed all its needles by the big day.  Some people say 6^th December is the correct date, others put it up the night of the Late Late Toy show but that is earlier and earlier each year.  It really is up to personal preference but there is definite agreement by when the decorations should be taken down - 6^th January!

Space Saving Tips

Christmas Trees, Decorations and Gifts can take up a considerable amount of room. If you are concerned about the amount of space that will be taken up, why not use Christmas stickers and apply them to the wall or windows.  Many are re-usable so can be used year after year. The removable and resuable Christmas Tree wall stickers are perfect for this.

Apparently upside-down Christmas Trees are very trendy at the moment - introduced by retailers so that the decorations will be at the customers’ eyelevel and they provide more space underneath then for all the gifts. I’m not so sure I’ll be adopting that idea but it is worth mentioning.

Create a wall of Christmas cards rather than trying to display them on the mantelpiece, shelves and sideboards - simply stick them to a wall surface with blue-tack or similar.

Tie bunting or ribbon to the banisters of your stairs, it doesn’t take up any space at all.  Similarly, ribbons tied to dining chairs bring festive fun to the dining table.

Elaborate ribbons with a decoration tied to a door knob really bring a vintage Christmas tone and again doesn’t require any space as such.

Is there a particular colour trend this year?

It can often be too expensive as well as displaying that throwaway culture to follow a particular colour trend for your Christmas decorating each year.  If you wish to use different colours in different rooms, simply have a dominant neutral colour - for example, silver, whites and clear glass or golds, beiges and creams, and use coloured ribbons and bunting in ‘the colour of the season’. 

If you are decorating various rooms in your home, then co-ordinate with the furnishings. For example, if your living room has reds in the curtains or cushions, then add many reds and golds to your Christmas Tree.

Icy blues, turquoise and teals are popular colours this year but as they tend to be at the colder end of the colour spectrum, it is not a colour that I would invest heavily in when purchasing Christmas decorations.

Home Made Christmas Decorations

Children will enjoy making Christmas decorations and homemade decorations have moved on from making paper chains with cut up magazines or newspapers and making crepe paper chains.  Martha Stewart’s website (www.Martha Stewart.com) has to be one of the best online sources for providing you with ideas and instructions for making beautiful homemade decorations.

While you will have to purchase items such as some accessories, glue, wire coat hangers, ribbon, glitter, spray adhesive, many of the items are free - pick up some pine cones, use some greenery for your wreath and other household or garden items. And above all, have fun.

Eco-friendly Christmas Decorating

Rather than purchasing a real tree that has been cut down, transported and then thrown away, how about buying a small tree (ensure it has plenty of soil and space in its pot) that can be planted in your garden when the festivities are over and used again the following year.

Although artificial trees aren’t strictly eco-friendly, they are in the sense that they can be reused for many many year.

If you are purchasing a real tree, purchase it from somewhere that you know more trees will be planted in its place.

Pinecones make lovely Christmas decorations - all you need is a little paint, a few accessories and some ties.

Use left over fabric or wallpaper as your gift wrap.

The Love Mae removable and re-usable fabric Christmas decoration stickers are great - you don’t have to chop down a tree or be pricked by spiky pine leaves.  Once the stickers are stored away, they can be used again and again. Great for homes which are tight on space too as they simply stick to your walls, doors or windows. The holiday decorations are perfect for bestowing some festive cheer to the room.

Send e-cards instead of physical Christmas cards this year.  www.JacquieLawson.com have some beautiful musical cards that are loved by children and adults alike.

But above all, have a happy, healthy and safe Christmas.


Christmas Tree Wall Stickers (removable and reusable)
Festive Holiday removable and reusable Wall Stickers