At home, make merry!

Sukhmani

 It’s that time of the year when everything is bright and festive – yes its Christmas! If you too want to bring the Christmas cheer into your homes, here is what you can do.

It’s always good to go with the typical Christmas colours - red, white, green, silver and gold - but if you don’t wish to make too many changes, go with your existing colour theme. Just make sure that you accessorise the tree and the living room in the same existing colour scheme. Blue has become a very popular Christmas decorating colour. You can find lots of bold blue bulbs and ornaments that contrast beautifully with reds and greens. You can also pair it with browns to create a very unique and stunning contrast or just use varying shades of blue together.

• Get a tree. Choosing the size of the tree is up to you. If for some reason you’re unable to get one, you can use twigs in a glass vase filled with baubles to hold them upright. Hang lightweight decorations and ribbons, and you’re all set. Flocking the tree with fake snow gives it a wonderful ‘outdoors’ look and you can use fake snow to dress up your mantel and other furnishings as well to give your entire home the look of a snow-covered wonderland.
• If your stairway is in or relatively close to your living room, you want to be sure to decorate it as well. Garland, lights and a few ornaments go a long way in helping to make your stairway festive. If your tree sits near the stairs, decorate them in the same theme as the tree.
• Add natural elements to your decor. Incorporating pine cones and other rustic elements into holiday décor make for a homely, wholesome feeling.
• You must spread the Christmas decorations throughout the room rather than keeping them clustered in one corner.
• Use a lot of silk throw pillows around the room, preferably ones with Christmas designs. If you can’t find those just tie the pillows with bright ribbons, like you tie a gift.
• Use a lot of colour in the form of throws and table-mats. You can fill transparent jars with Christmas ornaments like glass balls to add a dash of colour here and there.
• If you have a collection of old Christmas cards, show them off by displaying them on a table-top or hanging them all on a string across a wall.
• Trim door frames, window frames and the edges of mirrors with Christmas garlands and lights.
• Use a lot of candles in the room and tie your curtains with bells and bows.
• Christmas stockings are a very important part of the Christmas decorations and they can be hung either by the fireplace or under the Christmas tree according to tradition. You can also get innovative and place them elsewhere for a change. You can put your family members’ stockings on their respective chairs. Or, consider putting them on your entryway staircase. The options are endless.
• You can hang snowflakes from the ceiling in varying lengths to create an amazing look.
• Use pictures instead of name tags on your presents. This is a small, personal addition that will touch your loved ones this holiday season.
• Remember to decorate your entrance and main door. Hang a wreath and add a few ornaments, ribbons, garlands and lights. Green wreaths aren’t the only way to go. Shake things up by adding more natural elements, like pine cones and berries, into your wreath.
• Bring Christmas to your kitchen. Place a small Christmas tree for your kitchen island or hang wreaths from your cabinets. You can also place rosemary plants, evergreen branches and bold ornaments as decorative details.
• Sometimes the smallest touch makes the biggest impact. Something as simple as candles on the stairs, all decorated for the holiday, could be all you need to really make a statement with your living room decorations. Add a touch of the holidays to every table, shelf and anywhere you can in each room to really make them festive.
• Angels are considered auspicious, so add one to your tree and add a few more to counters, mantels or tables. Angels come in all shapes, sizes and colours so you can add them no matter what your original theme...and yes, don’t forget the Mistletoe!