Simple Christmas Decorating
Christmas will soon be here, and that means the end of another year. But of course it wasn’t just any year. And just like everything else in the past 9 months, Christmas won’t exactly be the same. But while the usual whirlwind of activity might not be appropriate, the season is still a moment to celebrate. So we’ve whipped up a “less-is-more” guide to holiday decorating. This simple checklist also translates well to those who have smaller spaces or find themselves on a budget. But this year is a moment for everyone to try scaling back to achieve a holiday look with just a few subtle additions.
Find the Perfect Spot
If you have limited time or means, focus on creating one spot in your home that is absolutely buzzing with holiday cheer. If you have a mantle, this is the perfect place to focus your energy. Don’t have a mantle? No big deal. Literally anywhere can become an awesome Christmas setting.
Just take stock of surfaces around the house you might transform — a coffee table, a bookcase, etc. If you have a smaller home, focus on a place like a dining surface where people can spend time opening gifts. If that doesn’t get your creative juices flowing, consider decorating a banister. Wrap a few pine tree branches around the surface. You can probably get a few discarded ones for free from the store. Now add whatever decorations you might have at your disposal. You can always hang bells and wreaths from the walls. But you can also just place them flat on a surface. Don’t have any holiday-themed items to put out? We got the solution in the next section.
A touch of DIY Decor for the Holidays
Maybe this year you find yourself on a budget, or perhaps unwilling to leave the house. Or you are suddenly running out of time before the holiday and can’t be bothered to go to a store for decorations or order online. Well, you still have options. If you can find at least a moment or two, you can create some holiday cheer with the materials you have on hand.
This is the moment to unlock your inner artist and create a great holiday look yourself. Then you’ll have it on hand every year. It only takes a few moments to find a few ideas on the Internet. Even if you don’t have any craft experience, a look at a few images can inspire you. Remember, you don’t have to reproduce anything perfectly. You’re just trying to achieve that state of mind that makes you want to be creative. You only need to please yourself.
Take a look about the house for any loose ends you might have. Start with some discarded packaging, like string, bows, and paper, or maybe some antique glass or cutlery. It could really be anything. Or start by picturing the perfect piece and see if you have it somewhere in the house. And remember, if this all sounds silly, embracing your creative self can be a productive way to spend the holiday. If you have family or friends in the house, invite them to help you and make a memory out of the experience.
Don’t Forget the Tree (Just Make it Small)
You can’t have Christmas without a tree. However, if the thought of going out to the store and coming back with a giant pine tree leaves you feeling stressed, don’t sweat it. Artificial trees look great, are easy to store, and can be shipped straight to your house. And they aren’t the only solution, either. Think about getting a smaller tree, even one that’s still alive. A potted pine tree can be kept like a bonsai. Just prune it hard every year (the roots too). Evergreens can live outside on the yard or the porch all year long. So once the holiday is over, you can just move your tree outdoors — and avoid having to throw something huge away.
Holidays are about Family and Friends
Still struggling to get your space up to Christmas day standards? That’s totally fine, and no reason to stress. The holiday isn’t about living up to some ideal. Christmas will always be about our family and friends. Even if we can’t physically be together this year with the ones we love, we can still create lasting memories. Taking the time to add just a touch of holiday cheer to your space before a virtual call to a loved one can make a big difference.
My mom always says that the holidays are about rituals that create bonds between people. Our shared traditions brings us closer. Each year that we participate in them, they evokes the memories we have of our loved ones. Choose to honor the traditions that are important to you, and celebrate the ones you cherish the most.
Top Image by Oleg Zaicev from Pexels
