Make Christmas Beautiful This Season
This is a collaborative post
You are probably wondering why I’m talking Christmas in July. Well, that’s because this July IS Christmas for my family and me. Last year Christmas was a washout. Not only were we in Kent in Tier 4, but two people in our family also had coronavirus, so we were not really in the mood to celebrate too much. So fast-forward seven months and we are having a big family Christmas in July. That’s right, we’ve made the Christmas pudding and mince pies, got some crackers and Christmas hats and the roast is ready to go. I can’t wait!
The one thing you really can’t get in July is a good advent calendar. So we will have to wait until towards the end of the year to pick one for this December, but you can start thinking about them now. If you are looking for a great idea, why not make your own book advent calendar?
You could also take some inspiration from this wonderful blog post about how to arrange a magical North Pole breakfast. Don’t the ideas looks fantastic?
In normal times Christmas means spending money, whether we like that thought or not. Gifts, decor, and food are the starting point for what many have grown to know as a spending spree. Overwhelming? Sure. But it doesn’t have to be. There are many – dare I say it – DIY solutions to traditionally pricey endeavours, that can help take the financial pressure off you this season. It is possible to “deck the halls” without spending a fortune. Sometimes it just needs a little bit of thought.
Christmas Decorations
The Christmas tree and the Christmas lights are probably the most important part when it comes to decorating for the festive season. Nothing says Christmas like a tree filled with Christmas tree decorations standing next to a fireplace. Christmas tree decorations are an art form in their own right – from ribbons and garlands to baubles and bells, this is the place to make your mark and reflect your festive style. This is where DIY can play a huge role. Remember that it’s not about the plastic ornaments, but about the overall look. Natural decorations not only look beautiful but are very in keeping with the theme. Pinecones, evergreen foliage, berries and even nuts make excellent substitutes for store-bought baubles. If that doesn’t sound like you, why not try repurposing items you already own, by painting them or covering them in glitter? The only limitation is what you can come up with!
Set Yourself Up For Success Before You Start
The right tools will go far in helping you to achieve your goal. Consider wearing gloves when working with potentially thorny branches, scissors and pliers or side cutters to help you when shaping wires and branches. Don’t forget mounting materials! That is to say, you might have decided where your decorations are to go, but how will you mount them to that surface? Nails, hooks, string, and a stepladder will be useful in this process!
What About Indoor Decorations?
Tempting as it may be to go all the way with a snowflake or Santa-themed tablecloth, remember that less is more, and go for a plain piece of black or neutral butcher paper. This way, the tablecloth itself won’t distract from your other decorations and gives you the option to customize it as you like. Put a marker at each place setting, and let your guests create their own art! Best of all – after dinner, you simply have to crumple up the tablecloth and throw it away!
The Tree
Symmetry, predictability and hyper-perfection are out when it comes to Christmas trees. Slight imperfection keeps your aesthetic real and authentic. Imperfection, whether in how the tree is decorated or in the quirks of handmade decorations, give character. Make sure that you space your ornaments equally to prevent them from falling off, or overweighting the tree to one side, which might cause it to topple, but don’t make perfection your end goal – character is better.
Don’t forget the advent calendar! And even this does not need to be a shop-bought thing. Anything that creates a countdown can be used to create this activity, which is fun for adults and children alike! Try a system with small bottles, baubles that get put up on a string (or taken down, if you prefer), or putting pebbles in a jar.
Real Or Artificial?
If you do opt for an artificial Christmas tree, make sure that is made from a decent material, or you might find it falling apart before you’ve really had the chance to use it! Durable material also provides a better weight-bearing capacity for decorations and will be able to withstand being dressed up or dressed down, year after year, without becoming ratty.
A traditional tree will age better than one that is guided by current fashion, as fashion tends to date after a year or two, and your tree could look out of place.
If you don’t like the idea of a fake tree and would prefer a real one, shop around for different styles and kinds, taking into account which trees tend to make a mess, and which are likely to need replacing (and how often).
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