Christmas is often referred to as the most magical time of the year, but it wouldn’t be this without great decorations. Whether you are decorating your home, a classroom, or your retirement community center, getting the right level of coordination is important. If you are looking for unique and sophisticated Christmas decoration ideas for this holiday season, here are some suggestions that will have your guests immediately in the spirit.
Light The Stairs With Candles
Did you know that the term “Christmas spirit” is thought to have been coined by a New Yorker who was walking through the West Village during the holiday season? The grand brownstones of the area are notorious for their decked-out exteriors each Christmas, but always in an understated and sophisticated way. If you are looking to replicate this classic new york Christmas feeling, lining your exterior stairs with a lot of candles is sure to do it.
You can use real candles, as long as you remember to blow them out before bed or get some electric ones to be on the safer side. Although battery-operated candles may not give that same classic flicker they will definitely do the trick. For this decorating method, the more the merrier, so depending on how wide your steps are try to use at least 5 or 7 candles per step.
Accent With Red and Green
Sometimes, when red and green are the main colors of your decorations it can make the room look tacky, rather than elegant. Instead of making red and green the focal point of your decor, use them as accent colors. For example, instead of getting a red and green throw to lay across the back of your couch, try a white blanket with thin red lines. For your green accents, go with natural sources like pine wreaths or garlands. Of course, white is always a great option and a lot of Christmas figurines and decorations come in white.
Pick a Theme For Your Tree
Picking a theme for your tree doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go out and buy all new ornaments. When I was a child we decorated our tree as if it was a competition to see how many ornaments we could fit onto it. As I got older, I began insisting we stop hanging the ornaments my brother and I made in preschool, and instead started being a little more choosy about what colors I would put on the tree. One year it was an all-gold theme, and other years I added some red in there too.
If you want your tree to be cohesive but not look like it is a display at a department store, mixing your old ornaments with new ones that tie it together is a great way to achieve this. You can buy a matching set of Christmas balls that are all the same color or colors, such as red and gold balls or silver and green ones. Then, if you have a large collection of ornaments, just pull out the ones that go with those colors.
Take Advantage of Twinkle Lights
Would it even be the holidays without string lights? While we often put twinkle lights on the exterior of our homes, there is no reason you can’t fill the inside of your home with them too. You can wrap them around the stair railing, intertwine them with garland on the fireplace mantle, or get creative and put them in places you wouldn’t expect. Everyone loves to sit out in a garden under string lights, so why can’t you recreate this right in your own kitchen or dining room?
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach goer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
