Christmas can be overwhelming. There’s two kinds of pressure that hit people as the time approaches: The internal pressure we put on ourselves to match the romantic memories of our childhoods and the perfect moments shown on TV and in movies, and external pressure from visitors, house and dinner guests, and the neighbours to rise to the occasion and provide perfect dinners, cocktails, and, of course, a perfectly decorated home.
Another way the holidays can be overwhelming: Scale. Sometimes you finish with the decorating and it’s like the house (and you) have gained weight, and you can’t move (or breathe). In order to avoid this kind of scenario, the best approach is a more minimalist approach to your Christmas decor. Not every wall needs a splash of Christmas cheer, and not every bit of floorspace needs to be filled. Take a step back and consider these low-impact ways to get your home into the spirit.
Decorate Organically
Many Christmas decorations are bizarre, if you pause to think about them – plastic creations that abstract classic images into sometimes-disturbing items and images that are more disturbing than beautiful.
A different approach to décor for the festive season is to make everyday things more holiday-themed. One great way to do this is through food, like in this fantastic image. The gingerbread people and other desserts and baked goods you make anyway can bring colour and texture to your rooms, helping you celebrate Christmas without bringing strange mass-produced imagery into your rooms. Collected in jars and bowls and on gorgeous plates, these are art you can eat.
Dial it Back
Another mistake people sometimes make is sticking with the classic Christmas colour scheme. Bright red and green might be classic, but they can also clash pretty badly with everything else in your home, which can result in that heavy, angry feeling that oppresses over Christmas instead of lifting you up.
Instead, consider your rooms’ colour palettes and choose shades of these classic colours that fit better. It’s okay to drift a bit from the classic shades as long as you stay in the general vicinity.
Then, you can further mute the effect by going minimal in the volume of your Christmas decor. Instead of draping every surface in candlestick holders and decorative plates and trees and wall hangings, a bit of elegant garland on the mantle and a smaller-scale tree might be all you need. Instead of garish, omnipresent decor, set the Christmas mood with music, cooking smells, and glasses of cheer while keeping your home clutter-free and elegant.
Of course, a final way of decorating for the festive season in a restrained way is to find your favourite photos of past Christmas celebrations and have them made into vibrant wall art for the season – and we’d be happy to help you with that, just click here.
