Christmas Decorations

There’s something special about digging out the Christmas decorations each year. The sparkle, the nostalgia, the things you’d forgotten you had. But do you ever find yourself decorating on autopilot? Putting everything up exactly as you did the year before... and the year before that?

Last year was our first Christmas in our current home, so I was forced to rethink where things might go, but even then, I found I was trying to do things the way I always had, just in a new setting. Now that’s fine if you love consistency, but the problem is it can feel a bit stale, and you might be tempted to hit the shops and buy new things to refresh the look.

This year, I want to challenge that urge. Instead of decorating exactly as we did last December, what if we mixed things up, but using only what we already have, and curating it in a fresh way. Here’s the approach I’ll be taking, and maybe you could try it too.

1. Lay everything out

Before you hang a single bauble, get everything out and lay it on the floor or table. Have a good look through it all. Clear out anything broken or well past its best. Decide what goes on the tree and what could be used elsewhere. Look for a common colour thread. Do you have lots of reds? Or purples? Or gold? Or, like me, a joyful mixture of everything?! Begin to think about what could be grouped together, ready for the mantelpiece, fire place, table or shelves.

2. Make space

Don’t be afraid to move your everyday accessories out temporarily to make room for Christmas. If you have vases, frames or decorative objects on the mantelpiece, shelves or coffee table, give them a little “holiday” in a cupboard. They get eleven months in the spotlight, so let them move aside for December. By doing this, the Christmas decorations won’t feel like they’re cluttering the space, or competing with what’s there already.

3. Mix it up.

Just because you decorated a certain way last year doesn’t mean you need to repeat it. Try grouping items differently, swapping pieces between rooms, or styling small vignettes in places you’ve never decorated before. Leftover baubles look beautiful gathered in a bowl, ribbons can dress up jars or candle holders; and trays make perfect bases for little festive scenes. Play around, experiment and enjoy being creative with the things you already love.

The sparkly new decorations that we see in shops and magazines may be tempting, but most of us don’t actually need more stuff. Instead, try looking at what you already own with fresh eyes. By reimagining and curating your existing pieces, you’ll create a Christmas look that feels personal, intentional and completely renewed. And the best part? It costs nothing at all.