DECK THE HALLS WITH MEMORIES
DECORATE YOUR HOME TO SUIT YOUR LIFE STAGE AND KEEP THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS ALIVE
Idon’t know about you, but I love this time of year. It is a reason to catch up with family, friends and workmates that you haven’t had time to sit down with during the year. But, I would be dismissing the real reason I love Christmas if I didn’t talk about the decorating.
I get asked all the time what the right way to decorate at Christmas is, and my answer is that each household has their own way of doing things.
WHEN THERE’S KIDS
Christmas with little ones is great, so don’t try to be too formal or structured or the fun will be taken out of it. Homemade paper chains around the tree and banister, paper lanterns made from doilies and a wreath made from gold gumnuts may not be your idea of class but it is made of smiles. Let the kids make as much as they want, with anything they want, and watch their excitement bubble and your heart expand.
COMPROMISE
Once the kids hit their early teens they don’t seem to care so much about what the house looks like but they still want it to feel Christmassy. This is the time to delegate. If the kids want red, green and silver tinsel hanging everywhere and lots of multi-coloured decorations, they must help. When they get older and Santa isn’t their first thought on Christmas morning, the spirit can get a little lost.
To keep it alive make sure they still have an input by hanging things on the tree and putting up the light display. AN ADULT CHRISTMAS
This can go two ways. Some people go over the top with novelty ornaments to compensate for the lack of childhood spirit. Others relish the chance to finally decorate their house how they have always imagined it. They go all out on the perfect silver tinsel, rows of delicate hurricane lamps with scented candles, a life-like birch wreath on the front door and the dulcet tones of Michael Buble on the stereo.
So, as you can see, there is no right way to decorate at Christmas as long as it is in line with your life stage. My only advice is to never lose the spirit of Christmas. SHOP THE LOOK: Boxwood wreath (inset) from thedoorsofberry.com.au. For more advice, visit lifestyle.com.au.