To Tinsel or not to Tinsel...

December 15, 2014 by Mike

"To Tinsel or not to Tinsel ....."

Decorating our homes for Christmas has never been so high on families agendas as it is nowadays.
In years gone by as a child , I used to marvel at the single artificial tree with coloured lights ...... And to be honest , quite happy with it .

But now it's a requirement to drape your home with a thousands lights , install multiple real non drop trees , have a nodding reindeer playfully patrolling the front drive whilst Santa pops out of a chimney on the roof !

Whatever takes your fancy at this time of year - it's all available to you !
And I do believe whatever you do - should always make you smile and feel festive , warm and cosy .

So here we are 2 weeks before Christmas and I'm sure most of us will be decorating our homes today and this week ready for the main festive season which is just around the corner .....

If you still need some inspiration in the festive frivolity - then take a look at my top tips ....

1. When it comes to trees , artificial or real - try and find a size that sits well in the space and doesn't dominate .
I always like to start with the lights - pushing them deep into the branches to gain max impact . Warm white is always a safe bet - the blue ones can be a little frosty and make sitting in the room feel like you are on a sunbed !

2. Use larger scale baubles or tie smaller baubles together in clusters . This will give you statement decorations .
Stick to the same colour way for a cohesive look , it mix it up for the eclectic feel .

3. Adding fresh foliage - such as eucalyptus & Pussy willow - can add great scent and colour .... Grab some bunches from your florist and push them into the tree to create something a little different .

4. A welcoming front door is always a sure fire way to greet your guests for a Christmas tipple .....
A simple wreath - plain works well - hung to welcome friends and family .
Or decorate a fresh wreath with baked oranges and cinnamon sticks .
Looks great and has a great scent .

5. Having a real tree outside your home is a real treat , and will last due to the cold weather .
Drape in warm white lights - no decorations - and just let the beauty of the deep green foliage and warm lights radiate a festive glow around your front door or driveway .
If you can stretch to two - they look great . ( buying just before Christmas Eve - will see you grab an absolute bargain of a tree - place outside just for the festive day through to New Years )

6. Table decorations for the famous feast are always a welcome addition to our family gathering .
Dressing the table in fresh white linen still give you a great backdrop to build a look on.
Fresh foliage / vases of pine and white roses can add a real touch to the dinner .....
Scatter candles for added sparkle and shine and always use your best crockery .
Co ordinate your table crackers if possible to your "look" to make sure you keep the look flowing the whole day .

Overall - it's whatever makes you and your family happy at this time of year - embrace it and enjoy it !
It's only a few weeks and then I'll be back in the new year to start talking about spring and redecorating !

But until then ....

Happy Holidays to you and yours ....