Answers to Everyday Questions : How should I decorate my home at Christmas ?

The time for atmosphere is at hand! This time of year is meant to pull heartstrings. It conjures up pictures of childhood home, gift-giving, and events with family and friends. Looking for a holiday statement that’s sure to please? Here are some tips for extra-special home design in order to project your feelings with style.

Ribbons and bows. If Christmas trees walked the runway, there would be some well-dressed beauties to ogle. And, yes, there are trends for tree trimming! One very important design element for the well-dressed tree is ribbon embellishment. French wire-formed bows, cascading ribbon clusters, and gently twisted and wandering garlands of sheer, gold-and-metallic ribbon strands are becoming the “must have” adornment. The wonderful thing about using ribbon is the lush, hefty feeling it adds to the greens. And while there are new technologies for the artificial tree – fiber optics is one – traditionally-colored fragrant evergreens are still the tree of choice and, seems to me, the shape, boughs, and the overall stamina of the Christmas tree itself, gets better every year.

Mantel scarves. Mantel scarves appeared several years ago, but the existence of hundreds of beautiful styles was never more apparent than now. Since most newly constructed homes feature more fireplaces then ever before, it only follows that the second-best focal point of a Christmas room, the mantel, should also present its best face. For items of note, top your mantel with repetitious articles. Instead of trying to groups different objects of varying size, add a collection of identical bottlebrush trees, wooden Santas, or topiary miniatures along the mantel in mass. They will look better collected together for impact, then scattered around the room in different spots.

Floral spikes and bouquets. What better way to make use of those odd leftover sprays from floral arrangements? Tuck both real and silk florals into your Christmas tree’s intrinsic spaces; wire them together (if they’re not in a bunch) and place them in among garland boughs and other green-inspired centerpieces. It matters not if you use beautiful, blue-dried hydrangea blossoms, pink and white silk roses, or off-season surprises such as tulips. Just group them in threes for ultimate impact and fullness. It reminds us there are other flowers to use to celebrate the season besides the traditional poinsettia.

The un-glorified. While everyone is reaching for maximum glitz, why don’t you play back the blitz by opting for the natural look and a feeling of classicism? By creating a subtle more natural palette, you emphasize the genuine beauty of articles and not the glitter. To lay the foundation for a natural look, try incorporating more fresh flowers, fruit, and greenery. Pinecones and beautiful pods add an earthy feel, while lemons, apples, and pears dusted with sugar look wonderful just on their own. Think about bringing in sprigs of boxwood from the garden, add magnolia leaves or pepper berries to mirror frames, pictures corners, and for use above doorways. The white, opalescent and pearl-lined beauty of seashells adds a wonderful touch against dark green sprays, and you can even drill small holes into the tops for hanging cord or wire.

Themed miniature tree. One friend I know decorates a miniature tree with a sewing theme. The clever seamstress runs measuring tape and trims through the boughs in place of garland, then layers on brightly colored spools of thread as ornaments, and incorporates small sewing utensils such as miniature scissors, thimbles, sewing implements and tools for a unique, hobby-related Christmas tree.

Outdoor glories. For a true outdoors flavor for a mantel, make a soft foundation for your objects by first laying a bed of Spanish moss, (on top a foil backing for protection of your wood,) place red apples or even bright yellow corn cobs in amongst petite birds, their nests and feathers. Add sprays of eucalyptus, twig forms, and blossoms of magnolia. The juxtaposition of found things in nature against a beautiful backdrop of moss and celery green fuzz looks like a little bird coven, a private nest someone might just come across while walking in the woods.

Whatever your home design, experiment with found and natural items from the woods, fields, and the fruit aisle. Christmas decoration should also have a soft, natural side for those of us who are weary of the garish whistles and bells of the more commonplace “scream at me” Christmas décor.