Festive Season dos and don'ts

How do you get that Instagrammable, envy-inducing, stylish, effortless, Christmas look everyone desires? It’s easier (and cheaper) than you think.

It’s only a few days before Christmas and everyone is scrambling with last-minute preparations: what to eat, what to give, how to decorate. Oh, the sheer stress of it all! Relax, I’m here to help. Okay, I can’t help you with the first two, but I can tell you what to do and what not to do when it comes to Christmas decorations.

Firstly, stop stressing! It’s the silly season, for heaven’s sake. It’s the season to be jolly! This is the one time of the year when all of us have a license to go completely overboard. When it comes to Christmas, more is more. Bring on the madness, the imagination, the magic! Stop worrying about what others think, and do what you like, what makes you happy, what fills your heart with comfort, happiness, and joy.

But okay, I get it: Your in-laws are coming, and you want your house and Christmas table to look festive yet stylish. Here’s what you do: You pick a colour scheme. And no, it doesn’t have to be red and green. It can be red and green, of course, but it can also be a whole host of other colour schemes: White and gold, red and gold, black and silver, green and silver, green and gold (for the patriotic), blue and silver, blue and gold, you get the idea. Basically, any colour paired with silver or gold.

For the brave, you can go off the beaten track and be adventurous when choosing colours: Deep reds like burgundy, plum and merlot complement alternative greens beautifully, such as chartreuse and olive. Neutrals, like browns and creams, paired with metallic accents like copper and gold are very on trend this year. It will give you that gorgeous, subtle scheme that doesn’t scream Christmas.

Now, all of us have a limited budget, so use what you already have. Take your interior style, and simply extend it with your Christmas decorations. If your house is leaning towards the minimalist, keep your Christmas decorations within the same aesthetic. An enormous, over-the-top Christmas tree will look strange and out of place in a minimalist home. And a couple of bare branches with a few naked bulbs will look very sad and in a traditional, classic space.

That being said, use natural elements and materials as much as you can. A natural garland or wreath with a beautiful velvet ribbon will take your guests’ breath away. And look, let’s be honest: Nothing oozes sophistication like a real, natural Christmas tree. Speaking of trees, make sure you choose a topper that matches the scale of your tree – too big will make the tree look feeble, and too small will make it look unfinished.

Okay, here’s my winning tip that will save you an enormous amount of money and time (you’re welcome): Don’t go crazy decorating the entire house and throwing tinsel everywhere. Focus your efforts on two or three focal points. Choose a combo of any of the following: Your front door, the stairway, your fireplace mantle, the dining room table, the Christmas tree. If you take only two of these, and really beautify it within your chosen colour scheme and aesthetic, you will create the impression of a cohesive look. And that, my friend, is how you get that Instagrammable, envy-inducing, stylish, effortless, Christmas look you’re after.

But please, don’t play it too safe: If your Christmas décor can match any house or, even worse, any storefront, you’re doing it wrong. It needs to reflect your and your family’s personality. Hang up the string of popcorn you made with your children, or the ridiculous tree decorations your five-year old brought back from school. Christmas is about family, togetherness, and making memories. Go make yours and make them beautiful!