Last night we participated in a performance by VOCO at the Chautauqua Community House. It was a delightful gust of winter songs celebrating the beauty that comes out of the dark cold nights and the warmth that is created by gathering with good friends and family. The last set was included adorning the stage and brick fireplace with fresh evergreen branches collected from the area, and it created a beautiful and serene homage to the season. I realized that sometimes the most simple additions can have the biggest impact.
Day 3: Deck the Halls
As you break out the holiday decorations, add new ones to your collection, and perhaps gift new decorations to others, keep in mind where they come from and how they were made. Avoid the cheaply-manufactured decorations that are often imported from overseas, and make your own. This presents the opportunity for some family craft time, which is especially fun with kids in the house, and also creates uniquely festive decorations for your home. You don't need kids around to help with this, though. Here are some examples of personalized decorations we have around our house this time of year:
Garlands. One of the most basic design elements, these can be strung pretty much anywhere. Trees, banisters, windows, mantles, doorways...anywhere in your house that could use some character. We have strung popcorn using a needle and thread, which gets hung outside as a snack for the birds at the end of the season. We have used paper bits to make colorful chains, some of which have included seasonal messages, religious verses, and song lyrics.
Bring the outdoors in. Branches, berries, pine cones, stones, and nuts can be used to add seasonal color. Make centerpieces out of branches nestled around candles. Fill clear vases or jars with nuts and berries to flavor a mantelpiece display. Use pine cones to add texture to your fireplace. Get creative with what you have access to in your yard, it's a much cheaper alternative to going to Walmart!
Re-purpose old decorations. Have old or maybe damaged ornaments that you don't want to hang on your tree this year? Fill a bowl with them to brighten your coffee table.
Snowflakes. Snow is a neutral motif that can carry through any celebration of this season. Select paper ranging from regular copy paper to fine glittered tissue paper, and cut out geometric patterns. These can be hung on a tree, in windows, mirrors - on any surface in the house that could support them. And like the real things, each one is completely unique!
Recycle last year's cards. We hang cards we receive each year in the living room to cherish the greetings. This year Americans will send 1.9 billion greeting cards during the month of December. This is tons(literally) of materials that will share sentimental messages and be discarded or stashed away for the next 11 months. If you have a pile of cards you have received in previous years, or if you collect cards you receive this year, you can use these bright and cheerful pieces to make colorful decorations. Ornaments, gift tags, and any craft that calls for colorful paper will easily brighten up a room.
No matter what your decorations incorporate, I hope that your home is merry and bright this time of year!
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