O, Christmas Tree!

Whether you've finally given up on plastic needles or you've always been a fan of the au natural, finding the perfect Christmas tree can often be a bit of a challenge. If you haven't had much luck or much experience with real trees, I recommend a Fraser Fir. The silvery-green needles are soft to the touch and if the tree is kept well hydrated, you won't run the risk of heavy shedding, which other types of trees will do after just a few days (if not the first).

Make sure to measure your space before making the purchase and keep two things into account:

• The height of the room you plan to put it in
• The height elevation of your tree stand

 

Don't know where to place your prized find? Keep in mind that trees should stay cool and moist, so avoid placing them near heating vents or radiators. Corners and alcoves are a popular choice of location. Or consider placing it at the center of a large bay window or at the bottom of a winding staircase, as long as it's not in the natural path of the room.

If a tree is not an option for you this year, consider adding some holiday cheer to your houseplants with some white birch branches or pinecones.

Jingle Bells or Silver Bells?

No tree should be left undecorated, but it should fit with the overall decorating style of the room/house. If you want a simple yet elegant look, consider inserting red silk poinsettias in between the tree branches along with simple silver baubles or bells. The flowers will add life and colour contrast to any tree, fake or real, and the silver ornaments will catch the light of the room and make the tree shimmer. If you prefer gold over silver, try using mini-amber coloured lights which will cast a warm glow.

I'm Dreaming of an Off-White Christmas

Pulling out the holiday decorations box year after year is a tedious task that many of us don't look forward to, and for those with hectic schedules, finding the time to decorate the home can be nearly impossible. Consider using accessories that can be used all year round. One idea is to add new covers to your sofa cushions. A combination of cream and rich red tones is an instant Noel transformation, and you can use them separately in the off-season. A contrast in fabrics (silk, linen, velvet) and design (a heavily designed fabric with a single-tone fabric) can give you a more interesting look.

Chestnuts Resting on an Oval Table

A great and easy way to spice up a dining room table or counter is to center a bowl on top filled with red fruit (apples, pomegranates, etc) and an assortment of nuts. To add an extra detail, scatter red berries, bay leaves, or eucalyptus around the base of the bowl. It's affordable and practical, and you'll end up with a lovely Christmas centerpiece and some great snack food later on.

Deck the Halls!

For a warm welcome into a room, attach pine or eucalyptus garlands over an entryway. Or drape it with white muslin, using two small hoops attached to the top corners of the doorway to give it a more dreamlike feel. Instead of using plain, fake garland, tie branches of greens and tiny tree lights together with ribbons and twist it around the banister for a more elegant and unique statement. Wrap tiny lights, ribbons, or group together berries around the frame of a large hanging mirror or picture. Place a group of different sized candles of one colour resting on a brass plate on a hallway table. Brass candlesticks for thinner candles are another option. A simple white vase with just three or four poinsettia flowers or orchids is a simple yet graceful touch to any tabletop.

All I Want for Christmas is a Mantlepiece

A quick fix for an uninspiring mantle is to line it with greens and white flowers. Top it off with a few red candles and a collection of similarly framed photographs of past memorable Christmas celebrations or winter scenes. Another idea is to line the mantle with greens and berries, and have flat ceramic ornaments hanging along the edge with wide red ribbon. The ornaments can fit the conventional Christmas theme, or you can opt for something different like seashells.

Joy to the Bath

Place a row of wine glasses along a bathroom shelf and fill each of them with a floating candles and water. Wrap silver star tinsel or red ribbon around the base of the glasses. A bowl filled with cinnamon sticks and clove-covered oranges will fit nicely by the sink.

Christmas is in the Air

Scented candles are a great way to add a holiday look and aroma to your home. Bayberry, spiced orange or cranberry, and balsam are popular choices. Try to find them in colours like deep reds, vanilla, and forest green. The number of candles used and where you place them are also important. The scent should be subtle not overbearing: a cluster of candles should have only one or two that are scented (of the same type!); make sure the ones in the kitchen and dining room are not so heavily scented that they conflict with the aroma of the food.

I Saw Three Ribbons

Before you put up the garland on the stairway, consider these alternative solutions. Hang small wreaths, evenly spaced, up the stairs. A length of tulle or sheer fabric can wrap around the railing and fall to the floor at the bottom for an elegant touch. Or use three different sized and coloured ribbons and wrap them around the railing. Add greens and red fruit or tiny ornaments if you'd like, or keep it simple. If your stairs are wide enough, place small potted poinsettias, topiaries, small cedar trees, or other plants on each stair tread and decorate each pot with a ribbon bow.