Christmas home decor tips | Coastal Decorating
The best part of holiday decorating is unpacking the memories of holidays past.
A whiff of nostalgia accompanies each box of Christmas decorations retrieved from the attic as the collective memories of years past wash over me like the scent of fresh-cut pine needles and hot apple cider. Being reunited with tree decorations, nutcrackers, reindeer and the like is like greeting old friends at the door after an extended absence.
What is your favorite part of holiday decorating?
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When I ask my husband Ryan, his response is immediate and definite: “nativity scene.” My mum knitted him a nativity scene years ago that he proudly displays each year because it reminds him of her and the many Christmases spent at his grandmother’s house in rural Arkansas.
We have several handmade ornaments, knitted tree angels, and a Christmas stocking from this era.
For me, the answer is more difficult because I enjoy it all. For example, my stuffed Father Christmas (Santa Clause) collection fills me with joy when I fluff their beards and brush the dust from red and gold or silver and white costumes. I pose them on tables, gift boxes, window sills and the fireplace mantel and imagine them gazing across the room at one another like cheerful guests at a dinner party.
Speaking of dinner, creating decorative tablescapes is a favorite activity as well. I love manipulating shapes, color, texture and scale to create a visual terrain for the season’s emotions — love, joy, splendor, and merriment — to take root.
Then, with the table set, I see the empty spaces set aside for the turkey, gravy boat and serving dishes, and it makes me hungry! I’m giddy with anticipation for the moment when loved ones are seated, and the table is full and brimming with mouthwatering sweet and savory dishes.
The centerpiece of any Christmas decoration is the tree. It is the star of the show, and, as such, demands the most attention. Though each tree is different and unique, it is an extension of the trees of Christmas past. The ribbon, stars, angles, orbs, bird nests, icy branches, lights, bells, etc., adorn the tree every year, but the arrangement is always distinct and surprising — fresh, familiar, yet unexpected.
Candles, potpourri, candy dishes, the cup and plate for Santa’s milk and cookies, Mistletoe hung over the door, ah! So many fun things yet to do to prepare the stage for holiday cheer and goodwill to all.
With all of our hearts, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jeanette and Ryan Turk are interior designers for Decorating Den Interiors. Learn more at www.jturk.decoratingden.com.