The holiday village, the laughing Santa Claus statuettes, the chubby Snowmen adorned about the house – you know the scene. It’s your mom’s holiday decorations. It’s the stuff you loved as a kid yet would look hideous in your chic abode today. No offense to my mom and her decorations, but what I desire now isn’t quite the same thing that she keeps bringing out year over year. So the question is: How do you find your own identity in holiday décor? Especially when you’re exhausted from having just finished the interior decorating on your place. Do you even have the energy for holiday decorations? Yes and yes. You can do it. And here’s how:
Sexy Lighting (Not Griswald Lighting): Get creative with your holiday lighting by putting white light strands inside of glass bottles. It’s oh-so-simple but has a big effect. If you have a bar in your place, all-the-better. Stock empty liquor bottles with the lighting and presto, a happy holiday bar.
Chinese lanterns also make sexy and chic lighting when strung on your tree or around the home. Get extra crafty by stuffing large lanterns with strands of lights and placing them above cabinets, in corners, bathrooms or anywhere that needs a little of the sexy red lighting that everyone looks fabulous in.
Fruit (Not Fruitcake): What’s more beautiful and healthy than a big ol’ plate of fruit? Nada. The beauty of fruit is that it’s an edible decoration and good for you too (avoid having holiday cookies and candies around all month or you’ve got a serious New Year’s resolution awaiting you). Pull out a big bowl or a serving platter and stuff it with every fruit you can find. Try using pineapples, tangerines and pears – not only are they bright and cheerful but they invite your guests to dive into your decorations without getting a cavity.
Pine Arrangements (Not Pine Sol): A quick way to deck the halls is to stock up on pine and fir tree branch arrangements; they smell heavenly and else says happy holidays more than a festive bouquet? The added beauty of it is that they are much cheaper than exotic flowers and they last longer too. As for mom, say adieu to her carnations or worse yet, her fake flowers.
Sparkly Holly (Not Garland): Instead of garland on your staircase or doorways opt for pre-lit strands of holly and don’t skimp on it – string it anywhere you can. The classic combination of white sparkly lights and the nature-inspired holly will give any bland area a classy and cozy touch, whereas your mom’s raggedy old red and green garland is still stuck in the past.
Simple Chic Tree (Not Scrapbook Tree): I get it, I do. My mother’s tree decorations were mainly homemade ornaments that my siblings and I made, and while that’s adorable, it’s not the look I’m striving for chez moi. To avoid having the patchwork quilt look of most holiday trees, stick to two colors, like gold and red, by buying a bulk pack of ornaments in your colors of choice (if ornaments aren’t your thing, try the same idea but with feathers). The uniformity makes the look instantly chic. It’s eye candy instead of eye overload.
Do you have any decorating tips? Share below!
This is a guest post from Courtney Lochner. Courtney writes for Glamour Magazine, Société Perrier, Europe From a Backpack Travel Guides, The Budget Fashionista and much more. Based out of Chicago she is is also frequently found in Paris, Krakow or Rio and almost always, with a glass of wine in hand. Follow her @courtneylochner.