It’s time, folks, in our Handmade Christmas challenge to deck those halls… wreaths on front doors, stockings hung with care, trees neatly trimmed and gifts all wrapped. Wait, I’m confused. Didn’t I vow to make this Christmas more minimalist? Less fussy and more meaningful? … REWIND…
Let’s start again. If you have the time (and the energy) to go all out with your holiday decorating, go for it. And enjoy every minute of it. Because that’s what a minimalist lifestyle is all about – living in the moment, being present. However, if your schedule is full and you’re feeling overwhelmed, give yourself permission to DO LESS this year.
Now, before you kick back with a glass of wine, happy to be off the hook from doing any Christmas decorating at all, let me explain. You have to do the basics, especially is there are little ones in your life. And sometimes, even if there aren’t. Sometimes, it is just as important to acknowledge the season and show a bit of Christmas spirit for YOURSELF. So get that tree out of the attic, even if it’s a raggedy-ass one that doesn’t even meet Charlie Brown’s standards. Stick it in a corner. And enjoy Christmas, dammit.
I can say this, because years ago, I was battling depression (another story for another time), and I remember dreading the holidays. I wanted to crawl back under the covers until January 1. A very wise therapist told me that I must at least put up a Christmas tree, even if I didn’t feel like it. This was important for my young children, and also for myself. Sometimes you have to at least go through the motions. But for the sake of this cheery Christmas blog post, I’ll assume everyone is on board and excited for a wonderful approaching Christmas season. Now back to this handmade christmas and on to Holiday Decorating Basics 101…
outside decorations
Lights – We all know that one family that strings lights on every corner of their home and has a virtual Winter Wonderland in their front yard. If that’s you, great. If it’s your neighbor, even better. Enjoy the beauty. I always whisper a thank you when I drive past a home like that; the effort and cost someone puts into such an event (just for the pleasure of others) is commendable. But (and this is important) it does not mean that you need to feel pressured to compete. In fact, if you are striving for a simpler season this year, for this handmade christmas I give you permission to DITCH THE OUTSIDE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS altogether. It’s really okay, I promise.
Whew. Now on to step 2.
Front door – This is a different story, though. Your front door is your signature. Your handshake. Your welcome mat. So a wreath is essential. And a wonderful way to accentuate your front entrance is with a single outdoor spotlight, shining directly on your door. You can pick one up at just about any store that sells Christmas decorations, and it makes a huge impact.
If you are in the market to make a new wreath this year, I’ve rounded up a few simple ideas.
inside decorations
Outside decorating done? Check! Now on to the inside.
Christmas Tree – Yes, you do need a tree. Didn’t I already go over this with you? Even if you pull your old one out of storage, there are lots of simple ways to give it a fresh look.
Personally, I like to adopt a different Christmas theme each year, and my tree becomes the main expression of that theme. You can read more about selecting a theme here. If that sounds like too much trouble for you, I’ve gathered some ideas on how to give your old tree an easy update.
- Spray paint old, cheap ornaments for a new color-schemed tree. One year, I took all my old, inexpensive ornaments that had seen better days and spray painted them metallic silver and metallic gold. Then I tied them each with raffia and added them to my tree, along with strings of white lights and a wide yellow ribbon garland. The effect was gorgeous! It looked like a shiny gold and silver tree! Here are some more ideas…
And here are some more color schemes to try…
- Downsize to a tabletop tree. If the thought of putting up a full sized tree overwhelms you, perhaps it’s time to rethink your strategy. Switching to a tabletop tree is a much easier task, and there are some absolutely lovely ones out there!
Mantels – Nothing is more beautiful than decorated holiday mantel, but it doesn’t have to be ornate or complicated. There can be grandeur in the simplest of vignettes. Here are some of my favorites.
Advent Calendars – I haven’t always taken the time to assemble an advent calendar, but I have to admit that I’m becoming a little obsessed with them. I recently made a Boho advent calendar from a painter’s dropcloth that I love. And my friend Claire from Pillar Box Blue came up with the simplest of ideas for a DIY calendar – made from a coathanger and paper!
So there you have it. Holiday Decorating Basics 101. Hang a wreath on your door, update your old tree, toss some greenery on your mantel, and make an advent calendar to stuff with lots of fattening chocolates. You’ve earned them. Then sit back and enjoy the most wonderful time of year. Hope you’ve enjoyed the inspiration for this handmade Christmas challenge.
Oh, and ditch the outside Christmas lights, sister.
