And just like that, the festive season has landed upon us yet again; the long evenings are here, which means that it is time to start thinking about decorating your home for Christmas.
Team DNG are delighted to offer some practical, creative and sustainable suggestions on how to create spaces filled with warmth and cheer, whether you are hosting family gatherings, anticipating Santa’s visit or simply enjoying the magic of the season.
The Scents:
The scents of Christmas have a magical way of evoking festive joy and nostalgia. The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon and cloves, the crisp freshness of pine and the zesty tang of oranges, instantly transport us to cosy fireside moments, and often bring us back to our childhood memories. Fragrances not only fill our homes with cheer, but they also trigger an emotional connection to the season, setting the perfect mood for celebration.
It's easy to bring the smell of Christmas into your home. By simmering a pot of water with cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise and orange peels, your home will soon be filled with the aroma of festive cheer.
Incorporate fresh greenery like pine or eucalyptus into your wreaths or garlands and add dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks for a natural, rustic touch.
Opting for Irish-made soy or beeswax candles with festive scents such as mulled wine or Christmas Pudding, supports local business and also keeps your home eco-friendly which is always a bonus at Christmas time.
Decorations:
Decorating your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when life is busy. Here are some simple yet stunning ideas to help you give your house the Christmas glow.
Fairy lights are a quintessential part of decorating your home. You can drape them over mantels, around mirrors and you can weave them through garlands. For a sustainable option, choose LED lights that use less energy.
Ireland’s abundant greenery gives generously at Christmas time and the outdoors is a treasure trove for Christmas Decorations. Collect holly, ivy, and pinecones and incorporate them into your displays. Springs of rosemary can double as place settings for the dinner table, and you can pop them into your garlands when you are finished with them.
If you are entertaining, you might consider creating a centrepiece using seasonal fruits like pomegranates, oranges or cranberries. Pop in some nuts in their shells and chocolate truffles for a luxurious look. Not only does it look fantastic, but your guests can help themselves which is always a plus. The centrepiece works really well on a dining table, an island or a coffee table.
If you find that you are tight on time, focus on one area that gives the wow factor. This could be a fireplace or front hallway as it will make a big impact with minimal effort.
Sustainable choice:
With growing awareness of our environmental impact, there are many ways to have a festive Christmas, while thinking of the planet at the same time.
Investing in high quality reusable decorations means that they can be used year after year. Look for Irish-made ornaments to add a personal touch to your tree.
Glitter is essentially a microplastic, so consider ditching it, and replacing it with decorations made of wood, metal or fabric.
Use brown paper to wrap your presents, and although it may seem a little dull, you can give them a makeover by decorating them with sprigs of holly or twine for a chic, eco-friendly look!
There is an ongoing and unsolved debate about whether to use a real tree or a fake tree. If you buy a real tree, try to buy one that is grown locally and check if your council offers tree recycling services. A high-quality artificial tree, if used for many years, can also be a sustainable choice.
Don’t stress about the mess:
Christmas is the craic, but make sure that you don’t crack! Let’s face it, the season comes with more visitors, more cooking and ultimately more mess. If you don’t want to find yourself permanently installed on hoover duty, start with a clean slate and pack away non-seasonal items that you aren’t going to use. This will give you a clutter free home and your Christmas décor will stand out even more.
Setting up a gift station where you have a designated space for wrapping paper, scissors and tape to keep things organised and in the one place, is a game changer. If everything is in one dedicated spot, you’ll save time hunting for items and avoid the chaos of misplaced materials, which let’s face it, always seems to be the Sellotape! The gift station contains the mess of the scraps, keeping the rest of the home neat and festive.
If you have a real Christmas tree, place a tree skirt or large tray underneath to catch fallen needles.
Selling your home at Christmas:
If you are selling your home, there is no need to hold back on Christmas decorations – just keep them streamlined and easy to remove. Opting for decorations in neutral colours like gold, silver or white as they will complement your home’s existing décor.
Try not to over crowd surfaces like shelves and countertops; keeping the decorations to a minimum will allow buyers to imagine their own items in the space later.
Use removable hooks or adhesive strips for hanging decorations to avoid damage to walls.
Santa:
Don’t forget Santa!
The “Magic Key” is a must for those homes without a chimney. Not only does it ensure that Santa can enter every home, but it can also be decorative! You can hang it on the Christmas tree, ensuring easy access on Christmas eve; you can attach it to your Christmas wreath using ribbon or twine, or you can secure it to your child’s Christmas stocking with a festive ribbon. These ideas ensure that your key is functional and a delightful part of your Christmas decorations.
Christmas is a time for making memories and your home is the perfect backdrop for the magic. Whether it’s the sparkle of the lights or the scent of the fresh greenery that gets you in the mood, cue the Christmas music and embrace the warmth of the season.
May your home be filled with charm and magic.
Nollaig Shona Duit!
