Garlands and wreaths, fairy lights, ornaments and bows… it’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas. Traditionalists may believe that the holiday season isn’t in full swing until the Christmas tree is taken out, but there are other small and simple ways to incorporate the sights and smells of this magical time into your home. We suggest you get in the mood for the holidays by choosing a decor style that suits you and your home.
Traditional: You can never go wrong with a classic red and green color palette. But Mumbai-based decor influencer and avid Christmas enthusiast Rukmini Ray Kadam recommends darker colors – a notch darker than jewel tones. “Think dark maroon and dark, dark greens. Contrast with neutral, antique golds,” she suggests.
Modern: Almost anything can happen in this type of setup. Neutrals and nudes work well with a bit of cream and gold, as do a palette of deep green, white and black that look fabulous. Rukmini offers a few other options: “A little blush and sage, or of course, all white!”
Farmhouse/Rustic: Decorating the hall in a country style can result in a rustic and old-fashioned Christmas. Pair plaids, buffalo checks, and ginghams with exposed woods, cheery accents, and winter greens. “Work with natural textures, reclaimed wood, distressed metals and a seasonal color palette to create a warm, cozy space,” says Hyderabad-based designer Aditya Gautam.
Wintry: Wintry palettes can be either white or cozy. “For a white winter look, stick to whites and add lots of textural detail with a little blue or white sparkle,” says Rukmini. For a cozy winter palette, bring in enough textural elements in wood tones, greens and rusts.
sensory appeal
The holiday season and plummeting temperatures call for cozy textures both visually and tactile. “Think faux fur, stripes, checkered patterns and a few grain sacks in cream and red. Scattered throughout the house, they look and feel absolutely amazing,” says Rukmini.
Abhinay Sundaramurthy, co-founder, The Yellow Dwelling, suggests bringing in classic reds, prints and patterns in cushions, along with comfy throws to create that hygge feel. “Keep some candles near your side table or coffee table. Yes, this just might be the perfect setting for you to binge-watch your favorite holiday movie with a hot drink in hand! she suggests.
Other quick Christmas ideas? “A beautiful wreath that can be DIY-ed very easily using greens from the garden, some pinecones, and red ribbon. It’s the perfect addition to your door, entryway, or even in the dining room,” she She says
But just visual charm can’t make Christmas decorations complete; It should appeal to all the senses. “Christmas is also a sensory thing. I love spots of scented candles in the house that are reminiscent of the woods or a cozy, crackling fire. I also love the scent of nutmeg and cinnamon—scents that are so reminiscent of a Christmas kitchen, Texture is also important, she says.
Aditya suggests whipping up a stovetop potpourri with seasonal fruits and spices to spread the cheer throughout the house. “Fill a saucepan with water. Suggest using whatever you have available: orange slices, fresh/dried apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, grated nutmeg, a dash of vanilla extract.” shallots, rosemary/sage leaves, and let it simmer. And voila!
You can also add to the sights and smells of Christmas by stringing homemade dried orange garland. “Just cut the oranges into slices, about 1/3 inch thick. Line them up in an oven tray and bake at 180°C for about an hour. Halfway through, take out the tray and turn the slices over. They are done when they are glassy and translucent. Run a twine through them and place on a tree or on the mantle,” suggests Rukmini.
In today’s time, no celebration is complete without thinking about Rs 3. Yellow Dwelling, which is offering a special Christmas collection including cushions, curtains, table linens, ornaments and stockings, is focused on “lasting the holiday season.”
“Sustainability is important to us and for those reasons, we love using our fabric tree ornaments as decor pieces. Our stuffed tree ornaments have many uses – they can be used as curtain tie-backs and napkin rings, or simply hung on door handles or shelves.
Rukmini gives her take on incorporating sustainability into Christmas decorations. “You can start with a live tree. Let it grow, every year as your Christmas cheer. But you can also buy a good quality artificial tree and use it year after year,” she says.
She is also a big advocate of reuse. “Reuse your jewelry. If they’ve lost their shine, give them a good wash and spray paint. You can also rub and buff gold and silver. Put them away in a paper-lined box. , and use year after year.
Investing in good glass jewelry is a good idea because they last you for decades. Once your house is set, get in the holiday mood by baking a special cake. Call over the friends and family, light those candles, bring out the bubbly – and wish yourself a very Merry Christmas.
Christmas Tree Buying Tips
Rukmini Ray Kadam believes that nothing brings the holiday spirit to one’s home more than a garland or vase filled with pine leaves. “Of course, tall, proud spruce/fir/fir trees — real or artificial — are very symbolic of Christmas,” she says. How do you shop for Christmas trees?
First set the space: Choose a tree based on your location and zone. Make sure there is at least 6 inches between the top of your tree (including the topper) and the ceiling.
Size Matters: There are many types of Christmas trees, but the four most common sizes are full, wide, slender, and sparse. Choose one based on your decor style. Sparse trees can be beautifully decorated in both farmhouses and Scandinavian-style homes.
Needle Type: You can choose between PE or PVC, but most tree stands in India offer the PVC option. Choose PE needles if you can, as they look very realistic.