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 In
my opinion, my tree models the stage of life our family is in. When
the kids are little, you may find your tree full of handmade school
ornaments, bright colorful lights, toy trains, and ornaments only on
the top half of the tree. Remember those days? When the kids are old
enough to favor a sport or a character you decorate with
basketballs, or dinosaurs, or Dora the Explorer. As the kids grow,
you may find that what once was a fun family activity, now seems
like a chore for the teens. At first, you’ll reminisce and pine for
the days the kids would fight over whose school ornament gets the
front spot on the tree, but then you’ll come to the realization that
you now have total decorative control. In a technologically advanced
world, there are so many options for Christmas tree themes that
it’ll make your head spin. Just think of me as your personal
decorating elf, here to guide you through the process.
Focus On A Style
First things first, decide whether your style will be rustic,
whimsical, traditional, or elegant. When you see decorated trees
what appeals to you? If you’re not sure, look through Pinterest or
browse home and garden magazines. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed
with the choices so make a plan before you start shopping. Make a
list of the specific items you’re looking for and stick to it. As I
said earlier, I start planning well before December. When going for
a new look I try to spend November planning and shopping and then
December can be all about family traditions and gift shopping.
Choose A Color Palette
Now that you’ve chosen a style, you need to determine a color
scheme. This is an important step because it creates flow throughout
your whole home. For this step, you’ll need to think about your
existing home décor and the people you share your home with. Is your
home full of neutrals, blues, gold or silver accents? A great way to
start is to choose a neutral first (think gold, silver, platinum,
black, or rose gold). After you’ve chosen your neutral you can
choose colors that coordinate with it. Our main tree is usually a
different color scheme than the trees in the bedrooms. Each bedroom
tree is decorated with the color and theme that matches that
person’s style. The girls still embrace more of a whimsical style
with chevron ribbon, frosted glass, metallic ornaments, and lots of
glitz and glamour. Our son prefers a more rustic and simplistic tree
with pinecones and buffalo plaid ribbon. I prefer a warm, classic
tree in our bedroom. I tend to leave the tree on at night so I love
the glow of warm golden lights and traditional red and green
ornaments.
Build Around A Staple Piece
Most of the time I get the idea for a Christmas theme
from one item I cherish or one that catches my eye that I know I
just have to have. Cardinal Birds grace our main tree every year, so
I start with those and change the accents. Sometimes I use more
rustic items like pinecones, feathers, and berries with the cardinal
birds. If I’m going rustic that year I usually choose a burlap or
more natural ribbon theme. Other years the cardinal birds are
accented with red sugared berries, frosted glass ornaments and red
glitter ribbon. Some ornaments are used with either stye and some
ornaments are style specific.
For our business Christmas Tree I tend to keep it
very muted with warm lights and appropriate décor. Depending on your
business, what is appropriate may differ. For instance, a veteran’s
organization may choose red, white, and blue, décor, schools often
decorate with their school colors and/or mascot in mind, while
healthcare and service businesses may choose doves, angels, or
soothing floral designs.
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Many of the Christmas trees you see around our
courthouse square each year are decorated with a loved one in mind.
Memorial trees are a special way to honor and remember your loved
one. Choose a color or item that they loved and use that to build
your theme from. Sunflowers, sports teams, teddy bears, and more
memorialize loved ones and help bring families together to decorate,
celebrate, and remember.
Keep Your Traditions
I’m preaching to the choir here, but every year I have to remind
myself that some family traditions and items that go on the tree are
things my kids look forward to every year whether they match my
“theme” or not. Stockings from childhood, ornaments passed down many
generations, and special handmade items go on the tree every year
without fail. The memories and the love felt with those items are
always a welcome theme in our home. Above all else, the theme of our
Christmas is CHRIST, and Family and that is one theme that never
goes out of style. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year filled with love.
[Lesleigh Bennett]
References:
https://www.tidbits-cami.com/6-tips-for-changing-your-christmas-decor-theme/
https://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-choose-a-christmas-theme-for-your-home/
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