Christmas Themes: Do You Have One In Mind Yet?

Choosing Christmas themes and decorating for Christmas is supposed to be fun, right? And for most people, it is. Some people take Christmas decorating very seriously; in fact, there are some that have made a business out of decorating for the holidays. The good news is, we can all take some hints from these professionals and use some of their decorating styles in our own homes. This will help give our Christmas decorations a little ‘facelift’ and update.

Cool Christmas Themes

• Candy Canes: Candy canes are associated with Christmas, so they make a great Christmas theme. Another reason they are ideal is that they are now available in such a wide variety of colors. This means that you can decorate with candy canes in almost any color you like. Choose a tree in the color you want and then choose a candy cane color (or two) that will go nicely.
• Go Military: If you are into camouflage or military memorabilia, why not use that as a Christmas theme? After all, it’s your tree, your home, your Christmas, and your Christmas theme, right? Have fun with it!
• Vintage: A vintage look can be a very elegant look or it can be simply chic – you get to decide! Choose delicate and graceful ornaments from the past and add touches of ribbons and lace or go with bolder retro styles.
• Keepsakes: This fun theme can be just about anything you want – a good idea is to add small trinkets or miniature versions of things that remind you of cherished Christmases from the past; for instance, a small teddy bear, a doll, or even a letter from Santa.
• Musical Notes: If you’re into music then why not add that as a theme? You can likely find some ornaments in the shape of musical notes – but if you can’t find them ready-made you can easily make them yourself from cardboard. Then you can spray the cut-outs with glue and cover them with gold or silver sprinkles. Choose a bold contrasting color to go with your ‘notes’, such as red or blue for traditional round ornaments and decorate your tree. It will be gorgeous!
• Feathers & Beads: If you like being different you could decorate with feathers and beads instead of ornaments and garland. Give it a try, the look can be amazing!

Doing Your Own Thing

The important thing to remember when you choose a Christmas theme is that it really is all about you and making a design that you (and the people in your home) will like. If you feel that your tree with the feathers and beads is pretty but you’re not sure if it’s what you want to display for friends and others to see and for family Christmas photos, then consider having 2 Christmas trees.

In the main room, the room where you will open gifts and celebrate on Christmas, you can have a more traditionally decorated tree. But in another room, perhaps the family room, you can have the tree decorated in feathers and beads.

Christmas themes should be fun and they should be personalized. Get ideas from professionally decorated trees and buildings. Dare to be different – be yourself! 

Image courtesy of boulemonademoon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Your Branches!

Every year our family buys a fresh Christmas tree to put in our home. It is a tradition that started the first year we were married. My husband Drew had surprised me by taking me to a Christmas tree stand and letting me pick out whatever tree I wanted. From that year on Drew takes me to get a tree for Christmas. I love the smell it brings into the house. I can’t imagine Christmas without a fresh green tree to decorate.

On the way to the tree stand we talk about what the kids are going say in their Christmas letters to Santa. They never have a problem coming up with gifts they hope to find under the tree. My youngest daughter said she was going to ask about the elves. We always have so much fun writing letters to Santa.

When we pull into the parking lot we all pile out of the van. The kids take off through the maze of bright green trees. Drew and I walk hand and hand looking at the different kinds of Christmas trees they have to offer. The kids always find tree after tree they are sure will be the perfect tree for us. The boys always wanted the biggest tree on the lot. We had to remind them we had to have room for the star on top of tree.

Last year it didn’t take long at all for us to find the tree we knew was going home with us. It was a deep forest green with branches packed full of needles. It wasn’t a very tall tree but the whole family agreed this was the tree for us.

Drew and the man who worked at the tree stand tied the tree onto the roof of the van. I told all the kids I was sure that they would be on the nice list this year for being so well behaved and helpful at picking out a great Christmas tree.

When we got the tree home Drew brought the tree in and set it up in the living room. While he did that I helped the kids write letters to Santa Claus. The kids all told Santa about the Christmas tree. Trenton and Doyle drew pictures of it to send along with their letter. When the letters were finished we started the fun of decorating our Christmas tree.

I love getting out the old ornaments and putting them on the tree. Each year the kids get to pick out a brand new Christmas tree ornament so most all of them have a story. And of course, every year we spend time making homemade ornaments, so all of them have special meanings to us. It takes us a while but one by one all of the ornaments find a home on the tree. When it is finished and Drew has the honor of placing the star on the top of tree. Then, we turn on the twinkling lights and as a family we sit around together and marvel at the magic of our Christmas tree.

Getting Ready For Christmas

Christmas comes around every year just like clockwork but at times people are not prepared for it. Having an artificial Christmas tree on hand can be a help. It saves you shopping time and money. Of course, all of us should be planning ahead for Christmas, but somehow it seems that time gets away from us. Before we know it the summer has ended and fall begins. We suddenly find ourselves preparing for Halloween then it seems almost overnight we are thinking about our Thanksgiving Dinner, and then, BAM, out of nowhere Christmas is upon us. Believe me, I understand. That happens to me lots of years – in fact, almost every year. But there are some things we can do to be better prepared.

Don’t wait until Christmas to begin your shopping. Begin as early as right now with things like stocking stuffers. Buy small toy gifts for the Christmas stockings that are hung near the fireplace on Christmas Eve which the children eagerly wait to be filled with small stocking gifts that Santa’s elves will fill up. You can also fill up children’s stockings with cash as this way they will learn valuable lessons about the importance of money and will be happier to receive it. Gift cards are also to the advantage of the children as they can easily choose their own gifts according to their likes and dislikes and this gives them a boost of confidence and makes them feel proud too. You can get gift cards from nearly all retail stores.
If you need a new or your first artificial Christmas tree, then shop early for it. There are good reasons to do so. First of all, you can shop for these trees year round if you are willing to shop online. And by the way, shopping online actually offers the best selection available. By buying a tree in the ‘off season’ you are sure to find a great deal being offered. Take advantage of that. Plus the artificial trees are more cost effective and durable in the long run. Now days you can choose a pre-lit tree with a remote control that allow you to choose between clear or multi-colored lights. Some artificial trees are as simple to assemble as a pull up type style that can be done in five minutes or less and artificial trees are not likely to cause health problems related to asthma or allergies.

So celebrating the Christmas season is a treasured tradition and some people even decorate the Christmas tree according to a theme while others prefer to decorate it in a free style. You can get all your Christmas decorations and frills easily from the departmental stores who have special discounts for the Christmas season and this makes it possible for you to purchase your Christmas decorations at a cheap price.

Another fabulous option for your Christmas shopping can be through the internet as you can search for the most fabulous decorations at affordable prices. Plus you can also buy unique hand crafted Christmas frills through them. Plus you can also design and make your own Christmas decorations by taking the help of free tutorials that help you design your own beautiful Christmas decorations.

Prepare your craft box ahead of time. You already some of the projects that kids will want to take part in during each holiday. During Christmas a regular tradition is that of writing letters to Santa. The kids in my family always want to decorate those letters and envelopes. Another craft project they love is decorating pine cones with glitter. All of the craft supplies needed for the typical projects can be collected months ahead of time. Do whatever you can now to make the holiday season better organized and less stressful.