Natural and Neutral
For me, the holidays are not complete without the festive decorations of the season. And as much as I love to shop and see the stores stocked with goodies, I’ve made a habit the last few years to skip pricey ready-made décor in favor of more natural materials. This not only saves me time and money, but it allows me to refocus the holidays on what is most important to me: spending time with the people I love. The perk to this is that decorations in neutral colors and natural materials establish a good base that can take you from Thanksgiving all the way to Christmas.
This year, why not challenge yourself to use what decorations you have and create the rest? Get the kids and family involved and turn it into a fun activity for everyone. If you find that you are still in need of some staple items, look for them locally. Some of the best places to find unique vases, frames, and decorative bowls are at your local thrift and antique stores. This is where you can find the classic (and sometimes even blue-colored) Ball mason jars, funky vases in greens and purples, and other decorations you can guarantee no one else will have.
Here are some decorating ideas for each holiday using materials you can find around the house or yard, that are inexpensive and fun to create.
Thanksgiving Decorations:
Thanksgiving is all about bounty, the horn of plenty overflowing with squash and vegetables, long tables covered with turkey and pie and families gathering together. It is also a celebration of fall, the changing of the colors, the harvest of a season’s hard work, and the gentle reminder that the year is almost over. My favorite decorations for Thanksgiving incorporate natural materials. I like to fill my home with reminders of the changing season: orange pumpkins, fall leaves in yellows and reds, and wheat centerpieces. Here are some great ways to decorate your home and Thanksgiving table that you can find in your own backyard.
Pine cones: A bowl full of pine cones as a centerpiece on the table is one of my favorites, or you can tie labels to them to use them as name tags for your Thanksgiving seating arrangement. If you have more time on your hands string them into a garland and display them on your fireplace mantle, or wrap them around your stair railing.
Pumpkins and Seasonal Squashes: Pumpkins don’t always have to be carved and set out on the front porch. Try gathering an assortment of various sizes and colors (don’t forget to incorporate squash!) and display them on a table at the entry of your home, or use them as a centerpiece for your table. Miniature pumpkins are great for decorating the table for Thanksgiving. Each place setting can include a mini pumpkin on the plate and can even double as a name card.
Fall Leaves: Spread out colorful leaves on your table for a natural table runner, or press them between wax paper, cut them out and display them in windows. You can also use leaves as a base to your favorite candle assortment, arrange them around the base of a large Mason jar or vase then prop up a colored votive candle on pebbles or river rock.
Branches: Whether the branches are barren or still have some colored leaves on them, they will make a beautiful and natural addition to your décor. Grab medium-sized branches, aspen, oak, maple or manzanita and throw them in a tall vase to make a statement. Larger branches in a floor vase strung with white lights are a great visual option. Red winterberry branches are an excellent find as well, the bright red berries add a beautiful pop of color and the arrangement can easily transition into Christmas.
Flowers: Glass vases, bowls, and rustic wood planters look gorgeous with fresh (or dried) fall flowers in arrangements of yellow, orange, red and purple colors. For a unique arrangement, cluster herbs and seasonal vegetables. Some of my favorites include hops, kale, green hollyhocks, artichokes, rosemary, beet greens, purple basil and chard.
Christmas Decorations:
When I think of Christmas decorations, I think of my old family home lit up with candles spiced with scents of ginger and pine, oozing comfort and warmth. For me, Christmas is all about creating a cozy environment for family and friends to gather. Think of ways to create warmth with lighting and candles. Include scents into your décor with pomander balls (oranges pierced with cloves and dried) or cinnamon sticks tied with ribbon and hung on the tree. Go beyond the Christmas tree and mantle too, window sills, bookcases, bedside tables, and entry sideboards are great areas to set up smaller trinkets like Santa Claus figurines, jars of holiday candy, and handmade goodies from the kids. Here are a few other ways to deck your halls this Christmas.
Silver and Gold: Christmas doesn’t have to be all about red and green. I have always liked how silver and gold bring in the beauty of the wintery landscape. Spray paint branches or pine cones with silver or gold and throw them in a decorative bowl or vase. Or line the mantle or table with a collection of metallic vases or tchotchkes.
Candles: Winter holidays are all about nights by the fire, consider illuminating your home with candles to give a more intimate feel. They also can dress up a room and make the place appear fancier. Try topping your holiday table with candle sticks and candelabras, or an arrangement on a decorative metallic plate.
Garlands and Wreaths: Add your surname to a wreath on the front door with a glittered or colored letter and ribbon to welcome guests. Still have that Costco-sized bag of bows? Stick the bows in a circle on hard backing like cardboard and cut out the center for a homemade shimmery wreath. Evergreen garlands easily set the tone for Christmas, whether you adorn your mantel, kitchen cabinets or railing. Try a nontraditional material like your holiday cards, hung with clothespins and string along a mantle or wall.
Ornaments: Use ornaments in places other than the tree. Fill vases and bowls and hang them along the stairway, from interior beams, or place them on the table as runner.
Spread the Cheer: Do you have a chalkboard or dry erase board in your home? Spread the holiday cheer with your favorite holiday song lyrics, or a message of peace and good tidings. Or, let the kids (and adults!) draw a wintery wonderland landscape.
Make your holiday decorating not only stress free, but fun too. Get the whole family involved and create a new holiday tradition! You’ll be glad you did.
