“With the month of December almost upon us, some of us may be thinking about digging out the well-worn and much-loved decorations and dusting off the tinsel. Yes, it’s that time of year again.
I feel I can mention the C word (No not the really rude one! That’s just wrong!), as it’s almost December and only a few more weeks to go before we all start to overindulge and go into overdrive at how much we’ve spent… really? That much… again! But I budgeted this year! You know the drill.”
I was reminiscing on this older Christmas post from 2021 (Christmas Decor Trends in our House) whilst considering things to write about and it got me thinking about how last Christmas (2022) was pretty much a washout for us.
I was still recovering from my operation in November and still not really knowing if they had been successful in removing all of the cancer. It was a time when we had a lot to consider and although we didn’t want to dwell on things, we were good at positive thinking most of the time, there was still a little niggle at the back of our minds. There was always a ‘what if?’ there.
With all this going on and despite being shattered we both decided to try to do the basics for Christmas. After all we have kids and we are both big kids at heart too. So, with me not being able to lift things, the royal ‘we’ put up a tree and put some lights and decorations on it. It looked so nice and homely…
until…
our two cats, who were still only kittens at the time had other plans! One good quality fake tree that cost a small fortune a few years ago… destroyed in seconds. Good job we used the non-breakable decorations!
We eventually gave up on the fake tree, the branches just kept buckling under the weight of the cats (it wouldn’t stand a chance this year they are super-sized these days!) and we went and got a real one, with big thick branches and lots of foliage to try to foil the cats. They still got in it, but it withstood their climbing quite well. It was remarkably robust! We will be getting another one this year, despite me still aiming to be as eco-friendly as possible. I promise I will make up for it in other ways.
As with every Christmas, I’m planning on fighting my way into the garage and loft at some point this month and will drag what I can out and see what is still useable. We have the same old tat has been about for years and like me, is looking a little beyond its best. But, that’s the way I like it. It means it has a story to tell, it’s seen a few Christmases and many changes along the way.
I love a good Christmas magazine and have grabbed as many as I can to browse through and get ideas for updating our themes. I have also spent far too many screen minutes, ok hours on Pinterest too! So to help you out a little here are the Christmas Trends for this year. Christmas is just around the corner, only a few weeks away – it’s come around fast again!
Christmas Decor Trends for 2023:
- Natural colours and textures. This year, similar to last year,many people are opting for a more natural look when it comes to Christmas decor. Think earthy tones like rust, terracotta, and brown, as well as natural materials like wood, wool, and fur. This trend is perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home.
- Luxe decor. If you’re looking for a more glamorous look, luxe decor is the way to go. Think metallics, sequins, and feathers in shades of gold, silver, and champagne. This trend is perfect for creating a festive and sophisticated look in your home.
- Vintage and retro decor. Vintage and retro decor is also popular this year. Think classic Christmas ornaments, decorations from the 1950s and 1960s, and even kitschy items like Santa mugs and cookie jars. This trend is perfect for adding a touch of nostalgia to your Christmas decor.
- Personalised decor. Personalised decor is always a hit, and it’s especially popular at Christmas. Think ornaments with your family’s names on them, stockings with personalized tags, and even Christmas tree toppers with your family’s initials. This trend is perfect for adding a special touch to your theme.
How do you make these trends more specific?
- If you’re going for a natural look, try using wood ornaments, garlands, and centrepieces. You can also hang natural materials like pine boughs, holly, and mistletoe around your home.
- If you’re going for a luxe look, try using metallic ornaments, garland, and centrepieces. You can also add metallic accents like sequins and feathers to your existing decor.
- If you’re going for a vintage or retro look, try finding vintage Christmas ornaments, decorations, and even furniture at thrift stores and antique shops. You can also mix and match vintage items with new items to create a unique look.
- If you’re going for a personalised look, try ordering custom-made ornaments, stockings, and other Christmas decor. You can also add your own personal touches to existing items by painting them, adding glitter, or attaching photos. I made some knitted covers for baubles and they look great. It’s also a good way to recycle/repurpose Christmas décor.
No matter what your style is, there’s a Christmas decor trend out there that’s perfect for you. So, get creative and have fun decorating your home!
How do I get started though?
Well, here are some helpful tips for decorating your home for Christmas:
- Start by decluttering your space. This will give you a blank canvas to work with and make it easier to decorate.
- Choose a colour scheme and stick to it. This will help your decorations look cohesive and put together.
- Don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles. This can add personality and interest to your decor.
- Use lighting to create a festive atmosphere. String lights, candles, and lanterns can all add a warm glow to your home.
- Don’t forget the finishing touches. Small details like wreaths, garlands, and centrepieces can really make your space look festive.
These are tried and tested and really will help and with a little planning and effort, you can easily create a Christmas wonderland in your own home. So, get started today and enjoy the festive season!
We’ve already been to the garden centre to get the kids to choose a bauble/ornament each for the tree. They get two this year as we couldn’t manage it last year. It was lovely slowly wandering through the displays. Looking at the fun Santa’s climbing ladders to get to the top of trees and things. There are some brilliant displays out there. I have to admit I got lots of ideas from them, although I don’t quite have the skills or the sizeable injection of cash required I’ll do my best!
What else will I be doing?
I may just have to roll out Michael Bublé for musical entertainment again this year. Can’t beat a bit of Bublé! I will be using my KitchenAid mixer again this Christmas to make some cookies and cakes. We will munch on these whilst watching cheesy Christmas films.
Here’s my list (again) of my favourite Christmas films to watch this year if you can:
- The Holiday
- Love Actually
- Last Christmas
- Lethal Weapon 1987
- Ghostbusters 1989
- Gremlins
- White Christmas 1954
- Die Hard
- Muppets Christmas Carol
- Bridget Jones Diary
- Bad Santa
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Deck the Halls
- Jingle All the Way
- Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2
- I’m adding Last Christmas to this list too!
Unlike previous years I’ve not quite peaked on the Christmas films front as even though there are loads on daily at the moment I haven’t been watching them as much as I have in the past. I have dipped in and out occasionally and watched a bit of one, but I haven’t watched any all the way through yet!
I know that if I peak too early I get a bit Bah Humbug at this time of year, but I’m getting into the spirit of things, especially as the shops have lots of Christmas things in them, I’ve also been doing more handmade crafting in preparation. I got quite excited at the vast array of decorations in our local garden centre the other day, always a delight to wander around at Christmas. They really do put a lot of effort into their displays.
How about outside decorations for Christmas?
I mentioned in a previous Christmas post that hubby likes to do a big light fest in the garden, and although is still keen he has been a bit more sensible and started planning a smaller more serene display this year. It takes so long to set up normally and we are short on time to devote to setting it up this year we have said that max one day will do and whatever’s missing stays in the garage. We might even go to some outdoor markets and displays for some inspiration.
Are you doing anything special for Christmas? Comment on the Facebook page, I’d love to know what you are up to this Christmas.
Take care, stay safe.
Becks Xo
My life and style over 40 