So, here we are, in December. Whilst I’ve been very keen not to go too early, it is now time to discuss all things Christmas. Don’t get me wrong; I love Christmas. The songs, the decorations, the lights, the food and the closeness of family. What grates on me is how Christmas preparations seem to begin in August and the commercialisation and pressure around it all makes me cross. Once December arrives, I can get in the swing and enjoy all the season has to offer.

Obviously, as an interior designer, the decorating and look and feel of my home at Christmas is very important to me. But even I, with exacting standards, don’t let the magazines and the ‘influencers’ take the joy out of creating a Christmassy home. You’ll have seen all the magazine articles and posts on Instagram, showing you how to decorate the (usually massive) tree to perfection, how to use garlands on your banisters (bad luck if you live in a bungalow), how to choose this year’s colour scheme (how many of us can afford to change our décor each year?) and how to hang beautiful glass baubles on the tree and fireplace (cats, dogs and children anyone?). So, let’s take a realistic look at decorating for Christmas.

How early?

Personally, I prefer mid-December as time to put up the tree and decorations. But Mr. Kelsall and Number One Daughter get so excited, I capitulate and the decs go up on the first weekend of December. However, did you know research shows that early decorators might be onto something? The feelings of anticipation and nostalgia that decorating brings can help to lift mood, which in the darker and colder months is something we all could do with. For people lucky enough to associate Christmas with wonderful past childhood experiences (and I know not everyone is this fortunate), putting up the decorations stirs all kinds of warm and comforting memories. In a world full of stress and anxiety, dwelling on good times past can be soothing. Psychologists say that decorating can produce a dopamine spike, similar to effects caused by ‘chromotherapy’, or colour therapy, so the colours you use might also be beneficial.

I must admit, the decorations do bring some lovely warmth to the house!

Nostalgia

As mentioned already, nostalgia plays such a huge part in the Christmas celebrations. Many of us have sentimental memories of childhood Christmases. It’s a time to fondly remember those who are no longer with us. We enjoy the same films and songs every year. In fact, it is a time when taste goes out of the window. Some of the songs we listen to are frankly quite dreadful arrangements and are sounds we wouldn’t usually give the time of day, but it’s the attached nostalgia that results in them becoming ‘classics’ and we wouldn’t dream of missing them off the Christmas playlist. There is also a collective nostalgia about the season. Church bells, snowy scenes, Christmas robins, a crackling log fire, even though many of us haven’t experienced these things at all. I guess advertising goes some way to explaining this, but also Christmas cards, films, TV shows and embellished family memories all create a shared feeling about the time of year. And when we take out the same decorations year after year, it all adds to the nostalgic feeling. Cardboard decorations made in nursery school. Homemade baubles from a creative cousin. The vintage ornament that your great grandmother used to put in pride of place on the mantelpiece each year. Memories and nostalgia, building a picture of times past and times to come.

The now 12 year old toilet roll middle nativity and the cardboard fairy come out every year!

Low stress, low cost, keep it simple

Some people will always fill their home with lavish decorations, have a wreath on the door, matching baubles and ribbons on the tree and create a perfect Christmas table with garlands and candles. Meanwhile, most of us might purchase a new decoration or two, tie a few twigs and a sprig of holly on the door and keep the table simple. I love the idea of a beautifully decorated table, but they’re not practical, are they? Where do you put the food? Someone is bound to stab themselves on a sprig of holly. And watch your sleeve catch alight on a candle as you pass the sprouts to Uncle Derek. A table can be pretty and practical at the same time. It doesn’t need half a forest displayed on it to be Christmassy.

Photographer: Angelina Aristodemo Designer: Lisa Marie Godinho

A beautiful but, I would suggest, impractical table (left). A practical table arrangement can still be pretty (right).

Go back to basics. Remember paper chains? Get hold of some pretty paper and the kids might even sit for 5 minutes to help! Scraps of fabric can make lovely ribbons for the tree or for tying around gifts. Empty glass jars make sweet little candle holders and some baubles in a dish look attractive on the table without taking up room where the turkey and parsnips should be. And if you fancy some foraging, it’s not necessary to bring home vast quantities of forest flora to fling at your fireplace. Find some pinecones and hang them with ribbons, make some stars with twigs and raffia, dry orange slices and hang them on the tree (you’ll need to forage the grocery shop for oranges, unless you’re reading this in sunny climes). If sumptuous and lavish are your thing, go for it. It’s only once a year after all. But pretty and home made can be just as good. Think Little Women and you’re halfway there.

https://www.johnlewis.com/content/home/christmas-home-decor-ideas

Simple ideas, home-made, can be very effective.

Christmas is a time to be cosy, to relax, have fun, be with family, eat, drink and be merry. The stress it can cause is often brought on by trying to make everything ‘perfect’. So use those magazines for ideas, but don’t feel you have to replicate the glossy, luxurious images (they’re staged after all by professional people who sell magazines!). Follow the influencers you really like and ditch the rest. Put up your decs your way, using your favourite things that make you happy. Don’t forget, your stress levels will be tested enough by your Mother-in-Law who is always less than complimentary about your mince pies, the kids being high on too much sugary confection and Uncle Derek’s wind after too many sprouts. But you’ll look at your Christmas decorations and sigh a happy sigh.

Emma x

Emma Kelsall Interiors

Some Christmas links here. Eco-friendly and sustainable decorations and gifts, local wines, DIY ideas, one of my favourite designers and all the colours with Sophie Robinson.

Some sustainable and ethical decorations and gifts: https://www.wildwoodcornwall.co.uk/product-category/inspiration/christmas-collection/christmas-decorations/

A local independent wine store Wines By The Sea. Take a look at their website and pop in for your Christmas wines: https://winesbythesea.co.uk/

One of my favourite designers at Christmas. He buys ‘a couple of good quality decorations a year’ from Fortnum and Mason and decorates only the main rooms, those being the entrance hall, dining room and ‘drawing room’! But I love him and if I can’t indulge in my favourites at Christmas, when can I? https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/carlos-garcias-guide-to-decorating-for-christmas

DIY Christmas decoration ideas. 90 of them. Take a look and see what you think. Let me know if you use any. Send me a photo! https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/how-to/g2203/christmas-decoration-ideas/

Some vibrant gift ideas from the Queen of Colour, Sophie Robinson: https://www.sophierobinson.co.uk/colourful-christmas-gift-guide/

Pine cones and Christmas cheer

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