Many people would agree that Christmas isn’t a ‘less is more’ kind of season. Instead, it’s all about maximalism – decorations everywhere and glitter as far as the eye can see. If you have young children in the house, that’s very much the approach you’ll have to take! If you’re having a more pared-back celebration this year, though, then a more minimalist approach might be tempting. It helps take the pressure off and gives you room to breathe at home, making it a relaxing space to retreat to if you get a little ‘Christmassed-out’.
The traditional ‘more is more’ approach might sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, and ‘minimal’ doesn’t have to mean unfestive and unwelcoming. Instead, think serene and stylish focussing on carefully chosen decorations and natural accents. Instead of smothering your rooms with decorations, it’s about letting what you have breathe and make a statement.
You’ll need to start with a good sort out of what you already have. Any old decorations that you don’t have a personal connection to or that you don’t love can be put away or donated to charity. Everything remaining in the pile should be there for a reason.
To create a clean, stylish Christmas tree, stick to a single, neutral colour palette such as white, silver, cream or rose gold. Search out ornaments made of natural materials such as wood and paper. Ditch the yards of tinsel and the multi-coloured fairy lights in favour of soft white lights. Add in your personal ornaments, and don’t feel that you have to cover every square inch of the tree.
For a really pared-back look, you could use a bare branch sprayed white or silver and set into a plant pot. Continue the theme into any presents you’ve wrapped to put under the tree. Use a plain paper in a matching colour to your theme, such as white or silver. Tie with a contrasting ribbon, and tuck a sprig of evergreen under the bow or tie on a little silver bell for interest.
If you’re tight for space, a vertical hanging Christmas tree can work really well. Make your own from different sized branches hung from twice and attached to a picture hook on the wall.
For natural decorations that won’t overwhelm the room, try putting fresh pine or holly branches in vases. (Remember that dropped holly berries can be poisonous to pets, so you might want to remove any berries first.) Heap pinecones into bowls, or string them together to make a garland.
If you’re going for a minimalist look, light is a key factor. Sticking to white lights only is much less distracting, and helps to accent without overwhelming. Soft white is a warmer choice than harsh, blue-white light. Placing tealights in glass jars around the room adds instant, cosy atmosphere. Use Christmas scented-tealights for a little festive cheer. If you don’t like the idea of candles for safety reasons, then push strings of battery-powered fairy lights into wine bottles or jars for a magical effect.
If you have any evergreens in your garden, considering investing in some accent lighting so that they can be seen from the house. Hanging solar powered lanterns from convenient branches can look magical seen from inside, and it adds no clutter to the interior. By embracing minimalism this season, you’ll help create a more low-pressure, calming atmosphere that’s less busy and overwhelming. An added advantages is that, come January, it’s all much easier to clear up, as well.
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