ARTICLES
Making new traditions:
Top tips and trends for creating a cosy Christmas
"The festive season may be a little different this year, with smaller, more intimate gatherings."
The grumbles and the “Bah! Humbug!” exclamations are growing louder - but Christmas has not been cancelled by the coronavirus.
Granted, it maybe shuffling towards us more like curmudgeonly Scrooge, than skipping gayly like Will Ferrell in Elf, but the Christmas Yet to Come can still be as heartwarming as Buddy spreading Christmas cheer to a crowd of cynics.
The festive season may be a little different this year, with smaller, more intimate gatherings. But that’s the perfect excuse to spread some sparkle and create a Hugge home.
Here’s a few insights into the new trends and tips:
• Christmas colour:
Forget monochrome schemes. Covid-19 is stirring up a reaction to the tastefully muted interiors we’ve been stuck in. Have some fun with colour. Popart and clashing craziness will brighten up any room. Pink, purple and electric blue – fill your Christmas boots/ stockings. If you fancy some new decorations, buy some wool and ask the kids to make pompoms baubles. And maybe it’s about time for paperchains to come back into fashion. Why not go full kitsch?
• Let’s get intimate:
If our gatherings are going to be smaller, there’s no point in decorating the whole house as we’re probably going to be in the same room. Focus on the tree, hearth, table and entrance hall. Aim for creating cosy spaces with candles, blankets and all things comfortable. With less time spent decorating, there’s more time for that extra glass of mulled wine and a cuddle on the sofa.
• Eco warrior:
Our kids know how to reduce, reuse, recycle. Take it to a new level with your Christmas decorations. What can you create out of fir cones, bark and some pressed autumn leaves? Or if crafty creations aren’t your thing, take a look at your existing decorations and try out new combinations in different areas of your house. Sounds obvious, but every year most people put the same decorations in the same place. Shake it up a little.
• It’s a wrap:
On the theme of doing things differently, ditch the traditional wrapping paper. Brown paper has becoming very popular, as it’s easier to recycle, but how about extending that theme? I’ve been saving an old road atlas and some 1980s Haynes manuals that were destined for the recycling bin. They will now be used to wrap gifts - environmentally friendly and saves a few pennies.
Wherever you are for Christmas, and whoever you’re with, I hope you have a wonderful time making new traditions and memories.
First published in the Prior's Field School
Christmas brochure 2020
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