My mom had a collection of old antique pull toys (horses, dogs, etc.), and those always became the anchor for a room that looked like Santa’s elves had gone over the edge. It was wonderful, filled with old toys, gnomes sliding down stairway banisters and a flurry of old white cotton doves that glided below the ceiling chandelier. Art and I have a friend who collects Indian artifacts and every Christmas season she brings out all her cherished native baskets and fills them with greenery, cones and a wonderful potpourri mixture that smells like a walk in the woods. Instead of the usual tree “skirt” her Blue Spruce has a faded old Navajo blanket tucked beneath it. Almost anything that you love can be the starting point for your Holiday look.

So, what are some ideas?

Trees, wreaths and swags
Trees, of course, are only the beginning. We talked last week (and above) about choosing things that have personal meaning to you, but if nothing particular comes to mind, take a look at the decorations you have now and see if any new directions could be built on what you already have (angels, birds, stars, etc.). Consider looking for unusual examples of your subject in non-holiday venues, to add interest and variety to the subject.

Using these same subjects, try exploring them in wreathes and swags. A large wreath made of the same material as your tree (spruce, fir, pine, etc.), decorated with a few of those same angels or birds, and hung on a wall near your tree creates a very interesting “repeat” look that anchors your theme. If your tree is centered on a wall, try the same “repeat” look with a large swag that actually “frames” the wall. In a large room where this effect can be viewed from a distance, it is very impressive.

Swags are really versatile and, like a tree, can be used as a “blank slate” for virtually any look that you are going for. A favorite for those of us living here in the Northwest is a rustic, woodland feel, and swags are the perfect place to use all those pinecones, moss bits, interesting twigs, etc. that you may have been picking up and hoarding since last summer. You can drill holes in interesting pods and use them as the “ornaments” in a swag or on a tree, and pods are excellent candidates for being gilded gold, silver, copper or bronze (and metallics are a GREAT color choice for Holiday decorating).

Garlands
Grapevine makes a wonderful garland to loop through branches or boughs, or try our trick of suspending big loops of it from the ceiling and laced with tiny, twinkling white lights – pure MAGIC! (hang this with almost invisible monofilament (fishing line) and it will look like it is simply suspended in space).

This year we created some “tubes” out of different colors of “Silk Shimmer” fabric. Then we threaded each tube with a 100 light strand of tree lights, and either wound the tubes through a tree or hung them like banners from the ceiling. The “Silk Shimmer” has metallic threads running through it and they pick up and reflect the illumination back in a wonderful way.

Need some more quick ideas? Take all those bunches of hydrangeas you dried this fall and tuck them into bunches of greenery (maybe in big baskets) for wonderful, muted color. These fellows also look FABULOUS when used in wreaths, either as the main event, or just small “flowerets” tucked in with other festive material. If the hydrangeas aren’t quite the right color, they are perfect candidates for a touch-up with floral spray paint that can be found at any craft store.

Stairways and everyday items
Stairways are made for decorating. Garlands of any kind can loop and swirl down them. Elves can climb and clamber up the banisters, Santa and his reindeer can slide down them, bows can anchor them and ribbons can festoon them. We LOVE stairways!

And don’t forget about your everyday, utilitarian items. We had an antique halltree that during the year held coats and umbrellas, but every Holiday season we decked it out in “Star Stuff” and hundreds of tiny white lights. The lights bounced off the refracted colors in the “Star Stuff” and a strictly practical item turned into a frosty fantasy. If you have a decorative mirror on your wall, frame it for the season in a lavish wreath. Take a look around at what you use every day and consider how it could be “spruced up” for the Holidays.

Color
As far as color goes, any combination that pleases you can be given a Holiday spin. Dark, jewel tones tend to work better than pale pastels, (for me) but even these can be turned into a festive look with the right touch. I believe it was one of the White House rooms a few years ago that did a tree and all the trimmings, including overhead garlands in a pale rose and silver look. Although it would not be my personal choice, it really was quite stunning. So, if red and green isn’t your thing, go for those colors that do “do it for you” and carry them out all through the house.

One last thought
Are you one of those people that every year can’t resist buying the Christmas sweaters with snowflakes for buttons, sweatshirts with eight tiny reindeer flying across your chest, and men’s ties with Santa’s cheery face peeking out from between suit lapels? If so, get them out of the closet and hang them up on the wall (even if it is only in your bedroom) for the season. They are out where you can see them (and remember to wear them) and they add their own “Tis the Season” flavor when they are not on your body! Happy Decorating!