When it’s time to prep for holidays, it is easy to get into a decorating rut. If dragging out the same boxes of ornaments, wreaths, ribbons and other accoutrements has you singing the Christmas blues, it’s time to give your home’s holiday wardrobe a makeover. Not sure where to begin? We asked Long Island event planner Andrew Zecher of Andrew Scott Events for his top tips for adding sparkle to holiday decorating.
Before starting out on your holiday makeover, take a look at your home’s existing décor and use it for inspiration and a dose of reality. “If you’re going to have your decorations up from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, they really need to work with your lifestyle,” Zecher explains. “Make sure your themes and colors work with your home, as well as your family’s personality.”
Once you have an idea of what you’d like to do, check out what’s on trend this season. Zecher is forecasting shimmering ornaments, lots of fresh flowers and not-so-traditional color combinations that elevate the holidays to a whole new level. “Turquoise and lime green are going to be strong again this year,” he predicts. “I love that combination paired with white and silver, the colors work together for a fresh festive feel that’s modern.”
To bring these juicy hues into your holiday theme, raid your home for supplies first. Sort through your stash of bright-colored ribbon left over from summer projects, and gather up small dishes, bowls, cups, vases and other accessories in white and silver. And don’t forget to pull out those white candles.
Once you’ve gathered the initial supplies, start playing around with some ideas and then supplement them with a few new buys. Clear glass balls from the craft store are inexpensive and can be decorated using paint pens, ribbon and stickers, while fresh limes from the grocery aisle are great fillers for vases. Finally, add a little bit of faux snow and white glitter to your displays for that wintry touch.
Zecher also predicts purple and gold to be another big color combination this year. The regal hue paired with shimmering warm gold still feels traditional, yet takes your decorating theme to a more sophisticated level. “Whether it’s your holiday dinner table, a wreath or your family Christmas tree, I believe in making it shiny with lots of bling! You have to make it exciting!”
When it comes to dressing your holiday table, mix metallic accessories, candles and fresh flowers for a special presentation. Your menu should also be a source of inspiration. “If you’ll be serving a more traditional Christmas dinner, then create a more traditional table,” Zecher says. Red roses, while lilies and pine from the garden all bring a touch of nature indoors, represent traditional shades of Christmas and make for a cozy setting. Adding gold as an accent only elevates the look.
When choosing your centerpieces, turn to nature for inspiration, especially if your home has a more modern style. “I love how rustic bits from nature soften a modern home,” he says.
Another great idea is to look among your own collections, incorporating ornaments into holiday centerpieces as well as treasured holiday villages, which so many of us own. Use them right on your table for a unique display.
Also important: Keep in mind the type of dinner you will be hosting. For example, if you’ll be serving family-style with dishes right on the table, elevate your centerpiece instead. “If your table is filled with serving dishes, suspend ornaments, crystals and even flowers from the ceiling and your chandelier instead. Whatever it takes to create that magical setting,” Zecher says.
Finally, if your family is having trouble giving up those favorite ornaments to make room for new ones, try dressing a second, smaller tree specifically for the family collection. “Heirloom ornaments are so important and special,” he says. “Think about displaying them on a tabletop tree in the entryway or in a child’s bedroom. It’s important to find room for tradition yet still embrace the magic and whimsy of the holidays.”