Christmas Tree

The evergreen fir tree has been used to celebrate winter festivals (pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. The Romans used Fir Trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia. Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God.

Nobody is really sure when Fir trees were first used as Christmas trees. It probably started about began 1000 years ago in Northern Europe.

The first documented use of a evergreen tree at Christmas and New Year celebrations is in town square of Riga, the capital of Latvia, in the year 1510. In the square there is a plaque which is engraved with “The First New Years Tree in Riga in 1510″, in eight languages. Not much is known about the tree, apart from that it was attended by men wearing black hats, and that after a ceremony they burnt the tree. This is like the custom of the Yule Log.

The first first person to bring a Christmas Tree into a house may have beenthe 16th century German preacher Martin Luther. A story is told that, onenight before Christmas, he was walking through the forest and looked up to see the stars shining through the tree branches. It was so beautiful, that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas. Some people say this is the same thee as the ‘Riga’ tree, but it isn’t! The Riga tree originally took place a few decades earlier. Northern Germany and Latvia are neighbours.

Another story says that St. Boniface of Crediton (a place in Devon, UK) left England and travelled to Germany to preach to the pagan German tribes and convert them to Christianity. He is said to have come across a group of pagans about to sacrifice a young boy while worshipping an oak tree. In anger, and to stop the sacrifice, St. Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and, to his amazement, a young fir tree sprang up from the roots of the oak tree. St. Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith and his followers decorated the tree with candles so that St. Boniface could preach to the pagans at night.

There is another legend, from Germany, about how the Christmas Tree came into being, it goes:

Christmas Tree

Once on a cold Christmas Eve night, a forester and his family were in their cottage gathered round the fire to keep warm. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. When the forester opened the door, he found a poor little boy standing on the door step, lost and alone. The forester welcomed him into his house and the family fed and washed him and put him to bed in the youngest sons own bed (he had to share with his brother that night!). The next morning, Christmas Morning, the family were woken up by a choir of angels, and the poor little boy had turned into Jesus, the Christ Child. The Christ child went into the front garden of the cottage and broke a branch off a Fir tree and gave it to the family as a present to say thank you for looking after him. So ever since them, people have remembered that night by bringing a Christmas Tree into their homes!

Christmas Trees, as we know them, may have started as the Paradise Trees that represented the Garden of Eden in the German Mystery Plays that took place during the Middle Ages. These plays told Bible stories to people who could not read.

In Germany, the first Christmas Trees were decorated with edible things, such as gingerbread and gold covered apples. Then glass makers made special small ornaments similar to some of the decorations used today. At first, a figure of the Baby Jesus was put on the top of the tree. Over time it changed to an angel/fairy that told the shepherds about Jesus, or a star like the Wisemen saw.

The first Christmas Trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s. They became very popular in 1841, when Prince Albert (Queen Victoria’s German husband) had a Christmas Tree set up in Windsor Castle. Ever since then, Christmas Trees have been a part of a British Christmas.

Christmas Gift

Celebrating Christmas in England is much like celebrating it in any other Western country. Even though many of the cultures in England do not actually believe in what the holiday represents, everyone seems to take part in the giving and receiving of gifts, as a sign of friendship and goodwill toward others. With so many different cultures living so closely together, Christmas is the only time people tend to celebrate together.

It is cold and wet in England at Christmastime. Families welcome the warmth and cheer of a Yule log blazing on the hearth. They decorate their homes with holly, ivy, and other evergreens and hang a mistletoe “kissing bough.”

Throughout the holidays, carolers go from house to house at twilight ringing handbells and singing Christmas songs. “The Holly and the Ivy” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” are English favorites. People give the carolers treats, such as little pies filled with nuts and dried fruits.

The day before Christmas is very busy for families in England. They wrap presents, bake cookies, and hang stockings over the fireplace. Then everyone gathers around the tree as someone tells the favorite story, “A Christmas Carol.”

After hearing their favorite Christmas story, children write a letter to Santa Claus with their wishes. They toss their letter into the fire so their wishes can go up the chimney. After the children fall a sleep on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus comes to visit. He wears a long, red robe, carries a sack of toys, and arrives on his sleigh pulled by reindeer. He fills the children’s stockings with candies and small toys.

On Christmas Day, everyone sits down to the midday feast and finds a colorful Christmas cracker beside their dinner plate. A Christmas cracker is a paper-covered tube. When the end tabs are pulled, there is a loud crack. Out spills a paper hat to wear at dinner, small trinkets, and a riddle to read aloud to everyone at the table.

Christmas in England

The family enjoys a feast of turkey with chestnut stuffing, roast goose with currants, or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Brussels sprouts are likely to be the vegetables. Best of all is the plum pudding topped with a sprig of holly. Brandy is poured over the plum pudding and set aflame. Then family members enjoy a dramatic show as it is carried into the dining room. Whoever finds the silver charm baked in their serving has good luck the following year. The wassail bowl, brimming with hot, spiced wine, tops off the day’s feast. It is said that all quarrels stop when people drink wassail.

After dinner, the family gathers in the living room to listen to the Queen of England deliver a message over radio and television. At teatime in the late afternoon, the beautifully decorated Christmas cake is served.

The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. This day has nothing to do with fighting. Long ago, people filled church alms boxes with donations for the poor. Then on December 26, the boxes were distributed. Now people often use this day to give small gifts of money to the mail carrier, news vendor, and others who have helped them during the year.

Beginning on Boxing Day, families can enjoy stage performances called pantomimes. This activity originally meant a play without words, or actors who mimed or entertained without speaking. Pantomime now refers to all kinds of plays performed during the Christmas season. Such familiar children’s stories as “Cinderella” and “Peter Pan” delight young and old alike. In some towns, masked and costumed performers called mummers present plays or sing carols in the streets.

Christmas Fair at night, Nurnberg, Germany

Germany is home to many beautiful Christmas traditions. In fact, many of the American Christmas traditions originated there. The Christmas season in Germany starts at the beginning of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas Day. In fact, Advent wreaths are one of the many symbolic German Christmas traditions. These wreaths are decorated with four candles around the outer circle and with one large candle in the middle. The four outer candles symbolize the 4,000 years that the world had to wait for Christ’s coming. One candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent with two being lit the second Sunday and so on. The large candle in the center is lit on Christmas Day.

The Christmas tree, or Tannenbaum, has its roots in pre-Christian Germany. Religious rites were held in the forests and trees were decorated with candles. Like the Druids, the oak was sacred to the ancient Germans, in particular to the god Odin, so it was often the oaks that were lit and not the pines. The use of evergreens can be traced back to the 8th century, which is when St. Boniface engaged in the common practice of adopting local pagan customs to help Christianize the indigenous peoples. He substituted the fir tree (Tannenbaum) for the oak of Odin and then he dedicated it to Christ, making it the Christbaum.

The creation of the modern Christmas tree is often attributed to the founder of the Lutheran movement, Martin Luther (1483-1546). This is questionable but there are “Tannenbaum” songs that date back to the middle of the 16th century. By the 19th century the Christmas tree had become popular in Europe and America, having been introduced by German immigrants.

Candles, of course, were the original source of light on Christmas trees and although the Germans, Austrians, and Swiss are increasingly using electric lights on their trees, many a Christbaum is still lit with candles.

There is a Bavarian Christmas tree tradition that is known as the “Brides Tree.” This is where 12 ornaments are hung upon a tree to help bring good fortune to a newly married couple. The 12 ornaments symbolize the following: angel (God’s guidance), bird (joy), fish (Christ’s blessing), flower basket (good wishes), fruit basket (generosity), heart (true love), house (protection), pine cone (fruitfulness), rabbit (hope), rose (affection), Santa (goodwill), and teapot (hospitality).

The Christmas tree is not the only familiar Christmas symbol that comes from Germany. Santa Claus also had his origins there. When Germany was being Christianized in the early Middle Ages, St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop of Asia Minor, became popular there. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and his feast day is December 6th. Gradually a custom grew up where on the eve of St. Nicholas’ feast day children would place their shoes or boots out for St. Nicholas to fill with candy and fruit, with the bad children getting twigs. St. Nicholas carried with him a book of sins with which he determined whether the child warranted the goodies or the twigs. Historically, St. Nicholas rode a white horse and he traveled with a dark-faced companion. The most common one was called Knecht Ruprecht. After the Protestant Reformation in Germany, German authorities wanted to do away with the image of a Catholic saint distributing gifts, so the idea of Santa Claus was born. Also created were the white beard, red suit, and sleigh. St. Nicholas is known by several names in different parts of Germany. These include Klaasbuur, Rauklas, Bullerklaas, and Sunnercla. In the eastern part of Germany, he is Ash Man, Shaggy Goat, or Rider. Our Kris Kringle is a corruption of the German term Christkindl (”Christ Child”). Saint Nicholas is now known primarily in Germany as Weihnachtsmann or Father Christmas. He increasingly doesn’t appear any longer on December 6th but on Christmas Eve instead.

According to one more German Christmas traditions a messenger is sent by baby Christ with a message on the Christmas Eve. This angel is called by the name of Christkind. He is an angel in white robes who is believed to look just like Christ. Another German Christmas tradition is of huge meals for commemorating the Christmas Eve. There is an interesting tradition associated with the Christmas Eve meals called as ‘Dickbauch’ according to which every one has to eat well on the Christmas Eve. Those who don’t eat well in these meals are believed to be haunted by the demons during the night.

Food and drink play a major role in the German Christmas celebration. In cities throughout Germany there are Christkindlesmarkts. In these Christmas markets one can enjoy all types of delicious Christmas edibles and beverages. Christmas goodies, from Lebkuchen (gingerbread) to Weihnachts Stollen (fruit bread) are plentiful. And the aroma of Glühwein (”glow wine”) a hot mulled wine that is drunk by adults and older children alike, fills the air. On Christmas Day most German families sit down and enjoy a plump roast goose for dinner.

January 6th is the day the three Kings came to visit the Christ Child. This is a holiday in Germany and it marks the end of the month and a half long Christmas celebration.

Christmas is coming, holiday cards and letters fill the mailbox - and it’s time to write your family’s entry. Try these seven tips for a sparkling holiday letter:

1. Start off on a positive note.

It’s a trend you can count on! Roughly 95% of holiday letters begin with a sentence like this: “I can’t believe the year has come and gone so quickly!” While we all feel this sentiment, it’s not the happiest way to begin a holiday letter.

Start holiday letters with a cheerful bang, not a whimper about the passage of time. Try openers like, “We’ve had a happy, busy year here in the Adams household!” or “One of the blessings of this time of year is the chance it gives me to connect with you, my friends and family.” Even a stock “Holiday greetings from the Young family!” is a better opener than the traditional plaintive cry about the passage of time.

2. Shorter is sweeter.

Even the most doting aunties can be daunted by a multi-page, single-spaced Christmas letter that drones on (and on and on) about the minutia of family doings. Keep Christmas letters short and sweet! Hit the year’s high points, and save the day-by-day description of your summer vacation for long lunches or personal phone calls.

3. Write in your own voice.

Too often, holiday letters show symptoms of “writer-itis”: big words, turgid sentences, piled-up adjectives. Friends and neighbors don’t want to hear from Edward Bulwer Lytton, they want to hear from you! Use your own voice, and write as you speak. You’ll bring a breath of fresh air - and a happy echo of your own personality - to your letter.

4. Resist the urge to embellish.

It’s a holiday - time stereotype: the braggin’-braggin’ Christmas letter. While it’s only natural to put your best foot forward, keep your perspective as you write. Your true colors and real personality are a lot more interesting to your friends than a puffed-up presentation of the year’s events.

5. Keep your audience in mind.

Like pantyhose, holiday letters aren’t “one size fits all”. Business associates won’t be interested by a chatty, family newsletter, while distant cousins don’t care about the ins and outs of workplace politics. Before you start your holiday letters, picture the recipients in your mind and write in a way that will make sense to those who will receive them.

For instance, if your holiday letter will be sent to far - flung friends or long-ago neighbors, be sure to identify family members by relationship, not just name. Hearing that “Wallace is a happy Rebel this year” can mystify those who don’t remember him well. “Oldest son Wallace, now 18, is thriving in his first year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas” gives the reader the details he or she needs to catch up with Wallace’s activities.

If your letter will be sent to casual acquaintances or business contacts, keep family stories to a minimum–or send a card instead. Sure, you sit next to that nice fellow at each week’s Kiwanis meeting, but will he really be interested in a season’s worth of your grandchild’s soccer scores?

6. Make it personal.

A sparkling, informative holiday letter is underdressed if it doesn’t contain a personal touch. Add a short handwritten note to your holiday letters for a warm finish. Alpha computer geeks among us may use word processing software to personalize each letter. However you achieve it, be sure

7. Be selective about photos.

With the rise of digital photography, there’s been a corresponding inflation in holiday letter photos. Last year’s nominee for the Photo Overkill of the Year award: a holiday letter which contained over 50 tiny tiled photos of the writer’s children at Disney World. Not only couldn’t I see one thing about the children, I was barely able to identify the different Disney characters in each shot!

Share photos selectively and sparely. One or two great shots that illustrate your text are much better than an over-the-top photo barrage. If you will include photos as part of your letter, use brochure paper so that photos print clearly.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

The First Christmas. For Christians, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ. But no one knows exactly when that was, and the four Christian gospels offer sometimes contradictory hints. It is believed that the early church first celebrated Christmas in the year 98. In 137 AD, the bishop of Rome ordered a solemn feast to mark the birth. Not until 350 AD did Pope Julius I fix the date of Christmas Day on Dec. 25.

In a Word. The word Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes Maesse, or Mass of Christ. It is sometimes spelled as Cristes-messe in old manuscripts. In Dutch, Christmas is Kerst-misse. The Latin term is Dies Natalis, which became Noel in French and Il Natale in Italian.

Eastern Outlook. Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar that is about two weeks behind the common Gregorian calendar. In Eastern churches, Christmas is a celebration of the adoration of the Magi and the baptism of Christ, as well as the Nativity. Many Western Christians mark the Epiphany on Jan. 6 – once the date of the Eastern Christmas – also marking Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan.

Years Without a Christmas. The Protestant Reformation was partly a protest against the lavish rituals of the established church. The Pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas after arriving in America in 1620. When the Puritans took over England in 1645, their leader, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas celebrations and ordered that shops remain open on Christmas Day. From 1659 to 1681, Christmas celebrations also were prohibited in Boston. Violators could be fined five shillings.

A Visit with St. Nicholas. Not much is known about St. Nicholas, who is generally listed as a Bishop of Myra, in what now is modern Turkey, during the 4th Century. But stories of his generosity led to a tradition of gift-giving on his feast day, Dec. 6. Such celebrations were suppressed during the Protestant Reformation – except in the Netherlands. There, St. Nicholas became known as Sinterklass. Meanwhile, in Germany, Martin Luther made the Christ child – Christkindl — the bearer of gifts. Sinterklass became Santa Claus and Christkindl became Kris Kringle – a name given today to Santa Claus.

America’s Santa Claus. Dutch settlers brought their Christmas traditions to the New World, including the legends of St. Nicholas, or Sinterklass. Nordic tales of a magician who have presents to good children and punished bad children became part of the American Santa Claus. Clement Clark Moore’s poem A Visit from St. Nicholas helped popularize the Santa Claus story, and cartoonist Thomas Nast drew the first portrait of a modern Santa for Harper’s Weekly magazine in 1862.

About that Partridge. Although the popular carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” may date back to medieval times, it is believed to have taken on new significance during the Protestant Reformation. Catholics used the symbolism in the lyrics to instruct children at a time when such lessons were banned. For example, the two turtle doves refer to the Old and New testaments of Christian scripture. The 12 days begin on Christmas and culminate with the Epiphany on Jan. 6.

A Hallmark Moment. The first Christmas card was sent in 1843, but greet cards have been exchanged for six centuries. Handmade cards were exchanged in Europe in the 1400s, including cards celebrating New Years and Valentines Day. The earliest known Christmas card dates to 1843, when Englishman Sir Henry Cole commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley to design a card for the holiday. Apparently, Sir Henry was looking for an alternative to the tedious task of writing Christmas greetings by hand. Today, Americans send more than 2 billion Christmas cards every year.

Real or Fake? In legend, Christmas trees date back to a 7th Century English monk who went to Germany on a mission to convert the local population to Christianity. He reportedly used the triangular shape of a fir tree to teach the concept of the Trinity. By the 12th Century, fir trees were being hung upside down as a symbol of Christianity. The first decorated tree was displayed in Riga, Latvia in 1510. Martin Luther is said to have illuminated a Christmas tree with candles. German settlers displayed Christmas trees in America in the 1700s, but only in the latter half of the 19th Century did decorated trees become established as part of the holiday celebration.

Logging Off. Although it has become less popular than a Christmas tree as a symbol of the season, the Yule log has been part of the Christmas celebration since the 4th Century. Pope Julius I, who set the date of Christmas on Dec. 25, near the winter solstice, “borrowed” the Yule log from pre-Christian Scandanavians. In Scandanavia, a burning log represented the Sun during the dark northern winters. Julius made the log representative of the light of the Saviour. Traditionally, in England, the log was supposed to burn for the 12 days from Christmas to the Epiphany. For many people, the burning of a Yule log still marks the start of the Christmas celebration.

Making new Christmas traditions is a valuable way to cope with the first Christmas after the death of a loved one, or yif ou’ve just married into a new family. Creating new family traditions is also a good way to stay healthy at Christmas.

New Christmas Traditions: Christmas Volunteering

Volunteering at Christmas is an excellent new family tradition at Christmas. Investigate the “traditional” Christmas volunteering ideas: food banks, Meals on Wheels, Christmas hampers, etc.

Consider making Christmas volunteering a less traditional holiday tradition, such as making simple Christmas stockings with your family and delivering them to street kids or a youth shelter. A new Christmas family tradition could include visiting sick kids in the hospital or donating toys, books or needed items to the Ronald McDonald House or a women’s shelter. Always call first.

Christmas volunteering makes you feel good about yourself and your family – even if you’re grieving a death at Christmas.

New Christmas Traditions: Christmas Recipes

Creating Christmas traditions should ways involve food! Spend time with your kids, partner, parents or loved ones in the kitchen, baking Christmas cookies or decorating gingerbread houses. Pick a holiday recipe that you only make at Christmas – perhaps homemade candy canes will be your new holiday tradition – and invite friends and family to help make them.

New Christmas Traditions: Christmas Ornaments

New family traditions include making different Christmas ornaments from scratch every year, such as popsicle stick picture frames or popcorn wreaths. Christmas ornaments can become holiday traditions even if you add a new variation each year. For instance, put new family photos in Christmasy picture frames; every year, line them up on the mantle or bookcase. If you don’t have time to make Christmas ornaments but like this idea of creating new Christmas traditions, consider purchasing instead of making a new ornament every year.

New Christmas Traditions: Christmas Stories

Make your family story a new tradition at Christmas. Keep copies of your annual family Christmas card or letter, and read them out loud each Christmas. Or, read squo;Twas the Night Before Christmas or e Best Christmas Pageant Ever out loud to your kids the night or week before Christmas.

Holiday traditions are about you as a unique family, warts and all. Sometimes new Christmas traditions start by accident and continue unattended; other times, you have to deliberately implement your new Christmas traditions.

Either way, holiday traditions are a reassuring, fun, and healthy way to celebrate Christmas.

The traditional Christmas decor

Christmas garland is one of the most versatile of holiday decorations. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, wrapped around the Christmas tree or wrapped around stair railings, garland has many creative and beautiful uses. When it comes to the Christmas tree, garland is one of the “must have” decorations (lights, ornaments and the tree topper being the other essentials). While the decision to include garland as a Christmas tree decoration is easy, choosing which garland is not. There are so many styles, colors and textures of garlands to choose from. Tinsel garland is one popular choice. Get it in traditional red, blue, silver and gold or funky colors such as orange and purple.

Garland Types

Tinsel not your style? Try bead garlands. Do you prefer plastic or wood beads? Or perhaps glass? Looking for something a little more glamorous? Try crystal bead garlands. Just think how much the crystals will reflect the Christmas tree lights - sparkle, sparkle! Don’t like the garlands available in the stores? Make your own. Long before the days of mass reproduction, homeowners made their Christmas decorations, including garland. It’s easier than you think; simply string some cranberries or popcorn into a long strand. This style of garland can also be used on outdoor trees. Not only is it decorative, but it provides food for birds.

Drape Anywhere!

The more dramatic uses of Christmas garland don’t involve the Christmas tree. This is where you can really set your imagination free. Drape a classic pine bough garland along the fireplace mantel for an “old fashioned Christmas”. Add red velvet ribbons for an extra splash of color. Or loosely braid multiple ribbons of blue, silver and white, complete with bows, and drape it along the mantel. Another style of mantel garland is a “virtual garland”. Items of the same type are lined up on the mantel, creating a loose, textured garland. For example, you can use angel figures, snowman candles or nutcracker dolls. Look for items of varying heights, sizes and colors to make the garland more interesting.Stairways are another perfect spot for Christmas garlands. If you’ve already used a pine bough garland along the mantel (or if you just don’t like pine) try other greenery. Holly, mistletoe and rosemary come instantly to mind. Plus rosemary has a clean, refreshing scent. You can also try a “goodie inspired” garland. Tie gingerbread cookies, lollipops, sugar plums, chocolate coins, candy canes and sugar cookies to a ribbon and presto - a lighthearted (and delicious) garland! Don’t be surprised if this Christmas garland starts to look bare by the end of the holidays. It might be too tempting for those with a sweet tooth!

By considering a few basic feng shui rules this Christmas, you might also be helping to enhance family relationships, health and happiness.

Decorating the Christmas Tree with Feng Shui

Christmas Decoration

When decorating the Christmas tree, think about colours. If you have chosen a silver tree, add plenty of green too, to balance red decorations. Red is a popular festive colour; it is also a fiery and energetic colour, whereas green will help calm and soothe all the feisty red energy.

When putting up the tree, encourage family and friends to add something of their own as this puts something special of themselves into the festive decorations. This also helps make Christmas more cordial. Making decorating the Christmas Tree a shared experience will help create a special moment increasing the good energies of this festive ritual.

Decorating Rooms for the Holidays Using Feng Shui

When decorating rooms, again colours should be considered. Avoid too much red. Blue is a thoughtful and spiritual colour and like green, it has a calming influence. Purple is associated with power, riches and fortune. White is not recommended for Christmas in Feng Shui as it is a colour of innocence and naivety. Where it is used for angels and snowmen etc. it should be balanced with warmer, more vibrant colours.

Christmas Plants and Decorations and Feng Shui

Ideally, to promote family closeness and harmony, the Christmas tree should be at the centre or towards the left of the main room.

Angels and cherubs are lucky Christmas symbols, bringing peace and goodwill into the home and inspiring good feelings.

Add Christmas plants to the room. Mistletoe is thought to inspire calmness and a peaceful state of mind. This is believed by some to be a magical, healing plant. Holly is a sign of good wishes towards all. The Poinsettia represents love and passion.

Add candles to the table as these create warmth, positive energy and goodwill. You might also include wood in your decorations such as a wreath, to help promote harmonious family gatherings. Other items that represent warmth and fire are: stars, lights, holly and reindeer.

To increase family prosperity in the new year, add Christmas decorations that represent money to the room such as hanging chocolate coins on the Christmas tree or keeping a fresh bowl or basket of fruit on the table. Gold and silver ornaments represent ostentation, money and fame.

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Christmas decoration should ideally be a combination of tradition and creativity. You must try to decorate your home in such a way that it exudes a spirit of festivity as well as intimacy. Involve all members of your family in decorating your home for Christmas, particularly children. They are usually not only the most enthusiastic, but also the most creative people you will possibly have around you. Include their ideas in your decoration schemes and encourage them execute their plans to the best of their abilities. Of course, there are certain things you cannot leave to them, but make sure that everyone gets a fair share in the preparations.

Two things must be remembered while decorating your home for Christmas. First, decoration must be simple because you can be constrained by time. Second, the most expensive are not always the best materials for decoration. Homemade Christmas decorations are often the best options. Buy basic decorating materials and Christmas ornaments from the market but transform them with your personal touch. Your efforts will surprise and please everyone. Christmas home decoration must be mellow and not loud. Joy and prosperity are the biggest highlights of Christmas decoration and you must make sure that these feelings come across to your family members as well as your guests. Some ideas for making your Christmas decorations original and attractive are mentioned below.

Christmas Home Decorations

Red and green are the traditional Christmas colors. But that does not mean that you have to limit yourself to these colors. Using the entire palette of bright colors can give a new look to your home during Christmas. Ribbons and balloons feature prominently in Christmas decorations. You can make bows out of ribbons of different colors and place them on the walls, staircases and windows for a festive feel.

Use nativity scenes to decorate the room. Make Christmas motifs out of cardboards, cloth and papers (patterns like Santa, Star or stockings) and put them at various positions in your house. Make sure to add lots of color. Ribbons, bows, balloons and streamers are the usual Christmas decorations. Do not forget the tables and the curtains. Use tablecloths that are in green and red, or have some Christmas motifs in them.

Don’t forget to pay some attention to outdoor Christmas decorations as well. If you have a broad wall in the exterior of your house, cut a Christmas motif, like a Santa or a Star, out of wood and hang it there. It will make your house look different and unique. You cannot think of Christmas decoration without thinking of the Christmas tree. Read on to know about Christmas tree decoration using homemade materials.

Christmas Tree Decoration

Christmas Tree

Christmas tree enjoys the primary place in your Christmas home decorations. Make sure you choose a Christmas tree that suits the size of your room. A Christmas tree should catch everyone’s attention without being obtrusive. Decorate the Christmas tree tastefully. Remember, it is not always the most expensive decorations that make the most beautiful ones. You can use your skill and a little bit of imagination to create the most beautiful decorations with the most commonplace things.

Rings, bells and candies wrapped in beautiful colored wrappers are the one of the best ways to decorate the Christmas tree. Baubles, both store bought and homemade, as well as other tinsels are great in decorating your Christmas tree. Use battery operated lights to decorate the tree. This will save you the inconvenience of tripping on electric cords, which anyway look quite clumsy on the floor. Use Christmas wreaths to decorate staircase and the walls.

Trees generally play a very important role in Christmas home decoration. Apart from the usual Christmas tree, you can also decorate other plants in the house with candies in wrappers, lights and chocolates and place them at various points of your house. Together, they will create a wonderful atmosphere for the festivities to take place.

Use cards imaginatively to decorate your home in Christmas. The Christmas cards can be displayed along with gifts along the centerpiece. However, you can also use cards with carols written on them, or even cards containing a recipe of your favorite Christmas cookie for decorative purposes. Remember to be creative with the use of lights, as it directly sets the mood for the evening. The next section provides handy tips for creative Christmas lighting at home.

Christmas Lighting Tips

Lighting plays a very important role when it comes to home decoration in Christmas. Take care to keep the atmosphere festive yet intimate. Lighting should be mellow. The best way is to do away with electric lights altogether. Use your fireplace to good effect, just remember to appoint someone to replace the log in proper time.

Candles are central to Christmas decoration plans. Use lots of them, but place them in style. Use narrow glasses to place them in. They will look wonderful. Colored candles can be paired up with plain candles for a great effect. Battery operated lights are best for Christmas decorations. If you have to turn the lights on, have them colorfully wrapped. This will create a great atmosphere perfect for celebrations.

Christmas is a celebration of prosperity. Candies, chocolates, nuts and other food items need to feature prominently as a part of your Christmas decoration scheme. You can use them to great effect. Of course you will bake cookies for Christmas. Keep a hole in between and hang them from the Christmas tree with the help of strings.

Bring out colorful plates and place them on the centerpiece with lots of nuts and other goodies on them. Garlands may not necessarily be of flowers and leaves, they can be of cookies and chocolates as well. Hang these garlands from staircases, window sills and from practically anywhere you deem fit. Tie together five or six cinnamon sticks with a ribbon and place them on the plate.

Santa, the good old angel of joy and bringer of gifts, is central in Christmas decorations. Place him in on the centerpiece, or any other prominent part of your room. Santa motifs can be used anywhere as a part of Christmas decoration. Keep stockings with gifts in them just above the mantelpiece. It will appear that Santa has just brought in gifts for your children.