Dear Readers:
Hey, Happy Holidays!
Is it just me or does it feel like we are fast approaching “Halloweenthanksgivingchristmas”? Weren’t they actually three separate occasions once upon a time? And didn’t the season start this week, instead of in JUNE?
Religious considerations aside, as a decorator, I truly appreciate the commercialism of holidays. Retailers -- and yes, decorators -- depend on it for their livelihoods. And as a shopper I am fully onboard, too, but pretty soon we will be “Newyearseveeastermotheresdayfathersdayfourthofjulyhalloweenthanksgivingchristmas” shopping all year long. And don’t get me started on Valentine’s Day.
Some people love to give gifts. Some people love to decorate. Some people love to give gifts and decorate. I am one of these people. I love decking my halls. Ah, ‘tis the season made in catalog heaven. And department-store heaven. And Internet heaven. My heavens.
These “divine” sources constantly bombard us with ideas for decorating; but when it comes to the holidays, some of these suggestions should frankly be ignored. That wonderful design principle, “Less is more” has been replaced with “Too much is not enough.”
Some people love to give gifts. Some people love to decorate. Some people love to give gifts and decorate. I am one of these people. I love decking my halls. Ah, ‘tis the season made in catalog heaven. And department-store heaven. And Internet heaven. My heavens.
These “divine” sources constantly bombard us with ideas for decorating; but when it comes to the holidays, some of these suggestions should frankly be ignored. That wonderful design principle, “Less is more” has been replaced with “Too much is not enough.”
Maybe it’s an age thing, but I am noticing a lot of changes, and not all of them for the better. Let’s focus on Christmas decorations. Trends change and just as with clothing, decorations go in and out of style. What I have been noticing lately, however, is that while there are some interesting new twists in the market, consumers still have access to all available styles from the most retro to the extremely avant garde, in order for retailers to survive. Unfortunately, some people are decorating with a mish mash of all the things available to them, and this is a shame.
As a decorator, I have to have an appreciation for all styles. It comes with the job description. I admit that at times I personally have trouble choosing among them, but eventually professional discipline exerts itself and I settle on my look for the year. This is not easy since I have a garage and storage unit full of past decorations – no exaggeration. So, I freely admit it is difficult to choose when faced with everything under the sun, but filling one’s home with a little of everything goes well beyond eclectic into insane-looking. (And those of you who do this know who you are.)
I would like to offer some suggestions to those of you who are overwhelmed each year by too many choices. Keep collecting the holiday decorations you really love. Sigh over them nostalgically as you sort through them each holiday season. Then pick one theme or style for the current year -- and put everything else back! At least group different looks in separate rooms. You will be surprised at how much better --- and dare I say, more professional --- a room looks with a restrained hand.
There are almost too many choices for holiday decorations, but there are some tried-and-true winners. Consider some of my all-time favorites, but first remove all of your non-seasonal accessories to start with a clean canvas:
SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
- A monochromatic room or table – all white, all gold, all silver – you get the picture.
- A retro theme with an aluminum tree, bubble lights, kewpie dolls and kitschy garland.
- Over-the-top trees crammed with things like lamps, dolls, books, toys, utensils, flowers, lace, tinsel, icicles, etc.
- A totally organic winter wonderland – pomegranates, clove-studded oranges, branches of berries.
- Victorian theme with lots of beaded fruit, dark velvet, pearls, ostrich feathers and lace.
- A country theme with popcorn/cranberry garlands, pinecone or wood ornaments, and gingham ribbons.
- An elegant theme with an all-white tree.
- Tiny white lights on anything.
- Fresh flowers or feathers on a tree.
- A fresh garland up the staircase.
- A fire in the fireplace.
- A personalized wreath or tree, with vintage gardening tools and raffia for the gardener; shells and mini sailboats for the beach-lover; teddy bears for the collector; etc.
- A Lionel train set under the tree.
- A collection of mercury glass.
- Luminaria lighting a pathway.
- A sense of humor, whether it be a Department 56 ornament, or antlers on the dog.
Now, look back over the above list and picture how awful a room would look with a hodge-podge of these styles. Their impact would totally disappear. (Write that down.)
Here are some other really bad ideas that are available nowadays:
SOME OF MY NOT-SO-FAVORITE THINGS (I apologize if you own these, but…)
- The new upside-down trees. I mean really, is there any value to this gimmick to get you to buy something new?
- It doesn’t even look good stylistically.
- Large, inflatable anything.
- Really cheap, plastic decorations that light up, move, and/or make sounds.PirateS of the Caribbean Santas. Yes, these are really available on the Internet.
- Snow-making machines. I guess these are for people who think they live in Universal Studios.
M.A.K.
