IDEAS TO ADD FESTIVE CHEER TO YOUR HOME
Story Candice Botha and Vegmo Accessories | Pictures Sally Chance and Dawn Rouse
Christmas. A time of year when we welcome glitter, twinkling lights, angels and Christmas carols with open arms. The Christmas tree – while a spectacle in iteself – is only the start. Add wreaths, bows, baubles, Nutcracker men, tinsel, lights, snow and presents, and your home can be turned into a festive wonderland that will delight families with young children, grandparents, neighbours and friends.
Table settings are equally as important, and set the mood on Christmas day, offering festive cheer to complement your Christmas menu.
To inspire you, take a look at our Christmas decoration ideas and tips to add holiday festive cheer to your home.
Traditional Red and White
Red and white is an old favourite and always very merry. Easy on the eye, red under the plates offset white dinner plates, and there’s no shortage of Christmas crackers to finish the look. A beautiful flocked Christmas tree brings the feeling of snowfalls and cosy nights, and bright shiny red baubles add a pop of colour. And what is Christmas without Santa in traditional red and white, with his reindeer? Add red and white candles to complete the setting.
Go The Natural Route
“With sustainability very much a buzzword, adding natural textures like raw wood, hessian, concrete and chunky pinecones to your Christmas decor is very on trend,” says Nikki Rossato. To make sure it looks suitable for a celebration, pair the natural elements with touches of gold and lights.
Nutcracker Men
Give your tree a “different” look. Surround your tree with red boxes to create height on your table or for all those gifts, some warming artificial white candles to add some brightness and light, bows, berries and baubles, and you’re sorted.
Wreaths
Wreaths are big this Christmas, and make the perfect backdrop to a side table beautifully decorated with miniature snow dusted bottle brush table trees, a miniature Father Christmas or two, candles, and Pointsettias.
Take Five
Take your pick from five stunning place settings for your festive spread. Experiment for yourself using under plates, crockery and luxury cutlery, assorted Christmas crackers, candles, serviettes and festive berries to get the look you’re after.
Drinks Table
Setting up a drinks table where guests can help themselves ensures that the host doesn’t need to worry about topping up glasses constantly. “Adding a festive touch to this drinks table are Santa hat bottle toppers and glittery reindeer horns which attach to the glasses,” notes Nikki Rossato.
Use Gifts As Part Of Your Decor
“My love of gifting and gift wrapping has always been the inspiration for my business and I love to use beautifully wrapped presents as part of my decor at Christmas time,” says Nikki, who has stuck to her red, white and green palette in her choice of gift wrap, tags, gift boxes and ribbons. Placing a small gift at each place setting is another way to use your presents as part of your design and make each guest feel welcome and special.
Light it up
“Choose decorations that can light up to add a touch of magic to your festive table,” says Nikki. “Candles – either ones you light with a match or electric ones if you have small children around – are another great way to bring a touch of sparkle to your set up.”
FOR MORE INFO:
All items photographed are from: Vegmo Accessories, 20 Anthurium Place, Springfield Park, Durban; 031 574 7500; info@vegmoaccessories.co.za; www.vegmoaccessories.co.za
All Nikki Rossato’s items, except the cutlery and champagne glasses, are available from NIKKI’S: The Gift Shop; www.nikkis.co.za