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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Tinsel alternative

66 replies

SerialMover · 21/10/2017 19:50

I grew up in a tinsel-friendly house. I can't decide if I actually like the bloody stuff or not (will probably always be a bit nostalgic though) but it's probably a bit naff and dated now.

If you don't have tinsel, is there an alternative?

What decorations do you have instead?

OP posts:

hazeyjane · 22/10/2017 21:44

Yes, hessian. And chickpeas, threaded onto organic cotton.

TheFallenMadonna · 22/10/2017 21:47

Thank the Lord!!
Because, you know, this is MN, and people do weird stuff and call it "poncetastic"...

Neuroticwoman · 22/10/2017 21:59

Lametta is the way forward.

Taffeta · 22/10/2017 22:04

Lametta bad for cats

I think beads are vile - they’re jewellery FFS

I wind tinsel round the trunk in the middle section, it adds a depth like nothing else. I also add silver sprayed allium heads as I’m a wanker.

TheFallenMadonna · 22/10/2017 22:05

I have to make a 70s Christmas display at the start of December and lametta will feature. Otherwise I will pretty much be just using what I already have

CiderwithBuda · 22/10/2017 22:08

I do beads. Can't do tinsel.

Really dislike the American massive ribbon thing too. Tinsel preferable!

MuddlingThroughLife · 22/10/2017 22:15

I just have 800 lights and as many baubles as I can fit on. No tinsel, string or beads.

MuddlingThroughLife · 22/10/2017 22:15

I just have 800 lights and as many baubles as I can fit on. No tinsel, string or beads.

Blankiefan · 23/10/2017 06:38

I've made "paperchains" but out of felt. Loads of colours and easy to make.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheSlimeGoes · 23/10/2017 06:51

Lots of multicoloured lights and baubles on our tree but never tinsel, beads or garlands of any description, I think they make the tree look strangled. Lots of tinsel elsewhere in the house though, I fill clear glass vases with it, drape it over picture frames, tie it round pot plants etc.

ToothTrauma · 23/10/2017 06:58

I personally don’t care for it but if you love it then go for it! If you can’t have a bit of tat at Christmas then when can you?

coconutwater1 · 23/10/2017 07:04

I love the thick ribbon, pref with a bit of velvet flock nice deep red and gold, takes me ages to wind it all over my big tree, and the pattern all has to face the same way, but looks stunning when done, and only with warm white lights all 3X800 of them.

Gone through all the tinsel, beads, lametta and everything else!

Just what takes my fancy at the time, but been a long time since I had tinsel, but was tempted with the deep pile (love that description) in B&M it was very thick (or was it the Range?) with some lovely colours.

coconutwater1 · 23/10/2017 07:05

Should of said the ribbon is wired and about 6inc in depth!......may be a tad OCD with said ribbon

Original poster

SerialMover · 23/10/2017 07:06

Fuck it, I'm going to continue to be embrace the tinsel then!

OP posts:

coconutwater1 · 23/10/2017 07:18

Other tree (I tend to have more than one) which is in a different room is always a real tree, and instead of loads of coloured ornaments I tend to use clear glass so you can see the tree.

Plenty of small lights and clear ornaments, small glass droplets with ivy wrapped around and hanging from the branches, I have plenty so it gets changed as the ivy dries out, again it looks very effective if I can also get some decent holly with berrys and hang those from fine silver ribbon.

Other trees no tinsel, just decs and lights, oh and one in the dining room has plenty of crackers placed all over the tree, so no hunting around for more, but they have to be good quality ones in a contrasting colour.

eyeballpaul · 23/10/2017 07:26

I use sparkly/patterned ribbon on my tree.....

“Deep pile” tinsel (bloody love this description!) gets scattered around my office at work though 🙈😊

Mcakes · 23/10/2017 07:51

My family is half Danish and people tend to use Lametta instead of tinsel over there. It is lovely because it sways and sparkles with the tiniest movement of air. Draped in little bunches at the end of the branches, it looks magical. goo.gl/images/ZeoTW5

But agree is no good if you have little kids or cats (very dangerous if eaten)
My mum still uses the lametta she bought in the 60's which has lead in it!! Makes it drape beautifully but is deadly stuff. She uses real candles on the tree too!

Annotherone · 23/10/2017 09:50

I have strings of pearls of different sizes threaded onto fishing line and spaced irregularly so it looks like little snowdrops resting on the branches. White lights and only white and clear glass decorations.
It's very clean and pared back.
I don't think tinsel works in a Scandi aesthetic, but I don't really think anything works as well as tinsel for traditional, or jewel or vintage type decoration.

MarklahMarklah · 23/10/2017 09:55

I haven't used tinsel for years. I use beaded or ribbon garlands.
A PP upthread mentioned Hessian and string, which is what I may do this year.
That said, I saw some lovely tinsel last week. Clear, iridescent so it just caught the light a bit. I could be swayed!

Belleoftheball8 · 23/10/2017 09:58

Use beads and some lovely icicles garland from the garden centre. I’m not a fan of tinsel

thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/10/2017 21:37

I'm not a tinsel fan, sorry.,

Last year we used feather boas.

This year i've also made fabric 'paper' chain garlands. Contemplating making a miniature sized one from ribbons too. One garland will go on the mantelpiece and the other on the tree.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/10/2017 21:38

Forgot the picture

73kittycat73 · 24/10/2017 00:59

I love tinsel! It gets put everywhere. On all the pictures around my monitor, along the tv, sideboard...and of course the tree! I don't like seeing gaps or much of the greenery on the tree, it gets covered in tinsel!