understated Christmas decors

[OMGitsnotgood]

I absolutely love Christmas (hence starting to think about it already, in my defence I have a lot of time on my hands this week and have a busy few months ahead).
We always have a Christmas tree but otherwise prefer an understated approach to decorations. For example Poinsettia, baubles in a bowl, candles surrounded by greenery eg holly and ivy - rather than lots of ornaments. That's just my taste, not at all a criticism of anyone preferring OTT decors - which I actually like to see in other people's homes, just not my own. Am looking for some new ideas.Natural is good, but doesn't have to be. Am struggling to articulate what I mean, will know it when I see it! Any ideas?

Have a look on Pinterest, perhaps under 'Mininalist Christmas Decor' or 'Scandi Christmas Ideas.' ☺️🌲

Frosted pine cones www.apieceofrainbow.com/diy-snow-covered-pine-cones/
Fairy light twigs www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362914633674
A string of plain white or pearly white paper chains

Yes I'm sure there'll be loads on Pinterest, couldn't think what to search on, thanks for the ideas.

lovely ideas thank you

We dry orange and lemon slices, then string them up round the house - makes a lovely smell as well.

ask for offcuts at the Xmas tree farm and use fishing twine to make them into a garland for the stairs, as well as some on the mantelpieces and window sills.

cut fresh holly and berries and tuck them into wherever the offcuts are.

dry out pine cones and ferns and use them in glass bowls, some with a bit of gold and silver paint to make them sparkle.

we have some really nice wooden tea light carousels (like Wooden Christmas Pyramid - 3 Levels - 18 Inches (45 cm) - Hand-painted Figures amzn.eu/d/eZBmAH4 This) which are really nice around the house. Plus White Company Christmas candles, which both look and smell the part!

When I was a child the only sparkly thing was the Christmas tree, but every picture in the house (there were lots) had a bit of holly or ivy tucked behind it and there were vases of evergreen with one or two flowers on evey mantlepiece, sideboard etc. Flowers were very expensive in winter and limited in choice, so it was usually a few big bronze or yellow chrysanthemums (you don't see them much anymore).

I still think the greenery is the best choice, love the smell. Mind you, by Christmas the birds have had most of the berries on our holly trees before I can pick it!

https://www.trianglenursery.co.uk/pictures/products/medium/Chrysant-Sgl-Zodiac-Bronze-80cm.jpg

I hang branches (gathered in dog walks and cut to size if necessary) in the windows and hang a few baubles from them, it looks nice.

It's not teally decoration but it's Christmassy - I put half an orange, half a lemon, a cinnamon stick or two, and a few sprigs of rosemary into a small crockpot with water and set it to low. It simmers for hours and fills my home with a lovely seasonal scent.

Have a google for the Nester/Myquillan Smith. One of her tips is to put effort into the functional aspect of the house in each season. So in winter it’s about making the house feel warm and cosy and having storage spaces for winter coats and boots.

I have a lovely big basket for firewood and bought nice fire irons. I have another big basket for all the boots and shoes, pretty baskets for gloves and scarves. All those things have to go somewhere and are either going to be hidden or clutter or part of the decor. Books, coasters, my knitting bag and jigsaws in progress are, not exactly styled, but they’re part of the atmosphere I want in my home. I’m a bit more intentional now about things like the colours and fabrics of throws, and even hot water bottle covers as I’m replacing things that wear out.

When it comes to proper decorating I like greenery. I have fake garlands as a base, to which I add cuttings of pine, dried oranges and cinnamon sticks.

I use lots of candles - the fake ones that are timed to come on every evening (and not burn the house down) and it’s lovely to watch the room light up. I add in fairy lights for Christmas and the Christmas tree of course.

I wish I could say I stopped there. I’m a recovering Christmas maximalist, and I’m trying to pull back on the excess. It’s just too much work pulling everything out of the attic, putting it up, taking it down and hauling it up again. I’d love to get to a point where I could store the whole lot somewhere downstairs in a cupboard.

We cannot have a tree or any glass baubles since oir two lovely but destructive cats came to live with us four years ago .
First year (they were adults , not kittens) we put up the pre=lit tree , lights on static , no decoration. She was in it by Day 4 .Tree put away
Tried again next year . He chewed the wires by Day 2 . Tree went away and has never been seen again. These are cats who don't chew wires in real life

Candles / LED ones with the flickering flame effect , in big glass vases . Safe and festive (so far )

Oh and a non candle burner ( heated electric one ) with Neales Yard oils (Cinnamon and either Mandarin or Orange )

I really like these candles from TK Maxx (I have the one on the far right with the little ice skaters and winter scene on them) they're Christmas without being too "Ho ho ho singing polar bears" (don't get me wrong I do have a singing polar bear but that doesn't live in my living room 😂).

Pearly white paper chains sound lovely! Does anyone know where I could get them?

Is there very pared back and only ott?
Can't go wrong with paper Dec's, white home-made snowflake etc

I’m another fan of dried orange and lemon slices, I also make orange and clove pomanders and pop them in a fish bowl or vase with dried pine cones.

Love this idea. I've been way too maximal in the past. I'm donating a bunch of 'decor' and plan to focus on general house coziness, along with lots of fresh foliage.

I love the little white ceramic houses.

www.instagram.com/reel/CxIx6NetENh/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

I have a few of those dotted around with candles and homemade brown paper snowflakes and white stars.