A Christmas of Loving, because we are loved .......... Welcome to my Christmas page
There are so many possible themes! It helps to decide your general style and then choose your colors. No one has to start all over, if you add to your theme year by year.
The association of the evergreen tree with Christianity seems to have started with St. Boniface, who used some of the symbolic meanings of the German tribes to illustrate concepts of Christian faith. So from the German traditions the Christmas tree has been part of the decorations of Christmastime.
To help create the effect you imagine, I have a few helpful hints:
Color Themes
{Burgandy and Gold}
{Blue and Silver}
{Mauve, Purple and Metallic}
{Red and White}
{Sage Green, Pink, and White}
{Gold}li>{Blue, Green, and White}
The range is only limited by the imagination. Certain colors will be associated with certain styles at times. The Danish tree with the red and white of the flag and the golden wheat and metallic colors is typical. Swedish flag of Blue and Gold, or Tartan colors of Red and Green make a basic scheme to work from.
Gingham bows could provide a duo of white and whatever country colors that pleased you.
Speaking of bows, there are so many pretty varieties available during the Christmas season. Their colors could be the foundation for a whole color scheme.
Style themes
Another approach is to choose your style.
{Country Homespun}
{Victorian Elegance}
{Teddy Bears and Toys}
{Religious}
{Angels and Sparkles}
{Nature}
{The National Styles mentioned}
{Folk Art}
Beach Theme Example
In one style theme, you could bring a bit of summer memories into your Christmas. A natural beach motif would be beautiful
in a home with blues and neutrals. Think of sea shells, silver glinting ornaments, natural raffia bows, strings of pearls, little pails with wrapped salt water taffy, all sorts of things!
To get you started think "sea and beach" take a look at some of these ideas
National themes are traditional for certain countries. A Danish tree is often decorated with tiny cheerful Danish Flags. I have a few illustrations from Carl Larsson who painted homey scenes of how he viewed Swedish/Scandinavian life. The colors are typically Scandinavian, light and bright, and reflect the value of "coziness" in handmade ornaments and a clean simple look.
A Victorian look couldn't be more different. Even with the same color combination, its opulence and abundance of lace, paper and glass ornaments fill the tree as their lives and rooms were filled with refinements and ornament. Deep colors such as the burgundy- gold combination are especially given to this style.
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A Gingerbread Christmas sounds delightful, doesn't it? Gingerbread cookies and houses, red and white gingham ribbons, raffia ornaments and Swedish straw ornaments, along with homemade paper snowflakes (my favorite!). String it all together with garland of red beads, or strung cranberries for an old fashioned delight.
What does it mean to "guywire " the tree? Locate your tree near a stationary drapery rod, or drive a sturdy nail into the wall surface. Take very fine, but strong wire, metal, or fishline and wind around the top of the tree and secure to the rod, or the nail. This will ensure that rambunctious and curious children cannot topple the tree. ( This did happen in my living room one year.)
