Kitschmas, rustic-Nordic, or traditional: Which Christmas decoration tribe do you belong to?

Interiors

Elegant doesn't have to mean understated: this Eucalyptus wreath, €105, used as dramatic mirror décor really works. Find it at neptune.com

Kirstie McDermott

December 02 2019 02:30 AM

If you thought that Christmas decorations began and ended with a few baubles thrown at the tree on December 6 - Ireland's unofficially-official date to decorate - while you sip contentedly on the seasonal Baileys, then, sorry, but I am here to disabuse you of the notion.

The festive season now begins in August, when Brown Thomas opens its Christmas shop. Then, once Halloween is barely out the door, the shops usher Rudolph et al in from the pre-prepared wings and we're into it with a bang.

Tree, €2.08 - Cute recyclable paper tree, Sostrene Grene; add more for impact

If Christmas decorations used to be a bit of a spectator sport, now they're a full-on bootcamp involving stamina, an endless research-purchase cycle and a hefty dose of sticking it to the neighbours (or in the case of social media, one-up-Gram-ship). So which camp do you fall into: kitschmas (I'm a card-carrying member), rustic-Nordic, traditional or boho-chic?

Whatever trend you're into, we're all looking to shop less, reuse more and be kinder to the planet. Christmas is a time when excess is particularly excessive, so Neptune Global Village designer Alexandra Dimitrova suggests you think longer-term. "Lots of our designs this year are winter-long or even year-long ones," she says. "Bell and icicle decorations can be hung from drawer handles or doorknobs, while pine cones can be displayed in bowls or glass hurricane vases.

"Wreaths are now also seen all year round, so choose a plain twig design that you can refresh with seasonal foliage. If you're using a fresh wreath, place it in your garden after Christmas so birds can use any berries and nuts," she adds. Thinking end-of-use before you buy can help to avoid the worst of the impulse shopping we all succumb to during silly season. Conscious consumption has fed into Christmas decorating trends too. We're looking at a, "more edited, natural palette of materials and colours," Dimitrova says. Think materials such as, "glass and ceramic and warmer metals like brass and bronze".

Cosy textures are key too, she says. "Add in a few needle-felted decorations to the tree, hang decorations from velvet ribbons, place sheepskin rugs around the tree's base, and bring out more wool cushions and throws. Use nature-inspired motifs like stars, snowflakes, pine cones, icicles."

Star, €55 - This modernist brass Christmas tree top star, at fermliving.com, is pleasingly minimalist

Don't forget your older pieces. "Heirloom decorations, the pieces that have been passed down in your family have a place alongside newer finds," she says. As for where to put them, "everyone does living and dining rooms, but don't forget other spaces," Dimitrova instructs.

"The hallway, kitchen and bedroom should all have a festive touch. Make sure to get the essentials right: no matter how lovely your decorations, the atmosphere won't be there if your lighting isn't creating a cosy setting," she says. Warm LEDs, lamps and pools of lights and candles have a large part to play,

Lastly, "think about the view looking in from outside too, whether that's outside your home or from a doorway inside," Dimitrova says. This is something that's close to our hearts as we keep the Diaspora in mind around Christmas time and many of us light candles to guide our emigrants' home. So this year, may your decorations be merry, bright - and chock-full of meaning.

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Tree decoration, €6 - Old-style white and gold ceramic Christmas tree decoration, Oliver Bonas, that you might want to use year-round

Mini tree, €12 - Choose the initials of family and friends with these personalised wooden cut-out Christmas tree decorations; Gettingpersonal.co.uk

Bauble, €55 - for 6 Invest in an heirloom piece with Alaz mouthblown glass baubles; Sophieconran.com

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