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Christmas Decorations - Great ideas for decorating your home at Christmas

OPH Good Housekeeping - Christmas Decorations

Decorating The Christmas Tree

Firstly put any lights on the tree,working from the inside out. Start by arranging on the branches towards the base, weaving lights along the inside branches then move towards the outer edges of the branches.

Garlands, tinsil and ornaments should be added later. Dont hang all your ornaments on the tips of branches. Placing some 'inside' your tree will add depth and interest.Start by arranging your basic ornaments evenly spaced around the tree. try to use approximately 20 basic ornaments for every 2 feet of tree.

Your collection of special tree ornaments should be placed between the basic ornaments aiming for at least 10 specialornaments for every 2 feet of tree.

Christmas Tree Themes

Choose the decorations according to the theme.

Silver: Use silver ornaments garlands and beads.

Country: Use raffia, pine cones and wooden ornaments. Tie twigs and dried flowers together with autumnal coloured ribbons.

Period: Affix ornamental green, red and gold clip on candles to the end of the branches (do not light) adding matching ribbons tied in bows to create a traditionally dressed Christmas tree.

Top Of The Tree:Angels and stars are popular ornaments to atop Christmas trees. Tradition is such an important part of Christmas so use whatever decoration you wish to use, (it's your showcase )use regardless of whether it ideally suits your chosen theme.

Why not check out our pages on:

  • The history of the Christmas Tree

  • Choosing a Christmas Tree

  • Christmas Tree Maintenance
    Christmas Decorations

    Mistletoe: originates back to the druids. It was regarded as sacred and dedicated to the goddess of love and prevented from touching the ground.. This belief was altered to accommodate Christianity where the white berries symbolise purity.

    Holly: also steeped in English folklore made the transition into Christianity where the pointed leaves are said to represent the crown of thorns and the red berries the blood of Christ.. The tradition of hanging a holly wreath on the front door to show that the household celebrated the birth of Christ, dates back to the 17th century.

    Yule Logs:originally used by the celts where a large log was burnt on the winter solstice to celebrate the return of the Sun God. During the 12th century the burning of the yule log was said to ward off the devil provided it burnt continually untilreduced to a pile of ashes.. During the following centuries it gradually transformed into a much smaller table ornament decorated with greenery and candles. It wasn't until Victorian times that it was found in edible form as a chocolate roll covered in icing sugar and topped with a sprig of holly.

    Poinsettias: originates from Mexico, where it is known as the Flower Of the Holy Night The association with Christmas stems from the 1800's, when Mexicans believed the plants were symbolic of the Star Of Bethlehem.

    Christmas Stockings:legend has it that once a kindly nobleman, distraught at the death of his wife, stupidly squandered his fortune. Sadly this left his three daughters without dowries. St Nicholas upon hearing of the girls plight, set out to help. he saddled his white charger, rode by the noblemans house and threw three pouches of gold coins down the chimney. the three pouches of coins were captured by the stockings that the daughters had hung on the hearth to dry.

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