No Christmas trees? No problem
By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor
Christmas mugs are a must. What else are you supposed to drink hot chocolate from—a normal mug? That would be ridiculous.
There are plenty of ways to decorate your home other than putting up a Christmas tree. Everyone—regardless of religious affiliation—can celebrate Christmas. For me, I see the holidays as a great time to spend with those I love, eat good food, and feel a deep-soul connection to dim-warm tones.
One of the many group activities the holidays pose is decorating itself. However, decorating in and of itself opens up more things to do.
In order to have a nice inventory of decorations I’d suggest going to thrift stores! Most thrift stores have the cutest little x-mas knick-knacks year-round. They’re also far more affordable than your everyday store, and an added bonus is that most of the items will have the perfect Christmas vintage charm. Now, on to decorating.
Stockings
These cute little socks have the most fun purpose besides under the tree itself—they hold tiny gifts! Stocking stuffers are cheap, cute, and often contain chocolate so they’re an immediate win in my books.
They’re also one of the few decorative items that are for each individual rather than the whole, meaning that they can also be personalized! For a fun craft you could even make your own from scratch.
Plates and Mugs
Plates, though terrifyingly fragile, are one of my favourite decorative pieces. They take up a lot of room sometimes which is good for decorating quicker. Mainly, though, the paintings and images on them can be gorgeous. Intricate detail and old-timey charm paired with the fragility of the piece makes them one of the best. If you wanted to, you could probably use them as actual plates too—how’s that for a multi-purpose decoration!
Similarly, Christmas mugs are a must. What else are you supposed to drink hot chocolate from—a normal mug? That would be ridiculous.
Snow globes
I collect all types of snow globes, but none make as much sense as Christmas ones since the snow is quite integral. Shaking them transports you into the winter wonderland you wish it were (and not the Greater Vancouver rainy Christmas we’ve had for years).
Knick-Knacks
Little x-mas knick-knacks are the go-to for mantels and bookshelves. Nutcrackers to teddy bears, Santas to elves—anything works! Hanging bells around your home is sure to sweeten the mood when they accidentally get knocked around.
A personal favourite is an ornament I received as a gift from my best friend. It reminds me of what the holidays are about (to me, anyway)—love and friendship!
Lights
You can’t have a cozy atmosphere without the right lighting! While string lights are a classic, adjustable light bulbs are fantastic. Dimming their orange hue to that of a fire-lit living room is sure to make you feel incredibly comforted. LED lights are another way to achieve this. You don’t need any prior affiliations with the holiday itself to let yourself enjoy all of its wonders! It’s time to get into that cheery joyous vibe, and if you haven’t, remember that Santa is always watching.
