Christmas is coming and it is around the corner. It is either you are hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas or both, you should have the right things and recipes for your decor to look good.
Natural elements are key to pulling off seasonal decor.
“For Thanksgiving, it’s always a good time because there’s so many natural things you can bring in from outdoors,” says Karen Beattie, owner of Garden State Flowers and Gifts. “Whether it be pumpkins, gourds or some kind of foliage piece, like walnuts, acorns, or even Indian corn and bittersweet. A lot of times people think you have to have a big centerpiece in the middle of your table, but you don’t.”
Beattie says a runner with some candles, pumpkins, gourds and maybe a hint of floral mixed in with fall colors can go a long way. Having some sort of flowers elevates the look, making it more elegant. Your décor doesn’t have to be expensive. Red roses or Gerbera daisies mixed in with wheat or pine cones is a good look.
Lisa Larks, owner of Front Porch Fix-Ups, says Thanksgiving is fun because it’s during the fall, so anything with autumn colors works. Some people like to get creative and go for the rustic, natural look. Bringing nature inside is really in this year, she says.
You might use an old box as a centerpiece, including Mason jars with candles and mixing in some fall annuals, like mums. Take some candlesticks and instead of putting candles in them, put a pumpkin or a small gourd on top. You can even paint the pumpkin using spray paint. A gold metallic on your candlestick definitely will start some conversations at the Thanksgiving table.
Spray painting pumpkins is one of the most popular projects to do this year. People are using stripes, polka dots, metallic and even neutral colors like white. Smaller pumpkins can be used in a centerpiece for your table, throughout the house or even on the front porch.
“You don’t have to do anything big since Thanksgiving is all about the feast,” Beattie says. “If you’re doing a runner on your dining room table, make sure your pieces are at different levels. Having some short and tall pieces mixed together adds a little something extra. You also can take some of those same ideas and put them on an entryway table as something to greet the guests when they come in, whether it be natural leaves from your yard or artificial.”
For Christmas you can transfer some pieces from Thanksgiving. Just be sure to place them differently. Natural or artificial evergreen works well for Christmas. If purchasing artificial, make sure it’s a good quality. Holly is also great. If you can bring some natural greenery in, even in a small centerpiece, it can work wonders.
Don’t forget to add some fragrance to the décor.
“Scented candles are great for this time of year and through Christmas,” Beattie says. “That just takes you home, when you walk in and get that really nice seasonal smell. Cinnabon and milk and cookies for Santa are great scents right now.”