DECEMBER 2018 | 35TH EDITION | NORTH | CREATEAHOME.COM.AU
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Create A Home • Issue 0035 • North
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December/2018
How to give your Christmas decorations an Aussie flavour. Written by: Lance Skelton
How to add your own individual flair to Christmas decorations Christmas is just around the corner. You know what that means; too much food, a rellie who always has too much to drink, and rolling out the same old boring Christmas decorations year after year. This year, here’s your chance to break with tradition. You’ll still probably eat too much, there’ll most likely be one relative who has too much to drink, but you can add fun and colour to your Christmas celebrations with some
original decorations that have an Australian summer flavour about it all, and that won’t cost a fortune.
Tasmania is not part of Europe, so what’s with all the european decorations? In Europe, it goes without saying that snowmen, lots of holly, and roaring log fires are an essential part of the traditional Christmas decorations. Over there, it’s the middle of winter, it’s often seriously cold (as in minus 5 degrees), and you can often be snowed in for days at a time. Here, it’s summertime, and we’re living in Australia for goodness sake.
Lots of Tasmanians will be celebrating Christmas with barbecues, picnics down the beach, eating seafood and drinking cold beer. So why not look for Aussie inspired decorations that you can make yourself, and have more to do with the spirit of Christmas than all the consumer
paraphernalia the shopping centres like to promote and want you to purchase.
Branch out with a different Christmas tree Forget the plastic pine Christmas tree that is stored away for 11
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months of the year, and always seems to have bits missing off the branches. Go native. In Tasmania, the South Esk Pine is a unique native plant only found in specific areas of Tasmania. This small evergreen tree has extremely dense branches, grows well in pots, and is a terrific option to use as a Christmas tree. While you may need to phone around a few nurseries to find this particular species, it’s worth the effort. If you
can’t manage to track one down, the good news is there are another 24,000 native plants in Australia to choose from. You’re sure to find something at your local nursery that can become your new ceremonial Christmas tree. Better still, if for any reason your native Christmas tree should happen to die, then it makes great mulch for the garden.
Keep your eyes out for fallen gumnuts, pine cones and blue gum branches If you happen to live near the bush or a local park, you’re sure to find plenty of wonderful native flora that’s fallen onto the ground. With a little imagination, these can be turned into terrific decorations. For example, red or gold painted gumnuts and pine cones can adorn either the Christmas tree or be
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added to the decorations around the table. Likewise, small, blue gum branches that have dropped to the ground can be intertwined with a sprinkle of coloured native berries to make a beautiful Christmas wreath to hang on the front door.
Make your own twiggy star You can also gather up fallen sticks and twigs of approximately
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the same length to make beautiful twiggy stars. It’s really easy to make. On a flat surface, simply lay the sticks and twigs out across each other to form the shape of a star and then bind it all together with coloured string. By making a small loop at the top point of the star with a piece of string, these attractive DIY decorations can be hung over door handles throughout the house as a reminder of the special Christmas season you’re entering, or added to the decorations on your Christmas tree.
Look around your garden for inspiration Be creative, and look for shrubs and plants in your garden that will provide colour and texture, as well as any flowers that may be in bloom. You’d be amazed at the original decorative table piece you can create, or even a vase of flowers if you’d prefer. If you’re lucky enough to have an Australian Christmas Bush growing in your garden, then you have the basis of a wreath that looks absolutely stunning with hundreds of creamy white flowers that are in full bloom around Christmas time. Of course, for the most spectacular arrangement, try
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and pick your flowers on Christmas morning.
bunting that can brighten up any room for the festive season.
Recycled items can be given a new life
Both these recycling activities show respect for the planet at a time when everything feels so disposable, and will also occupy the kids during the school holidays.
Remember how easy and fun it was to make paper chains as a kid? Paper chains are among the simplest recycled Christmas decor you can make at home. The more chains you make, the more colour you can add to your home. Paper chains look great when they’re draped over curtain rails, the mantle-piece or even bookshelves. A similar activity that uses recycled material is to get out some old Christmas cards that have been stacked away in boxes, grab a pair of scissors and some string. By cutting up some of the cards and folding them into triangular shapes, you can create beautiful
Keep it simple and enjoy the festive season Christmas is often a sad and stressy time for many Tasmanians. If you can keep things simple, buy what you can afford, and go easy on all the Christmas food and alcohol, then you’re setting yourself up for a great festive season, and a positive New Year.
December/2018
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