CHRISTMAS 2023
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! The air is filled with festive cheer and joy, and we can't help but feel the excitement of Christmas. This holiday season is undoubtedly my favorite of all. I cherish everything, from spending time with loved ones to decorating my home for the festive season.
Our first-ever Christmas feature is dedicated to you, our readers. We're offering tips on hosting family and friends, delicious main-day menus, home decoration ideas, and inspiration for handmade gifts that will undoubtedly make anyone's day.
Most years, my family and I celebrate Christmas in a big way. However, I've experienced both grand and intimate celebrations over the years and have found deep joy in both. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, we wish you and your family a season overflowing with warmth and comfort. May your hearts be merry and light, and your home filled with the magic and wonder of the season. Wishing you a safe and blessed Merry Christmas!
Crystal Chomba
Decking the halls As we approach the Christmas season, our homes can serve as a source of cheer and delight. From adorning the tree with ornaments to filling the house with festive carols and twinkling lights, decorating for Christmas is a cherished tradition. Despite the hustle and bustle of the season, it's essential to take a moment to savor the moment and relish the joy it brings. To avoid buyer's remorse and to stay focused, consider selecting a theme or colour scheme that aligns with your aesthetic. The following pages are filled with ideas and suggestions to inspire and invigorate your Christmas holiday preparations.
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Welcoming the Christmas Spirit with a Festive Wreath. One of the best ways to spread Christmas cheer is by hanging a wreath on your front door. Not only is it a beautiful decoration, but it also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for those who walk by or visit your home.
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Creating a Festive Tree-Decorating Experience. Get in the holiday spirit by playing some Christmas tunes or watching a Hallmark movie, and lighting a scented candle to set the mood as you decorate your tree with loved ones. Want a fresh look this year without breaking the bank? Add ribbon! Each year you can switch up the colour, size, or texture of the ribbon to create a whole new look. This season, we're feeling inspired by Cher House's jewel-toned plums mixed with mauve ribbons. For a relaxed and effortless touch, tie bows with longer ribbons at the tips of your tree branches. Complement this look with a few silver, gold or copper decorations for a romance inspired tree!
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Revamp Your Fireplace Decor with a Modern Twist. Why not switch up the traditional garland and opt for a mix of greenery and beeswax candles instead? Set them off to one side for an asymmetrical look that is both modern and chic. This tip is courtesy of IDCO.
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Transform Your Home with a Beautifully Traditional Garland. Monika Hibbs Home has designed an exquisite garland that exudes generosity. The lush greenery and neatly tied ribbons create an elegant and timeless look that will bring joy with every glance. For an added touch of glamour, try layering two contrasting colours of ribbon. And to really capture the spirit of the holiday season, strategically place oversized pinecones throughout the garland for an added charm. RUSTIC CHARM INTERIORS
Creating a Festive Home Ambiance with Ornaments. Transform your entry console or coffee table into a cheerful holiday display by placing bowls of ornaments atop books. Enhance the overall aesthetic by incorporating ribbons on a few ornaments and mixing and matching various shapes, textures, and levels of sparkle for a visually stunning effect.
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These holiday decorating tips will help you embrace the festive season with style and ease. Get ready for the holidays with these simple and budget-friendly decoration tips that will bring warmth and joy to every corner of your home. Here are a few ideas to try:
Transform your dining or kitchen area with a gorgeous centerpiece. Use a footed bowl and layer it with seasonal greenery, pinecones, bells, and ornaments to create a stunning display. Create a charming Christmas village scene on your windowsill or sideboard using ceramic white houses illuminated by candlelight. The magical nighttime glow will surely make your home feel cozy. Fill your home with the aroma of the holidays by placing scented candles and sprigs of eucalyptus throughout your entryway, bedroom, or powder room. For a simple yet effective decoration, try incorporating an advent candle and a bud vase filled with a single festive branch. Place it near your kitchen sink, dining table, or side table to create a delightful holiday ambiance. RUSTIC CHARM INTERIORS
Main day Menu In the southern hemisphere, Christmas is celebrated in a unique manner that emphasizes light textures and fresh foods. The taste of the sea and sun are vital elements on our shopping lists. We seek out fruits ripened by the sun and seafood fresh from the sea. We have curated three distinctive yet simple menus for the main day, featuring standout sides, mains, and desserts. We encourage you to consider trying something new this season or mixing and matching as your guest list evolves. Our intention is that you will draw culinary inspiration from these dishes and impress your guests with your cooking skills. For recipe and directions, simply click the images.
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Sensational Sides & Appetizeers
During the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, appetizers and sides that can be pre-prepared are a true lifesaver. By taking care of these in advance, you'll be able to enjoy the company of your guests and relish in the delectable flavors of the season. A roasted beetroot salad topped with tangy feta is a perfect choice for a warm summer lunch, and its vibrant colours are a feast for the eyes. Alternatively, indulge in a mouth-watering combination of sweet figs and savory prosciutto. A chilled cranberry fizz is a refreshing drink to have ready for when your guests arrive. And for something that looks as good as it tastes, try dressing up a simple baked brie in the festive colours of Christmas with cherries, cranberries, nuts and rosemary.
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Seasonal table setting Preparing for a festive gathering involves more than just food; it's about the overall ambiance. With a few thoughtful tablescape ideas, even simple tableware can be elevated to create a memorable experience for your guests. Our recommendation is to keep things uncomplicated and ensure that your food remains the focal point. With simple and effortless touches, your guests will feel special, and the scene will be set for a delightful Christmas feast.
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Ideas to try
Elevate Your Guests' Dining Experience with Personalized Place Cards and Creative Table Decor. Impress your guests by adding a personal touch to their dining experience. Accompany each place setting with a fragrant eucalyptus or rosemary to leave a lasting impression. For a whimsical touch, decorate your linen napkins with seasonal greenery and shiny baubles. To achieve a more organic feel, layer spruce and cinnamon quills together and secure them with twine. Your table will look stunning as you fill the room with the welcoming scent of Christmas. RUSTIC CHARM INTERIORS
Get ready to transform your all-white table into a colourful masterpiece with these chic tips! Begin with a long, colourful tapered candle as your centerpiece and pair it with seasonal fruits and nuts like walnuts, chestnuts or pomegranates and cherries for a pop of colour and texture. Want to take it up a notch? Fill pedestal bowls with clusters of cherries or grapes layered throughout for a dynamic look. And don't forget to add seasonal greenery to your base and give your decor a natural touch of glam! Your guests will be in awe of your creative flair and attention to detail.
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Holiday Hosting Make your holiday hosting a delightful and effortless experience for both you and your guests. Consider planning a few simple activities that offer maximum enjoyment with minimal effort, such as baking, crafting, or visiting local beaches for a day by the water. If your guests plan to stay for an extended period, our blog post on preparing your guest room might be of interest to you! Read it here.
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Ideas come to life
Elevate Your Guests' Holiday Experience with These Thoughtful Gestures: Add a charming touch to the bedside table with a small nutcracker adorned with a decorative ribbon. Welcome your guests with a hamper filled with thoughtful treats, like baked goods or speciality coffee. Add a festive touch to their room by hanging a wreath on the door or above the bed, complemented by seasonal accent cushions. Create a cozy and luxurious atmosphere by providing a scented candle in the guest bedroom. RUSTIC CHARM INTERIORS
Advent calendars are a fun way to intensify the excitement of the holiday season. Consider trying some of these unique countdown methods:
Number taper candles 1-25 and light one each evening. The gentle flicker of the flame creates a serene moment of calmness in your daily routine. Follow Haus of Teasdale on Instagram for this sweet idea plus more festive inspiration. Write out or print family-friendly activities to enjoy each day. Hide the notes in a traditional advent calendar or collate in a jar and enjoy your very own daily lucky dip. A few ideas to get you started include family movie night, baking cookies, driving to see the Christmas lights or making your own ornaments.
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Wrap 25 Christmas-inspired books (or movies, or a combination of both) and place them under the tree. Take turns to unwrap one each night and read (or watch) together before bed; the younger children will find this especially delightful!
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Elevate Your Hosting Game with a Drink Station or Bar Cart. Looking to simplify the hosting process and encourage socialising among your guests? Consider setting up a drink station or bar cart at your next gathering. This will free up the host from having to serve drinks and allow guests to socialize and serve themselves throughout the day or night. Add more fun to the occasion and consider serving a signature cocktail or punch. Why not try this out during the upcoming festive period?
Hand-made Gifts In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards creating handmade gifts. This shift in gifting culture, which emphasizes personalization over store-bought presents, is an affordable way to demonstrate our affection for the people we care about. One of the main advantages of handmade gifts is the personal touch that sets them apart. Whether it's a batch of handmade cookies or curated art piece, these gifts have a way of resonating with the recipient on a deeper level. Another significant benefit of creating a handmade gift is the flexibility to tailor it to the recipient's preferences. So, why not start crafting and spread joy through a personalized and unique gift?
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Gifts to make by hand
Jams, relishes, or sauces are a thoughtful and delicious option for the foodie in your life. Better-for-you granola made with seasonal ingredients offers a luxurious gift for anyone. Create a personalized tea towel using a stamp or cookie cutter for a festive touch. Homemade biscotti is a delightful treat that can be customized by experimenting with different flavors or sticking to traditional ingredients. Create your own signature blend! RUSTIC CHARM INTERIORS
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Made by hand
Explore the depths of your creativity with your own hand-painted ornaments. Craft your own gourmet salts infused with flavorful spices and herbs for culinary connoisseurs. Indulge in the luxury of personalized, etched glass bottle, sure to impress even the most discerning individuals. Visit TidBits & Company for a tutorial on how to create your own. Homemade truffles are a decadent treat that is easy to make and sure to impress anyone. With just a few quality ingredients, these tasty truffles make for excellent neighbourly gifts.
Creating A Cherished Tradition: Host a Wreath-Making Workshop. Give the gift of intentional time together by hosting a wreath-making workshop in the comfort of your own home. Gather all the necessary supplies, including fresh greenery from your local flower market, and let your creativity flourish. Once you have crafted your beautiful wreaths, add a festive touch and hang them up. You may even find that this becomes a new yearly tradition that you and your loved ones look forward to. Take a sneak peek at our family's favourite annual tradition by clicking the image above.
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Wrapt in wonder The Art of Gift Wrapping: A Fulfilling Act of Giving Experience the joy of giving by presenting thoughtfully wrapped gifts to your loved ones. The act of gift wrapping is an art form that, when done right, can add a special touch to any present. Impress your loved ones by opting for themed wrapping paper or, for a more eco-friendly approach, consider using fabric remnants as bows or tea towels as a zero-waste alternative to traditional wrapping paper.
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Creative Christmas Gift Wrapping tips to make your gifts stand out: For smaller gifts, consider using simple white napkins or tea-towels as an eco-friendly and stylish wrapping alternative. Add a touch of native sprigs to give it a unique twist. Use gum leaves in place of traditional gift tags and reduce waste. To create more depth, dimension and fullness under your Christmas tree, place your gifts in baskets. Baskets in various shapes and sizes can also be re-used to store essentials in the home or toys in children’s bedrooms, after the main event. Match the ribbon on your gifts to the ribbon on the tree for a cohesive look that's tonally balanced. For a unique twist on traditional gift wrapping, try an off-centre bow. Add a small Christmas decoration to the bow, which can be used as an ornament for next year’s tree. This is a fun way to build one’s collection of ornaments over time.
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