There’s only a week and a bit left and with all the shopping, cleaning, cooking and baking you still need to do, decorating your home is probably the last thing on your mind. 

When you do finally bust out that dusty box of holiday décor, you’re probably wishing you’d spiced it up a little earlier. But don’t worry! Even though it is another year, another Christmas and the same decorations, this happens to all of us. 

El Naturale

Decorating for the holidays can be pretty exciting especially when you want to spruce things up (literally!). It’s always comforting to bring the outdoors into your home, and playing up the natural theme is in this season. Dress up your mantle by placing spruce or evergreen branches and hanging red and orange ornaments. By adding touches of colour your home will be warm and inviting, and are a must to liven it up. A wreath for a centerpiece, with candles, pinecones, berries, ribbon and gold-painted fruit in the middle brings an elegant and festive look to the table. 

A Fairytale Winter Wonderland

If you’re feeling romantic this holiday you can easily transform your home to fit your gushy mood by creating your own winter wonderland.  This modern, romantic trend that is taking over Canadian homes uses soft pastel colours like pink, red, grey and tons of white. A multitude of different shapes and sizes of glass vases filled with red and white candles, cranberries and ornaments provides dimension and drama. Also, red decorations on the chandelier like tinsel and ornaments, red place-cards, as well as roses in a crystal vase, add that last touch of romance to the holiday table. Check out Crate&Barrel’s London Hurricanes hand-blown glass candle holders (small $29.95; large $49.95 below). www.crateandbarrel.ca

Glam it up

Forget the conventional red and green holiday palette this season; it’s all about mixing it up with metallics. Don’t be frightened away just yet! Gold stockings with embellished glitter and beaded trim are very enchanting and sophisticated.  Also adding gold and silver icicle ornaments with lilac and mahogany ball ornaments brings a rich contrast to a Christmas tree. This glamorous décor is straight out of a Hollywood-themed Christmas party and has a very seductive feel. Luxurious materials and fabrics like velvet and silk help create this look.