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Tegan Thuss
URBAN EXPLORING EDITOR

Decorating for Christmas is always a challenge when deciding how to approach it. Do you want to be over the top in a Griswold kind of way, or are you a subtle, simple lights kind of person?

White lights = traditional, simple style
White lights = traditional, simple style

Start by finding out what colour theme you want to use on your home. What really pops in your mind, or shows your personality in terms of Christmas spirit and enthusiasm? Do you want to be colourful, reds and greens or rainbow delight? How about the classical white lights, dangling from the eaves with care? This look inspires the feeling of home and wonder, while being simple and beautiful.

Use a Christmas tree to heighten your style
Use a Christmas tree to heighten your style

How about just choosing one element to emphasis your cheer? Suggestions include a tree (either on your balcony, on your lawn, or in your window) a Santa (either on the roof or in his sleigh on the lawn) or maybe just a lovely wreath to hang on the door or above the garage.

Use anything to make a wreath, it will look classy no matter what
Use anything to make a wreath, it will look classy no matter what

Wreaths can be over the top, or they can be very simple. Sometimes you can use yarn for a country look, or try using branches from your Christmas tree (that you needed to cut off) to create a more authentic woodland look. Add anything you like, be it a fake bird, acorns, giant Christmas bulbs, or simple pine cones, lights and red berries.

Over-the-top = bursting with spirit and charm
Over-the-top = bursting with spirit and charm

Never feel like you are being too overwhelming with your spirit. This is the one time of year when you can be bursting to the brim with it, and no one can say a thing about your over the top-ness. You want to make sure you pack a wallop, some oomph. Plus, it’s that time of year when you can bling-up the house without judgement – who doesn’t like to have some sparkle in their life.

Anything can be used to hang lights, try adding a bit of an effect to catch the eye
Anything can be used to hang lights, try adding a bit of an effect to catch the eye

If you don’t have the right kind of tree, don’t sweat the small stuff, use what you have. Take that weird hanging tree on your front lawn and make art out of it. Bright coloured lights on top and white lights on bottom, for that falling colours effect. Remember, it’s about sparkling, not about the means by which the sparkle happens.

Add a theme to draw it all together, candy canes are a great choice
Add a theme to draw it all together, candy canes are a great choice

Finally, have fun with it. Pick a theme and follow through with it. Candy canes, country chic, Christmas traditional, or just plain wacky that only you can understand. Because, in the end, it’s just a means of bringing a smile to your face and the faces of those who happen to pass by your home on one of those cold winter nights…shining lights guiding them as they go.

Happy Holidays from your friends at the Cord Community Edition!

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