Christmas Decoration Tips
When it comes to Christmas Decoration, we've been there, done that, now serving 231 tips in 14 categories ranging from Artificial Christmas Trees to Outdoor Christmas Decorations.
Choosing Large Nativity Sets
For many people, Christmas just isn't Christmas without a nativity scene. Large nativity sets that decorate the front lawn are a special way to share your enjoyment of the Christmas story with your friends and neighbors. With the many options available, you can find a nativity that will fit in any size yard and will match any design style.
One piece nativity scenes are compact decorations that are easy to set up. They are perfect for people who want to display a large lighted nativity in their yards but have limited space.
Plastic nativity sets are a great option for people who want durability and versatility. Since the people and animals are all separate figurines, you could opt to just use the nativity family some years and put out the entire set other years. This flexibility is very important for people who like to change the way they set up their yard displays each year.
Wire framed sets have the same benefits of plastic nativities with the additional advantage of offering an updated look. People who want a more modern looking nativity should be happy with wire sets.
No matter which set you choose for your yard, don't be surprised if it becomes a magnet for neighborhood children. What child wouldn't be fascinated by the story of Christmas reproduced in life size figurines?
LED Christmas Lights
Almost everyone's seen them, those especially bright Christmas lights that seem more brilliant in color than other lights. These bright and beautiful Christmas lights are LED Christmas lights and are growing in popularity for several reasons.
- LED Christmas lights last longer than typical bulb lights some lasting up to 50,000 hours, thus saving you money.
- LED Christmas lights are energy efficient, using up to 90% less energy than non-LED lights.
- Christmas LED lights shine more brilliantly than other types of Christmas lights.
- LED Christmas lights come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and themes, such as solid colored LED lights, multi-colored LED lights, lighted garland and LED lights shaped like pinecones. You can even purchase battery powered LED snowman lights to decorate your home and save electricity to boot.
- LED lights may cost a bit more than lights that aren't LED but in the long run they save you money.
Multicultural Christmas Nativity Ideas
Many children do not realize that Christmas is celebrated differently in other parts of the world. From Yule logs to Saint Lucia, children in other cultures have special holiday traditions. Some of these traditions are centered around the Christmas nativity. Why not have a multicultural celebration this year with your children? They'll learn about how other cultures celebrate the holidays and they just may decide that they'd enjoy incorporating some of the different traditions into your family's Christmas celebrations in future years.
In Mexico, the nativity has a special place in Christmas activities. Entire neighborhoods celebrate with an event they call Posada. This is a tradition where children recreate Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem by having a parade of neighborhood kids go from house to house asking for shelter. Many times, they carry a nativity with them. The adults have already decided which house will invite the kids in and that family puts together a party for the children and their parents.
If you have a rich cultural heritage, you may prefer to look for traditions that your ancestors celebrated instead. To find out more about your holiday heritage, you should:
- Talk to older relatives to see if they have any heirlooms, such as a Saint Lucia crown that has been passed down through the family, to share with you.
- Check the Internet or call your local library to research customs celebrated by your culture.
Rounding Out the Look
Purchasing a Santa suit to use to build Christmas traditions in your home is a great idea, but make sure when you purchase the suit that you round out the look and purchase the beard, the boots, the hat, the bag and Santa's glasses. You can bet that if you paid a visit to a child without all of those items, that child will surely notice the difference.
Most retailers that sell Santa suits sell the suit separately from the accessories that go with it, so it's important to purchase those items as well. If you purchase a professional cotton velvet Santa suit, then you should make sure you get a matching hat in the same color.
Santa beards are available in a synthetic fiber or a natural looking wig and beard. A good idea when deciding on what beard and wig works for you is to carefully study both, and if ordering online, give the retailer a call and ask what they recommend. If you want Santa to have his sidekick, Mrs. Claus, there are Mrs. Claus costumes available as well. Imagine a child's surprise to see both Santa and his wife arrive for a visit.
Precious Moments Nativity Sets and Other Nativity Figurines
You've been collecting Precious Moments figurines for quite a few years. You even used a pair of these sweet little children as cake toppers on your wedding cake. Since you are such a fan of these adorable porcelain figurines, it is no surprise that you looked for a Precious Moments nativity when you decided you wanted a new nativity set.
The three piece nativity includes a boy and girl dressed as Joseph and Mary and a baby dressed as Jesus. The set has all the personality and sweetness that the rest of the Precious Moments figurines have and is sure to be a treasured addition to your collection.
If you collect other figurines, you may be interested in taking a look at Department 56's nativity set. This set is only available through bronners.com and is a wonderful addition to your Department 56 village display.
For people who enjoy adding new figurines to their collection each year, Jim Shore nativity pieces may be the perfect option. Jim Shore has several different nativity families. In addition, there are quite a few other nativity related pieces you can add to your collection. Wise Men, camels, shepherds, angels and even palm trees are available for these sets.
Fun and Traditional Christmas Accessories
Decorating a Christmas tree is something many families enjoy doing together, and there is nothing better than adding some cool Christmas accessories, such as a great Christmas tree skirt, Christmas tree garland and an ornament hanger, to your decorating theme.
If you want to break free from the more traditional tinsel Christmas tree garland, you may wish to consider beaded garland. Beaded Christmas tree garland can add a touch of class to your tree and comes in a variety of sizes, colors and prices. If you want to use a garland that is fun for the children in your home, you may want to think about a themed beaded garland, such as beaded garland with a Superman theme. There are many themed beaded garlands to choose from, such as M&M's, gingerbread men and even ducks, and it can be a fun family shopping trip when it comes time to pick one.
You may want to display your Christmas ornaments in some fashionable way other than on your tree. With a Christmas ornament holder you can do just that. These types of Christmas accessories are usually made of brass and come in different sizes. They are equipped with a hook that holds the ornament from its top. It's a fun and cool way to display ornaments not only during Christmas but also year-round.
Every Christmas tree needs a Christmas tree skirt to dress it up. Christmas tree skirts come in a wide variety of fabrics and decorations. You can pick a more traditional Christmas tree skirt that is a satin brocade or a damask material in gold colors, or you can pick a more fun tree skirt that is adorned with gingerbread cookies or reindeer. It comes down to personal choice and what works best for your decorating style. Christmas tree skirts can be pricey but they last for years when properly cared for.
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Complete Your Display With a Nativity Stable
You carefully arrange your nativity set on your Christmas tree skirt and take a step back to admire the result. While the figurines are beautiful, it seems as though something is missing. Perhaps the problem is that they are dwarfed by the ornament covered tree. You move them to the coffee table, the mantle and the bookshelf. No matter where that lovely nativity scene is set up, it looks wrong. You're staring at the figurine when you realize the problem. You didn't shop for a nativity stable.
Nativity stables are a great way to provide a backdrop for your figurines. They add realism and interest to the nativity display and are a great way to make the Christmas story easier for children to understand.
You can find beautiful olive wood nativity stables in very simple designs or with lovely hand carved details. These stables have a rustic simplicity that will allow the nativity figurines to shine. Moss covered stables are another rustic option.
If you would like to find a stable that matches the style of your cozy country home, you may want to take a look at a Jim Shore stable. These stables are designed to match Jim Shore nativity sets but can be purchased separately if you want to use your current nativity set.
Unique Artificial Christmas Trees
A unique artificial Christmas tree is one that you won't typically be able to purchase in a nationwide retailer. Instead, you may have to do some searching to find it, but once you do, you're sure to love the creativity that comes with purchasing an artificial Christmas tree that is not your typical run-of-the mill tree.
If traditional is hardly your style, then why not choose a tree that isn't green? You can choose from a pre-lit black tree that stands over seven feet. If black isn't your color of choice, you can pick from a wide variety of artificial Christmas tree colors, from red to purple to white. It can be fun to think outside of the box at Christmas time and having a tree that is brightly or differently colored certainly allows you to do so. Prices and sizes vary for these trees, but remember, the work is done for you as you can purchase these trees pre-lit and ready to easily assemble.
Another unique artificial Christmas tree is the upside down tree which are available at many online retailers. This tree stands upside down and is used by many for a unique tree display, but also to save on floor space as the narrow top part of the tree is in the tree stand and the wide part of the tree is pointed up towards the ceiling. This type of tree is sure to be a conversation starter in any household and can be purchased for as little as $150 for a smaller tree or up to $500 for a larger one.
If you want to stay away from the look of a traditional tree, you may want to look at spiral artificial Christmas trees. A spiral tree is not only unique but also is a more distinguished way to show off a unique holiday look. Trees such as these come in various sizes and range in price from less than $175 to over $300 and are generally pre-lit in clear or white lights.
People who want a non-traditional artificial Christmas tree are certainly in luck with all of the fun choices available.
Indoor Christmas Nativity Scenes
You'd like to start displaying a nativity each Christmas, but you aren't sure if there is a set that will work with your home's décor. Actually, with all the Christmas nativity sets available, you're going to have to start worrying about narrowing down your choices, instead.
For people who are short on space, miniature nativities are a smart idea. You can find a set from Jim Shore that fits easily into an area as small as a foot and includes a stable and individual figurines. If you want a nativity that is even smaller, maybe a nativity contained in a nut shell will work. Elaborate nativity ornaments can hang on a tree or an ornament stand.
If you are concerned about storage space, but you prefer to display a set that is larger than some of the miniature options, perhaps a set of stacking nativity dolls will work for you. These dolls create a substantial display when they are un-stacked, but the entire nativity can be stored in a single doll when the Christmas season is over.
For people who are more worried about the style of the nativity then space, there are many different options. Iron, wood and porcelain figurines provide a wide range of materials from which to choose. You can find country Jim Shore nativity sets, folk art Russian figurines or elegant Fontanini designs.
Choosing a Children's Nativity
You know from past experience that children and Christmas figurines don't mix. However, as you carefully arrange your fragile nativity set on the mantle, you can't help but notice how disappointed your children seem. When your littlest child whispers that she wants to see the baby Jesus, you realize that you need to shop for a durable Children's nativity set for her to enjoy. You are delighted when a quick search reveals several suitable models, including a delightful large nativity that uses children for all of the nativity characters.
Before you buy your children a nativity, you may want to consider a few important issues. To be sure you select the right set, you should:
- Think about whether your kids are old enough to keep things out of their mouths. While miniature sets are a cute idea, they may not be a smart choice for families with children under four years of age.
- Consider durability. Unless you are going to supervise all interactions with the set, you should opt for a set that cannot break or be damaged easily. Even sturdy carved wooden pieces can be chipped if your children decide that the shepherds should get in a fight.
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| Lynda Moultry |
