Every year, as the current one comes to an end, we become preoccupied with transformation thoughts.

Many of us learned this lesson of transforming things early in our lives. Those adolescent lessons began in our homes. The Christmas holidays were spent helping our parents, mainly our mothers, wreak havoc on our homes. Those lengthy chore lists aimed to transform our homes in such a way that the neighbours would be taken aback.

Those overworked days of our youth have caused many to shun the idea of cleaning. They especially avoid it, remembering that it would begin weeks in advance and culminate during the wee hours or even midday on Christmas morning. Others forgo decorating altogether, thinking it too exhausting.

Mindful of both perspectives, we offer several tips that will get you in the spirit of the holidays without being too taxing.

Mindful of both perspectives, we’ve enlisted the help of talented interior designer Chante Ferdinand of Chante Ariel Designs. We want to help you rediscover the joy of sprucing up your home for the holidays. Chante’s here to give you eight easy tips that will transform your home, creating a warm, festive space. The best part is, it will get you into the spirit of the holidays, and you will not feel too stretched. 

Chante’s eight tips to bring the holiday spirit into your home this Christmas

1. Aromatherapy

In the Caribbean, we equate the ‘smell of Christmas’ differently from other parts of the world. For us,  it can be the aroma of cooked ham or baked bread or cakes.  It may also be the fragrance of freshly mopped floors and the lingering scent of all-purpose cleaners such as furniture polish. Even the smell of newly opened packages of linens or other soft furnishings works for us.  So, though we may not have pine cones, we still value an atmosphere that feels cosy – ‘Christmassy’. One that smells aromatically welcoming.

This year, we can add scented candles in festive colours and decorated containers, scented oil burners or incense sticks in stylish containers to create that “smell of Christmas”.  You can use any of these to complement your décor while adding to the authentic experience. These offer various aromas to be enjoyed along with the nostalgic fragrances of a Caribbean Christmas that we all know and love.

2. Holiday Themed Artwork

An instant way to bring the spirit of Christmas into your home will be to deck the halls—and the walls, with festive wall art!

You can replace your usual year-round wall décor with a festive canvas painting or print that compliments your Christmas décor and style. Not only does wall art add to that special holiday feeling, but you can use it in select areas to create a truly unique and memorable holiday scene.

3. Hanging garland accents

Hanging garlands are a cost-effective and impactful means of decorating. Use green Christmas garlands or an extended length of holiday tinsel to decorate windows and doorways. Also, you can hang them from ceilings, walls, countertops/surfaces or stair rails. For a stunning effect, you can add Christmas ribbons, balls, bells, beads, fake snow, stringed lights, or other ornaments or string lights. 

4. Glass Vessels or Jars with String Lights & Christmas Balls

These make fabulous centrepieces for coffee tables, kitchen islands or dining tables. They provide a beautiful and easy way to repurpose empty clear vessels, lanterns lying around the house or even Christmas baubles that may have fallen off their hooks.

Adding Christmas balls to your desired colour combination makes a creative and beautiful addition to any décor during the season. For added impact, drape string lights in or around the vases. You can even add a pillar candle, white glitter or fake snow. Using medium to large jars or vases offers endless possibilities.

With this solution for medium to large jars or vases, the possibilities are endless.

5. Holiday Pillows

Throw pillows are a staple accessory to any space. They can instantly change or refresh the look of your home by adding a fun and cheerful touch of expression with their versatility and ease. Their added functionality enhances their attraction, and at this time of year, everyone wants to feel comfortable and cosy in a welcoming environment.

Don’t hesitate to use colourful and expressive pillows that feature holiday sayings, your favourite Christmas movie references, song lyrics or slogans for that added feeling of yuletide joy, merriment and personality in any living space. Whether for your bedroom, guest room, or living area, holiday pillows are the way to go!

6. Window Décor

Nothing says ‘holiday spirit’ quite like a Christmas display in a window. Even if you don’t go for a complete nativity or Christmas wonderland scene, there are simple ways to create a beautiful presentation.

Windows are a great place to start for impactful décor since there are many possibilities you can explore. You can use reflective ornaments or icicles to create a sparkling effect with a refraction of natural light during the day. You can create a beautiful and festive space from the inside (let’s not forget those new curtains you’re dying to put up for the finishing touch), but also quite enjoyable if string lights are included and visible from the outside at night.

To create a display or to decorate a window, you need not look very far. Depending on the look you are going for, green Christmas garlands as a base to hang decorations can achieve this. Another option is to use clear nylon to hang balls from the top of the window at alternating lengths for a mesmerising floating ball illusion.

You can peel and stick decals for a fun and instant change or add twinkling string lights for some additional lighting indoors and curb appeal outdoors. Alternatively, you can try hanging candy canes or other ornaments at similar lengths for a symmetrical and cohesive display for a more uniform look.

7. Christmas wreaths

Wreaths are an excellent and easy décor item to bring the spirit of Christmas inside your home or to express the love of the season to passers-by. They have been used as traditional Christmas décor for hundreds of years.

Christmas wreaths can be used in any part of the home. They are great as a welcoming piece on a door, over mantles, on walls in living spaces, or even hung in windows. You can create a wreath by using a ring and repurposing old decorations as an adventurous DIY project. Some other items that find their way into wreaths are lights, pine leaves, pinecones, ribbons, evergreen leaves, or even artificial fruits and berries.

There are numerous possibilities, and you can choose according to your taste and budget. The result will be a treasured keepsake to reuse for years to come. Also, did you know the wreath has significant meaning for the Christmas season? Yes. Its circular shape symbolises eternity, and from a Christian perspective, it represents an eternal circle of life and love.

8. Christmas Tree Alternatives

For those who may not always have the time to decorate a full-size tree with all the bells and whistles or even have the floor or living space to accommodate a standing Christmas tree, we have a few solutions.

Wall-mounted Christmas tree

Place tacks in a triangular shape at the desired height and width along a wall or flat vertical surface.  Next, string green Christmas tinsel or garlands from left to right, add lights (optional) and small Christmas balls, figurines and other light hanging décor.

Tabletop Christmas tree

Tabletop Christmas trees are incredibly convenient and versatile. There’s no need to worry about space as you can acquire one that fits unobtrusively on a table or the dresser in your bedroom—if you want to add a bit of Christmas cheer there. After the holidays, storing is no hassle.  

Creative tape or wallpaper Christmas tree

It’s ingenious and, most notably, simple! It’s perfect if your living quarters are restricted or if you want to forego getting a tree. Don’t be intimidated. You can keep it simple or get as creative as you’d like. But first, you’ll need washi tape. For instructions, visit Brit.co. They do a fabulous job of simplifying the process. 

With so many decorating options, you can’t help but capture the holiday spirit. We hope you’re excited to get started.

It’s likely you need to get supplies. Search your Findyello listings for a home décor store near you. You can call around first, as you may want to get all your supplies in one place.

Happy holidays, and remember to have fun!