Holiday Decorating for Small Spaces
Making Your Apartment a Winter Wonderland
Who can forget the joy of picking out the perfect Christmas tree-then getting it home for display in just the right corner of the house? What about digging out the Menorah in the company of family and friends, while the smell of baked goods waft fragrantly through the house? For most of us, these things are what made the holidays special, and are the rituals that evoke a feeling and spirit that only come once a year. Unfortunately, the reality is that time, space and budget constraints don't always allow for the idyllic holiday preparations that we remembered growing up. Christmas trees and elaborate holiday displays are great, but trying to cram one in your living room seems a little unrealistic when you barely have room for a potted plant. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire sound nice, but what if you don't have a fireplace? Fortunately, apartment dwellers needn't fear, there are some simple, easy things that can be done to add holiday sparkle to even the smallest of spaces. Here are a few festive decorating fixes for those living in apartments:
- Greenery Everyone likes the smell of pine--the scent evokes a feeling almost synonymous with the holidays. If you don't have the space for a tree, why not make a fresh wreath instead? Many nurseries are more than willing to donate trimmed branches and boughs of trees, which would otherwise be discarded. Decorate your wreath with pinecones, berries, ribbons, bows, inexpensive Christmas ornaments and anything else you can find around the house. If you're celebrating Kwanzaa, select a colorful African cloth, and set a beautiful basket filled with fresh fruit and vegetables on a table or counter top as a representation of African culture.
- Music Never underestimate the power of music to add holiday cheer. Holiday music doesn't necessarily mean putting on Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis records although these are wonderful classics. Visit your local music store to see the wide variety of holiday music that is available. Indeed, many contemporary artists record holiday albums each year with new songs as well as renditions of old classics. Make it a point to have play a CD or tape playing every evening before the holiday, or record a musical holiday greeting on your answering machine.
- Candles So you don't have a fireplace from which to hang those stockings or to warm your hands up on a chilly evening. That's okay! Small flames also burn bright. Candles lend a festive glow to any occasion, and unlike fireplaces, fit on tabletops, windowsills and counters. Have you visited a specialty candle shop lately? The variety and assortment will amaze you. Gold, silver and glittered candles can add a lot of dazzle. For Hanukkah, choose a small Menorah for display in a visible window of your home, then light them as a ceremonial symbol. For Kwanzaa, choose candles in black, red and green then use them as a backdrop for traditional African items such as baskets, cloth patterns, art objects and harvest symbols.
- Ribbons Ribbons and bows are any easy way to add a missing splash of color to almost anywhere in your apartment. Tie one around your doorknobs, the telephone, railings, trims-basically anywhere and everywhere. Choose traditional holiday colors or visit your local fabric store and choose unique designs and colors that will add a holiday twist all of your own.
- Lights Even if you don't have room for a tree, lights are compact enough for any space. Hang string lights around your windows, on plants or even in a jar of potpourri. If you are shooting for a minimalist approach, try hanging only white lights instead of the traditional multi-colored assortment. This adds a luminous glow and can tremendously offset your other holiday decor, especially with the lights turned off.
- Wrapping paper What do you do with old wrapping paper left over from last year's gift exchange, or past holiday celebrations? Put it to good use using your imagination and creativity. Buy a book on origami and make homemade Christmas ornaments for display on countertops and windowsills. Or use it to cover potted plants, lampshades or anything else you can think of. Wrapping paper comes in so many colors and styles, you're sure to find the perfect match for any space in your apartment.
The holidays are a time of gathering to affirm culture, family and home. Decorating is an integral part of the process. With a little advanced planning, creativity and preparation, you're sure to come up with ideas that can create new traditions for years to come.
Written by Zelda Pusey
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