Non-Traditional Holiday Decorating - a Guide to Accenting Without Overwhelming

When it comes to decorating for the holidays it can be a bit overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be a full week endeavor. Instead go for a non-traditional look this year and stick with the themes you already have in your home to create accents that will complement, but not take over your house this season.

Non-Traditional is the New Tradition

You might think that only red and green is a sign of Christmas, but now-a-days holiday décor comes in all colors to suit every style and decorating need. Who says you need to hang wreaths of green or deck your banister with a garland of gold? This year why don't you try a new tradition by giving your home a makeover that doesn't look over-done. Most people decorate their homes with colors or over-sized hangings that can drown out the 'homey' feeling and make you feel like you are in a forest or at an impersonal gathering. Don't fall for this age-old problem and create decorum that will add to the beauty of your home instead of transform it into something else.

Working with Accents

With non-traditional holiday decorating all you need are accents, rather than elaborate items. For example, if your home is mostly blues and whites, than you should use these colors in your choice of holiday decorating. Likewise, if you have a yellow accented house, than stick with yellow, and so on. Another thing to look for is if you have a theme running through your house. Do you like antiques? Dolls? Nature? You should purchase decorations that will hold to these themes. If you love Nature items and have a whole slew of them around, than stick with natural accents like wooden soldiers, berries, and even seashells. There is no limit to what you can use as a decoration in a non-traditional theme, but you should stay true to the ambiance of your home's theme.

Bows are a fairly easy and cheap decoration and can be purchased pre-made or you can make them yourself. Just choose your color theme according to your house, and find bows that look festive in these colors. Just by hanging a few bows here and there, you can 'tie' your color themes together and bring in the holiday festivities without overwhelming your guests.

Another way to accent is by using fruit. Even if you don't have a nature theme exactly, fruits can bring color to any mantle, table, or even wreath. Don't hesitate to wrap fruits in sugar or buy plastic ones to be hung. They make a beautiful addition to any theme.

Other accents you should look for are garlands in non-traditional colors, and stockings. Hang stockings of white, purple, blue, or yellow on your mantle or banisters and you'll see a quick attraction for the eye. Simplicity is surprisingly your best friend, and you should avoid the bright furry Christmas red stockings, for simple linen stockings with needlepoint snowflakes.

As far as garlands, try to stick with thinner ones that are less bushy, or even garlands that are plain and can be accented with your color theme. Attach mini-nutcrackers, cookies or cookie cutters, mini-story books, or musical instruments to your garland and see it come alive like it never has before. You can attach anything you'd like even if it doesn't seem very 'Christmasy' because the garland is suggestive of Christmas already. Don't limit yourself, and you'll find that decorating non-traditionally is easier than you had once thought.

Besides, Santa will come either way. So why not give him a Christmas decorum out of the ordinary.