6 Common Christmas decorating mistakes to Avoid!

Christmas is on our heels and over the years, Christmas decorating has begun earlier and earlier. It is October 2nd, before Canadian Thanksgiving and a month before Halloween, so for those eager holiday decorators(I’m one of them), I thought it would be a good time to post this.

I’ve seen and done a lot of Christmas decorating over the years both professionally and personally and i’ve come up with 6 common mistakes I regularly see.

 1.Using every Christmas decoration you have!

Over the years we accumulate Christmas décor and feel the need to use everything every year. Want not, waste not, right? WRONG! Just because you have it and Christmas only comes once a year, doesn’t mean it needs to go up. Edit your decorating. Less is more. There, I said it!

2.        Pre-lit trees having enough lights!

A lot of people, including myself, like pre-lit trees because it takes one step out of your decorating. Dare I challenge this one. Just because your tree is pre-lit, doesn’t mean you don’t have to add more lights. Just like layered lighting in a space, a Christmas tree comes alive with different kinds of lighting on it. Furthermore, a well-lit Christmas tree is more attractive than a dimly lit one!

3.        Not editing your space to accommodate the Christmas Décor!

I’ve walked into countless spaces where a Christmas tree is half blocking a photo or piece of art on the wall. Similarly, other Christmas décor can look as though it was a clunky addition as opposed to it feeling like it’s supposed to be there. Edit your space. If the only spot for the tree is in front of that photo, then take the photo down! Regular floor plants can move as well to accommodate your Christmas décor. Shifting your room to balance your Christmas décor is always a better move then trying to make everything fit.

4.        Not adding greenery to your cheap PVC tree!

Christmas trees are expensive and as a result, many of us opt for lower priced trees which can look cheap. When it comes to trees, you really do get what you pay for! If this is your predicament, use picks and more realistic looking greenery to fill out your tree for a more natural appearance.

5.        Not tying in the tree to the rest of the space!

Ever walk into a home and notice that the only indication it’s Christmas is a tree? Christmas trees are the star of the show and the star always needs supporting actors. These supporting actors tie the room together. Try enhancing your Christmas tree theme with throw pillows, mantel decorations and coffee table pieces. This brings me to my final common mistake…drum roll please…

6.        Lawn Inflatables!

There I said it. I took it for the team. There is nothing tasteful about lawn inflatables. They’re always “on-the-nose” and ridiculous looking. When a child suggests painting her room with rainbows and sparkles, we are inclined to shut it down. Why aren’t our receptors working for lawn inflatables?

All this to say, there is something called nostalgia which I’m not considering in this blog post. If Lawn inflatables, tinsel garland and tinsel anything brings back good memories, then by all means, tinsel away. Its just visually absurd… kind of like Jello salad, which someone thought was a good idea once upon a time…