Stay focused when decorating for the holidays this year

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Just because Christmas is a treasured tradition doesn’t mean your holiday décor has to be cast in stone. Ottawa-area retailers have all sorts of options for freshening up your festive style—starting with the tree.

At Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm near Pakenham, owner Pam Martin says a new variety of fir tree is really catching on with her customers. “It’s a hybrid between a Fraser and a balsam,” she explains. “It’s got the long-lasting needle longevity of a Fraser, but it’s got that great smell of a balsam.”

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Is an artificial tree more practical for you? International tree manufacturer Balsam Hill advises shoppers to look for slim-line models for tight spaces and to consider a white tree if you’d like your ornaments to really stand out.

Whether you’re buying real or artificial, make sure there’s at least 6 inches (15 centimetres) between the top of the tree and your ceiling. Don’t forget to include the heights of your tree stand and tree topper in those calculations.

Let there be light

What about tree lights? All-white lights create a peaceful look, while multicoloured bulbs might remind you of childhood Christmases past. Feeling theatrical? Some lights can be programmed to provide an in-home light show, complete with twinkling or cascading effects.

Whichever lights you choose, check that they have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) symbol, which ensures their safety. And note that LED lights generate less heat and consume less power than incandescent ones.

Polish your ornament game
n terms of what to hang on your tree, “people are still really excited about gnomes,” Martin says. Her farm shop is filled with gnomes of all shapes and sizes, among many other types of ornaments.

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In nearby Almonte, trees decorated in a single colour remain a strong trend, says Diane Burkhart, owner of Dragonfly Boutique. This year, she purchased a white artificial tree and covered it solely with green ornaments, which are flying off the tree almost as quickly as she can replace them.

If green isn’t your style, Laval-based Décors Véronneau has pinpointed several other holiday colour trends for 2024. They include dark purple ornaments paired with deep pink accents, or all-natural ornaments—such as flowers, pinecones and wooden items—set off with copper and silver.

Are these suggestions a bit modern for your tastes? Don’t worry. Near the all-green tree at Dragonfly is another tree resplendent with cookie-shaped ornaments. “Gingerbread is a big trend,” Burkhart says. Felt ornaments are also hot sellers at her shop, particularly among grandparents, who like to give the unbreakable decorations to their grandchildren.

A large display at Dragonfly features ornaments that celebrate a wide range of occupations, occasions and interests, from nursing to booze cruises. Burkhart expands the selection each year, based on customer requests.

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Ornament shoppers in Ottawa can also check out the Tinseltown Christmas Emporium in Hintonburg, a shop jam-packed with decorations. There, you’ll find just about every ornament you can imagine—from Grinches and golf carts to mermen and miniature bags of Doritos.

Think beyond the tree
Mantels, shelves and tabletops are all great places to add a few festive touches. But what to choose?

“Water globes are … a classic Christmas tradition for so many families,” says Martin, whose Cedar Hill Farm shop is stocked with snow globes of all sizes. “There’s just something nostalgic and magical about them.”

Festive table runners, napkins, throw pillows, dishes, tea towels, tablecloths and aprons, available from many retailers, are among the other options.

Remember first impressions

Envelop your guests in holiday cheer from the moment they walk up to your front door. A wreath made from real boughs provides an aromatic welcome. A holiday-themed sisal mat is a practical spot for snowy boots. And scented candles can make your home seem extra cozy. At Dragonfly, Burkhart has been doing a brisk business in Fraser fir candles.

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Stay focused

With so many choices, it’s easy to go overboard. To keep your holiday decor sleek and stylish, embrace the motto “less is more.”

Avoid the temptation to put out every knickknack and cover every surface. One beautiful pillar candle may pack more of a visual punch than six smaller ones. And your grandmother’s glass tree ornaments may be more visible if they’re not half hidden by swaths of garland.

Heed this last bit of advice

All the decorating articles in the world can’t replace your own sense of what makes a home welcoming. If you want to bury your couch in mismatched throws and festoon your tree with so many cherished vintage ornaments you have to tie it to the wall, then do it! If you can’t be yourself at Christmas, when can you?

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