With Christmas on the way, you are likely already well on the way through your shopping lists for presents and food. Decorations may also be on your mind, but you may also fall into the pitfall of “Last years will do again”. Then you realise you said that the year before. And the year before that. And the year before that! It may be time to update some of them, so we here at York Fireplaces are here to offer you a comprehensive guide to what to buy to make your fireplace a real eye catcher this festive season.
Holly / Mistletoe
A fireplace can be a big old thing to cover. Luckily, the top of your mantlepiece is relatively simple to cover in bulk thanks to artificial “strings” of traditional Christmas plants like holly and mistletoe. If picking real mistletoe and holly isn’t to your taste, that’s fine, but this may be an area where spending a little bit extra can go a far way, as cheap “string” can look tacky.
Candles
Candles serve multiple purposes in this scenario. Not only can ornate ones add a touch of class to the proceedings, buying Christmas scented ones can also help to “set the scene” so to speak. Spiced apple, cinnamon, mauled wine – you get the idea.
Ornaments
A little Santa Claus, or a tiny Nativity diorama, always look most at home nestled next to a fire. These are actually the only thing we don’t suggest replacing. Instead, keeping them for their nostalgia value only increases their sentimental worth over time. So what the little Santa is missing his nose, it’s been a part of the family for 15 years!
Lights
Now that most of your fireplace is festooned with stuff, light it up! As these lights are inside your home, avoid anything too bright. Instead, go for soft white fairy lights, as these won’t blind you at eye level as you sit on the couch, and can create the illusion of snow/ice.
Mini Christmas Trees
Why have one Christmas tree when you can have two! For those with a lot of space to fill in and around their mantlepiece, consider placing one or two small trees around your fire. Obviously, keep them away from any open flames, and place them in an area that won’t get too hot. Also, don’t do OTT on decorating like you would with your actual tree – they are too small to be too intricate. One row of lights, or maybe some frosted tips will be enough.
Stockings
And now, that most quintessential Christmas fireplace staple – the stocking! And here is where you have a little wiggle room for “tackyness”. Even if the rest of your decor is elegant and fancy, why not go bold with you stocking? Get the biggest, most overbearingly red stocking you can find, because it’s all too hard to find a “classy” stocking that will suit your fireplace. It’s Christmas, be a little silly!
Image credits:
Mistletoe string – http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2014/11/05/23/14/christmas-518587_640.jpg
Candles – http://pixabay.com/p-80114/?no_redirect
Lights – https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3226/3134787588_97dc1150e9_z.jpg?zz=1
Stockings – https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8069/8242559663_83b58a709f_b.jpg
All others – wikipedia.org