HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-24, Page 29When it comes to decorating forthe holidays it’s gone beyond thetree, some garlands and tinsel. Yet,
with a recovering economy, while
you may want to put on the glitz for
the season, you might feel your
budget just can’t handle splurging on
decorations.
No need to take the jolly and holly
out of your Christmas. There are
many frugal ways to deck the halls.
Janice Peters who operates a local
gift store said whether it’s the first
time you’re decorating or whether
you’ve amassed a mishmash of
festive adornments a good starting
point is a common theme or colour.
After that there are many
inexpensive ways to finish the look.
“Pick a theme or colour and start
to co-ordinate. Even if it’s a rather
eclectic collection you have, finding
that common colour will help tie it
together.”
Use what you have, such as glass
containers or mirror trays, said
Peters. Festive touches like
ornaments in containers, ribbons on
the tree or flowers, pinecones and
greenery can achieve that holiday
look with little cost. For outdoors, said Peters, “Go tothe bush, get greens, berries,dogwoods and teasels, then spray onsome glitter for outsidearrangements. When decorating, Peters reminds
that you can get too much
Christmas. “You don’t want the eye
to jump to one spot in a room.”
To help keep things clean and
simple, she suggests storing the
every day decor away. “Just de-
clutter first before decorating.”
When decorating consider
grouping things in odd numbers and
of varying heights. These can be
pulled together with the use of some
greenery or a wreath, or by placing
them on a mirror or tray.
Candles add a festive warmth to
any room or decor. “Use them
everywhere,” said Peters, “forfragrance and colour. “They are niceto brighten up an area.”A string of lights in the greeneryor a battery-operated light in a glassare also fairly inexpensive touches tothe holiday look.
Another big part of the season is
the dining room. But not everyone
can afford a set of festive
dinnerware. “Purchase some charger
plates at the dollar store to add
colour.”
Decorating for the holidays need
not break the bank, said Peters. “Use
the common theme or colour, take a
refreshing walk in the bush and
bring home some fresh greenery,
mix in some sparkle with lights,
candles, glass and ornaments
and your house is ready for the
holidays.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009. PAGE 29.
Bits and pieces
Be frugal and re-invent some of your existing Christmas
decorations with items you have at home. A simple glass
vase can become a festive centrepiece. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
(MS) -- The Christmas season is
full of traditions, folklore and rich
history.
However, amid all of the
traditions we’ve come to know,
there are many bits of trivia of
which you may not be familiar.
Here are a few little-known facts
about Christmas:
1. The first manufactured
Christmas tree ornaments were sold
in 1880 by the former Woolworth
department store.
2. Christmas trees originally
featured actual lighted candles,
which were naturally a fire hazard.
So containers filled with water had
to be kept near the tree.
3. Construction workers first
erected an undecorated tree at
Rockefeller Centre in New York
City in the early 1930s. They have
been credited with starting the
annual tradition.
4. Although sometimes construed
as sacriligious, the shortened form
“Xmas” is actually derived from
Christ’s name and has been popular
in Europe since the 1500s. It is
believed to be derived from the
Greek word “Xristos,” which means
Christ.
5. The National Confectioners
Association reports that for 200
years candy canes were solid white.
In the 1950s an automated machine
was invented that could put on the
red stripes.
6. The idea of Christmas greeting
cards started in Britain in the 1830s.
7. Christmas celebrations were
banned in Boston between 1659 and
1681. Those caught celebrating
would be fined.
There are ways to decorate on a budget
Get it together
Group items in odd numbers to
create festive montages and
vignettes. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
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By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
7 things you may not
know about Christmas