The Rural Voice, 2004-12, Page 46Home Decorating
Simplify to de -stress Christmas
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Recently, over a cup of tea with a
client who had me in to discuss
Christmas decor and placement, the
conversation switched very quickly
to how tired, trying and burdensome
she had found her last few
Christmases.
She said "I'm simply worn out,
I'm overwhelmed, I just do not enjoy
the festive season any more. The
hustle, bustle, the excess and the
expense ... I just do not like it. As a
result 1 go into the season on a guilt
trip.
And thus began a really deep
conversation ... off came my
"designer's hat" and on went the
"soul -coaching hat". Firstly 1 said,
let's look at the main source of your
discontentment, which is ultimately
the lack of time to decorate, (the
reason for me being hired), the
baking, buying, housecleaning, etc.
etc. So much of the Christmas fuss
unfortunately is about putting on the
supposed proper appearance for
family, friends and neighbours and in
doing so we lose a little of our true
selves.
So my best advice to this gal was
simply "cut down and scale back". A
doorway framed in a simple garland
bedecked with clear lights and a
wreath on the entrance door adorned
with a lovely crisp bow is always an
elegant show stopper ... often it can
outshine a whole house decked out in
a million lights ... "Christmas
Vacation" style.
If we study the main focal points
of our home's exterior and those of
our interior rooms and embellish only
the feature attractions, we cannot fail!
How simple ... only dressing the
main entrance, or the lovely
evergreen adorning our lawn. On the
inside, concentrating our efforts on
the mantletop, entertainment center
or having just one outstanding tree.
Putting our time and effort only into
the areas of our home where
company will congregate and doing it
with simple elegance will always be
memorable. At this, the client started
to chuckle and said "I've always been
taught more is better" to which I
replied "less IS more".
Next she changes the topic to gift
giving and buying, telling me of the
long, long list of associates, friends
and relatives on the list, and all this
before she gets to hubby and the
boys.
Fully ensconced in my coaching
mode I suggest that she pick a theme,
one that is both affordable and classy
and give the same to all. At this we
brain -stormed, coming up with a
beautiful decanter and the liquor to
fill it, a set of wine glasses and a
bottle of wine, a wonderful tea caddy
with a lovely set of teacups or teapot,
gourmet coffee and great mugs, a
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42 THE RURAL VOICE
wonderful fresh Christmas
arrangement to help the recipient out
with their Christmas decor, a lovely
piece of stained glass, a wonderful
candle and holder or ticket to the
Blyth Festival ... a night out, etc. All
our ideas were classy and can be
modified to work into anyone's
budget. The key is to go for
presentation and style verses excess.
As for wrapping, I recommend using
one style only with only one or two
ribbon combinations for variety. This
is not only less expensive, but buying
in bulk saves oodles of time in the
picking and choosing category.
Food and beverages for
entertaining? Keep it simple: one or
two choices of libation and plenty of
only two or three appetizers, or go for
potluck. The biggest key to a show -
stopping success is always to lean
towards a "high -styled presentation".
Note I did not say high-priced. One
of my all-time favourite expressions
is "Money can't buy you class".
Purchase and decorate within your
allotted budget.
I left my client smiling. We set a
date to execute our elegant but
sealed -down Christmas decor
scheme, and she plans on going to the
local gift shop and buying everyone a
beautiful — 000ps! I'd better not tell,
you may be on her list. You'll love it.
The shop also offers free gift-
wrapping ... bonus!
So where did my wisdom come
from? My very own experience at
being overwhelmed and deciding I
seriously needed to simplify,
simplify, simplify! I've come to
realize that the warmth and wonder of
this incredible festive season is so
greatly increased when 1 have more
time to expend on family and the
blessings we have been provided. To
me this has become the true essence
of the holidays.
Keep your own
internal light shining
bright by simply
and elegantly doing
what you can.
Have a great
Christmas!O