HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-12-02, Page 50Pagw 20.
For your Christmas Shopping C nvenience
Clinton stores will be
OPEN
TILL 9 PM
STARTING MONDAY DEC. 14
TO WEDNESDAY DEC. 23
(Closing at regular time
on Saturday December 19
and Christmas Eve December 24)
1
Ways to decorate
for the festive season
The fragrance of pme needles and oranges
studded with cloves, the sound of bells and
carols, the sight of twinkling lights, the ar-
rival of the first greeting cards — these are
a few of the many traditions Canadians
associate with Christmas. Surely no other
holiday appeals to the senses in such a com-
plete way or calls up memories of the past
with such vividness. A glance at a toy store
window evokes memories of Christmas past
and a longing to relive the excitement of
childhood.
"As our lives become more hectic, the
desire to recreate that warm, old fashioned
Christmas for our own families has become
more important," says Barbara Huard,
Senior product Manager for Carlton Cards,
who has some simple tips for creating a
nostalgic Christmas theme.
Looking at the way some of the pioneers
decorated for the season is a good source of
inspiration. Records of Christmas
decorating customs in 19th century Canada
are rare, but Catharine Parr Traill provides
one of the earliest in her book The Canadian
Settler's Guide (1855). She tells of going out
to collect red -berried wintergreen to hang
over the mantlepiece and picture frames,
and later adding high bush cranberries and
her daughter's coral beads for color.
To recreate some of this early Canadian
feeling, Huard suggests combining fresh
greens with favorite decorations from the
past, a few homemade ones which the
children will enjoy creating, and perhaps
some new ones chosen to complement the
theme.
Huard recommends carrying the theme
right through the house with a few of the
following suggestions:
• Let the tree establish the theme, then co-
ordinate the door wreath, dining room cen-
trepeice and mantel or sideboard
decorations.
• Soften kitchen window frames with
green garlands intertwined with pinecones
and red ribbon bows.
• Set up a tablesized tree on a side table
and trim with antique beads, gingerbread
men and decorations such as a set of tiny
brass musical instruments. You could even
use a real pine tree, ready to plant in the
garden next spring.
Personalize Displays
And Wreaths
• A coffee table or mantel display of
pinecones, dried flowers, greens and other
natural materials tied together with a rib-
bon bow always looks lovely.
• A decorated straw broom on a family
room wall lends a country air. Attach real or
artificial holly sprigs, a bright ribbon bow
and perhaps a couple of tree decorations.
• Holiday wreaths are easily created with
dried grapevines. Make a grapevine wreath
by either starting with a readymade base
from a craft op of farmers' market, or,
make your own by soaking vines in
lukewarm water until supple. Bend into
wreath form and secure with florists' wire.
Weave bright red or burgundy ribbon
through vines. Wire on a couple of pinecones
and whimsical tree ornaments — rocking
horses, little Santas, toy drums — to create
an old fashioned yet personal look.
Kissing Ball
An old fashioned kissing ball made from
tiny cones and nuts, or Christmas cards,
makes a lovely family room or hallway con-
versation piece.
To make a unique card kissing ball from
Christmas cards, cut 12 cards into three-
inch circles. Fold each circle in from four
sides to create a square. Glue each folded
edge to the folded edge of another circle un-
til you have a three-dimensional ball shape.
Attach ribbon with a piece of holly or
mistletoe on one end, up through the ball
and make a loop at the top for handing.
Sprinkle glitter along glued edges if desired.
Christmas Tree -
The Focal Point
Of course the focal point of any Christmas
home decor is the Christmas tree. Accor-
ding to Huard, many Canadian families to-
day set up a traditional tree in the family
room, complete with an eclectic assortment
of storebought and handmade decorations,
and a second miniature tree in the living
room, perhaps set in a window and coor-
dinated with a specific theme. Here's some
tips for Christmas trees:
• Begin by making sure your tree is
upright and completely secure. Be sure
stand is full of water if you have a real tree
and fill it each day.
• Whether a real or an artificial tree is us-
ed, it's a good idea to match it's decor to the
theme chosen for the rest of the house.
Nothing achieves a more old fashioned look
than lots off colorful, traditional decorations
and bright ribbon or bows.
• Add garlands of fresh carnberries and
popcorn by using a small needle and heavy
thread. Alternate berries and kernels or
make separate ropes of each.
• Use only Canadian Standards Associa-
tion approved lights and look for the CSA
label. Put lights on first, draping them right
around the tree, working from top to bot-
tom. Check that they are working properly
before using and don't bury them under
other decorations in case they overheat.
• Add remaining decorations with care,
distributing evenly over the whole tree. Put
heavier items on first making sure they are
positioned on the stronger branches. Leave
branch tips for ribbon or paper ornaments
such as hanging lanterns and tiny fans made
from color -coordinating wrap. Burgundy,
ivory and green, are colors incorporated in-
to Carlton Cards Olde Fashioned line this
year.
Set A Spectacular
Christmas Table
"A beautiful table setting takes time to
prepare," says Huard, "so make a start the
night before and aim to complete it on
Christmas morning. Guests will be en-
chanted by the sight of it as they arrive —
starched linen, gleaming gasses, silver and
all."
Here are some table setting suggestions
for creating that magical look:
• What more traditional setting could
there be than a snow white damask cloth set
with silver and crystal, a centrepiece of hol-
ly and red candles with green and red
crackers at each place? A single tree
decoration tied with ribbon around each
napkin can be stunning; decorations can
double as table favors.
• Use a sideboard or sturdy supplemen-
tary table to cope with extra serving dishes.
Cover both it and the dining table with mat-
ching cloths and they'll look like a pair,
especially if linked with similar table
decorations.
• Candles create a nostalgic mood,
whether slender scarlet tapers in a silver
candelabra or a cluster of nightlights
gatherd in the centre of the table. Surround
candles with a selection of Pomander
(oranges studded with cloves) and
evergreens or small gifts and ribbon.
• A charming tablecentre can be made us-
ing an old fashioned sleigh ornament or a
special bowl containing a mall gift for each
diner. The presents could be as simple as a
comb or mirror, or a specially chosen
Christmas tree ornament. Each gift is at-
tached to a slender ribbon which leads out of
the bowl to the recipient's place at the table.
• Another lovely idea to tie a setting
together is to use a white lace cloth and
weave Maid ribbon around the edges like a
wave. A plaid scarf may be used as a runner
on a sideboard. Matching plaid napkins and
even plaid plates for a large group or buffet
finishes off the motif.
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