Country Christmas Decorating

About Country Christmas Decorating

Country style interior design is all about keeping things laid back and natural, and Country inspired Christmas decorating is the same. It is simple, unfussy and casual while still maintaining a sense of style. Country style interior design is extremely family friendly, which makes is especially appropriate for the Christmas season.

One of the best parts about Country decorating is that there are hardly any rules. There are a few basic style guidelines you can keep in mind though to pull Country style together (these general guidelines will also serve you well in conjuring up a Country Christmas design scheme):

• It is not only acceptable, but preferred, for furniture to be mismatched. Hand-me-down pieces and family heirlooms are great for Country style. However, large, sturdy pieces of wooden furniture work best in this style (wood can be dark or light). A few scratches and dents in the furniture are welcome – they give the furniture a lived in and loved look.

• The same goes for accessories – matching is not required. Bonus points for antiques or hand-me-downs. Also with accessories – no need to reign with a heavy hand. Accessorize until your heart is content in Country decorating; it adds to the rustic charm.

In terms of Country Christmas decorating, the same rules apply. Instead of going for the new, flashy Christmas décor that packs the shops every year, Country Christmas decorating calls for the old family favorites to make an appearance time and again. Handcrafted decorations (by kids and grown-ups alike) make wonderful additions to the Country Christmas theme.

Country Christmas Decorating Ideas

Because there is so much freedom in the realm of Country Christmas decorating, you are really limited only by your imagination in terms of design ideas. To get the ideas flowing, give these tips a try:

• Christmas tree – Country Christmases don’t call for formal, fancy Christmas tree decorations. The best ornaments are the handmade ones brought home from school and the ones that have been in your family forever. Don’t be shy about hanging too many on the tree. Garland made of popcorn, cranberries, or candy canes would all work well here. Colored lights or white lights would also both be acceptable.

• Homemade wreaths – No need to shell out for fancy wreaths from the store; make your own at home. You can gather materials you need from outside, like pine cones, holly, twigs, and more, or you can build a wreath with other materials, like silver and gold bells, poinsettia flowers or even candy. Martha Stewart.com is a terrific resource to get wreath ideas, with step by step instructions on how to make them.

• Christmas Card Display – Don’t hide all of those holiday cards away in a drawer. Use green or red ribbon and string the cards up – hang them around your fireplace or simply along a wall.

• Scented Candles – Even if you don’t have time to do all the baking you might expect to find in a country kitchen, your home can still have the inviting smell thanks to scented candles with Christmas themes. Yankee Candle has some great options in scents like Christmas Cookie, Gingerbread, and Sparkling Cinnamon.

• Gingerbread Houses – What says “Country Christmas” more than a homemade gingerbread house? If making one from scratch is a little ambitious for your tastes, there are plenty of kits available in the grocery store. Better yet, have the kids make mini versions with milk cartons.

• Mistletoe – Don’t forget to hang a little in your doorways.

• Nutcrackers – These traditional Christmas collectors’ items are perfect for Country Christmas design.

Your Perfect Country Christmas

What is your idea of the perfect Country Christmas? Share your tips by leaving a comment.