Category: Sunday magazine

IN a few days it would be Christmas and you could feel the celebration in the air. Interestingly, Christmas décor is something that captures a captivating atmosphere. From images of Santa Claus, Christmas bells, twinkling lights and Teddies, the list of accessories is almost endless. If you have lots of money then you can allow an interior decorator to take care of the details without stress.

Alternatively, you can do it your own way and save the cost. Doing it your way can be exciting once you understand the effect you want to achieve. First you have to understand where the major emphasis should be and play down on the other details stylish.

Décor for Christmas should therefore take your interiors and exteriors into consideration. The big question now would be how you can achieve a classic and unique celebration.

Sometimes, all your visitor needs is a first impression and you can decide to get them mesmerized from your doorsteps. Here you can settle for nature-inspired front door trimmings that would usher your guests for a special entry that’s as stylish as it is hospitable.

You can also accent a bright white door with the deep colors of an evergreen wreath and garland. Wondering how you can achieve this effect? A decorative wreath and other adornments are the perfect welcome sights for guests to admire.

Here you can tie on extra-wide red ribbons to complete the Christmas look and add graphic punch. In addition, you can add twinkling lights which add a soft glow at night and allow the door and decor to be seen from the street.

Next you need to think of the size of your living room to know the décor that would be appropriate. If you have lots of space to play with then you can opt for a giant Christmas tree in bright colours like red, blue, white or green depending on your color scheme.

Once you have Chosen the perfect tree, you can add festive decorations that match or contrast with the colour of the tree. This grand Fraser fir tree, with a subtle holly-and-bells theme, naturally makes a classic Christmas statement.

The rooms, corridors and other parts of the house also need to be attended to creatively. Yards of textured burlap, vintage-style accessories, and a natural color palette can give the room a stylish organic feel.

If you want to have a dramatic outdoor effect, then you can make your Christmas tree natural and decorate the garden in bright red and green. In addition, you can make use of table and chair covers with ribbons and accessories in Christmas colours.

APART from being a time to enjoy the bliss of the yuletide, the Christmas season also provides an ample opportunity to appreciate people who are not only dear to us, but have also contributed to our progress during the year. Thus, Christmas is a season to give and reach out. The Greek playwright, Euripides wrote that gifts persuade even the gods, so do not rule out the effect of exchanging gifts and presents with family, friends and colleagues at this jolly holiday period.

To ensure that the gift fits the purpose that it is designed for, discretionary measures should be taken to safeguard that your gift does not communicate something else since the manner of giving could be worth more than the gift itself.

The nature of the gift you present to some people also matters too. Imagine a young female worker presenting a pair of briefs and boxers to an older male boss. That sure would be an awkward offering. To save you the agony of having your gifts misinterpreted, here is a list of items fitting the personality of the receiver.

Corporate gifts

Gifts are given within and outside corporate organization in order to appreciate collaboration and business partnerships. It could be within, as management presents gifts to staffs and as well be an exchange from one corporation to another. Corporate gifts could be hampers containing household items, customized cards, branded t-shirts and stationary as well as souvenirs. Perishable items given out at this season include rice, groundnut oils, noodles, canned foods and assorted drinks.

Lovers’ gifts

It is not valentine so cakes, candies and bouquet should not top the list of your gifts option. Consider exchanging items such as perfumes, jewelries, wrist watches, clothing, hand-made cards with love filled messages between you both. Also put into consideration each other’s favourite things and allergies. Other gifts to consider include between lovers include tickets to exotic holiday spots, dinner or launch for two, concerts and shows.

Teenagers

Teenagers are impressionable set of people so ensure that your choice of a gift for them is in tune with the times. If you want to present clothing, ensure they are trendy, chic and colourful. This rule also applies to foot wears, ensure that they are fashionable and cool. A pair of fashionable slippers, nice earring or box-bag would catch the fancy of a female teenager. For the boys, consider getting items such as video games; knap sacks, jean trousers, shirts, caps and trainers.

Co-workers and colleagues

An average worker spends nothing less than six hours a day at work so you definitely will not be over burdening yourself if you include your fellow workers as part those deserving of your gesture. Your boss, mentors and even junior workers should be included in your list too. You would not need a fat budget to do this as these options should ordinarily not tear your pocket. Gifts to give, consider cards, assorted drinks such as wines or juice. You can also package small hampers and souvenirs as well.

The less privileged

If you understand the concept of Christmas well, then you will know that spreading your tentacle of gifts list to the less privileged is an option that should not be sacrificed on the altar of pleasure. Think of the concept of Individual Social Responsibility (ISR), there is no better time than this season. A visit to an orphanage, prison yards, old peoples home, Cheshire homes, rehab centres and other places housing people of special needs is an optimal means of giving and sharing love at Christmas. Items such as diapers, children clothing, beverages, toys, mosquito nets, stationary, food items, edibles, toiletries, cash and a host of other needful would go a long way in not just putting a smile on their faces but also fulfilling a necessary obligation.

Parents and children

Parents deserve presents too even if they don’t ask. In appreciation of their love and guidance over the years, Christmas should be one of the periods to make them feel special. Present them with arrays of traditional attires that you have noticed they like to adorn. If you have parents who are still active on the social scene, then think of wrist watches, shoes and perfumes as well. You can also package hampers containing provisions needful for old people such as beverages, dietary food items, fruits and cash. For children, cloth and shoes are items that you can’t negotiate. To this you can add toys, games, colourings, fun-box containing play items as well as edibles.