Today we are sharing the second part of our Christmas Themes series – a collection of five festive inspirations showcased in-store this season.

Whether you're planning a laid-back coastal lunch, a snug fireside evening, a luxurious champagne breakfast, or an extended lunch, let these themes spark your creativity and inspire your festive style this year!

SHOP THE FESTIVE COLLECTION

1. Muted Tones 

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Muted Tones

What is the Muted Tones Christmas Theme?

Here are some ideas for incorporating this festive style in your home:

• Colour Palette: The muted tones colour palette features chalky whites, ochre, tan, earthy browns, and caramel as a base. These were complemented by champagne silver, aged brass, and antique gold accents.

• Layering: For the tablescape, we layered ochre-toned linen tablecloths, napkins, and cushions in various hand-block prints. Earth-toned glazed ceramics in charcoal and sandy colours added depth, while stonewashed stainless steel cutlery added a touch of refinement. You can also carry the colour palette into the living room with hand-block cushions, natural rattan, and ceramic accents.

• Lighting: For a luxurious and inviting ambience, we layered ambient, task, and mood lighting. Ideas include French chandeliers, dinner candles, warm white string lights, chalky white table lamps, and tea lights to set the mood.

• Something with Lustre: For a subtle touch of lustre, we incorporated tinted glassware, mercury glass votives, aged metallic champagne coolers, and glittery garlands for a hint of sparkle.

• Something Loved: For simplicity and elegance, festive touches include Scandi-style paper ornaments, handmade clay, and jute decorations, as well as single-toned baubles. Remember, less is more in this theme. Consider integrating and re-envisioning existing decorative objects within the colour scheme for a personal touch.

• Something Living: Lastly, bring nature indoors by incorporating fresh ruscus, eucalyptus, and potted orchids. For the Christmas tree, opt for a large Filigran or Eldora Pine Tree for a relaxed and natural feel.

SHOP THE MUTED TONES CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

With these actionable ideas, your Muted Tones Christmas Theme will exude a sense of tranquillity and peace, making your festivities truly special.

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

2. Highlander Style

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Highlander Style

What is the Highlander-style Christmas Theme?

The Highlander Christmas theme draws inspiration from the Scottish Highlands and its rich cultural traditions. It embodies a cosy, rustic, and rugged charm, evoking the spirit of a traditional Highland Christmas celebration. 

Here are some ideas for introducing this festive theme into your home: 

• Colour Palette: Start with a colour palette that echoes the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape. Think soft blues, greys, warm browns, and ochre tones. Or go for deeper, richer hues like deep reds, forest greens, and dark blues. These colours bring the rugged and serene beauty of the Highlands right into your space.

• Layering: The hallmark of the Highlander Christmas theme is the use of tartan and plaid patterns. Incorporate these into your decorations, table settings, and textiles. Layer in materials like rattan, silver, brass, leather, and pewter for that touch of rustic elegance.

• Lighting: Set the mood with warm-coloured lights or candle lanterns. This creates a cosy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for festive gatherings.

• Something with Lustre: Add a touch of lustre with frosted glass baubles, gold-coloured cutlery, or chargers. Infuse your personal touch by displaying nickel or leather picture frames with Highland images and prints of nature's beauty.

• Something Loved: For the centrepiece of your display, go for a snowy Christmas tree adorned with pale blue, silver, and grey decorations. Add pine motifs, miniature deer, and antlers to capture the true spirit of the Highlands. The thistle, Scotland's national flower, can also be used as a decorative element, whether in wreaths, garlands, or as a motif on tableware.

• Something Living: To infuse your space with the spirit of the Highlands, introduce natural elements like wildflowers, pinecones, branches, and acorns. Consider wreaths, garlands, and centrepieces adorned with these natural treasures.

SHOP THE HIGHLANDER-STYLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Highlander Christmas Theme is a celebration of nature's beauty and the rich heritage of the Scottish Highlands. It's an invitation to savour the season in a setting that feels like the heart of nature.

3. Relaxed Ranch Style

Festive Theme #3

Relaxed Ranch Style

What is the Relaxed Ranch Christmas Theme?

A Relaxed Ranch Style Christmas theme is a warm and inviting holiday decor approach inspired by the rustic charm of ranch living. It combines the cosiness of a traditional Christmas with the laid-back and comfortable atmosphere associated with ranch-style homes. 

Here are some ways to introduce this festive theme into your home:

• Colour Palette: Incorporate a colour palette of navy blue, white, tan, champagne silver, and green. These colours bring that comforting and inviting ranch feel into your holiday space.

• Layering: To evoke the rustic charm of a ranch-style Christmas, layer in textures. Think leather, rustic timber, wool, jute, and faux fur—these materials will add a cosy feel.

• Lighting: Create a warm and inviting ambience with a layered lighting scheme. Use a mix of floor and table lamps, accent lights, and candles to infuse your space with a welcoming glow.

• Something with Lustre: Introduce a touch of lustre with glossy ceramic and glass decorations in blue, white, and silver hues. Consider cut glass, metallic accents, and mercury glass ornaments and candleholders to add that bit of sparkle to your Christmas tree and garlands.

• Something Loved: Incorporate natural decor made from wood, leather, and stone into your displays. Think wooden crates, burlap runners, wrought iron trays, and leather decor.

• Something Living: For the Christmas tree, go for a classic forest green look with a natural rattan or hessian tree skirt. Style it with tall-reaching branches and pops of magnolias and hydrangeas in blue and white Ginger Jars for that surprise element.

SHOP THE RANCH-STYLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Lastly, this style lends itself to family-style dining. We recommend filling sharing platters and reindeer sweets bowls with spiced nuts, dried fruit, and other nibbles to invite you and your guests to enjoy the festive celebrations. 

The Relaxed Ranch-style Christmas is an invitation to celebrate the season with a sense of simplicity, comfort, and togetherness. 

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

4. Contemporary Coastal

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Festive Theme #4

Coastal Contemporary Style

What is the Coastal Contemporary Christmas Theme?

The Coastal Contemporary Christmas theme combines elements of coastal living with a relaxed and streamlined aesthetic. This theme is all about creating a casual and inviting atmosphere that reflects the beauty of beachside environments.

Here are some ideas for incorporating this style in your home:

• Colour Palette: Start by incorporating a serene colour palette. Think whites, celadon green, various shades of blue, aqua, seafoam green, and touches of beige. These colours evoke the calming and soothing essence of coastal environments.

• Layering: Incorporate coastal and beach-inspired materials into your decor. Think weathered wood, driftwood, seashells, and natural fibres like jute and sisal. Elevate your space with the beauty of hand-block printed cushions in coastal hues and geometric prints for a contemporary touch.

• Lighting: Light up the room with tall white pillar candles, casting a soft, inviting glow. Layer different light sources like hurricane lanterns, string lights, and table and floor lamps to create a relaxed atmosphere.

• Something with Lustre: Adorn your space with beaded white ceramic and paper Christmas ornaments, beautifully displayed in ceramic bowls or large clam shells. Introduce silver serving ware for an additional touch of lustre.

• Something Loved: Create a contemporary coastal atmosphere with black iron trays, leisurely board games, coral specimens, and elegant glassware for entertaining. 

• Something Living: Infuse your space with living energy by incorporating lush green foliage like eucalyptus and Monstera leaves. Add greenery with potted palms, succulents, or fiddle leaf figs. Hang long garlands of eucalyptus for that laid-back coastal feel. Opt for a green or filigree Christmas tree and decorate it with paper decorations in white and moss green for a casual coastal look.

SHOP THE COASTAL-STYLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

With these actionable ideas, your Coastal Contemporary Christmas will be a relaxed, elegant, and inviting celebration by the sea.

5. Champagne Breakfast

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Photo Source: Pexels

Festive Theme #5

Champagne Breakfast

What is the Champagne Breakfast Christmas Theme?

The Champagne Christmas Breakfast theme revolves around hosting a sumptuous breakfast or brunch on Christmas morning.

This theme combines touches of luxury within a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, often incorporating elements of fine china, eye-catching festive displays, and champagne and sparkling wine for a festive and celebratory feel.

Here are some key characteristics of this theme:

• Colour Palette: Introduce a palette of cool neutrals, silver nickel, and white, and touches of blue, pink, and fresh greenery for an elegant and festive touch. 

• Layering: Set a charming table with a green and blue gingham check tablecloth, accentuated by fine china, crystal glassware, and silver or gold-toned flatware. Add sophistication with chargers, placemats, quality glassware, and napkin rings.

• Lighting: Create an inviting ambience with tall candlesticks, pendant lighting, and pre-lit garlands. If possible, maximise natural light to energise and cater to your breakfast or brunch setting. 

• Something with Lustre: Elevate your breakfast with a nickel toast rack, elegant silverware servers, glass decanters, and champagne coolers. Candles and candelabras will also add an extra touch of sparkle.

• Something Loved: Surprise guests with little gifts wrapped in coordinating paper, and jars filled with dried oranges, nuts, fruits, and jams for both flavour and visual delight.

• Something Living: Infuse the space with fresh, fragrant floral centrepieces featuring blooms like freesias, roses, orchids, or topiaries.

SHOP THE CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Lastly, create a dedicated breakfast station with cereals, coffee and tea sets, fresh fruits, and an array of baked goods.

The Christmas-themed Champagne Breakfast is a celebration of togetherness and elegance, offering a memorable start to your holiday festivities.

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Alfresco Picnic

What is the Alfresco Picnic Christmas Theme?

An Alfresco Picnic Christmas theme is a fun and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday season by taking the festivities outdoors.

This theme centres around hosting a Christmas gathering in an open-air setting, such as a park, garden, backyard, or any natural environment. It combines the traditional elements of Christmas with the informality of an alfresco setting.

The primary characteristic of this theme is the outdoor location. You can choose a scenic spot with natural beauty, whether it's a sunny beach, a picturesque park, or your own backyard. The idea is to enjoy the beauty of nature and fresh air.

Here are some key features of an Alfresco Picnic Christmas theme:

• Colour Palette: We've chosen a palette of white, black, green, and brown to complement the natural surroundings. These colours bring contrast and harmony to the outdoor landscape.

• Layering: Define your alfresco entertaining area with a large, eye-catching black and white outdoor rug, creating the perfect spot for your festive gathering. Layer additional floor cushions, ottomans, blankets, and folding chairs. 

• Lighting: Extend the picnic into the evening with string lights, battery-operated candles, or lanterns to create a warm and inviting atmosphere as the sun sets.

• Something with Lustre: Elevate the outdoor setup with tinted acrylic glassware, crystal glass tea-light votives, hurricane lanterns, and silver champagne coolers. 

• Something Loved: To entertain guests, games like Boules, Corn Hole, and Quoits can be set up for some outdoor fun. You can also consider holiday-themed games or activities to bring the Christmas spirit to your picnic.

• Something Living: Incorporate nature's beauty with timber planter boxes brimming with buxus plants and wicker baskets filled with vibrant hydrangeas, wildflowers, and pinecones. Hang miniature natural wreaths for that extra festive touch.

SHOP THE ALFRESCO CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Create a relaxed atmosphere with picnic-style seating – think picnic blankets, outdoor lounge chairs, floor cushions, or even comfy wicker furniture. It's all about enjoying the festive season in a laid-back, comfortable setting.

Lastly, select high-quality speakers to play background music to enhance the picnic experience. We recommend our portable LED light Bluetooth speakers.  

With these actionable ideas, your Festive Alfresco Picnic Christmas will be a memorable and inviting celebration for all to enjoy!

WANT MORE FESTIVE INSPIRATION?

READ PART 1 here.

Here are some bonus tips to help you choose a Christmas theme for 2023:

1. Consider your existing decor style: Start by reflecting on your personal preferences and current decor style. Do you prefer traditional, contemporary, rustic, or whimsical aesthetics? Align your Christmas theme with your taste for a cohesive look and feel.

2. Embrace a colour palette: Choose a colour palette that sets the tone for your theme. Ideas include traditional red and green, elegant blue, white & silver, or even non-traditional hues like pastels or monochromatic schemes.

3. Find a central motif: Select a central motif or symbol that represents your chosen theme. It could be snowflakes, nature, or woodland creatures. Use this motif throughout your decorations and tablescape to create a cohesive theme.

4. Make it personal: Infuse your personality and cherished memories into your Christmas theme. Incorporate sentimental ornaments, family heirlooms, or DIY decorations that hold special meaning to you and your loved ones.

WANT MORE INSPIRATION?

Discover our festive playlist on our YouTube channel @suzieandersonhome