At Suzie Anderson Home, we understand the importance of finding a Christmas theme that effortlessly harmonises with your unique style while adding delightful touches of festive charm.
With the holiday season upon us, it's time to start thinking about how to decorate your home for a memorable Christmas.
With this in mind, today are sharing the first half of our Christmas themes for 2023, complete with styling tips and visual inspiration to guide your festive look this year.
SHOP THE FESTIVE COLLECTION
Our 5 Ls of Styling
To achieve balance and a festive look that is uniquely yours, consider implementing our 5 L’s of styling.
Something Loved
Include items that tell a story, reflect your personality and evoke your most treasured memories and traditions.
Living Energy
Living energy will enliven your colour palette whilst adding movement, structure, and seasonality to your festive display.
This may include branches, grasses, flowers, foliage, fresh & freeze-dried Buxus & hydrangeas, large statement plants, or fossicked elements.
Lustre
Lustre is the state or quality of shining by reflecting light.
You can create this by including items with a reflective surface, such as crystal, glassware, mirrors, glitter, painted glossy finishes, or metallic accents. These elements will lift your festive display and stop it from looking flat.
Layering
Layering means overlaying the room with various elements that cohesively blend together to add depth and persona.
Layering starts from the ground up and includes flooring, windows, doors, walls, surfaces, textures, lighting, furniture, and decor.
Lighting
The use of light, both natural and artificial, enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates the mood and ambience of your festive display.
At this time of year, I encourage you to amplify and layer various light sources to create a magical atmosphere, particularly with fairy lights, festoon lights, warm (not cool) Christmas tree lights and lots of candlelight!
1. Garden Room High Tea
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Christmas Theme #1
Garden Room High Tea
What is the Garden Room High Tea Festive Theme?
The Garden Room High Tea theme combines the refinement of high tea with the beauty of a garden environment, creating a delicate and tasteful atmosphere.
Here are some ideas for introducing this theme into your own home:
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Colour Palette: The colour palette includes a foundation of warm neutrals and soft pastels, complemented by vibrant hues and metallic accents. This includes delicate pinks, mint greens, serene blues, periwinkle, mauve, hints of ochre, orange, and gold accents.
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Layering: For the tablescape, we started with a beautiful washed linen tablecloth featuring a country flower print. To set the table, we chose a crackled glaze ochre base plate, powder pink ceramics, and gold-handled tea cups. For an authentic high tea experience, consider adding classic tea sets, fine china, and dainty teacups and saucers.
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Lighting: To set the mood, we used an array of colourful French dinner and taper candles, crystal glass and ceramic candleholders, French candelabras, and rustic table lamps.
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Something with Lustre: For additional lustre, we added gold-plated cutlery and serving ware, crystal glass vases, and tall glass-lidded candy holders filled with sequinned nature-inspired ornaments.
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Something Loved: To introduce something loved, we incorporated some of our favourite paper, chalky ceramic, and vintage fabric ornaments, along with decorative bird cages, wicker baskets, and reclaimed timber and marble accents.
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Something Living: For a touch of vitality, we incorporated fresh and dried foliage such as roses, hydrangeas, orchids, preserved buxus, ruscus, and various blossoms to complement the country flowers tablecloth.
SHOP THE HIGH TEA CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
For the authentic high tea experience, present an assortment of pastries, cakes, finger sandwiches, and scones on tiered cake stands. And when you embrace this style at home, consider wrapping your gifts in eco-friendly materials—try recycled paper, hessian, fabric, botanical prints, or brown kraft paper. Finish off the wrapping with twine, dried flowers, or aromatic herb sprigs.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
2. Natural Scandinavian
Festive Theme #2
Natural Scandi Style
What is the Natural Scandi Christmas Theme?
The Natural Scandi Christmas theme draws inspiration from Scandinavian design principles and embraces natural elements and a minimalist approach to create a serene and uncluttered Christmas atmosphere.
Here are the key characteristics of this theme:
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Colour Palette: The natural Scandinavian colour palette consists of shades of white, zinc, black, beige, chocolate brown, ivory, and muted pastels.
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Layering: Layering is key in this theme. We incorporated a mix of natural woven materials, rustic textures, and cosy textiles. To create a rustic and organic feel we incorporated materials such as reclaimed wood, stone, wicker, jute, marble, and ceramic. These were softened by inviting textiles such as knitted blankets, faux fur throws, and sheepskin rugs for added warmth and comfort.
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Lighting: To ensure adequate illumination, we used a combination of battery-operated candles, hurricane lanterns, and warm-toned string lights to achieve an inviting atmosphere. This soft, warm glow will add a touch of "hygge," the Danish concept of cosiness and contentment.
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Something with Lustre: For a touch of lustre, we introduced metallic elements such as beaded and embroidered Christmas stockings and cushions, glass and nickel candleholders, and delicate ornaments with glittery details to add a subtle sparkle.
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Something Loved: Something loved in this theme comes in the form of Scandinavian-inspired ornaments. This includes wooden or ceramic figurines, collections of tea-light houses, wooden bead garlands, feather wreaths, handcrafted fabric and zinc decorations like angels, birds, or snowflakes.
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Something Living: Lastly, we introduced dried floral and botanical accents like baby's breath, lichen-covered branches, and pine and eucalyptus into the festive garlands and wreaths. To complete the look, add natural elements such as pinecones, dried grasses, berries, and greenery to bring that fresh outdoor feel indoors.
SHOP THE SCANDI-STYLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Add character to your festive decor with distressed or antique finishes. For example, you could use chalk paint on wooden ornaments or furniture, or distress existing items to achieve that vintage look. Lastly, get creative with handmade wreaths and garlands using vintage-inspired materials and embellishments. Craft personalised name tags for gifts using vintage-style paper and calligraphy.
The Natural Scandi Christmas theme is perfect for those who appreciate a laid-back and serene holiday decor style that emphasizes the beauty of nature, simplicity, and the joy of spending quality time with loved ones during the holiday season.
3. Timeless and Traditional
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Christmas Theme #3
Timeless & Traditional
What is the Timeless and Traditional Festive Theme?
The Traditional Christmas theme celebrates the warmth, richness, and character of the holiday season. It's a theme that embraces time-honoured traditions and aims to bring a sense of nostalgia and comfort to your festivities.
Here are some ideas for introducing the Traditional Christmas theme into your home:
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Colour Palette: To achieve the traditional look, incorporate classic festive colours like burgundy, ruby red, forest and emerald green, midnight blues, copper and gold into your Christmas displays and table settings.
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Layering: Layering is essential for creating a rich, textured, and inviting festive feel. Embrace sumptuous materials like velvet, wool, quality linens, leather, and rattan. Add accents of brass and gold to bring a touch of luxury and sophistication. You can also dress the table with a classic plaid or tartan tablecloth in rich colours like burgundy or deep green, and playful festive-themed napery, napkin rings, and place cards.
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Lighting: For lighting, introduce tall-reaching gold candelabras, floor and hanging hurricane or paper lanterns, warm-toned fairy lights, and an array of battery-operated, tea lights, and French dinner candles to cast a cosy and warm glow over your festive displays.
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Something with Lustre: For lustre, consider using gold cutlery and servingware, mosaic green glass votives, glittering wreaths, glass candle domes, mirrored surfaces, and gold-rimmed plates and coasters.
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Something Loved: If you have a fireplace mantel or sideboard, create a traditional arrangement with figurines, vintage books, candleholders, and stockings filled with delightful treats. Think Santa, Mrs. Claus, Nutcrackers, gilded reindeer bowls, and glass lolly jars.
Other ideas include:- Plaid and tartan ribbons.
- Jingle bells
- Heirloom decorations
- & Glass baubles of green, gold, and burgundy.
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Something Living: Lastly, enliven your space with something living. Adorn stairwells and entryways with illuminated garlands and swags, and fill vases with burgundy dahlias, magnolia, and hydrangea flowers to add a touch of natural beauty. You can also incorporate rich foliage of holly stems, magnolia, red roses, pine, and potted poinsettia flowers.
SHOP THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
4. Evergreen: Green, Black, & White
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Festive Theme #4
Elegant Evergreen
What is the Elegant Evergreen Christmas Theme?
The Evergreen Christmas theme is characterised by sophistication and simplicity, creating a refined and uplifting atmosphere.
Some ideas for introducing this festive style into your home include:
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Colour Palette: Introduce a colour palette of green, white, and black. These can be brought to life with metallic accents for a touch of lustre.
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Layering: Create a monochromatic tablescape by layering black or brown rattan placemats napkin rings, and white ceramic plates, adding depth with varying textures. Complement this with green and white gingham check tablecloths and napkins for a pop of colour and pattern.
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Lighting: Create a cosy ambience with tinted glass tea-light votives, charming village tea-light houses, and soft overhead lighting.
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Something with Lustre: Elevate your decor with glass and pewter-topped jars filled with nuts and dried oranges, and add metallic gold and silver accents through ornaments and tableware.
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Something Loved: Make a statement with an oversized green ceramic urn or ginger jar adorned with tall-reaching branches. Finish your table settings with playful green and gold bonbons and glittery baubles.
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Something Living: Add freshness with bowls of oranges, lemons, limes, and apples. Infuse energy into your decor with a large green pine wreath adorned with black and white gingham ribbon, hanging herbs, and fir branches. Consider a Filigran tree featuring hanging orange slices and toadstools or go classic with a green Christmas tree adorned in white, green, and black ornaments.
SHOP THE EVERGREEN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Lastly, showcase your favourite holiday treats on a beautiful cake stand—think Christmas cakes, mince pies, spiced nuts, and Italian brioche.
The Elegant Evergreen Christmas style offers a refined and enchanting holiday experience, where tradition meets sophistication.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
5. Island Life
Photo Source: India Hicks
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Festive Theme #5
Island Life
What is the Island Life Christmas Theme?
The Island Life/British Colonial Christmas theme combines the relaxed and exotic vibes of island living with traditional British Colonial décor.
This theme is all about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere with a touch of tropical flair.
Here are some ideas for embracing the Island Life Christmas-style in your home:
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Colour Palette: Layers of white, sandy beige, deep greens, and ocean blues, infused with vibrant pops of tropical shades like coral, turquoise, and lush greenery.
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Layering: Opt for natural woven materials—rattan, jute, bamboo, and wicker for tableware and decor. Choose textiles with exotic patterns like ikat, batik, or tropical prints for cushions, tablecloths, and blankets. Add freshness and contrast with black, green, white, and navy cushions.
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Lighting: Brighten up your Island-style Christmas display with tea-light votives, hurricane lanterns, tall brass and silver nickel candleholders, and more.
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Something with Lustre: Bring in metallic pineapple vessels, glossy ceramic ginger jars, candlesticks, tinted glassware, and tea-light votives for a touch of lustre.
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Something Loved: Infuse nautical and coastal elements such as seashells, starfish, coral specimens, and large clam shells filled with tropical baubles, bonbons, palm tree ornaments, and more.
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Something Living: Integrate tropical plants and palms into your decor—potted plants, vases, or hanging displays featuring lush greenery like palm leaves, fiddle leaf figs, orchids, and bowls of tropical fruits, like the iconic pineapple.
SHOP THE ISLAND-STYLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
The Island Life/British Colonial Christmas theme is a delightful and unique way to celebrate the holiday season with a blend of tropical charm and classic colonial decor. It's perfect for those who appreciate a relaxed, laid-back, and beach-inspired atmosphere during Christmas.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Photo Source: India Hicks
WANT MORE FESTIVE INSPIRATION?
READ PART 2 here.
You can also discover our festive playlist on our YouTube channel @suzieandersonhome
