If Santa loans out elves, one of his best is Francie Mishler, an interior designer at Jones Group Interiors in Akron, Ohio. She’s been decorating homes at Christmas for 16 years. “Christmas is a big deal, “ says Mishler. During this, the darkest part of the year, it’s important to bring light and beauty into everyday surroundings.

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Some anticipate the Christmas season with dreams (sugarplums?) and can’t wait to pull out the boxes of decorations. Still, others struggle with where to start. For those looking for inspiration, Mishler recommends perusing catalogs, such as Frontgate and Plow & Hearth. If they don’t show up in your mailbox try searching for them online. They carry everything from rustic to refined. You are sure to find something that sparks your imagination.

The Colors of Christmas

As early as the 14th century, red and green were associated with Christmas.  The green originally came in the form of holly leaves or evergreen boughs. Both remain green and pliable throughout the dark winter offering hope of new life. Prior to Christianity, the Romans brought in evergreen boughs for good luck. Originally, the bright red of the holly berries reminded Christians of the blood of Christ. Even without knowing the reasons behind it, the vibrant greens and reds bring the season to life.

It also makes sense to use gold at this time of the year when everything is dark and cold. Gold represents the sun and the renewal of life. Silver, with its twinkling shiny qualities, is also used to banish the darkness. In the 17th century, Germans used real candles on the Christmas tree, and for those wealthy enough, tinsel made from real silver! By the late 1950s, all silver Christmas trees hit the market in all of its garish glory. Glittering trees are still adored by many.

For those who wish to create more of a winter wonderland feel, you might wish to consider emphasizing blue and white. White is the color of purity — along with snow — and blue is a peaceful color of the heavens. Remember that Christmas is about the birth of Christ, and Mary, his mother, is often represented in blue robes.

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