Christmas Decorations and Mood Makers
Christmas is not all about presents and food.
It's a Christian holiday when family gathers to have nice time and strengthen their bonds.
But can you imagine having that special time without a Christmas tree or any other decorations which are mood makers? I believe you can't! The decorations are usually in two categories: outdoor and indoor.
The most important indoor decoration is of course the Christmas tree which might be alive or artificial.
This is probably the only item that is associated with Christmas in the whole world.
It was brought to many different countries from Germany in about the XVI century (some sources say that not before XVIII century), but it became the international item very fast.
Back then it was usually decorated with apples, nuts, pretzels and paper flowers or paper chains - and those Christmas trees were rather alive.
Sometimes candles were putted on branches.
Nowadays it is usually in many sizes - big or small, in many colours (not only green!), more often artificial.
Those one who can't have a live Christmas tree (perhaps because of an allergy or don't want to clean the mess when the tree lose its 'leaves') and love its smell might just have candles that smells like pine or spruce.
The Christmas mood will be also be built by candles that brings a smell of forest (for example cassis candle ) or the one that smells like ginger, cinnamon.
Those candles may also stand on the candle holder in the shape of a fir cone, made with real fir cone scales.
To make a Christmas tree more like the one in the forest many people use the fake snowflakes, and if it's not available they put cotton swabs on branches.
But Christmas trees and candles are not only indoor Christmas decorations.
Even normal home accessories, like piece of clothes and food might serve as a decoration.
For example you can decorate your house only by using bowls with apples, or gingerbread cakes.
That kind of mood might be also gained by hanging Christmas stockings over the bed, next to window and of course over the fireplace.
Lying the table with red or green table-cloth will make it look more elegant, sophisticated and in a holiday style.
If it's a white one it may have special ornaments like red ribbons or green trees.
Even so small elements like napkins might change the look of the table and whole dining room.
If it comes to outdoor decorations the most important are door wreaths.
There are also lights that show happiness and life, and Santa shaped figures from plastic but none of them are as symbolic as much as wreaths.
Each element of wreath has it's own symbol.
Various plants signify the continuous life.
The laurel is a victory over suffering; pine, holly, and yew a sign of immortality; cedar, strength and healing; nuts, or seedpods symbolize life and resurrection.
The shape of it, circle, is a symbol of eternity - with no beginning or end.
And whole composition is a symbol of the strength of life, with plants overcoming even the harshest winters.
When hanging on the door those nice Christmas door wreaths may say 'Hello!' or 'Merry Christmas!' instead of you, and make a great welcoming.
There are a lot things to do and remember before celebration can start.
Buying presents, making food, preparing decorations.
But decorating the house might be a lot of fun when you do it all together with your family.
It can be a mood maker also before, not only during the Christmas.
It's a Christian holiday when family gathers to have nice time and strengthen their bonds.
But can you imagine having that special time without a Christmas tree or any other decorations which are mood makers? I believe you can't! The decorations are usually in two categories: outdoor and indoor.
The most important indoor decoration is of course the Christmas tree which might be alive or artificial.
This is probably the only item that is associated with Christmas in the whole world.
It was brought to many different countries from Germany in about the XVI century (some sources say that not before XVIII century), but it became the international item very fast.
Back then it was usually decorated with apples, nuts, pretzels and paper flowers or paper chains - and those Christmas trees were rather alive.
Sometimes candles were putted on branches.
Nowadays it is usually in many sizes - big or small, in many colours (not only green!), more often artificial.
Those one who can't have a live Christmas tree (perhaps because of an allergy or don't want to clean the mess when the tree lose its 'leaves') and love its smell might just have candles that smells like pine or spruce.
The Christmas mood will be also be built by candles that brings a smell of forest (for example cassis candle ) or the one that smells like ginger, cinnamon.
Those candles may also stand on the candle holder in the shape of a fir cone, made with real fir cone scales.
To make a Christmas tree more like the one in the forest many people use the fake snowflakes, and if it's not available they put cotton swabs on branches.
But Christmas trees and candles are not only indoor Christmas decorations.
Even normal home accessories, like piece of clothes and food might serve as a decoration.
For example you can decorate your house only by using bowls with apples, or gingerbread cakes.
That kind of mood might be also gained by hanging Christmas stockings over the bed, next to window and of course over the fireplace.
Lying the table with red or green table-cloth will make it look more elegant, sophisticated and in a holiday style.
If it's a white one it may have special ornaments like red ribbons or green trees.
Even so small elements like napkins might change the look of the table and whole dining room.
If it comes to outdoor decorations the most important are door wreaths.
There are also lights that show happiness and life, and Santa shaped figures from plastic but none of them are as symbolic as much as wreaths.
Each element of wreath has it's own symbol.
Various plants signify the continuous life.
The laurel is a victory over suffering; pine, holly, and yew a sign of immortality; cedar, strength and healing; nuts, or seedpods symbolize life and resurrection.
The shape of it, circle, is a symbol of eternity - with no beginning or end.
And whole composition is a symbol of the strength of life, with plants overcoming even the harshest winters.
When hanging on the door those nice Christmas door wreaths may say 'Hello!' or 'Merry Christmas!' instead of you, and make a great welcoming.
There are a lot things to do and remember before celebration can start.
Buying presents, making food, preparing decorations.
But decorating the house might be a lot of fun when you do it all together with your family.
It can be a mood maker also before, not only during the Christmas.
