Your Home for the Holidays Christmas Tree Styling and Winter Aesthetics

The turkey has been gobbled and now it’s time to prepare for Christmas and the approach of the winter season! The Christmas tree has deep ties to celebrating the winter solstice and has obviously become the main staple for the holiday itself. Styling and decorating the tree has its own traditions and elements that bring joy and life into the home as the winter months approach. So, let’s talk about the history of styling the tree and bringing the winter aesthetics indoors to lighten up the dark, cold season ahead of us. 

The practice of lighting the tree dates back to the 17th century, when Germans would place lit candles on the tree as a symbol of hope and warmth during winter. There are some stories that Martin Luther, a German theologian, was the first to add candles after seeing stars twinkling through the evergreens. As live candles pose quite the fire risk, we have developed the common day string of lights in various forms to use safely. But they don’t only need to be used on the tree! We often see them strung through garland on a mantel of the railing of a staircase as well. There’s lots of other ways to use them to warm up our home in the cold, some ideas include:

• Glass containers - Place battery-operated fairy lights inside empty glass vases, jars, or bottles for a magical, diffused light.

• Wrapped elements - Wrap copper wire fairy lights around faux trees, driftwood, large plants, or even a handrail on a staircase to add a cozy glow.

• Window or doorway framing - Create a clean, elegant look by running string lights along the edges of your windows or doorways.

• Behind sheer curtains - Hang lights behind sheer curtains to soften the light and hide the wires for a dreamy effect.

To create a refined look, be sure to use warm or cool tones. Warm yellow lights create a cozy, festive feel, while cool blues and purples can enhance a more natural, icy winter setting. And drape for a soft look, allow for some slack in the middle to create a gentle, draped effect.

The tradition of adding decorations to the tree came with German immigrants to America in the 1800s and during this time, glass ornaments were first made. Early decorations included apples, nuts, and wafers, representing abundance. This tradition was later adopted, and in the 16th century, decorations like candles, paper roses, and tinsel were added. The introduction of tinsel was created to mimic the shimmer of snow. The evolution of decorations through the 20th century brought a number of different stylistic movements with it, such as:

• Coordinated color schemes - In the 1980s, interior design trends led to more coordinated, maximalist decoration styles with specific color palettes.

• Retro and vintage styles - There has been a resurgence of interest in vintage-style ornaments, including glass and mercury glass, for a nostalgic feel.

• Personalization - Decorations today are highly personalized, featuring sentimental ornaments, themed sets, and handcrafted items that reflect individual tastes and memories

How do we style our homes in the winter aesthetic using decor like we do on the tree? Start out by taking inspiration from winter landscapes. The colors of winter, the textures, the smells. Add elements that provide warmth and coziness.

• Layer with textiles - use soft, textured items like chunky knit throws, faux fur blankets, thick area rugs, and heavy curtains to add warmth and softness.

• Bring in natural elements - use wood, pinecones, bare branches, or a basket of firewood to bring an outdoor, rustic feel inside. You can also fill vases with winter greenery like pine and eucalyptus for a fresh touch

• Integrate metallic touches - add subtle hints of brushed gold, silver, or bronze in decor items like trays, candle holders, or picture frames to reflect light and add a touch of elegance.

• Seasonal art - incorporate art with winter landscapes, cozy themes, or abstract snowy designs to make your decor feel more intentional.

• Create a focal point - a fireplace is ideal, but you can also create a focal point with a vignette on a coffee table or mantelpiece. Grouping items in odd numbers, like three or five, can create a more dynamic arrangement.

• Natural scented candles - pine, fir and cedarwood are great woodsy and spicy. Amber, vanilla, orange and tangerine add warmth and comfort. Peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus provide a clean, lifting scent to invigorate you. 

With these design tips, you can warm your home up in no time and have a sophisticated, holiday ready home!