LIFESTYLE & HOME

It’s fair to say that most people have a box in the garage or the spare room full of Christmas decorations, and each year, it gets fuller and fuller.

Mine was bursting at the seams as my tastes and house interior changed over the years. Unfortunately, that has come with a lot of waste and landfill.

I am conscious now more than ever that when sourcing styling and decorating pieces for my home, I look for and invest in a more sustainable option. That is, looking for neutral palettes and timeless pieces (made with less plastic) that can come out of the box every year and still be relevant ten years later.

When thinking about styling your space, consider keeping your base of decorations neutral so you can easily change it up every year by adding in a different feature colour/s. This also ensures you won’t have to start all over again if you tire of a particular colour. Depending on your style preference, look for timeless pieces to create the base of your Xmas décor, such as:

• groups of candles that will create a soft, gentle festive atmosphere • glass jars to fill with pine cones, ribbons or sweets • cake stands with domes that you can fill with cookies or cupcakes • wreaths that can be changed up each year • fabric bunting that can bring some festive cheer to your windows • fabric advent calendars are a two-for-one deal by offering multiple purposes, one as a refillable calendar and two as a festive wall decoration • decorations made from more natural materials such as ceramic, glass and wood.

Plants are also a great example of decor pieces that can be used and repurposed all year round. Have them in your home yearround and when the festive season hits, consider dressing them up by wrapping the pots in Xmas wrapping or popping some decorations amongst their branches and leaves.

Let’s talk Christmas By Belinda Neame decor instagram @beeneame

Wreaths are another attractive option for year-round décor. Find a wreath that will work with your aesthetic and hang it somewhere in your home – above your fireplace or empty wall space. When Christmas comes around, get creative, add some festive pieces, and pop them on your front door. The repurposing of year-round décor helps to manage costs and set up time.

DRESSING THE TREE

The Christmas tree is truly the centrepiece of any décor. If you aren’t a ‘real tree’ person, consider investing in a good quality imitation tree. This means it will have a better life span and less landfill.

If you are a ‘real tree’ person, consider purchasing one in a pot. You can go as big or as small as you like. A small one can work well if you are limited on space by just popping it on a coffee table or TV unit. You can re-pot it as it grows, and then it’s at your fingertips to bring inside at Christmas. It can even become a beautiful feature in your garden year-round. When decorating, always start with neutral decorations and then add a pop of colour if you like changing it up. Sometimes less is best, and something as simple as a few strings of warm fairy lights and lengths of fabric bunting is enough.

Placing your tree in a corner or window will allow the fairy lights to shine through at nighttime, creating a humble space.

And there you have it! A beautiful Christmas decor that is both festive and timeless.

floral styling Christmas

With Poetry in Flowers

Floral arrangements are the perfect way to add a splash of colour and life into your home. The team at Poetry in Flowers have shared a few tips on selecting the right flowers and creating a beautiful floral arrangement that will WOW your guests this Christmas season.

How to Choose the Right Flowers

1. Lush textured foliage with minimal blooms is trending this year, with more people wanting to buy Australian grown more than ever. For extra texture, mix in some gum from your garden!

2. Choose a few large focal flowers focusing more on a quality large stem over the number of blooms. Natives like protea and banksia always look great for Christmas and last well.

Five Tips to Create a Floral Arrangement at Home

1. Choose a short, low vase with a larger opening. You can use floral or thin masking tape to create a crisscross pattern on the top to make arranging your stems easier. 2. Starting with the foliage, strip all the stems so the leaves won’t be in the water. 3. Start adding foliage stems to your vase.

Try adding two longer stems on opposite sides, then use shorter stems to fill the other edges and the centre until you get your desired lushness. 4. Add in your larger blooms. Cut these so that the bottom of the flower sits nestled in the foliage. Then add any other Christmas decorations, such as pinecones, bows, and baubles. 5. Be sure to change your water every few days to keep it fresh and clean to help your foliage and flowers last longer.

Don’t forget your pets this Christmas

‘Tis the season of gift giving, but don’t forget your fur babies!

Our pets hold a special place in our hearts, so the Christmas season is the perfect excuse to spoil them with a little extra.

Marketplace Gungahlin has got you covered with special treats, a new toy, bed or fun pet costume. Visit Big W or Kmart to browse their range of PAWesome gift options for pets.

Ensuring your pets stay safe this season is just as important as spoiling them with gifts. Although we often love sharing during Christmas, some foods should not be shared with your pets.

Christmas cake, mince meat pies, and

pudding: These desserts are often made with dried fruits such as sultanas, raisins, and grapes. These ingredients are dangerous to pets as they contain toxins that can induce vomiting, diarrhoea and even lead to kidney disease. Stuffing and gravy: These are often made with onion and garlic, which are toxic to pets.

Bones: You should always be careful when feeding your pet any type of bone and never feed your pet cooked bones. Cooked bones are hazardous for your pets as they are soft, can easily splinter and can get lodged in your pet’s mouth or throat, which could lead to a life-threatening situation.

Chocolate: Milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate all contain an ingredient that is toxic to pets. If consumed, your pet may vomit, have diarrhoea, become hyperactive or suffer a seizure. Severe cases may lead to death.

Alcohol: Cats and dogs can be affected by even small amounts of alcohol. If large amounts of alcohol are consumed, it can be fatal.

Advice sourced from Greencross Vets.