With the weather turning cooler and the shopping malls, restaurants, pubs and shops all selling attractive wares, deals and more to usher in the end-of-the-year revelry, it’s safe to say that Christmas is on everyone’s minds. To make the festive season even more fun, now would be a good time to start decorating your house with festive flourishes. Whether you prefer traditional decor or something more modern, there’s no better way to get into the holiday mood than by adding a touch of red, green and white to your home.

While the sheer variety of decorations available in the stores, from lights and ornaments to indoor and outdoor decor, can cater to every theme – be it rustic, vintage, glamorous or contemporary – it’s easy t o feel overwhelmed by the plethora of options available. To help you resist the urge to go overboard, we have put together a list of accessories to help you welcome the holiday in true style.

Christmas tree
Nothing makes your home look merrier than a cheerful Christmas tree. For a truly authentic touch, choose a Noble fir sourced directly from sustainable North American tree farms. Not only do they come in a huge range of sizes, there are several florists in Hong Kong that offer to pick up your tree after the holiday season for it to be recycled, so that you can fully enjoy the verdant seasonal centrepiece in your home while still caring for the environment.

Christmas ornaments
Once you’ve found the perfect spot to show off your festive foliage, the next important step is to make it look as stylish as possible. Bedeck your perfect Christmas tree with baubles, ornaments, figurines and lights, all perfectly coordinated to match your central theme. If you want to glam it up further, just spritz some metallic spray paint to ensure the branches and leaves sparkle. A tree-top ornament is also a beautiful way to enhance its inherent appeal. Although time-honoured festive flourishes such as angels, fairies, stars and ribbons are popular choices, for a touch of uniqueness, you can even create your own customised ornament, ensuring your tree-topper is a true showstopper.

Christmas stockings
One of the most enduring Christmas Eve traditions is to hang stockings from mantels or bedposts for Santa Claus to fill up with gifts. Putting aside the myth of Father Christmas, these woolly accoutrements can go a long way in adding festive cheer to your home. From classic reds and greens to colourful pompoms, whatever it is that catches your fancy, make sure to hang up a holiday stocking that is just as envy-worthy as the goodies inside.

Christmas tableware
While a hearty spread goes hand in hand with any celebration, go the extra mile to ensure your Christmas table setting does your dinner justice. From festive flourishes and colour-coordinated plates and mugs to red-hued crystal glasses and ornate napkin holders, nothing creates a more lasting impression on loved ones than a wonderfully decorated table. Pay attention to the little details, however, as a mishmash of objects and clashing themes can take away from the allure of the whole experience.

Christmas lights
Brighten up the holidays – and your home – with those merry, twinkly lights that lift up the mood with the click of a power switch. No matter your mode of illumination, be it mini LEDs or retrostyle globe strands, there’s no going overboard in  this department. For the tree, drape the trunk andthe branches with as many strings of light as you want. You can also wrap some strands on wreaths and mistletoes for a touch of extra warmth, while longer strands can be used as a curtain of light on the windows. Mix and match with colours for an element of fun or to create a calm, soothing ambience. Those looking to add a vintage touch to their Christmas cheer may also opt for traditional candles with ornate candleholders as centrepieces for the tables. When it comes to festive flourishes, brighter is truly better…

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Photos: AFP