The holidays are almost over. Christmas and New Year have gone by. The gifts have been given and the meals have been consumed. Now, we are left with the unenviable task of cleaning up after all the merrymaking. Honestly, who loves clearing away all those decorations we have lovingly put up?
For all those still suffering from a holiday hangover, you don’t really have to put away those Christmas decorations just yet. Lest you suffer your neighbors’ wrath with your Christmas lights glaring outdoors, it’s time to be a little creative and hide those wreaths and baubles in plain sight.
Besides retaining the holiday spirit throughout the rest of the year, you’ll also have less to worry about when it comes to storage space. Here are some ways you can repurpose Christmas decorations to fit in with your ordinary stuff for the rest of the year.
Display metallic baubles
Do you love those shiny balls that hang on your Christmas tree? Well, you can enjoy these baubles all year round by mixing them up with ordinary items in neutral colors. According to artist Donna Herron, the neutral items tone down the eye-catching effect of the shiny ornaments.
Combine wreaths with nonfestive décor
Remove the ribbons and embellishments on a Christmas wreath and you can reuse this item to evoke nature. Combine the wreath with other nature-inspired elements. The wreath will become a simple but relaxing piece of everyday décor.
Decorate with candles
Though red candles in the summer might raise some eyebrows, white candles are acceptable to use all year round. Scatter them around your living room or bedroom to add a touch of romance and warmth.
Consider a winter theme
If you opted for a white, silver and blue theme this Christmas, you’re in luck. You can keep your decorations in place until February, reverting to a winter theme for your home. Just pack up some of the more literal symbols of Christmas—sadly, that includes dear Santa Claus—and you can get away with a winter wonderland for a few more months.
White and blue decorations suggest a winter motif.
Relocate Christmas lights
You can still reuse those Christmas lights as long as they are in good, working condition. Put them over your bed for a bit of ambient lights at night. Better yet, reuse them over your patio for a warm, inviting glow outdoors. Lifestyle blogger Valerie Ott even suggests using them to create illuminate wall art or a string light photo display. You can repurpose them in so many ways and still reuse them for next Christmas.
A wreath and Christmas lights blend in with ordinary decor.
Combine red with denim
Red tablecloths and napkins are almost always synonymous with the holiday season. Yet if you use them with some denim ornaments, you’ll invoke images of a July picnic instead. Use this combination in the dining room and show visitors you’re up and ready for the summer.
Separate the reds and greens
This might sound obvious, but the traditional combination of red and green always brings to mind Christmas. If you are intent on displaying stuff in these colors throughout the year, keep them at a distance from each other. Come Christmas time, you can always place them together for some instant holiday décor.
Though the festivities may soon be over, there is nothing wrong with retaining the holiday cheer in your home. In the words of Herron, “if you love it, use it.” A little subtleness, however, gives your home a touch of elegance and prevents your beloved pieces from becoming tacky.
Beyond holiday decorations, what is important is that you always retain the warmth and joy of the Christmas season. Whatever you decide to decorate your home with, a home filled with love will remain aglow throughout the year.
Sources: feltmagnet.com, www.thespruce.com, Juan Pablo Arenas via https://www.pexels.com/