It’s that wonderful time of the year once again! Every year, the Christmas season brings out the best in most Filipinos. We don’t mind crowded malls and heavy traffic as much as we do the rest of the year. The office seems merrier and brighter despite the increased workload and the year-end deadlines. Even homes show festive cheer, as Christmas decorations and warm smiles adorn many residences.
Of course, some Filipinos are busier than others. Harried individuals are having difficulty managing their work and home lives. As much as they want to shift into Christmas mode, they have to deal with the realities of their daily responsibilities. They’d love nothing more than to spruce up their homes with Christmas decorations if only they had the time.
Last Minute Christmas Decorations For the Busy Individual
Putting up a Christmas display is easy given the number of holiday symbols available. You can also spend money putting up a Christmas tree, hanging it with ornaments, and placing a nativity scene nearby. Outside your home, it’s a matter of hanging a wreath at the front door and placing lanterns on windows and posts. But then, again. Some households don’t have the time, patience, or creativity for the job at hand. Thankfully, summoning the Holiday spirit doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Below are a few suggestions on how to get into the festive mood with these easy DIY Christmas decoration ideas.
#1. Reuse Your Old Christmas Decorations
Unless you strictly adhere to this year’s designated Christmas colors, you don’t have to spend every year celebrating the holidays. Reusing old decorations shouldn’t be an issue. After all, Yuletide elements remained unchanged ever since. So, dust off your family’s old Nativity figures, check the Parol in the garage if it still works, or break out last year’s holiday plates and ornaments.
Make reusing old decorations your first option every year. It’s not only less expensive, but you help save the environment by generating less waste. A Green Christmas is always a good thing to celebrate every year.
#2. Christmas Fruits
Christmas in the Philippines means having fruits on the table. A simple thing such as a well-stocked bowl of fruit at the table is always a welcome holiday sign. So have a good amount of oranges, persimmons, apples, chicos, and grapes. Red apples and green grapes allow you to display some cheerful Christmas colors. Simply place them in a clean bowl (if you have a Christmas-themed bowl better), and prepare to restock when you have company. Thankfully, even busy Pinoys can easily get fruits at nearby groceries or that fruit stall around the corner. Or, you can use Christmas candy or cookies instead. Thematic sweets such as candy canes and special edition chocolates are a great alternative.
After December 25, continue stocking up and keep that bowl full. Pinoys are big-time followers of a Chinese tradition that round fruits can help bring you prosperity during the New Year. If nothing else, fruits can be a tasty snack in between your planned holiday feasts.
#3. Jazz Up Your Scented Candles
Candles are a Lenten symbol that marks the four Sundays before Christmas. Instead of a traditional Advent wreath, you can simply use any unused scented candles you have and garnish them with traditional Christmas decorations. You can set your candle in an unused decorative plate or small tray and then add some red or green ribbons, decorative pine cones, and Christmas balls. Better yet, combine all three decors to create your custom design. Place the final product on a shelf of a display table.
Even better, using scented candles means that whenever the need arises, you can light up your festive decor and enjoy the aroma. After all, aromatherapy can go along with improving your mood.
#4. Wrap and Stack Your Gifts
If you’re into gift-giving during the holiday season and you wait until Christmas to give them out, you can use your packages as temporary Christmas decorations. This can work if you previously decided to use Christmas-themed or holiday-colored wrapping paper for all your gifts. Neatly stack them under the Christmas tree (if you have one) or in a corner of your living area. Bows and decorative tags that list each recipient are also a great addition to the decor. More importantly, they’re a welcome reminder that Christmas is more about giving rather than receiving.
No Time or Christmas Decorations? Don’t Worry, Christmas is in the Spirit!
Then again. lack of themed decor shouldn’t dampen your spirits. All you need is a good view outside and see people getting ready for Yuletide. But for those who have absolutely no time to buy Christmas decorations or have already disposed of last year’s baubles, don’t fret. Christmas is all about having positive vibes about the upcoming season.
Despite a lack of decorations, you can get into that Holiday mood by playing some Christmas albums whenever you’re home to set the mood. You can poke fun at Christmas by playing well-worn hits such as Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” or local crooner Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas in Our Hearts”. Those preferring retro vibes can sample classic Christmas carols from the 1950s and 1960s such as Ray Conniff, Bing Crosby, or The Carpenters who feature full instruments and great harmonies.
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