Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190250
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DONNA MUSSELWHITE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"There are always trends in Christmas decorations, and this year is no different, but I always try to steer people to what feels good to them, what feels like Christmas. Christmas is a very personal holiday, so your decorations have to fit you, your sense of Christmas, what feels right in your home," says Meg Cook of Belle Aire Garden Shoppe.
Traditional holiday colors of red and green are always popular, particularly with men, Cook said. "Women tend to be more willing to try other, more trendy colors, like the mauves and country blues of a few years ago, but men want to stick to the reds and greens."
This year's selections of ornaments, ribbons and other decorations come in vibrant jewel tones - burgundies, deep blues and greens - as well as in all shades of white and ivory and lots of golds, coppers and silvers.
In ornaments, moons, stars and other celestial items are prevalent, as well as angels. You'll find moons and star ornaments, candle holders, ribbons and fabrics. They're easy to decorate with because of the gold accents, which many people work into their home decor.
"Gold works well in many decors," says Cook. "It's easy to use in a room, in trims on pillows or draperies, or in items scattered about the room. Then it can be repeated in decorations on the tree or in wrapping paper and ribbons, and it tends to pull a whole room together."
Diane Rosenberg of RSVP, Limited, sees the use of gold in china and other entertaining accessories as well. "Many people will collect china and other items for entertaining with gold rims or trimming. It's very elegant, and much of it can be used throughout the year, not just during the holidays."
Rosenberg and Cook agree that many people want their decorations to be coordinated throughout the house. "I don't think people stop with the tree now. Certainly that's the focal point of their decorating, but they keep going throughout their homes, using wreaths and greenery in dining rooms, dens, and especially on stairs and banisters. Some even decorate children's rooms separately to suit the children," Rosenberg said.
"I think people do a lot with doorways and staircases," Cook said. "Certainly a well-decorated staircase can be the grandest decoration of all, and it takes you from one level of the house to another, ties it all together."
Greenery and plants are popular decorating elements this year, including the traditional poinsettias, as well as paperwhites and early spring bulbs that have been forced. It all fits into a "natural" trend - using plants, raffia ribbons, dried flowers like hydrangeas, ivy and mistletoe trim, and lots and lots of beeswax candles. They all work together to create an elegant, restful look with the lights of candles and small white lights to make it extra special.
Belle Aire does very well selling artificial greenery for Christmas. Cook said. "They've come a long way in the quality of artificial greenery, plus it just works so much better. It's just too warm around here and too warm in people's homes for the fresh greenery to last and look as good," she added.
You'll also find lots of fruits and flowers in arrangements this year in Colonial Williamsburg-type designs, and if you're really serious about a "natural" theme, you can even buy environmentally sound ribbon.
And as always, the movies get into the decorating act: Belle Aire has a tree decorated a la "A River Runs Through It" with L.L. Bean-type ornaments - canoes, fishing Santas, lodges, Hudson Blankets, even an elf reeling in a fish. They have another tree with ornaments depicting endangered animal species.
If you're more of a traditionalist, all the favorites are still around - Santas in every shape and size, glass balls, reindeer, cherubs, icicles.
"The main thing about your ornaments is the feelings they evoke when you unpack them each year. When I unpack mine, I can pretty much remember exactly where they came from, when I got them, who gave them to me," Cook said.
Ornaments as gifts is an idea that has grown in popularity over the past two to three years.
"You see people buying ornaments as gifts for a variety of reasons," said Rosenberg. "They'll buy small ornaments - under $10 apiece - as remembrances for people, or they'll buy major decorating pieces, collectibles - in the $100 and up range - for family members or special friends."
In collectibles, nutcrackers and smokers, snow globes and nativities are all favorite gift items. "People like to purchase collectibles because it gives them a sense of passing something special along. It makes them feel good to unwrap these pieces every year," said Cook.
And collectibles are a wonderful decorating element as well. "My collection of nutcrackers and smokers is my favorite decoration each year. I might add something different each year, like interspersing berries or flowers among them, but the focal point is my collection," Cook said. Cook also gives ornaments as party favors.
"You can pick up something as simple as little snowflakes for 25 cents each and give them out."
Ornaments are also popular wedding gifts, particularly for fall brides, but beginning as early as June weddings.
"It's a very sentimental gift to help a bride and groom build a collection of decorations," Rosenberg said.
by CNB