HOW TO GROW YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATION COLLECITON
Here are some of my favourite tips when it comes to buying Christmas decorations and growing your collection.
I think it’s important to start off by saying you really don’t need to go out and buy a ton of decorations all at once.
Most people will grow a collection over the years, and in my opinion it’s better that way, as I believe you’ll have a stronger emotional connection to your decorations; the nostalgia of remembering different Christmas’s.
DECORATION SELECTION BOXES
If you’re starting out with no decorations, or have very few, I’d definitely recommend investing in a decoration selection box.
Often mixed bauble tubs or ornament collection boxes are much better value for money than buying individual ornaments. It’s also a great and easy way to get a beautifully curated palette, ready made for you.
SALES & SPECIAL OFFERS
If you’re on a budget, keep an eye out for decorations that are discounted or on Sale.
Black Friday might mean 10-25% off, but you’ll also find that if you hold your nerve and wait until the week before Christmas there are great bargains to be had. I wouldn’t recommend using this tactic if there is something super special you have your eye on, but it can be a great way to get a few extra pieces.
There is also of course the January sales where you can often find massively reduced ornaments , sometimes as much as 75% + off.
pre-loved
Online marketplaces like Ebay are a great way to find some pre-loved decorations at any time of year. I’d definitely look here if you are into a vintage aesthetic, as I’ve seen some amazing selections of mid century glass baubles, again a ready made collection for you.
FREE DECOR
Keep your eyes peeled for people giving away unwanted trees and decorations on sites such as Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace.
You often find that just before Christmas if someone has upgraded an artificial tree, they will want to pass on their old one to save it ending up in landfill.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
If you’re creative then why not try your hand at making, decorating or customising your own decorations? There are tons of ideas on Pinterest.
Alternatively you can find some lovely unique decorations from independent sellers at Christmas fairs and markets and you will be supporting local businesses in the process.
These hand crafted ornaments are also particularly lovely to gift.
MATERIALS
Try to introduce variety and interest with the materials your ornaments are made from.
When it comes to baubles I personally like to use glass rather than plastic for my home tree as they feel and look nicer.
However if you have a toddler who might grab your ornaments or excitable cats who might dive into your tree, you may want to stick to more robust materials such as plastic baubles, especially near the base of the tree.
But for ornaments, there are so many types of materials used, including glass, plastic, wood, metal, paper, straw, fabric and more.
QUANTITIES
Unless I am buying a one-off special decoration like a tree-topper, I try to buy a few of each style of decoration, whether this means 3 individual ornaments from the same collection, or a tub of coordinated filler baubles.
This makes styling a coherent tree so much easier than having to make lots of very different decorations work together.
BE INTENTIONAL
I try to be intentional when it comes to buying decorations, especially if they are statement or special. I make sure I really love them, and I’m not just buying them for the sake of it.
Each decoration should spark a certain amount of joy when you’re putting in on the tree.
PHOTOS
Creating a photo album on your phone that you can refer back to can be quite useful. Fill it with photos of your decoration collection or decorated tree. You can then refer to this album if you see some new decorations the following year, but aren’t sure if they’re too similar, or different to what you already have.
Equally, if I’m out shopping for decorations and I want to go away and think about which ones to choose, I’ll take a photo of the ornament and then a photo of the label showing the stockist and price.
This makes it so much easier to keep track of my styling ideas.
want to learn more?
Find out more about my masterclass How to Style Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro, and learn the art of joyful decorating for the festive season.
