Unusual ways to decorate for Christmas
/Thanksgiving has come and gone, which can only mean junkanoo, plenty food, cheesy Hallmark movies and family time are on the horizon. It’s Christmas time! Before you go looking for the tree and start your holiday season shopping, I have a challenge for you: ditch the “same old, same old.” Challenges are scary, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Here are some creative ways you can add some Bahamian flavor to your decorating this Christmas.
A little Elbow Grease
The traditional Christmas tree, whether faux or natural, is tried and true, but we can do better than that. For the crafty folks, a unique, inexpensive alternative is the wooden pallet Christmas tree. Think of the pallet like a blank canvas. There are so many ways you can customize and tailor it to your style and flavor.
Once you have your pallet, you’ll need to cut it into the shape of a Christmas tree. An automated saw should do the trick. Tape can be used as a guide for getting the shape correct. Once cut, the pallet will still have a rough feel, but a quick hand sanding with sturdy sandpaper or an electric sander will have your tree nice and smooth.
Once the tree is sanded, you can add a fresh coat of paint to it. First, you’ll need to prep the tree with paint primer, then a suitable wood paint can be used. For a Bahamian pallet tree, what color scheme would be more fitting then our famed black, gold and aquamarine? Make it happen somebody!
Divin’ for Conch
The tree is officially cut, painted and ready for the finishing touches. The hard part is out of the way. One of the most enjoyable parts about Christmas is gathering with friends and family to adorn the tree with ornaments. Instead of the ordinary like bells, Santas and rein deer, switch it up by adding some seashell ornaments instead. Ain nothing more Bahamian than our beloved sand and sea, so this would be a way to pay homage to the beauty of our archipelago.
1. To get started, grab those seashells out of that shoebox you have tucked away in your closet, or run down to the beach and collect a fresh set.
2. Once you have your shells, make sure they’re clean and free of any debris. For a pristine white finish, soak them in bleach before making alterations.
3. You’ll then need to make a tiny hole or two in the back of the shells, so they can be hung from your pallet tree. Instead of string, you can use fishing line, which will make the ornaments look like they are floating in mid-air when added to the tree.
4. For added flair, add glitter or ribbon to the shells. You can use the shells to create almost anything you can think of, from starfish to sea urchins. You could even combine several seashells to create a Christmas wreath for the front door.
Odds, Ends and Finishing Touches
You could also decorate the tree with national symbols like pink flamingoes and blue marlins to give the tree that extra touch of Bahamian pride. Christmas is also a time to celebrate life’s fondest memories.
You can use your pallet tree to remind you of those times by using family photos as ornaments, in the vein of a photo album. You could complement these photos by scattering Christmas cards around the tree or pinning them onto the tree itself.
Ice, Ice, Baby
We may never have a white Christmas in the Bahamas, but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring some of that chill to our homes. We have inside looking nice, but we can’t forget about the outside decorations. One clever addition to add some flair to your front porch is an ice lantern.
To create the lantern, you’ll need:
candles or Christmas lights,
water,
2 gallon or 1/2-gallon water bottles/2 plastic containers,
2 plastic cups,
grapes,
pillar candles, and
Containers can be any size you like.
First, fill a plastic cup with water and place it inside the container.
Then, fill the container with water, and add grapes for color.
Place the container in the freezer for 8 hours.
After the containers have frozen, unmold them by running some hot water over the outsides. If there are cracks, don’t worry, they will add to the effect.
Place the containers outside and insert pillar candles (I recommend one per container).
Light the candles and you’ll have beautiful ice lanterns to brighten up the front of your home.
Someone To Welcome The Guests
Another unusual way to add to the festive spirit is by creating a snowman in your yard. But how can we do that without snow? Wreaths! Three, to be exact.
The first thing you’ll need to do is find a location in your yard where the three-wreath snowman won’t be obscured by other greenery like trees or bushes. Find a spot where it contrasts nicely with the colors of your home. If your home is a darker color, pick white or brightly colored wreaths, and vice versa.
You’ll need a 2x4 stake of lumber to mark the snowman’s spot in the yard. This will be your foundation. Make sure it is placed at least 6 inches into the soil, so it is stable and secure. You may need to clear out some soil if the lumber doesn’t smoothly sink in otherwise.
Use a hammer to make sure the lumber is sturdy.
Lay your wreaths on the ground. The goal is to have one be large for the base, the second medium for the upper body, and the third smallest, for the head. If this difference in size isn’t apparent, it won’t look like a snowman, so choose carefully!
Starting from the bottom third of the 2x4, add half inch exterior wood screws into the front of the stake with a drill.
You’ll need to use measuring tape to determine the right distance from the bottom screw to where the center wreath will be hung. The same process will need to be repeated to get the right distance between the center wreath and top wreath.
Once the measurements are done and the wreaths properly placed, wrap galvanized wire around the top of the wreaths and screws to secure the wreaths to the stake.
To wrap it up, add a top hat, scarf and branches. Voila, snowman complete!
After all this talk about prettying up the tree, I’m ready for the season, and I hope you are too!
Happy Holidays from Bahamia Rental: For All Life’s Celebrations
