My Christmas Theme for 2023 is…
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
IMAGES: MARCEL AUCAR
The Garden!
Now you know I love working on a theme, from planning the menu to adding the final ribbon on the last present, and this year is no different. My theme for Christmas this year is GARDENING, and if you have seen a selection of my Chyka Home Christmas items from Harris Scarfe, you may have noticed this theme already. The word GARDENING alone may sound vague and not very festive - but believe me, with some creativity and flexibility, I have created one of the most interesting festive looks so far!
A theme can inspire creativity by giving you a starting point or a unique angle to approach your decorations. Whether it's a winter wonderland, rustic farmhouse, or a pink bauble-inspired theme, having a central idea for your Christmas decorations can simplify planning, make the execution more efficient, and create a visually pleasing and harmonious holiday atmosphere. A theme provides a central concept that ties all decoration elements together; it ensures that your decor items complement each other, creating a cohesive and harmonious overall look. With a theme in mind, you have a clear framework for decision-making, making it easier to shop, plan and even design your menu. It streamlines choices regarding colours, ornaments, and decorations, making the planning process more straightforward, therefore saving you time and energy.
Planning with a theme encourages you to use what you already have or repurpose existing decorations, preventing unnecessary spending on items that may not integrate well with your Christmas decor. A decorated home is the perfect space for you and your family to create beautiful Christmas memories. They tend to be more memorable and leave a lasting impression on guests, as they make a more immersive and enjoyable experience, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
Shop the Chyka Home Collection Now!
I love my garden, and I love gardening, so for me, it makes perfect sense to pick this as my Christmas theme. Many fun little tools, toys and accessories are available that create such a lovely story, mixed with my Chyka Home Decoration Collection. Combining the handed-down, gifted, bought and handmade, my favourite tree is laden with decorations. And I mean laden! So, this year, I picked up some crazy pieces to drive this theme home! Miniature children’s garden tools from Amazon, packets of seeds from Little Aussie Veggie Patch, miniature garden gloves, and spray bottles were the base, and then I filled the gaps with my decorations; what do you think?
Chyka Home Galvanized Watering Cans 3 Pack
Chyka Home Loose Large Green Glittered Mushroom
Chyka Home Washed Wool Rabbit Tree Decoration
5 Ideas To Bring To Christmas This Year!
Feeling inspired to bring the garden to Christmas? Using garden supplies for decorations is a unique and eco-friendly way to infuse a natural touch into your holiday decor, from gumboots acting as flowerpots to my outdoor lanterns from Chyka Home for a bit of shine. Remember, the key is to let your creativity flow and use what you have available in your garden. Combine different elements to create a cohesive and charming theme for your home.
Twig and Branch Ornaments:
Collect small twigs and branches from your garden.
Trim them into various lengths to create a range of sizes.
Paint them in festive colours or leave them natural.
Hang them with colourful ribbons or twine on your Christmas tree.
Pinecone Centerpieces:
Gather pinecones from your yard or nearby woods.
Arrange them in a decorative bowl or basket.
Add small ornaments, berries, or even a few evergreen sprigs for a festive touch.
Herb Wreaths:
Harvest herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage from your garden.
Bundle them together and secure them with twine.
Create small wreaths to hang on doors or use larger ones as table centrepieces.
Seed Packet Gift Wrap:
Use empty seed packets as unique gift wraps.
Attach them to gifts with twine or ribbon for a garden-inspired presentation.
Garden Tool Display:
Arrange clean and polished garden tools (shovels, rakes, etc.) against a wall or fence.
String fairy lights or wrap them with garlands for a festive display.
Don’t shy away from your theme when it comes to gift wrapping! Stocking up on all the wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, cards, and tags is essential before you even start attempting to collate and wrap! I love to have a well-stocked wrapping station for my family and me for ease of use! I love all the gifts under the tree to match, so having a surplus of all we need means everyone in the family can keep it on theme. A simple stripe is perfect, and this year, my wrapping paper comes from Zazzle, a fantastic site that helps you customise your Christmas wrapping. Instead of tags, I have opted for edible decorations by Michelle’s Cookies; these gorgeously detailed biscuits are looped with a Green striped ribbon from Provincial Living and attached to the tree aswell as my gifts!
