Winter home decor

When I was young and still living with my parents, Christmas was a big deal for us, we were always the first to have lights up in the windows in our street and we would take decorating the house for the holidays very seriously. So it can be confusing to some as to why, we as Christians have stopped celebrating Christmas the conventional way. The truth is that it is hard to involve yourself in feasts that are of pagan origin and really hold no significance in the eyes of God according to his word. Nowhere in the bible can one find a specific date that mentions the birth of Christ and that is probably because it isn’t really important for us to know when Christ was born but the fact that he actually was. Christmas trees are actually mentioned in the bible ( Jerimiah 10:3)

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. ⁴They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

The Bible refers to christmas trees as a pagan tradition that  honoured  false gods. So you see, once you know, it is difficult to continue traditions that hold no real value in honouring God. Now instead of decorating for Christmas, I decorate the house seasonally, giving thanks to God for each and every change of season instead of building up the hype for just one day in the year. I don’t put up a tree but I try my best to create a cosy atmosphere that resembles a winter wonderland. So I opt for decorations that reflect anything that you would find outside in nature, such as berries, pinecones, snowflakes and yes, even snowmen.

We still put up fairy lights and have just started this year making a hot beverage station in the kitchen, which makes hot chocolates, teas and coffees easy to reach for and fun. I decorated some jars and glasses with snowflake stickers, which are actually meant as window decorations but work great on any smooth surfaces really. I also put up a gingerbread garland in the kitchen because gingerbread is something I still associate with winter.

I don’t put up a wreath on my door because that too has pagan roots, so instead I have a wicker heart, which I decorate according to season. This winter I have it in gold berries with a snowflake ribbon running through it and white winter flowers. I also put up smaller wicker hearts on each door inside.

I burn candles all year round because I love the atmosphere they create, especially during winter time when we are mostly home in the evenings and are able to enjoy them more. I also try to buy my son a good few books that are related to the season and leave them out for us to read any time we feel like. His current favourite is GO home ,little one; about a hedgehog who gets lost in the snowy woods. With so many book fairs going round at this time of year it is easy to get your hand on some new winter related books at great prices.

My mother is responsible for my love of decorating and cosying up a home but my husband has thought me to appreciate the beauty of winter and now I must admit I love it. I am one who suffers the cold terribly and the lack of sunlight can depress me at times, so I found it hard to appreciate the season before. Now I love this season and love the fact that most of us, despite not celebrating the day like everyone else, are off work and able to organise family get- togethers and lunches just like everyone else. We aim to celebrate God’s gift to the human race everyday not just on the 25th of December.