The most long-awaited, bright and main holiday of the year for Europeans is Christmas! It is during these magical days that you can truly plunge into the world of holidays and fairy tales. Christmas is considered a family holiday and many celebrate it at home, with family and close friends. The expert of the portal "From Hand to Hand", a professional interior designer, will tell about the Christmas decor in the European style. Regina Urm.
It is at Christmas that you can see Europe fabulously beautiful! Owners of shops, shops and workshops seem to compete, decorating shop windows with various compositions and original lighting. All the central squares and main tourist places turn into a bright winter carnival of colors and wonders. Huge decorated fir trees, Santa Claus and unusual decor delight guests and local residents. In Europe, at Christmas, interiors are decorated especially interestingly, there are many traditions, I will tell you about the most interesting ones that form the basis of the style.
There are traditional European style colors: red, green, white, gold and silver. The Christmas interior in Europe is a composition of traditional symbols that have their own history, bright decor, an abundance of themed textiles, treats and originally designed gifts. If you want to create a European style in your home, follow my advice.
Wreath
No Christmas in Europe is complete without a wreath! This is a kind of amulet, an amulet that symbolizes well-being and happiness in the house. Wreaths are hung on the windows, New Year's compositions are made with them, fireplaces and portals are decorated with wreaths, and, of course, the most beautiful wreath can be seen on the front door of the house. Creating a Christmas wreath is not difficult. It can be of a traditional appearance (photo 1 - 7) and consist of juniper, coniferous branches, twigs, moss, holly, ivy, spruce cones, various roots. – The wreath is decorated with berries, small toys, candy canes, stars, or is created from very unusual materials: cork, fabric, paper, bells, and even cotton.
Candles
Candles are of great importance in Christmas decoration, since from ancient times light drove away cold and darkness, and after the birth of Christ, the candle became a symbol of the light of faith, the light of the world. Candles decorate tables, window sills, windows, stairs. Candles can be in high candelabra, stand on trays or on the floor, in spruce compositions. According to tradition, there must certainly be four of them, the fifth candle is lit at Christmas and placed in the center of the composition, it symbolizes Jesus Christ. Candles are decorated with spices and dressed in fancy outfits. In Europe, candles are an integral part of Christmas decorations.
nativity scene
A very interesting European Christmas tradition is the creation of a home nativity scene, it appeared back in the 13th century and was first presented by Francis of Assisi in the form of a “living picture”. The nativity scene is the creation of small compositions of people dressed in gospel clothes and animals present at the time of the birth of Christ. They can be made from felt, paper, and the nativity scene can also be made in the form of a cake.
Christmas stockings
This is a traditional European decor that can be seen in every home! They are hung over fireplaces, beds, a Christmas stocking or sock - this is usually an original gift bag that is brightly decorated and always present at Christmas.
In addition, another original European decor is:
– candy cane flavored with mint and cinnamon. that delicacy is simply impossible not to notice! The candy cane is shaped like the letter “J”, symbolizing the name “Jesus”.
– Cookies for Santa. These are cookies that children leave for Santa Claus on the fireplace in gratitude for his work.
– Christmas cards that Europeans send to each other for Christmas.
– Christmas log. A symbol of the hearth and a talisman against evil spirits, as well as an original element for decorating gifts.
A competent combination of these traditions makes up a European-style Christmas decor!
Christmas and New Year holidays are getting closer, and many of us are increasingly wondering: how do you go about decorating your home? If the traditional Christmas tree is not enough, or you want to give it up altogether, it would be useful to read our guide to the traditional attributes of Christmas in English homes. They will help to add variety to the festive interior.
Traditionally around Christmas, garlands of spruce, juniper and ivy appear over the doorways of English houses. They are richly decorated with fir cones, ribbons and bells, as well as scarlet poisentia flowers and garlands.
In everyday life, poisentia is often called the "Christmas Star", as it blooms just in time for the end of December, and its scarlet holly flowers really resemble a star. In general, the British have a tender love for this flower and often arrange pots with these flowers throughout the house.
Another beautiful tradition is to decorate doorways with holly branches. Large bright red berries and dark green carved leaves, reminiscent of a royal crown, fit very harmoniously into the Christmas palette.
Four weeks before Christmas, juniper or spruce wreaths decorated with four candles appear on the tables in English houses. During every Sunday dinner, the owners of the house light one candle. First one, then two, then three, and so on. This tradition gradually sets the household on a Christmas mood.
Kristling is another traditional attribute of Christmas in England, borrowed by the children's aid society from the customs of the German Orava church. A candle is fixed on an orange tied with a red ribbon. Four sticks decorated with leaves or colored paper point to the four cardinal directions. Often the top of the orange is sprinkled with small fruits, nuts and sweets. Such gifts seem to children to be something very special and carry the sweet aroma of orange around the house.
See the community for other interesting ideas for New Year's decor.
