I have given in and the tree is decorated, fairy lights are out and a small fortune has been spent on baubles and decor ready to enter into the Christmas season. Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights”. I am with her. It is a crazy time with so much expectation packed in a few weeks and full of nostalgia, Hollywood movies pressure and the dream of happy families and good cheer. Some stores have gone minimalistic with a chic black crystal chandelier against a white background, others have gone the whole way, reindeers, Santa on a sleigh, stars, bears, children, toys and the odd camel thrown in! Yes, it is a Christian event but certainly in the cold weather we need all the brightness, hot chocolate and sense of hope of fun that we can get! Let’s get in to it.
Feng Shui First
Yes, Feng Shui is from China originally, with not a bit of Noel decoration in sight. However, the principles still stand. Check out the colours and element you are using in each of the Bagua Sectors.
Career/Life Path – the element is Water which can also be represented by glass. Black, deep blue and white are great to use here. This is the area where fake snow is perfect and in the past, we have put up icicles, pale blue baubles and tiny metal stars.
Self Knowledge – the element is Water and colours of blues and greens are perfect. Any decoration that is spiritual would ideally be placed here such as a nativity scene.
Family/Health – Wood is the element and green and soft beige colours represent the element of growth. A friend’s kitchen becomes a display of green and white kitchen utensils with a touch of kitsch thrown in!
Wealth/Prosperity – spend as much as you can here. Budget decorations shout ‘cheap and cheerful’! Royal blue, purple and tropical green are great and would be perfect for a tree. This would lovely for us but we have a cat who takes one look at a Christmas bauble and happily rolls and smashes them in to the wall. She loves the challenge. We have put navy blue baubles in a big glass vase with fairy lights around it.
Fame – red, red and red! The element is Fire and candles also represent the Fire element. Bring out the fake berries and Santas, this is the perfect place for the traditional colours.
Relationships – if you love pink go for it but it is more likely that soft beige tones represent the Earth element. Also consider lemon shades if a ping of colour is needed. In the past, we have used soft wooden decorations with bronze baubles adding a chic but simple style.
Children/Communication – use white and metal for the Metal element. Elements of snow are perfect here as well.
Travel/Helpful People – grey and white represent the Metal element, think silver and metal baubles and tinsel if you wish.
Finally, the centre, Earth – this is the centre of your space and should stay uncluttered with ceramic decorations.
Final Tips
Leave the dried berries, fir cones and grasses in the forest. They represent death in Feng Shui. Cut flowers or plants are fine but make sure they are healthy. We have bought a plastic Christmas tree which looks great. With various allergies, it has made sense and we are not having to cope with a real tree. If you are on a budget, check out hobby shops who often have Christmas wooden shapes you can paint and make your own. Some second hand shops even sell old decorations or those created by or for charities. Make it your own and as the song goes, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”
