Interiors experts at Hammonds Furniture worked with designers at This Is Render to create six visualisations of traditional Christmas decorations from across the globe.
More info: hammonds-uk.com
The UK - This living room décor set up features a traditional star on the Christmas tree and garlands over the mantlepiece. Mistletoe is hanging too – people typically exchange a kiss under this - while the presents sit wrapped under the tree. It wouldn’t be a British Christmas scene without mince pies for Santa and carrots for Rudolph too. These are left out on Christmas eve in most UK homes.
Germany - While German Christmas decorations are often similar to what you’d see in most European households, there are some more traditional German decorations that add an extra festive touch to the home. Traditionally, red soldier nutcrackers stand ready to crack any chestnuts you might be roasting, while the ‘Rauchermann’, will keep your home smelling cosy and inviting – these charming figurines are designed as incense holders.
France - In days gone by, many French households opted to decorate their Christmas trees with red apples, symbolising the Garden of Eden. In fact, these spherical, brightly coloured apples are what inspired the first bauble decorations, which emulated the fruit in glass. Cake enthusiasts may well already be familiar with the yule log, a popular and delicious festive centrepiece in France too. Traditionally, a yule log would be wooden and burnt on Christmas Eve.
Greece - Although most Greek households have Christmas trees, many also keep to the tradition of decorating ships and boats. This maritime tradition symbolises welcoming loved ones home, and the boats are often displayed as centrepieces. A fire is kept burning throughout the festive period too, bringing both a cosy atmosphere, and keeping the kallikantzaros away – mischievous goblins that roam the earth during the winter solstice.
Ukraine - Historically, Ukrainian households would have decorated their Christmas trees with cobwebs and spiders. It’s likely that this tradition came from the cultural belief that spiders and their webs are lucky, and there are various folk tales that back this up. Another traditional Ukrainian decoration is the ‘didukh’, made from unthreshed ears of grain. These can be braided into a sheaf, or even into a larger tree. Though they are simple in their materials, didukhs have a long and rich history. They can be made at home with a little bit of work, though many folk artists make and sell them today.
The Philippines - For Filipino Christmas décor, lighting is key. ‘Parols’, a specific type of Christmas lantern, create a warm, glowing and colourful space in which you can celebrate. Meanwhile, it’s a case of the bigger, the better when it comes to Christmas tree decorations. Nativity scenes are an essential Filipino decoration too, usually placed on a table or under the Christmas tree.
