Making Your Home Merry: Top Festive Tips

Now that we’re in December, many of us feel that familiar festive pull to transform our homes into something warm, sparkly, and full of Christmas cheer. But knowing where to start, and how to keep it affordable can feel a little overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need a designer budget or a perfectly curated theme to create a space that feels magical. Whether you’re going all out or simply adding a few thoughtful touches, there are smart, stress-free ways to decorate that suit every style, every home, and every budget.

Susan Tapper from Celebrations Group says as a country that celebrates Christmas during the warmer months New Zealanders have traditionally been apathetic when we see decorations go up in our stores and malls, but after a tough few years tarnished by covid and the flailing economy she believes more Kiwis are getting excited about the festive season a lot earlier.

“With that excitement, people are definitely doing a bit more to make their property and their space look more inviting and look more festive.”

“I’m a member of a Christmas focussed Facebook group and there are certainly some very passionate people who were already putting up their trees in October and many who have actually been planning it all year.”

But for the unacquainted and the few grinches among us who may have decided to turn a new leaf, where do you start when it comes to dressing your home for the occasion?

“The big thing to start with is lighting. Everyone will know of the major streets around the country that really embrace this - the likes of Franklin Road in Auckland, so outdoor lighting is a must.”

“I also think that simple green garlanding wrapping around pillars or along verandas are also becoming more commonplace too.”

Tapper says what you do with your decorations will also depend on the type of home you have.

“We have a lot of bungalows and villas in New Zealand which you can easily dress with outdoor decorations. You can put wreaths or garlands around your trim and your windows or around your fretwork.”

But if there’s few places to easily hang decorations on a newer home, you can also explore decorating your front fence instead.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Tapper says there’s plenty of ways to get maximum impact with minimal effort.

“Window decals are an easy way to catch the eye. There are some quite fun ideas where people use stencils to create an image on the window, and they spray around it.”

Fairy lights can help to give your home a literal glow-up too.

“LED lighting will definitely show up throughout the day. With the lighter evenings I’d also suggest, using things like icicle lights or fringe lighting which gives you much more than just a singular line of lights getting you more bang for your buck.”

Both are very simple but effective ways to give your home the Christmas touch.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPEND?

Tapper has been working in the decorations business for 25 years and says even Christmassy people are still surprised by the cost of decor.

“At the higher end you might be looking at $20 - $25 a bauble.”

“But regardless of your budget, you can still do your decorating justice whether you're spending a couple of hundred dollars or a couple of thousand dollars.”

An important cost to consider is also what it takes to install some of the more technical decorations and lights.

“There aren’t many houses like that, but if you do want to go all out, labour costs are a big part of that.”

“I used to decorate a house out in Coatesville, and it took about a day to complete but it really depends on how big the house is.”

WHAT ARE SOME BUDGET FRIENDLY OPTIONS?

Tapper says it can be easy to get into the festive spirit without breaking the bank, with stores like Kmart and The Warehouse offering competitive pricing.

“I’ve seen a lot of people online in various Christmas Facebook groups also buying off mass importers, or from Temu and Mighty Ape.”

“Instead, some opt to search for secondhand decorations from places like a local Hospice Shop or Salvation Army store.”

She says Auckland Council has a secondhand shop with items salvaged from people’s drop-offs.

“There’s also old decor from shopping centres or stores that become accessible or need to be recycled.”

“There really are so many places to find great decorative pieces without the need to buy new.”

But if you are buying new, Tapper says it all comes down to the right timing in order to get the best deal.

“Once it hits the 1st of December, you’ll find that most of the retailers will probably be doing 50% off the retail price, so even before Christmas you can get a great price provided that you're happy to wait until later to start decorating.”

After the Christmas period, it is also a great time to hunt for discounts for the following year.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LATEST TRENDS?

Tapper says when it comes to Christmas decorations, there are two types of personalities.

“I think you're either completely over the top and out there, or you're pared back and more minimalist.”

During her 25 years she’s seen trends come and go, but this year she says it appears people are pulling back on baubles and opting for natural soft botanics, flowers and lots of lights instead.

“There's a lot of pastels and muted colours, as well as soft draping and little velvety bows. But probably one of the biggest things happening this year is a lot of twigs, berries and greenery.”

Despite his reputation for hating the festive season, the Grinch is also making a regular appearance too.

“He seems to be popping up everywhere - crazy lime green stuff with the odd legs and curly hands. Even Costco has a Grinch inspired tree.”

Tapper has already had a taste of the trends overseas that are likely to make their way to our shores next year too.

“I go to a Christmas show every year in Europe, and the other thing that I saw was really big puffy bows covering the trees there, but New Zealand seems to be about a year behind on those trends.”

WHAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR DECORATION CHECKLIST?

Tapper says the best place to start is with your entrance.

“That's your focal point when guests come over, so if you're hosting for Christmas I would definitely start there and then look at the structure and architecture of your property and what you’ve got to work with.”

“Look at what's easy to access and what's easy to hang from without hammering or needing to drill a hole.”

Then she says consider making a statement every few metres as you move into the heart of your home.

“It could be a little accent on your hall table, or something as you come into your living room.”

Tapper says all of that then leads to the tree.

“Which doesn’t have to be a traditional tree, it could be a bunch of neatly arranged twigs and branches, or even a pile of gift boxes all wrapped up neatly.”

“I even saw a whole lot of shells actually hanging as a mobile in a beach house up north last Christmas.”

Tapper says it’s also important not to forget addressing some of the other senses too.

“Especially the smell. So if you have an artificial tree you can explore Christmas scented room sprays or light up a pine, nutmeg or cinnamon flavoured candle.”

Ultimately though, when it comes to Christmas decorating, there’s no single “right” way to make your home feel festive. Whether you’ve gone big with glittering displays or kept things simple, the magic comes from creating a space that feels welcoming, warm, and uniquely yours.

So pour a festive drink, switch on the fairy lights, and enjoy the glow of a home that’s ready for the season, no matter the size of your budget or tree.