How To Choose Christmas Ornaments

Sure, the fact that there are so many Christmas ornaments to choose from can be a blessing to many, but you might be wondering… 'how on earth am I going to pick?'

Start by looking at the different main categories and, in order to avoid a messy cluttered feel, by picking two:

• Ball decorations are perfect for a classic-looking Christmas tree;

• Holiday-shaped ornaments will allow you to combine tradition and magic;

• You can add personality to your Christmas tree by decorating it with hanging figurines. These are probably the ones that your kids will enjoy looking at the most.

• For an elegant and sophisticated result, choose ribbons and bows;

• Apart from the two main categories, you'll also need a tree topper. You can either go for the same style as the other ornaments (e.g. a traditional star or angel) or something different and unique that will immediately capture your guests' attention and turn into a topic of discussion.

When choosing your new Christmas ornaments, consider the décor of your room, the color of your tree (don't pick ornaments that are rather similar to it, or they'll disappear!) and whether you'd rather mirror the color scheme of your room or create a separate one.

• A good compromise would be to pick your room's existing accent color and add a second festive hue like red, gold, white, silver or blue!

• To keep your modern room cohesive, match your existing palette and experiment with tinsel and metal or plastic decorations;

• If Christmas mainly means tradition and warmth to you, wood will be the best material;

• For a raw industrial look, stick to metal or dark wood, and pick simple ornaments that aren't too… well, ornate;

• Find monochrome decorations and create a maximum of two-color palettes to ensure a clutter-free minimalist feel;

• A minimalist approach will work in Scandinavian rooms as well, but prioritize wood and natural colors; another idea is to look for figurines that draw inspiration from those countries' traditions and folklore, such as little tomtes;

• Ornaments that feature creative geometric shapes will look great in your mid-Century modern room;

• Pick the most heavily-decorated balls with lots of little bows, ribbons and beads for a shabby chic feel; try and stick to white and light pastel colors;

• The secret to the perfect bohemian tree is to experiment with unusual patterns and textures, such as fabric or even knitted ornaments.