Festive Forage has an 'easy' tone doesn't it? It also aptly captures the gentler approach I've opted for this Christmas along with other fellow advocates of the 'slow living' movement.
Rather than expend a load of energy battling crowds of shoppers and spending unnecessary £££ on off-the-shelf decorations I may or may not need, this year I chose to head out into the great outdoors and forage for our Christmas decor here at the cottage. What I couldn't find outside I either made (cue the faithful 3D paper gems) or rummaged through our existing decorations.
This time last year we were sitting on a knife edge of 'will we, won't we' complete on our house sale and purchase so there was little time or headspace for Christmas decoration, especially as we eventually moved one week before the big day.
I knew I wanted our fireplace to play a starring role in this year's festive styling (every cosy cottage stereotype intended) but I also wished to avoid the temptation to go for a classic mantel garland, this year at least, and so I looked to our Farrow & Ball adorned beams for inspiration.
Surrounded by countryside it didn't take long for my forage to bear fruit, or a branch at least, which I suspended from the ceiling using some nordic inspired decorative twine. I then began the easy construction of some 3D paper gems in copper, silver and pearl finishes - I love how these appear to serenely float in mid-air.
A few more foraged twigs be-jewelled with the same decorations and dotted around the house in earth toned vases, plus some Holly sprigs freshly cut from the garden, and we're good to go.
Here's to an easier Christmas.
All photography property of Mike Ahern
