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A few years ago, I received this message. “Aiming to get rid of all the Red Christmas decorations this year; any wise advice?” Well, as it so happened I did, hence the genesis of this post. In 2020 we had covid cancel culture overshadow Xmas, while Yuletide 2021 just about slipped through with Insta worthy bedecked trees the benchmark for success. Chrimbo 2022 danced with a credit crunch, as a global energy crisis forces light shows aficionados who overload the grid, to thankfully reconsider the visual assault on everyone’s senses, and owner’s hip pockets. Xmas 2023 — tests inflation. Shopping malls may well be dripping with ubiquitous tinsel tinged displays . . . but has the “magic” that surrounds true Yuletide faded?

As any marketing gurus or plannogrammers will tell you sorting out Christmas campaigns are mega intense. As a former magazine and set stylist I was accustomed to kick starting Xmas in July (summer in the N.H), as suppliers needed their wares shot for catalogues or trade show installations; ready to sell to retailers who in turn need stock landing in store - no doubt delayed this year.

Finding yourself at Parisian trade show halls during a Xmas show is intense - especially if you have a glitter phobia like I do! So when it came to the silly season, I was generally last to install Xmas in my own home. Now as a Mum it’s different, I factor in both professions, but still can’t take any longer than a month of Christmas decorations; and I try to contain it to one room . . . .

Ready, steady, install

If there’s one silver lining to take from 2020, perhaps it’s the recycle, reuse notion that oft escapes Christmas fiends determined to replace decs - every year! Supply chain issues, limited stock and on again, off again shop closures hopefully saw folks appreciate their dec stash. So when exactly to unfurl tissue wrapped baubles and detangle last years lights, is steeped in a seasonal cocktail of tradition, folklore, personal bias and how long your eyes can handle the visual display.

• If you’ve a little one in your home then an elf may pay a visit on Dec. 1st, so trees are sometimes in place before then.

• The season of merriment shares its name with Christ; with its roots in Christian religion some devout folks follow advent wreath timings with a biblical crib in place five weeks prior to Xmas. When the final advent candle is lit on Christmas Day, baby Jesus is added to the Crib.

• Dec 8th is also popular. It’s a day of veneration and from a practical perspective some devout kids are off school and make willing assistants.

• Personally I’m drawn to the term Yuletide, with its roots in the Pagan calendar. Yule is a marker in the Celtic/Pagan wheel of the year occurring on Dec. 21st. (But for now the Mum in me meets the needs of our bespoke handcrafted elf).

• If you hail from German heritage then Dec. 24th is a more significant date and trees are often only put up the night before. Due mainly to the use of real candles adorning the fresh fir tree branches.

• If you’re in a cooler climate then the question of a fresh tree verses artificial tree maybe a factor. Central heating plays havoc with fresh trees.

• Oh for those that celebrate Thanksgiving in late Nov, a tree adds to festive cheer when hosting a family gathering.

Choose an Auspicious Date

• From a pure Feng shui perspective there is no hard and fast rule; unlike annual remedy’s that require a specific date.

• If you’re astro inclined then Venus days - AKA Fridays are a good day as beautifying a space is a key component of decorating.

• Or Thursdays, as the day is aligned with the planet Jupiter, the jolliest and giving planet of the zodiac.

• Some folks may consult the Tong Shu for an auspicious date. Obviously these dates fluctuate annually. So avoiding days with an over all inauspicious energy are best practice. Or ‘demolition’ or ‘destruction’ ruled days as well.

• Depending on your chosen form of decoration, especially if it includes plants; then certain specimens are picked on specific days (see more under next heading).

Where to decorate and how

Seasonal overload can extend to decorations. If you’re decorating everywhere and are an ornament queen then decorations can quickly take on the tone of clutter. Avoid filling every available void with seasonal trimmings.

• If you haven’t had a professional feng shui consult, then consider reviewing the usual position reserved for your Xmas tree. Try out other spots in the home, especially if you feel Xmas is always stressful and a real struggle; perhaps you’re unknowingly activating an inherently less favourable zone within the home. Start by ‘testing’ in the North area, as it’s the sector of the home aligned with the ‘water’ element so if you do make an error, it won’t be as powerful. Remember if you light up the whole house with fairy lights, you’re activating every sector of the home . . . . generally not advised. Same goes for businesses.

• If you’ve Marie Kondo-ed this year then your decoration stash maybe rather minimal. If replacing items, consider perpetual decs, with an elemental theme that bring balance and harmony to the home. Or decorate according to your BaZi ‘favourable’ elements. Yep, we all have favourable elements - consider a mini BaZi consult to find out your best elements.

• No matter whether you’ve a heirloom collection of baubles or alter colours every year - your decorations will fall into a particular elemental category.

• E L E M E N T S - Natural materials like pine-cones, holly, mistletoe and ivy were traditional go-to staples in times past to add a touch of Christmas. Both Holly and mistletoe are noted guardians against misfortune, and used for protection. Holly derives its name from ‘holy’ making it ideal for a symbol of Christ; berries for the blood of Christ and evergreen for eternal life - thorny varieties added to the symbolism. Folklore also noted, to harvest cuttings prior to Christmas Eve. Mistletoe is equally steeped in tradition with lore indicating that it should be cut when luna is six days old. Ivy is another evergreen of choice; when partnered with Holly it representative of Male and female energies.

• L I G H T I N G - fairy lights definitely warrant a mention, as they without doubt fall under the caveat of Feng Shui. As mentioned earlier some trees are adorned with real candles, others with multi coloured lights, white fairy lights or massive lighting installations throughout the home. All of the above fall under the domain of the ‘fire’ element. Both the fire brigade and feng shui consultants sing from the same hymn sheet; lights should be used with caution. If placed in an inherently negative space within the home it can activate and exacerbate unfavorable circumstances. So if you’ve had a feng shui consult and advised to add the ‘Fire’ element as a remedy then this is an ideal location to place festive lights. Otherwise, exercise caution and use in a balance and measured fashion.

• C O LO U R S - Most folks lean to the same colour theme each Christmas. Berried Holly wins the obvious reasoning for the ubiquitous red and green colours of Xmas. They’re not only a harmonious colour duo they are elementally productive - Green (wood) feeds Red (Fire). But combos like Red and White pairings, elementally clash. So add yellow’s like ochre or mustard to harmonize the pairing.

• S H A P E S - the obelisk shape of the ubiquitous fir tree falls under the domain of the ‘Fire’ element. In fact it illustrates the perfect productive cycle of element - Wood feeds Fire. While white, silvery baubles are classic metal element remedies and ideal for certain ‘challenging sectors’ of the home. Coincidentally, as it turns out it was the specific remedy my client required. The sector she unusually placed her Christmas tree needed metal. My advice was “out with ALL the red and in with the white".

And Finally

Interestingly the date decorations are taken down are equally peppered with folklore. If natural greenery was your choice of poison this Xmas, then take care not to simply toss withered greens outside. Traditions of old instructed to ritually burn dried pine needles or Mistletoe sprigs to banish evil for the year ahead. The custom relates to a blessing of homes on the eve of the Twelfth Night of Christmas or the Epiphany (6 Jan), a feast day. Those with a crib as part of their festive decor normally leave it in place till the 12th day of Xmas (6 Jan), when the three Kings (wise) men came bearing gifts. Jan. 6 is 'Nollaig na mBan' or 'Women's Little Christmas' in Ireland when females left the homestead and celebrated Xmas with female kin. Male folk were left at home to take care of the household and chores! Presumably they were tasked returning the home to order and disposing of Xmas decs…… In time past this day was also when mothers and patriarchal grandmothers were gifted their Xmas Gifts.

On this day it is tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men stay at home and handle the household. It is also common for children to buy their mothers and grandmothers presents on this day

S.H. dweller should be mindful of any summer fire bans, which maybe in place, so composting is always an option. Or hopefully you’ve chosen a potted tree that can be re used next year.

Oh and should tinsel and baubles still grace your home after the 12th day of Christmas (Jan.6) then it’s deemed very unfavourable.

And finally - do a big sacred space cleanse on our home/business afterwards to renew the energetic footprint and start afresh in preparation for the Chinese New Year on 10 Feb 2024 ⧇

ⓒ Feng・Shui ・ISM

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