Christmas is the perfect time to indulge with a bit of nostalgia. Here at Cosy Home, we’re pushing back against sleek minimalism and modern design with some old-fashioned fairytale Christmas décor. This is all about the magic of childhood wonder and handmade charm – think The Nutcracker toy soldiers, Babes in the Wood snow flakes and gingerbread cottages right out of a storybook.
Queen of hearts tree ornament, £8.99, Gisela Graham. This beautiful Queen of Hearts resin hanging decoration is part of an alice in Wonderland collection which also includes Alice herself, the white rabbit, the Cheshire cat and many more.
These decorations are a reminder of simpler times, when Christmas was all about imagination and magic. Create the look with fairytale elements such as hand-painted glass ornaments and embroidered fabric hearts. Search out the handmade and crafted, and decorations made from traditional materials such as glass, tin, lace, paper and wood.
Christmas toadstool bauble, £6.95, Annabel James. A beautiful glass bauble with woodland scene on a rich festive red background. At its centre, two white stemmed iconic toadstools with white spots stand amid tufts of foliage. Scattered with golden stars for a little extra festive cheer.
Introduce an element of whimsy with woodland animal decorations, such as foxes, deer, squirrels and owls. Pair them with pinecones, dried orange slices, and cinnamon stick, all of which can be made at home for a few pence.
Squirrel Christmas decoration, £15.99, Adams & Mack. This brass squirrel hanging decoration is full of woodland charm. Carefully handcrafted from recycled metal, it’s weighted to hang beautifully on your Christmas tree. Finished with a ribbon and presented in its own gift bag, it makes a thoughtful gift for wildlife lovers or a treat for you.
Vintage-style zinc bell garland, £36.95, The Wisteria Tree. Bring timeless charm and festive cheer to your holiday décor with this unusual garland. It features five metal bells with an aged zinc finish, each embossed with delicate snowflake details for a rustic, wintry look. Suspended from sturdy natural jute rope, it adds a festive touch whether hung on a mantel, porch, wreath, or tree.
To continue the theme, dress your tree and mantelpiece with soft, warm white lights instead of harsh LEDs. An electric candle effect with flicker ‘flames’ will help to bring ornaments to light with a soft gleam.
Light-up gingerbread house, £19.99, Lights4Fun.co.uk. Warm white LEDs give the windows of this ceramic house a cosy glow from the inside, while snow lies heavily on the slanting roofs and the gingerbread chimney. A delightfully retro decoration for Christmas, this gingerbread house is irresistibly charming and full of festive character!
Nutcracker tree ornament, £4.99, Tenovus Cancer Care. Add a touch of festive tradition to the Christmas tree with this charming nutcracker hanging ornament. This detailed decoration brings nostalgic Christmas magic to any home.
To add a sense of cohesion, it’s best to stick to a limited colour palette. Choose from forest green, berry red or night-sky blue with touches or gold, silver or white for contrast.
Blue bauble with gold stars, £5, Heavenly Homes & Gardens. This striking Christmas ornament is made from navy blue glass with a marbled finish and mini gold stars and moons. This would look great on the tree, but also as part of a table decoration, window display or garland.
Set of two hanging nutcracker ornaments, £17.99, Gisela Graham. This unusual pair of nutcracker ornaments (above and main image) in full festive regalia are made from sturdy resin for durability. A traditional decoration, they’ll help evoke the essence of Christmas
Main image shows the hanging nutcracker ornaments from Gisela Graham.
