Christmas down under is unlike anywhere else in the world.
With the warm breeze and the summer sun shining down, the festive season is as unique as the Australian landscape itself.
We have gathered 12 innovative ways to infuse your home with yuletide cheer that reflects our Aussie spirit.
Beaches are synonymous with the Australian Christmas experience. To capture this essence, utilise coastal decor. Incorporate the colours of the ocean and the sand into your palette.
Use clear jars filled with sand, seashells, and bits of coral as table centrepieces. Hang beach-themed ornaments on a white or sea-blue Christmas tree to make a splash with your holiday decor.
Why do it:
Celebrate Christmas with a twist by bringing the beach to your home. It's a nod to our summer season and a fresh take on holiday traditions.
How to do it:
Use a palette of blues, sandy beiges, and sunny yellows. Decorate with seashells, starfish, and bits of driftwood. Convert surfboards into quirky backdrops or even a makeshift Christmas tree.
Australian Christmas is incomplete without the touch of native flora. The vibrant reds of the waratah and the subtle green of eucalyptus leaves add to the visual appeal and bring a bit of the Aussie landscape indoors.
These plants are also drought-resistant, making them a practical choice for indoor and outdoor decoration.
Why do it:
Australian flora has vibrant colours and unique shapes, perfect for a festive yet local touch.
How to do it:
Fill vases with sprigs of eucalyptus, banksias, and Christmas bush. Or create a centrepiece with these native plants to bring an authentic Australian feel to your table.
With the festive season perfectly placed in summer, an outdoor picnic with family and friends is ideal. Set up a long table under the shade of a tree and dress it up with festive tableware.
Use Christmas-themed outdoor cushions to add comfort and style to your seating arrangements.
Why do it:
The weather permits a rare opportunity to dine al fresco for Christmas, making the most of our beautiful environment.
How to do it:
Lay out a festive tablecloth, use cushioned seating, and hang string lights. Consider a themed picnic basket filled with Christmas treats as a centrepiece.
Crafting a wreath from eucalyptus branches is a delightful project that brings a touch of Australian nature to your decor. The silvery-green leaves are not only stunning but also have a lovely scent.
Plus, involving the family in making the wreath adds a personal touch to the festivities.
Why do it:
A eucalyptus wreath is not only beautiful but also aromatic, filling your home with a fresh, crisp scent.
How to do it:
Twist eucalyptus branches into a circle and secure with floral wire. Add accents with red berries or small ornaments for a festive touch.
Reflect the freshness of Australian Christmas by using natural materials like wood and stone in your table setting. Add a modern touch with metallic accents.
Local artisanal pieces can also introduce an element of exclusivity to your dining experience.
Why do it:
An Aussie Christmas table setting reflects our lifestyle and environment, with elements that speak to our love for the outdoors.
How to do it:
Use bright, bold colours inspired by the Australian landscape. Think orange inspired by our deserts, blues from the ocean, and greens from the bush.
The native Christmas bush, with its natural red hue, makes for a perfect alternative to the pine tree. Its seasonal colour change to bright red provides a spectacular natural decoration and supports local biodiversity.
Why do it:
The Christmas bush is a native Australian plant that naturally turns bright red during the Christmas season – it's our own version of the holiday tree.
How to do it:
Use the branches to decorate your mantle, or place a smaller "tree" in a large vase.
A surfboard-painting project with Santa riding the waves brings humour and festivity to your yard. This decoration reflects the coastal lifestyle many Australians cherish and love to showcase during the holiday season.
Why do it:
Give the jolly old Saint Nick an Aussie makeover that celebrates our love for surfing and the beach.
How to do it:
Decorate an old surfboard with Santa-themed art, or buy a cutout for your yard. This also makes for a great photo opportunity!
Recycling is environmentally friendly and a means to bond over crafting. Creating ornaments from old tin cans, scrap fabric, and wood offcuts encourages creativity and resourcefulness.
Why do it:
Sustainability is key, and using recycled materials for ornaments is a fun way to be eco-friendly.
How to do it:
Create ornaments from old cardboard, fabric scraps, or even repurposed light bulbs. Paint and decorate them with your family for a personal touch.
Australia boasts a diverse range of unique wildlife, and incorporating this into your Christmas decor is a playful way to recognise our native animals.
From wombat baubles to cockatoo tree toppers, these decorations can add a touch of whimsy and charm.
Why do it:
It's a playful nod to our unique fauna and adds an unmistakably Australian character to your decorations.
How to do it:
Choose ornaments, table linens, and wall art that feature kangaroos, koalas, and cockatoos to bring the wildlife to your festive decor.
Wine bottles and corks provide an array of creative decorating possibilities. Cleaned and decorated bottles can hold taper candles or be strung into garlands, paying homage to one of Australia's most beloved industries.
Why do it:
Celebrate Australia's exquisite wineries and repurpose wine bottles and corks for a touch of elegance and sustainability.
How to do it:
Clean and paint wine bottles as candle holders or assemble a garland out of wine corks.
In lieu of traditional stockings, why not hang up sun hats and fill them with summer essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, and flip-flops?
This practice keeps the gifting spirit alive while being practical for the Australian summer.
Why do it:
It’s practical and whimsical, offering a seasonal twist on gifting and the need for sun protection.
How to do it:
Fill stylish sun hats with small gifts and hang them as traditional stockings.
Utilising local plants like eucalyptus, bottlebrush, and Christmas bush adds a distinctive Australian character to the festive aesthetic. It's an essential element that pays homage to the natural beauty of the Australian landscape.
The warm Australian Christmas weather is perfect for outdoor celebrations. A well-prepared picnic setup with Christmas decor can be a delightful way to enjoy the holiday with family and friends, making it a must-have for a truly Aussie celebration.
Given the early sunsets during Australian Christmases, fairy lights are essential for creating a magical twilight atmosphere in your garden or balcony. They are stunning and transform your space into a holiday wonderland that all can enjoy.
Inflatable pool toys are not just for the water. Large inflatable toys, such as flamingos or swans, can be adorned with Santa hats and lights to create a fun and festive yard display that reflects the summer vibe of an Australian Christmas.
Cricket is a summer sport loved across Australia, and incorporating cricket gear into your decor can add a quirky twist. A cricket bat can be used as a unique stocking holder, and cricket balls can be painted and hung as ornaments from trees or on the Christmas bush.
A projector and screen set up in your backyard for Christmas movie nights can be both a source of entertainment and an unconventional decorative feature. It invites family and friends to gather and enjoy the season's spirit under the stars.
Bring Your Home to Life This Christmas
Christmas is a time for joy, family, and creativity. As you deck the halls this year, consider these 12 uniquely Australian Christmas decorations to bring your home to life.
Not only will they make your holiday more festive, but they’ll also be conversation starters for every guest who walks through your door. Remember, our sunny Christmas is an opportunity to shine in new, exciting ways.
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We'd Love to Hear from You!
Halfway through decorating? Share your progress with us! Post your photos or leave a comment with your thoughts on these Aussie Christmas tips.
A1: Adapting traditional Christmas decorations for the Australian summer means rethinking the colour palette and themes to suit the warmer climate. Use bright colours and summer motifs like beach themes, incorporate native Australian plants, and consider setting up an outdoor dining area to take advantage of the season.
A2: The best native Australian plants for Christmas decorations include the vibrant reds of the Waratah, the Christmas bush, and the lush greenery of eucalyptus leaves. These plants are seasonally appropriate and add a unique Australian touch to your decor.
A3: DIY projects that the whole family can enjoy include making eucalyptus wreaths, crafting ornaments from recycled materials, and painting a surfboard with a Christmas theme. These activities allow for creative expression and result in personalised decorations for your home.
A4: Eco-friendly decorating ideas for Christmas include using solar-powered fairy lights, decorating with sustainable native plants, and repurposing household items like wine bottles and corks into festive decor. These practices help reduce waste and promote sustainability.
A5: Incorporate Australian wildlife into your Christmas decor by using wildlife motifs in your decorations, such as koala ornaments for your tree, kangaroo-themed wrapping paper, and cockatoo adornments for your wreaths or garlands. This adds a local twist to your decor and celebrates Australia's natural heritage.
This festive season, let's celebrate in true Australian style. With these 12 creative decorating ideas, you'll embrace our unique Christmas and create a space that's inviting, vibrant, and full of life.
Cheers to a holiday filled with beauty, innovation, and the spirit of Australia.
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