The festive season is upon us and now, more than ever, is a time to bring fun, joy and festivity into your home. The REALGLEN Properties team has brainstormed a list of ideas that go beyond the Christmas tree and wreath to make your holiday season extra special.
1. Create a uniquely South African centrepiece
Swap traditional winter greenery for fresh proteas or fynbos arranged in jars or baskets. For an extra festive touch, add fairy lights to the display. Fruit bowl displays with a festive twist are another great idea. Put together a bowl of delectable summer fruits like pineapples, mangoes and litchis. You can also make the display edible by peeling and slicing the fruit in advance. Melon slices could make a great addition to this ensemble.
2. Bring in bursts of colour
Make your festive season a bright one by using vibrant table cloths, citrus-toned cushions or bold napkins. Choose summer colours that will instantly lift a space – think shades of orange, yellow or red. Fresh flowers are another great way to introduce colour and nothing says festive quite like a vase of red poinsettias.
3. Introduce a festive focal point
Your festive focal point might be your Christmas tree, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be! Choose a surface (a shelf, a dining room table or even a side table) and turn into your main attraction with candles, lights, flowers and baubles in your chosen colours.
4. Update your cushions, throws and table linen
Swap in festive-coloured covers in red, gold, green or white. You can also use tropical prints if you prefer. No matter what festive colour scheme you’ve chosen, your soft furnishings create huge visual impact with little effort.
5. Light your way to a magic exterior
Introduce festive magic to your garden, patio and walkways by introducing solar lanterns or LED candles. You can also hang warm-white fairy lights across your patio ceiling, pergola or inside living areas to create a magical glow. Think outside the box when deciding where to place your fairy lights. They can look amazing wrapped around mirrors, placed down hallways or on shelves. Lighting alone can instantly transform your home into holiday mode.
6. Cocktail and mocktail station
Take your festive season entertaining to the next level by setting up a small bar cart with colourful drinks, citrus slices, fresh mint and festive straws. Jugs of fruit-infused water and iced tea (as well as ingredients for making cocktails for those so inclined) feels celebratory and keeps guests refreshed.
7. Create a festive wall collage
A festive wall collage can be many things: it can be a flashback with highlights of your family’s year, a collection of pictures from Christmases past or simply a gallery of fun, festive prints. Get the kids involved in choosing and arranging the pictures and you’ll create a unique feature for your family and guests alike to enjoy.
8. Ice cream bar with festive toppings
Set up a fun dessert station with ice cream, Christmas sprinkles, peppermint crisps and mini meringues. It’s décor that’s delicious!
Quick tips for adding an extra touch of festive flair
- Wrap a few boxes in beautiful paper and place them on shelves or under side tables.
- Extend the festive vibes to your patio with throw pillows and lanterns.
- Create a festive playlist with your family’s favourite festive music.
- Add greenery to tables and other available surfaces.
- Fill bowls or vases with colourful festive baubles.
From the REALGLEN Properties family to yours, we wish you a blessed festive season and plenty of time with friends and family. If buying or selling a property is on your bucket list for 2026, get in touch and let’s chat!
