The day after Christmas

– How do you keep that cosy feeling? –

The 1st of January is one of those days that you, with hangover, pack up your Christmas things and throw the tree out the door. It’s a great feeling, all clean and tidy, but also leaves you with an empty feeling house in return. Somewhat of a waste too, and you don’t have to throw all your good Christmas things away. You can reuse them in a new way. Just as cosy, not so empty and a whole new winter wonderland is born.

These items were used as decorations on the table during our correspondent’s lunch and hung in the tree during Christmas. In short, we’re big fans of pompoms. Especially white ones. They give such an impressive touch to any room and you could leave them hanging all year round.

We all know by now that pots are not only used to store food in. People drink from them, use them as pen holder, as vase… But it’s also great to use as decoration in the winter. Place a tiny animal on a table with a bit of fake snow around it and a glass pot over the top. Animals are cute, but you can use just about anything. It’ll look nice and snug.

Christmas lights can be seen hanging all year round in some homes. Although a strand with white ball lights is far prettier. Hang them over your bed, in the kitchen, on a cupboard. Doesn’t matter where. They can be used all year through. Or what about this idea that I got from my mother. She once went all over town to every photo shop looking for old camera film rolls (yes they still exist). She drilled a hole in each one and tied it to a string of Christmas lights. It made a lovely garland, not so Christmassy anymore, but still stylish.

I’m a big believer in collecting the coolest and cutest Christmas balls. I have deer, owls and angels at home. I only use the angels at Christmas time, but the rest can hang all year long. I also have a huge board that I use to hang postcards and notes on, and I sometimes hang a cheerful decorative deer or two on it. It’s such a pity if you only get to see and enjoy all these fun Christmas decorations for only two weeks of the year. The solution: make a collage. For example, hang your best collection on a string or place them all in a bowl. Mix a few wintery things through, like feathers, glitter and pine cones. You’ll have a winter- instead of Christmas-collage and you can happily enjoy them through the months of January and February.

I understand that your tree loses all its needles at a certain point, so it’s a little sad to keep a bare tree standing in your house. But you can put the branches to good use. They look really stylish in a glass pot with a ribbon tied around them. And for hanging decorations on, except for those angels and glittery Santa’s, they all deserve a place of pride. Perhaps your Christmas tree was only decorated with angels and glittery Santa’s? Then leave them off, and spray your twigs white with spray paint to still give them a second life.