Why is White a Traditional Christmas Colour?
White is often associated with peace and purity in Western cultures, and is seen to represent the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness - a theme that has its roots in the Christian story of Christmas. It is of course very strongly associated with the snow that falls in the winter months (in the northern hemisphere at least)! The colour white also has links to traditional pagan winter solstice festivals, and many of those traditions have merged with our modern day celebrations. In Scandinavia, St. Lucia Day on December 13 marks the start of the Christmas season with a procession of young women in white robes, red sashes, and wreaths of candles on their heads, lighting the way through the darkness of winter.
Why Do We Dream of Having a Snow-filled Christmas?
In festive songs and films, a crisp blanket of white snow is synonymous with Christmas Day. But it has been 11 years since the last widespread white Christmas in the UK in 2010, with the Met Office recording snow on the ground at 83% of their stations. White Christmases were more common in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the climate was colder and snow was a more regular occurrence in December, which is also when many of our modern Christmas folklore and traditions came about.
Who Wrote the Song - White Christmas?
The American singer Bing Crosby sings perhaps the most well-known version of the Christmas classic, with his release the world's best-selling single! But the song was originally written by Hollywood songwriter Irving Berlin for the musical film Holiday Inn, released in 1942. Accounts vary as to when and where Berlin wrote the song, but the success of the festive wartime hit was attributed to it's heartwarming lyrics yearning for simpler times.
Which White Christmas Decorations are Trending This Year?
Layering different white Christmas decorations is a big trend this year, as they replicate the look of delicate snowfall in your home! Why not grab some white garlands with lights to throw over your fireplace, staircase and any other surface that needs a festive touch? White Christmas tree skirts are also a great idea to make it look like a bed of snow is surrounding your tree, with faux fur, shearling material and white rattan popular choices this year. While some white Christmas lights will add soft tones to any room and bring some much needed light to those long winter nights!
How Do I Decorate a White Christmas Tree?
If you're looking for a white Christmas tree to decorate, why not go for a classic artificial white pine or a green tree with frosted white tips for a snowy effect? You can pair your tree with white and gold baubles for a classy winter look, or for some shabby chic charm, go for shiny silver, pearly and white ornaments and strands of pearls as garlands. For softer tones, go for blush, champagne and creamy ornaments, white feathers are also a big trend this year to add a touch of luxury to your tree. White also acts as a great contrast for more vibrant colours - so you can really go to town with multicoloured led lights, contrasting colour ornaments and bright tinsels for a standout look!