The tree and string lights
How to pick a spot for the tree, set it up so it stays steady and hang lights in good condition so the cords stay out of the way and the outlets are not overloaded.
the festive home: a guide to holiday decor and preparation
Prazdnichnyymir — the festive home
A holiday begins long before the guests ring the doorbell: with the box of decorations pulled down from the top shelf, a check of the string lights, a clean tablecloth and an empty coat rack. This guide is about getting your home ready and decorated for the holidays without stress, keeping safety in mind and then, without rushing, bringing your rooms back to their everyday look.
A cozy festive home is one where the lights bring joy rather than a nagging worry about whether you switched them off before bed.
Where to start
Candles and light
Where a real flame is fine and where LED candles are the better choice, and how to create soft festive lighting well away from curtains and pine needles.
Handmade decor
Paper bunting, wreaths of branches and pine cones, dried citrus and textiles: simple decorations for the entryway, living room, window and table.
After the holiday
How to take decorations down without breakage, coil the string lights, dismantle the tree, clear up needles and wax and pack decor so you can find everything next year.
Guide sections
- Materials
Paper, fabric, branches and pine cones, dried citrus, glass and lights: what to make decor from. The article catalogue is here too.
- Ideas
Holiday decor ideas by season and room: entryway, living room, table, window, kids' room, balcony and porch.
- How-to
How to hang string lights safely, set up a tree so it stays steady and make a decoration from dried oranges and branches.
- Planning
A schedule for getting your home holiday-ready and a budget in general terms: what to do early, a week ahead and on the day.
- Tools
Handy things for decorating your home: a steady stepladder, no-drill hooks, scissors, boxes and LED candles.
- Care
After the holiday: coiling string lights, taking down the tree, clearing needles and wax and storing decor until next season.
- FAQ
Answers about the guide, decorating your home and handling string lights, candles and the tree safely.
Example: getting the home ready for guests in one evening
Clear the entryway and coat rack
Move everyday things off the coat rack and out of the way, make room for guests' coats and bags, put down a mat and decide where wet shoes will go.
Check the lights
Switch the lights on ahead of time and look over the cords and plugs. If the insulation is damaged anywhere or a string behaves oddly, set it aside. While you are at it, check that the entryway is well lit.
Arrange the chairs
Work out who will sit where, bring chairs in from other rooms and leave a clear path to the table, the window and the door.
Move fragile things up high
Put glass ornaments, vases and small decor where little guests and pets cannot reach them. Candles on low shelves are better swapped for LED ones.
Set up a spot for the kids
Make a corner for children with a throw, books and quiet games, away from the tree, candles and cords, so the adults do not have to keep looking over their shoulders.
The essentials in brief
Do you sell decorations?
No. Prazdnichnyymir is an independent guide. We sell nothing, take no orders and do not offer full-service holiday decorating; we explain how to prepare and decorate your home yourself without unnecessary risk.
Can I leave the string lights on overnight?
No. Unplug the lights when you go to bed and when you leave the house, even if they are in good condition and glow quite softly. It is better for the wiring and gives you peace of mind.
Which is better, a real tree or an artificial one?
It comes down to taste and habit. A real tree smells of pine but needs water in the stand and a spot away from radiators. An artificial one lasts many seasons but needs careful storage. Whichever you choose, set it up so it stays steady and away from heaters.
How should I store ornaments until next year?
In a dry place, in boxes with dividers or with soft paper between the ornaments. Put fragile items on top and heavy ones at the bottom, and write in large letters on each box what is inside.
About the project
A different website used to run on this domain, and later unrelated spam pages appeared here. Their content has not survived and is not reproduced here, and this guide has no connection with them. All we inherited from the domain is the name.
We write for people who love decorating their home for the holidays but do not want the preparation to turn into a marathon: families with children, people in small apartments and anyone hosting guests for the first time. We do not name brands or prices, we do not make up data, and we always remind you to be careful with string lights and candles.
Read next
- Ideas
Holiday decor ideas by season and room: entryway, living room, table, window, kids' room, balcony and porch.
- How-to
How to hang string lights safely, set up a tree so it stays steady and make a decoration from dried oranges and branches.
- Care
After the holiday: coiling string lights, taking down the tree, clearing needles and wax and storing decor until next season.
What we rely on
- Instructions from manufacturers of string lights and electrical appliances
- Holiday fire-safety guidance from Russia's Emergencies Ministry (in general terms)
- Editorial materials of the Prazdnichnyymir guide
The advice here is general and based on the instructions of string light and appliance manufacturers and on widely accepted rules of fire safety at home. Always check the instructions for the specific item on how to plug in a particular string of lights, where a stand or candle can go and how to handle the product.