FAQ
Questions and answers
Here are answers to questions that often come up before a holiday: who we are, where to start decorating your home and how to make sure the lights, candles and tree bring joy rather than trouble.
A candle no one is watching is no longer a decoration; it is a reason to go back into the room.
About the guide
Are you connected with the website that used to be on this domain?
No. A different website used to run here, and later unrelated spam pages. Their content has not survived, and we do not restore or retell it. All the guide kept from the domain is the name.
Do you decorate for holidays to order?
No. We do not sell decorations, provide services or make home visits. We only explain how to prepare and decorate your home yourself.
Why do you not recommend specific string lights or trees?
We write about principles that apply to any product. It is best to choose based on your own home and habits, and to use products according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Do you write about one particular holiday?
We write about holidays as an occasion to decorate the home and bring loved ones together, and we do not offer religious or political judgments. The advice suits any family celebration.
Decorating the home
Where do I start if I have hardly any decorations?
With one eye-catching spot: the door, a window or the table. A wreath of branches, some lights and a fresh tablecloth already set the mood, and you can add the rest gradually, year by year.
How do I decorate a small apartment without cluttering it?
Use the walls and windows, choose a small tree or branches in a vase and keep decor out of walkways. Let a few spots be festive rather than every surface at once.
Can I make decorations with my kids?
Yes, it is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting ready. Paper, fabric, pine cones and paints suit children well, while the glue gun, sharp knives and anything hot stay with the adults.
When should I take the holiday decor down?
Whenever suits you, but do not keep a real tree indoors once it has dried out and is shedding heavily. Take things down without rushing, one area at a time, sorting everything straight into labeled boxes.
String lights, candles and safety
Can I hang outdoor lights indoors or indoor lights on the balcony?
Use each string of lights where the manufacturer allows: outdoor ones only outdoors, indoor ones only indoors. Any string of lights must be in good condition, with intact insulation.
Where should I put candles?
On a stable non-flammable holder, away from curtains, the tree and paper decor and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended, even briefly.
What should I change if there are toddlers or pets at home?
Hang glass and small ornaments higher up, run cords along the walls, make the tree especially stable and replace open flames with LED candles.
What should I do in a fire?
Get everyone out of the home, close the door behind you and call 112 (or 101) (or your local emergency number). Do not try to save belongings and do not linger in a smoke-filled room.
Read next
- 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.
- 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.