Join me for a special Colour Palette exploration as we countdown 8 weeks to Christmas.
Christmas, to me, is a season, and I don’t know about you but I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE going into shops and staring at, walking around and exploring all the Christmas decorations. I always feel inspired and happy – so much so that I started in October of this year and took my kids to a garden centre to explore Christmas.
In honour of Christmas and my love for the season but also my adoration of colour, I am offering a Countdown to Christmas invitation.
For some it might be too late and you’ve already decided on your theme or your decorations; but for others it might just help you to decide on what colours you would like lean into for Christmas this year.
The Countdown begins Friday October 29th and I will post up a colour palette each Friday and I will add to this blog each time…so keep your eyes peeled and keep check back.
I can’t wait to explore Christmas through colour with you soon!
When the time comes….Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 1
Red and Green should ALWAYS be seen at Christmas.
Perhaps you are like me and a bit of a traditionalist for Christmas. Red and Green with a touch of the wood and a splash of gold are just the perfect combination. But where did it all begin?
NPR noted in 2016 “Arielle Eckstut, co-author of Secret Language of Color, attributes the palette’s rise to two things: holly and Coca-Cola.”
Once again, a strong brand playing the part of reinforcing how impactful colour is on how we perceive the world, how colour can manipulate a feeling. Eckstut remarks here that it was in choosing a particular artists who transformed Santa to be a fat & jolly man in red where he had previously been depicted as an Elf Like character, completely took Christmas colour by storm.
Can you believe that Father Christmas was once depicted as an Elf dressed in Green! Who knew!
When the time comes….Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 2
Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
One blog remarked how blue became a popular colour that was associated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus in Nativities all around the world.
Blue also represents Winter. The colour, Ice and can be used as a symbol of a pure winter wonderland experience.
As I’ve said, I’m a traditionalist, however there are sometimes moments where blue is an essential comrade to red in designing for Christmas and this combination of colours really has a warming, satisfying feeling towards an audience.
Do you decorate with blue in your house?
Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 3
Silent Night, Holy Night
One of my all time favourite combinations when designing anything for promotion at Christmas is Dark or Navy blue and Yellow/Gold.
It always makes me think of my most favourite Christmas songs – the fact that contemplation and reflection are a key part of the Christmas season and the starkness and contrast of these two colours portray the night sky, the dark nights, cold and long but with hope in the air as the stars shine on.
Gold is a key element at Christmas. It brings light into our homes, reminds us of the star of Bethlehem, the gift given to Jesus; but also of hope – that a light can be seen even in the darkest of places.
I hope you have a little bit of light in your life this Christmas.
Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 4
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
RED. Who doesn’t just want red in their house at Christmas. As I remarked in Week 1, red was a fairly new association with Christmas and I for one can’t imagine Christmas without it.
Santa Red, Rudolph’s Nose, Christmas Lights, Tinsel, Jumpers, Hats…you name it, at Christmas RED is on the menu – even Cranberry sauce is a shade of red.
Red was traditionally part of the celebration of the winter solstice, with its contrast against the Holly, it was a perfect decoration in Winter time.
At Christmas RED represent love, family, joy, laughter, fun as well as tradition – which many people love, appreciate and want to keep around the Christmas season.
Is red your Christmas colour?
Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 5
Green is the JOY of Christmas
There are few things emptier than a space where a Christmas Tree used to be!
The absolute JOY of getting your Christmas tree up – whether it be one you spent ages picking out at a tree farm or the same one your get out of it’s box year after year – it’s just a moment to treasure – a moment your kids remember and cherish and ask every year “can I put the Star on top?”
Hanging that beautiful green leaved wreath on the door contrasting the pine cones and the red berries.
Green is the perfect backdrop for all things Christmas; it’s never changing stability, and that feeling of ever green is a statement of hope and a sign of a new year approaching.
Do you love GREEN at Christmas?
Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 6
The Grotto
The things you really want for the holidays can’t be bought
Sometimes the bright colours of Christmas just don’t suit everyone, the idea of a wooden shack high up in a mountain, surrounded by snow and nature and a fire burning with just the hint of warm yellow twinkle lights is enough to bring that warm, cosy feeling home.
Wooden decorations are becoming increasingly popular, not just for Christmas but all year round. I love wooden objects; they bring a real sense of nature indoors – a sense of repurposing and renewing.
People have often go super creative with wood, especially old pallets, at Christmas time; transforming them into the most beautiful decorations. It always inspires me.
Have you ever thought of doing a home project with wood for Christmas?
Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 7
I’m dreaming of a White Christmas
Who doesn’t want a White Christmas?
This colour palette is so unique and brings to my thoughts Narnia – a magical winter – an explorative Christmas; probably helped by the introduction of Frozen (the movie) where ICE is a huge feature.
A dark sky with a moon shining bright, a child staring out of their window hoping to see 9 reindeer and a sleigh eclipse the moon that night.
It also brings to mind a calmness; “All is calm, All is bright” – a softness amongst the harsh contrast of the dark blue and the Snow White.
What are you wishing for this Christmas?
Tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Week 8
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Our final colour palette is Red & Gold. The most common combination around houses, in decorations, on cards, on wrapping paper and used in ribbons around the world.
Trend settings are remarking that following the pandemic, people will most likely return to the traditional red, green and gold this year in a hope for the return to more normal things ahead.
I always find this combination the most joyful, the most warming and the most welcoming. Even in this colour palette you get a sense of the “brown paper packages tied up with string” moment.
Enjoy your Christmas, whatever colours you are choosing…tag #PeanutChristmas and let me see your Christmas Trees & decorations!
Merry Christmas
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