Whether you’re a true-blue Gen-Z with a penchant for curated chaos, or a sentimental old-timer who can’t let go of their decades-old Christmas stocking, when it comes to decorating for the holiday season, the natural Filipino tendency for maximalism is in full display.
We’ve talked about maximalism multiple times in our blog—quite extensively actually—and we really have no reason not to mention it. Even with Marie Kondo-style minimalism being the dominant interior design trend nowadays, the ordinary Filipino would always want to fill their home with every item they love.
Maybe it’s the consumerist attitude of accumulation, but most anthropologists agree that Filipinos are maximalist because of the emotional connections we have with the things we own. We like to exhaust every space we have because it is a way to express our values.
This attitude rings especially true during the holiday season where Filipinos start hanging parols as early as September. Holiday hassles involving attending parties and preparing gifts may not be for everyone, but Christmas is still enjoyed by a lot of people. Some enthusiasts love the holidays so much, they go crazy with decorations, furnishing every inch of their home with a mark of the yuletide season.
As for the ordinary Filipino, it is better to show off than to let go of whatever Christmas decor they own. So instead of promoting a less-is-more mentality, let’s find ways on how to create a spectacular home for the holidays, maximalism-style.
Coziness in Your Center and Console Tables
Decorating your center or console tables can be a fine place to start decorating, especially if your decor can be laid on flat surfaces. You don’t need to go crazy. You can cram your other Christmas figurines and snow globes on counters and shelves. Select items that give a statement, For the middle of your sala where your guests are gathered, select items that you can show off or tell a story.
If you have a console table, you can treat it like a fireplace without having an actual fireplace. What items you display will carry a particular statement. Usually, your nativity scene can be placed here, but if you have it elsewhere, figurines that come in pairs can be used to have a symmetrical accent space in your home.
Enhance the coziness of your living room tables with Christmas wreaths and pinecone decor. You can also elevate your furniture, if they are made of wood, with Boysen Oil Wood Stain. The Walnut finish in particular is an inviting shade that works well with winter-themed decor, while highlighting the natural grain of your furniture.
Star of Your Home: The Maximalist Christmas Tree
Most Filipinos put the most effort in their Christmas trees, making it the best site to express maximalism. Most folks buy new decorations to hang in their tree every year. If you have accumulated that much decor, sift through what you have and try to fill up your tree with a particular color scheme.
Or don’t! Honestly, there is charm in messiness if done in an earnest manner. If you have kids, try inviting them to decorate and see what they can come up with.
You can also DIY charms and trinkets you own to give your Christmas tree individuality. Most people enjoy styling their tree in an unconventional manner. Since you’ll be doing this every year, you should absolutely put a spin on your decorating to make each Christmas feel unique. Feel free to fill up your tree with non-holiday memorabilia.
Whatever design attitude you have on your Christmas tree, you can then express it in wreaths you would hang in doors and interior walls. Even with leftover flowers, balls or lights, you can spruce up a section of your home with some Christmas spirit.
Bright Lights on Your Exteriors
It’s not a Filipino Christmas without your exteriors not receiving the same maximalist love. Even with broken lighting, a classic parol can still look good hanging in your front door, at least during the daytime.
For Christmas nights, arrays of glimmering lights will always make your house stand out. If you are considering lining your exterior walls with lots of lighting, you may want to consider a white paint color, specifically a semi-gloss finish, to give your home a nice glow when the lights are on
Have A Merry Decorating Session!
Most people only unleash their inner interior designer during the holidays, and you can definitely go all-out with the decorating. Maximalism is more than just displaying excess, it’s about being affectionate with your space.
For more design inspirations, subscribe to the blog. For questions about paints and products, send us an email at ask@myboysen.com and our technical team will be happy to help.
