Remember: Christmas interior design has to be visually relatable to the congregations' age, budget, and location. As such, designer Lisa Masteller, owner of Sassafras Studios, says the look should feel special, not jarring. Image: Sassafras Studios, Raleigh, NC
Now that Thanksgiving is over, people’s minds have turned to Christmas, and this is the perfect time for churches to display their flair and decorate for the joyous season ahead. And that can be better accomplished with a design company that knows the ins and outs of decorating.
Sharon Exley, co-founder of Chicago-based Architecture Is Fun, feels Christmas in 2022 will look and feel a lot like the good old days.
“A good dose of nostalgia in our designs is never out of style,” she says. “Plus, this year we really seem to need good cheer, a Christmas that perhaps looks a lot like our childhood Christmases.”
“Keep a consistent color scheme so that decor feels intentional.”
Danae Dougherty, Managing Principal, Visioneering Studios
That’s why retro-inspired holiday décor is truly making a major comeback. For many churches, this means they can dig deep into the archives, attics, or basements for old treasure troves of vintage decorations.
“Even if churches must buy vintage, they’d be acquiring some uniquely special items, and shopping sustainably breathes new life into existing items—and it’s budget-conscious,” Exley says. “Think decorations that bring charm and nostalgia back, include sparkly 1950’s Shiny-Brite ornaments, bubbly lights, tons of tinsel, aluminum trees, feather trees.”
Danae Dougherty, managing principal of Visioneering Studios Architecture Inc. in Irvine, California, notes that a simple, traditional, and natural element during Christmas is both beautiful and an affordable way to decorate.
“Pine and other green garlands, holly, and white lights are simple and work well with many stage sets,” she says. “They are also timeless. I also like incorporating a candlelight element—with LEDs—for safety. I also would try to find larger-scale items for indoor and outdoor use. For example, oversized pots/planters that can house decorated pine trees or other festive greenery.”
Lisa Masteller, owner and designer of Raleigh, North Carolina-based Sassafras Studios, notes now that we’ve walked away from our Thanksgiving tables, for those creatives who have been given the opportunity to decorate a church, they probably feel they have about five minutes to get things together for the Christmas service.
“This type of built up excitement or intensity has a way of spiking an adrenaline rush inside of us,” Masteller says. “The obligation of not only doing something, but doing something new and doing something fresh, is altogether a challenge that a creative faces. And even more so on Christmas.”
Her suggestion is to first think by working backwards. This will help designers understand what budget, time, and sweat equity you want you and your team to put into this.
On trend
The biggest trend Dougherty has noticed with churches is an increased utilization of elements from nature, citing clear lights, natural garlands, pine cones, and visual effects with graphics/gobo lighting elements.
"Team red and green with lots of snowy white accents for a clean and contemporary combination."
Sharon Exley, Co-Founder, Architecture Is Fun, Chicago, IL
“Also, ribbon and metallic or oversized bulbs to decorate trees,” she says. “Keep a consistent clear color scheme so that décor feels intentional.”
A traditional red and green Christmas palette is never out of fashion and continues to trend year after year. But it doesn’t need to feel old-fashioned.
Exley notes to spruce it up. "Team red and green with lots of snowy white accents for a clean and contemporary combination,” she says.
Masteller also encourages churches to go big—at least in terms of a foundation.
"One oversized item can be your foundation for the rest of your decorations ... The job of an oversized big statement piece is to take full advantage of people stopping to admire.”
Lisa Masteller, Owner and Designer, Sassafras Studios, Raleigh, NC
“One oversized item can be your foundation for the rest of your decorations,” she says. “Normally you will need to think about placement with traffic flow of guests walking through the area. The job of an oversized big statement piece is to take full advantage of people stopping to admire.”
Decorate the entire church
Exley encourages churches to decorate their kid’s ministries in an untraditional way—something different and fun.
“Using a color theme is decidedly on trend this holiday season,” Exley says. “Pink Christmas décor has been on the rise for the past few years (think Barbiecore), and we’ve noted many blush baubles, not to mention hot pink trees,” she says. “Mix it up, too, wintry blue hues with navy ribbon can be another monochromatic palette to try out. Or go rainbow themed. Kids will love it. Add some disco balls. Color and light can not only refresh your kid’s ministry with its playfulness, it can be a perfect mood boost.”
“Pink Christmas décor has been on the rise for the past few years (think Barbiecore), and we’ve noted many blush baubles, not to mention hot pink trees."
Sharon Exley, Co-Founder, Architecture Is Fun, Chicago, IL
And don’t forget the restrooms. Masteller shares that just like a good restaurant, a candle or two safely lit with a touch of greenery or dried fruit really drives home the point of intentionality.
Image: Sassafras Studios
“A little does go a long way,” she notes.
Another idea is if your church is heavy into graphics for the service, you can always ask the creative department for their file and print out large-format portions of their graphics by using different pieces taped back together, giving you a collage effect.
“This can also be layered, say, on cardboard and using different color scales,” Masteller says. “Using different mediums can be a lot of fun.”
Money matters
In a year where money is tighter than ever for many, with a possible recession looming, some churches are constrained by lower finances for their decorating budget.
Whatever the budget, Exley notes that churches really need to focus on using the small amounts they have to make Christmas magical.
“It’s really time to make meaningful spaces that stimulate warmth, tactility, and togetherness,” she says. “We give you permission this holiday season to rearrange your public spaces and especially your seating, prioritize human connections so that guests can find special places to share with others. Bring nature into your holiday palette—bring lush greens in, add lots of wreaths and garlands—that’s an economical and fragrant way to say Christmas is here.”
Dougherty recommends starting with taking inventory of what is already on hand and then supplementing where possible.
"If a church has 20 years of Christmas trees stacked in storage, that’s a great item to start with. Maybe rethink how they are grouped together and have a consistent approach to the decorations.”
Danae Dougherty, Managing Principal, Visioneering Studios Architecture Inc., Irvine, CA
“Some items that may feel outdated can be spruced up with paint, lights, faux greenery, and other embellishments,” she says. “If a church has 20 years of Christmas trees stacked in storage, that’s a great item to start with. Maybe rethink how they are grouped together and have a consistent approach to the decorations.”
Furthermore, Dougherty feels the scale of the décor is very important.
“I would rather opt for a few grand décor items that make a statement rather than spreading the décor throughout the entire space,” she says.
One of Masteller’s biggest tips deals with filling negative space on a budget. The idea here, to find one or two elements that you repeat over and over and over.
“For instance, find vintage Christmas carols or sheet music and hang them in the lobby with fish wire, in different heights, depths, and widths,” she says. “You may want to add dried fruit and [a] sprig of evergreen and colored ribbon to give it a punch. If modern, do basic bulb ornaments—filling all with gold and the middle only with red. If you want to kick it up a notch, buy a pillow and adhere white feathers for a snowy effect. Again, repetitive application works wonders and now you have something that makes a room feel special when walking in.”
One of Masteller’s biggest tips deals with filling negative space on a budget. The idea here, find one or two elements that you repeat over and over and over. "... repetitive application works wonders and now you have something that makes a room feel special when walking in.”
Another of Masteller’s ideas is going to HomeDepot and purchasing several natural wreaths.
“Hung by wire, you can turn them flat above head and hang them in a row, or better yet mimic the shape of [a] Christmas tree with graduated rows, with the top one being hung highest from ground level,” she says.
Light it up
Lights can be one of the best ways for churches to show the Christmas spirit, and there’s plenty of different options and ways to decorate with them.
Dougherty is a fan of clear bulbs that create a warm, inviting light and LED candles that give the impression of flickering candlelight. She also appreciates simple stage lighting effects, such as falling snow.
Final thoughts
Families love taking photos at Christmastime, so Dougherty recommends finding multiple places that a backdrop can be developed for family photos, like a step-and-repeat wall.
“Christmas attire can vary, so I prefer simple, clean backdrops and color schemes so that they don’t clash with festive holiday fashion,” she says.
For every church's interior design this Christmas, remember to help your clients create a simple sense of playfulness and optimism—one that allows the Message, first and foremost, to shine through.
And for designers like you, as you work hard on your clients' interior designs, Masteller reminds, "This Christmas is for you too. So enjoy the process. Bring chocolate or whatever you like to share and have a blast!"
