You could create a natural-looking Australian bush table setting by choosing items in a muted colour palette of creams, with accents of brown, khaki, and soft green. The key to making this arrangement interesting is to mix fluid organic shapes, such as handmade ceramic pieces with items from nature, such as shells, branches of Eucalyptus, pebbles and coral. Continue the theme throughout your house with Eucalypt branches scattered about and brown paper-wrapped presents.

HINT: Eucalyptus adds a wonderful earthy aroma to the house. Why not think of buying a reasonable sized Eucalyptus tree in a tub and decorate it with gorgeous Aussie Christmas decorations; not only is it unique but you can decorate it with all sorts of little soft life like Native Bush animals purchased online in bulk.

Have you ever thought about having a ‘metallic' Christmas theme? You could use silver wire, spray paint twigs and pine cones silver, buy metallic material. Then just mix and match with your decorations. You know finding everything you need for your Christmas table setting is as simple as booting up your computer. You will be able to find the lot online at two reliable and accessible online sites. The christmascave.com.au and OzFreeOnline.com are two of the best online sites to browse. With OzFreeOnline.com just register, login and start searching. You'll be amazed at the hundreds of free online ads, which are displayed, and you will find absolutely all you want for your table.

Buy a metallic silver Christmas tree and decorate it with silver, clear, and glittered baubles, setting the mood for a modern Christmas. Use silver ribbon bows, silver tinsel, and transparent ribbon. Use metallic ‘lame' fabric as a table runner and light grey napkins. Thread small silver bells on to fine wire and make napkin rings that look and sound wonderful and add a touch of Christmas cheer. Little silver metal boxes can be used to for small trinkets and left beside each guest's plate. Silver name cardholders add a personal touch and complement the Silver Star garlands decorating each plate.

For a centrepiece employ a tall glass vase with scrunched foil inside, then pop in a few stems of Poinsettia; and it is gorgeous. Serve champagne in tall crystal flutes with a silver rim to complete your festive table. With your table organised you will have a very Happy Christmas.

Interior Christmas Decorating

Think about the early days of January and the sales to purchase your Christmas ornaments. In the first week of January, Christmas merchandise is discounted due to the New Year's discount sales. Most stores want to sell all their Christmas items in order to replace its stock so that they can restock with ‘new' next season. This is the best time buy special Christmas decorations at discounted prices. You will find that many stores discounts can be up to 75% or more, so take the advantage.

Gather all your family, including aunty, uncle, and cousins, because this is the best way to decorate your home for Christmas. Everybody from the ‘littlies' to great-grandmother, love to help with the interior Christmas decorating. So many online sites sell gorgeous interior Christmas decorating paraphernalia, buying online, and having everything delivered before you get the family together for the decorating party. This will most likely be one of the highlights of your family's holiday festivities. When it has been finished and the final bit of tinsel wound around the computer you will really see that your home will be so full of warmth, atmosphere, and amusement.

When you go online to buy some of the fabulous stuff for interior decorating don't forget to buy plain and coloured paper as well. You could make use of all the ideas each person has about Christmas decorating and set them tasks to make their own favourite decorations. While you are all cutting, gluing, sipping hot Toddys, steaming hot marshmallow chocolate and eating butterscotch biscuits, perhaps you can play Christmas carols and have the family join in.

I know many of you might be saying, ‘well I know my family would think I was crazy and would never do that', but really, we have done it for so many years and you would be surprised how quickly everyone gets into the mood and ends up rolling on the floor in laughter and having loads of fun.


Barbara Thorp recommends http://classifieds.ozfreeonline.com for free classifieds in Australia. See also http://classifieds.blogs.ozfreeonline.com for more shopping related articles.