Magic in the Madness
The Perfect Christmas… and other Fairy Stories.
Fabulous Flourishes – and Drag Queen Energy
When the big day is bulging with big gestures,
(insert ‘Santa’s Sack’ joke),
often it’s the smaller, subtler flourishes that make the real magic happen.
I spent more time in gay clubs, than an underage person should have.
I was almost exclusively feral and unsupervised, so I could.
That’s for another time.
The music in gay clubs was better, the vibe was better, and I could dance all night without being hit on by creeps.
People behaved themselves…
Well, mostly
Your honour.
I remember being about 15 and thoroughly entranced by the drag artistes.
Their intricate make-up, sparkly gowns, perfect hair, diamante talons.
And then out of these beautifully presented humans’ faces came the most BRUTAL and hilarious put-downs.
The juxtaposition of beauty, fun and unexpected outrageousness is something I adore – I call it Drag Queen Energy!
I want to encourage you to unleash your Drag Queen energy all over your last-minute Christmas preparations.
Sparkle Beyond the Tree
Christmas trees already have it; flamboyance, colour, twinkles – but can you infuse other things, with that same spirit?
As always, it’s the idea that counts.
What can you do, that isn’t expected?
How can you mix it up, make things more fun, less stuffy, more fabulous?
Some ideas to get you thinking:
Whimsical Wrappings:
Forget the usual gift wrap.
Why not wrap presents in vintage maps, sheet music, or colourful fabric?
I got a bottle of Champers wrapped in a lovely tea-towel and tied with a ribbon recently.
It looked GORGEOUS.
Practical, eco-friendly and adds an element of intrigue.
Plus, it’s a visual feast under the tree.
Festive Fairy Lights Everywhere:
And I mean, everywhere.
I got a ton of battery-powered ones from the pound shop and draped them over bookshelves, around door frames,and even in glass jars – so everything twinkles.
I didn’t really do anything else, but everyone who comes in says:
“OH MY GOD IT’S SO PRETTY!”
Once the house lights are off and the fairy lights are on -it really is like living in a fairy tale – or at least, a very well-lit rom-com.
Table Setting Twists:
For Christmas Day – who says plates have to match?
Again the lovely charity shops to the rescue with this.
It’s great fun going on a hunt to find the boldest of colours and patterns.
Add a quirky napkin ring
(My best-received ones were wooden curtain rings,with a dangly earrings through the hook)
or a big sprig of holly to each setting.
Your table can be beautiful, exciting and absolutely unique once you shake off the ‘usual ways to do things’.
DIY Decor FTW:
Get crafty with homemade garlands or paper snowflakes.
Involve the kids, or just unleash your inner child.
We can get so hung up on presenting the insta-perfect Christmas scene that it ends up samey and homogenised.
Home-made decorations will keep children busy, but also make things properly special.
How about origami birds to hang from lampshades?
Salt-dough biscuits with holes cut that you can thread ribbon through and tie to the tree.
These personal touches often become the most treasured decorations.
Love & Laughter Week:
Tuck little handwritten notes of love, appreciation or festive jokes into unexpected places:
Toilet roll, shoes, on post-it notes on the steering wheel, coat pockets,or nestled in the tree.
It’s a heartwarming surprise that costs nothing but means everything.
Be Scent-sational
Scent is a powerful memory trigger.
If we are feasting the senses, we can’t forget the sense of smell.
It could be a festive fragrance for your home; spiced candle – or you could simmer pot of citrus and cinnamon on the hob.
Let the aroma of Christmas fill the air.
But maybe you’d prefer something else.
Popping some popcorn is fun and an inexpensive, healthy snack that smells incredible.
Got a fire pit?
Light it up – bring back some of those Bonfire Night smells and vibes enjoying the outside – all wrapped up.
(my little £15 portable firepit from Amazon is going to see some marshmallow action this Christmas)
Rainbow Fun
And while we’re talking about going outside for a breath of fresh air, why not delight your Christmas Party with some sparklers?
Better yet – how about some colour smoke flares?
Look them up – if you order today you’ll have them by Christmas.
The most incredible memories, photographs – and the epitome of Drag Queen Energy right there
(and there’s no loud bangs so it won’t stress your pets)
Soundtrack of Joy:
Create a holiday playlist that breaks the mould.
Of course, you could go with classic carols with Christmas hits – why wouldn’t you?
It’s Christmas after all.
But if you’re getting a bit fed up of the same songs
(or didn’t exactly love festive tunes to begin with), you could do something different:
Ask each of your Christmas party (even/especially the little ones) to let you have their 10 favourite songs.
Give someone the job of putting them all in a Spotify/Amazon/Streaming service of choice playlist, and hit the shuffle button.
Let it play in the background, setting a rhythm to your festive preparations and delighting people individually (and collectively) all day.
The spirit of Christmas isn’t found in grand gestures.
It’s woven through these little, fabulous flourishes that add a layer of charm and personality.
Pockets of joy are in the details, in the care we put into making each moment just a bit more special
.Sprinkling delight like fabulous confetti.
So, let’s get creative and sprinkle our festivities with these fabulous flourishes.
Action:
HARNESS YOUR DRAG QUEEN ENERGY, AND PLAN YOUR FABULOUS FLOURISH:
Get Creative and let your imagination run – the wilder, the better.
Pick one or two of the ideas above and plan how you could incorporate them into your festivities.
And remember, as we drape our worlds in sparkle and colour we’re not just decorating, wrapping, crafting or cooking…
.we’re creating memories – one shriek of delight at a time.