“Less is more” is an oxymoron we’ve heard a million times, but often, less is all we have, and as Tim Gunn of Project Runway says, we just have to “make it work”.

There are many things that are much better in vulgar quantities, like money, wine, art, Louboutin stilettos and of course, temptation (“I can resist everything except temptation,” said Oscar Wilde), but much is to be made of a single strand of pearls with the LBD, one small, hidden, perfectly placed tattoo, one perfect husband (however elusive), and the old adage of quality over quantity.

Sometimes decking the halls in the spirit of Christmas can end up looking like someone was under the influence of some spirit…you know, those over-the-top, “I-love-Christmas-more-than-everyone- else” types of décor. Truth be told, some of them can be quite beautiful when done with an element of design, and should not be overlooked as free entertainment for the family. Pull up your lounge chair, popcorn and a thermos for Grandma, and you have a free light show!

For those who like to express themselves with a whisper of good tidings — personally, I love Christmas, and I do enjoy an abundance of decorations that complement and tell a story — here are some simple ideas that will have Santa stopping in for Port and Christmas pudding.

* Hang festive ornaments from your chandelier, keep them all the same colour scheme for a more elegant, sophisticated look.

If you don’t have a mantle, use a sideboard for hanging your stockings.

* Find interesting-looking dried branches, spray-paint in your colour of choice — gold, silver, white or red — and hang beads, ornaments and lights from the limbs.

* Using the sprayed-dried branches, hang tinsel. Stick with one colour and vary the length.

* For the staircase, spray branches in gold, silver or green, tie the rails and decorate with lights. You can also add your sprayed flowers, fruits or shells.

* Use red or white plastic flowers (finally an acceptable use for them) cut off the flowers and glue them to the branches of the dried limb, then add your lights.

* Use things like decorative glitter butterflies, dragonflies, or birds in the same manner on the dried limb for something new.

* A simple glass bowl filled with Christmas ornaments adds a festive look to your coffee table

* For book lovers, stack a pile of books in the shape of a Christmas tree. Hardcover books are especially effective.

* Dip pine cones and plastic fruits like apples, pears, grapes and pine cones in glue and coat with glitter; use to hang from tree or in bowls or use as a garland.

* A collection of shells in varied shapes and sizes, sprayed sliver or gold, makes for a beautiful centrepiece in any beautiful bowl or stacked in a clear vase.

* Shells sprayed and tied with raffia or decorative ribbons are perfect ornaments for hanging.

* Shells sprayed and glued to branches are beautiful as garlands or wall hangings.

* Break with tradition and use sprayed shells, starfish and driftwood on your Christmas wreath for a beach Christmas theme.

* Personalise your decor to reflect your interest, passion or even your profession:

A hairstylist could do a tree with plastic rollers which can be sprayed gold, silver, green or your favourite colour, and tied with thin matching ribbon or raffia.

A seamstress or a tailor can do a “tree” with scraps of fabric or reels of thread.

A paint shop could use paint brushes in varying sizes tied with ribbons.

* When my daughters were younger, I used their Barbie and Ken dolls for a fabulous, fun, kiddies’ tree. For little boys, it can be toy cars hanging from the tree.

* A stationery store could try a “tree” of red pencils tied with gold ribbons.

* Hang your Christmas cards on a string stretched across a room or hang a collection of beautiful, fun cards on your tree instead of ornaments.(Your guests will enjoy reading the funny ones.)

* For my wine bar, I have used wine corks, tied with raffia.

* Fill a collection of clear jars with an abundance of candy in pretty festive wrappers; your guests and kids will love you for it.

Don’t be the Grinch who stole Christmas. Get creative with your imagination and a tin or two of spray paint and spray your way to a festive and decorative Christmas!