A Kerala home filled with family Christmas traditions

Beautiful Homes: What does Christmas mean to you?

Lisa Mathew (LM): For me, it’s togetherness. Doing things together, meeting family, lighting up the tree and the home. It’s that warm feeling. For mom, too, it’s about getting everyone together. She loves the “planning” aspect of Christmas, especially shopping for gifts and décor materials. And of course, planning the elaborate Christmas lunch menu.

Just like I’m inspired by my mom, my mom is inspired by her dad. He was big on Christmas and my mom and grandad would make stars and ornaments together. My granddad even made a life-sized Santa Claus with pillows when I was a child! So, our love for all things handmade has been passed down through generations.

BH: Do you plan ahead for your Christmas décor?

LM: I plan ahead in terms of what I’d like to make that year and, if time permits, I get around to it. If I already have materials on hand, I try to use that up to make new things. On the other hand, if I have something specific in mind, I’ll go out and get the exact materials I need. In our family we’re big believers in creating things for long-term use; we don’t “use and throw.” So, each ornament that’s made is pulled out year after year. We reuse and repurpose everything.

BH: What are some must-have Christmas décor pieces that you think everyone should have?

LM: Our family’s philosophy is: there’s no such thing as a must-have. You can make your home look festive with what you already have. Simple lights like fairy lights and candles can make your home feel warm and festive. Colourful cushion covers are another easy way to decorate. There’s a bunch of cushion covers we made for a baby’s baptism in the family. Now we’ve added a red cap and turned into a fun Christmas décor piece! We really do try to repurpose and reuse everything.

BH: Should people stick to a red, white, and green colour palette?

Kunjala Mathew (KM): It doesn’t to have be all red and green, though those colours are great. You can see that we’ve used a lot of brown and white. Last year one of our relatives did a blue-themed Christmas, using different shades of blue all over the house. So yes, you can experiment.

BH: What’s a simple way to set the dining table for Christmas, especially if it’s small?

LM & KM: Use a runner or a tablecloth. And decorate with food and fruit! Put some Christmas cookies in a jar, tie a nice ribbon or bow around it. You can also use Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut vegetables and bread into fun shapes and serve them. Also, dress up your chairs! Tie a bow around your chairs, place a little Santa hat on the corner of the chair for a festive touch. Our motto is: it doesn’t have to be complicated. Even the simplest thing, done by hand, can evoke a feeling of cheer and warmth!

All images by Rakesh Anand