If you’re in shared student housing in Chester, you may consider adding a home-from-home Christmas touch, not just to see through the December run-up but also in mindful recognition of those students likely to spend the duration of the festive period in the house.
This might be because home or family are too far away or expensive to travel back to. This could apply to UK and overseas students alike, and a few decorations can add much-needed comfort and festive cheer in the cold weeks that close out the calendar year. Christmas brings households together, and this applies as much to students as any ordinary family.
Every group of friends will mark the season in different ways, but it is generally considered a time to suspend ordinary aesthetic tastes in the pursuit of unashamed festive merriment. Even when money is tight, there are still plentiful ways in which the right decorations can be obtained cheaply, splitting the costs, and assembled in a fun way.
If evergreen plastic doesn’t appeal, retail stores such as IKEA provide real Christmas trees at economic prices, and there are many ways in which you can be imaginative and creative. If any form of Christmas tree is hard to find, you can always make a replica using mason jars stuffed with baubles. Sites such as Amazon and Etsy will usually provide affordable ideas and decorative suggestions for your shared home.
You can start by wrapping tinsel and garlands around door frames. This is an easy, cheap and quick way to introduce a bit of sparkle to your shared house along with crafted items such as glittery pine cones, small ornaments, homemade origami decorations and hanging paper wreaths or classic paper chains made from scratch. Macramé wall hangings and paper snowflakes are a particularly popular DIY option for those on a budget
You can also enhance your Christmas tree with paper decorations or homemade wreaths to add a colourful dash to your front door, and at minimum expense. If you are extra keen on the occasion, you might also consider wearing matching Christmas jumpers, whilst filling the bathroom with themed towels. You may want to hang up Polaroid pictures of the evidence or hang up different sets of stockings with small treats inside.
If you’re still looking for inspirational themes for decorative home ideas, look no further than Chester Zoo, which has announced that its Christmas lights trail is returning this year with a few alterations. The popular illuminated trail will reacquaint visitors with favourites from past years, including the glowing tunnels of lights. The 2024 event has been extended, however, with a colourful array of animal-themed puppet lanterns expected to enhance the experience.
Visitors will pass through what are touted as a series of exotic lands, illuminated by a sea of light synchronised to music, resulting in a captivating audiovisual spectacle. This will be further enhanced by a rainbow bridge and fire garden, as well as an eclectic selection of costumed characters and animal puppets, including meerkats, peacocks, red pandas and snow leopards. Visitors will also be able to indulge in seasonal festive treats at market stalls. The zoo is filled with ideas you could borrow for your shared house, including giant candy canes, neon walkways, fairy lights, and oversized baubles.
Prior to deciding on your preferred decorative features, it is important to check your tenancy agreement for any stipulated fire hazard regulations for decorations in shared properties, which often prohibit the use of naked flames, although you can simulate the brightness of a natural candle to achieve a similarly cosy effect with battery powered LED flameless candles. Fake plastic trees are permitted, but must be marked UL-approved and be fire-resistant. Electric miniature lights can be switched on inside student rooms but may be limited to two strands per occupant per room or less, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Electrical decorations should have a UL label, whilst cords and illuminated strings need to be checked for loose connections, frayed or bare wires, or cracked plugs. Lights should not be wrapped around beds or suspended underneath.
Landlords may insist that decorations are non-flammable or fire-retardant, outlawing the use of straw, glitter or combustible items. Similarly, they may insist that any decorations are kept well away from lights, heaters, doors, window fittings, security systems, sprinklers, extinguishers or emergency exits, and that all decorations are removed if the entire household vacate the premises over Christmas.
For further advice on the rules governing Christmas decorations in shared rented property, call us today at Bed Student Rentals to discuss student lettings and landlord services in Chester.
Written By
Mark