Silver is this year’s color of the season

Silver is this year’s color of the season
By Carleton Varney

Special to the Daily News

With December upon us, it’s likely to be a silvery Christmas, I think, for those who celebrate the holiday — judging by what I’ve seen so far on the decorations scene.

Some of that “silver” isn’t silver at all, of course. The holiday is filled with plenty of faux, as I see from the catalogs that are stacking up at my door. I notice, for instance, that the latest in artificial Christmas trees do indeed look real, at least in the photos. But even if the look is right, there’s no aroma of fir or pine, unless, of course, you spray the tree with a spritz of the essence of the evergreen.

Faux Christmas trees seem par for the course in a world filled with artificial everything, from “krab” meat in the supermarket to sugar substitutes on restaurant tables.

I also see no shortage in the catalogs of so-called “flameless” votive, pillar and taper candles. Battery operated, some simply offer the inner glow of the real thing within the well of the fake candle, while others are equipped with a device that resembles a flickering flame.

Now, I never liked cleaning wax that had dripped from “dripless candles” onto the surface of the mahogany dining table. Yes, I know that there are products available that are said to safely dissolve the wax, and that there are those bobeches to collect the drips.

Be that as it may, I still like the real thing. So give me burning candles, fresh poinsettias and live Christmas trees.

I’ve noticed that this year especially, the shine of crystal and silver seems to be the look for the holidays — and some items, including crystal and silver votive holders, work equally well for both Christmas and Hanukkah.

There are crystal and silver baubles for tree ornaments and crystal and silver tree toppers. I’ve seen silvery sequin adornments and ornaments in shapes ranging from traditional to Asian-inspired.

And though it isn’t holiday-specific, I’ve also seen wallcovering with a silver bling. It’s a step more silvery than the traditional silver tea paper of yore. There is always a new technology that makes the artificial look real, isn’t there?

Silver candlesticks, meanwhile, are a holiday staple, gracing the tables of heads of state and the most decorated homes in the world. And for Hanukkah, stores and online retailers have plenty of silver menorahs from which to choose.

So go silver this year. Who knows? Santa’s reindeer might very well be clad in new silvery puffer jackets.

3 comments

  • Joann Hoskins on

    Yes to a silver bell on the tree, 2016. and yellow eggshell and a designer green paint on Nicholas St.
    Nice puffer jackets showing up. Maybe under the tree!? Confirmed. A pot of silver at the end of my rainbow. A silver puffer. LIKE ??❄

  • Mary Pat Sheehan on

    I’ve always liked the crystal and silver combination for Christmas. Especially if it’s snowing outside or there is snow on the ground and in the trees. Merry Christmas.

  • Toby Singleton on

    I’m going with the silver. Looks great with natural greens, red berry sprigs and the beautiful grey fabrics and paint color out there.

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