Are your Christmas decorations killing your vibe?

Christmas has a way of amplifying the energy already present in your space. This happens with both good and challenging energy, so decorating with intention is important.

When approached thoughtfully, Christmas decorating can be beautiful Feng Shui in action. It brings attention, care and meaning to your home, helping it feel warm and welcoming without tipping into chaos or stress.

Shonagh Walker chatted to leading Feng Shui practitioner, Steph McConachy, founder of Nine Lemons Feng Shui, for her best advice for a calm, beautiful festive season. 

How does Feng Shui create calm during the Christmas season?

Feng Shui helps balance the natural chaos of the holidays by creating intentional calm in your space. This is especially helpful at Christmas, which tends to magnify whatever energy is already present in your home (both the good and the bad!).

Decorating for the holidays is actually brilliant Feng Shui. It puts both attention and intention on your home. The key is doing it thoughtfully rather than overwhelming your space.

Can decorating for Christmas disrupt Feng Shui if done incorrectly?

Yes it can. Over decorating, blocking pathways and having unbalanced colour palettes can disrupt energy flow.

Clearing clutter before decorating is essential. Energy flows so much more freely when you create a smooth foundation. It’s also the perfect time to dust and clear away stagnant energy.

Be mindful of spiky ornaments. They give off edgy, sharp, tense energy. Round, smooth shapes are much better for energy flow.

And keep your colour palette balanced. Too much bright red or too many lights creates “fire” energy, which can heighten stress. The goal is festive, not frantic.

What’s the most common Feng Shui mistake people make when decorating for the holidays?

Decorating from obligation, not intention. So many people feel they have to put out every single decoration they own, including the ones they no longer like. That’s the quickest path to clutter and stuck energy.
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And here’s my slightly controversial take: artificial Christmas trees and wreaths can create stagnant energy because they’re made from materials that don’t have any life force. If you choose artificial (and no judgement – it’s Australia, it’s hot, we do what we need to!), make sure you’re opening windows and circulating fresh air regularly. 

Where should the Christmas tree be placed for positive energy?

If you have flexibility, the best locations are the Wealth (Back left corner of the home), Recognition (Back middle of the home), or Family (Middle left part of home) areas of your home. The triangle shape of a tree naturally enhances growth and prosperity.

Wherever you place it, make sure it doesn’t block pathways or doorways. Energy should be able to flow freely around it, and so should people.

How can lighting influence the mood and energy of a festive home?

Lighting is one of the most powerful energy shifters in Feng Shui. Fairy lights and candles add warmth, comfort and a beautiful cosy glow – but you want balance. During the day, your decorations already create a lot of active, yang energy. In the evenings, switch to softer lamps, candles and warm-toned lighting to bring in more calming yin energy.  Think bright and social by day, soft and soothing by night.

How can we reduce stress in the home with Feng Shui during Christmas?

Start by giving your home a clean slate. Clear clutter, open windows and let fresh air circulate before you decorate. And here’s a tip most people don’t know… air out last year’s decorations before they go up. Just pop them outside or near an open window for a few hours. You don’t want the tensions or emotional residue of Christmas past being reactivated the moment you hang them.

Once everything feels fresh, decorate with intention. If your home starts to feel chaotic after decorating, take a few things down. When there’s too much everywhere, the space can’t breathe. Choose a handful of meaningful pieces, keep surfaces as clear as possible and create at least one cosy corner where you can recharge. Even a bowl of nine lemons or oranges can brighten the energy instantly.

How can family mealtimes be arranged to promote harmony?

Choose metallic or green coloured placemats to help ground the energy around the table. It’s such a simple swap that makes a real difference. Pop some crystals on or near the table if you have them. Selenite cleanses energy and tourmaline absorbs negativity. Even just having them there shifts the atmosphere. Candles are brilliant for burning off negativity whilst creating soft, natural lighting that instantly brings calm.

Here’s one that sounds odd but really works… Wrap your cutlery in your serviette so the knives aren’t pointing at people around the table. When knives point directly at someone, the energy points at them too and it can make them feel on edge without even knowing why.

Keep your centrepieces low and minimal, you want people to see each other across the table. And pairing items (like two candles or two small vases) is lovely. It symbolises balance and mutual respect.

And if you can help it, try not to seat anyone with their back to the doorway, it creates a subtle unease.

If you could give one golden tip for creating a balanced, joyful Christmas environment, what would it be?

Decorate with intention, not obligation. Only display pieces that genuinely spark joy or hold meaning. When your decorations feel like you, the energy of your home becomes calmer, lighter and far more abundant.

I also want to speak to something that’s close to my heart. If someone you love has passed and won’t be with you at Christmas this year, I encourage you to take some time before the day to think about how you’d like to honour and remember them.

Maybe it’s writing them a letter or lighting a candle during dinner. It could be by raising a glass in their honour. Whatever feels right for you is perfect.

Share your plan with the people who’ll be there so everyone can honour their memory together. It makes a real difference to acknowledge their absence rather than trying to carry on as if everything’s normal.

About Steph McConachy