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This time of year, decorating advice almost always boils down to three words: Don’t overdo it. Or these three words: Keep it classy.

Anyone who wants to go overboard decorating should do so, says design guru Sarah Richardson. "I don't think it's fair to judge the people who love it and are into the sentiment, because for them it's not about curating a look." But if you're lost in the pine-scented wilderness with no clue how to make your home festive, just follow these tips.

Start at your front door: "I never like it to look or feel as though Christmas exploded on a house," Richardson says. "It's about having an ode, a reference, a gesture as opposed to an all-consuming statement." Start at the front door with something planted in an urn and a natural wreath. "It says that you're open to the season," Richardson says.

Decor for non-Griswolds: "Pull out some extra candles. Get some natural greenery, get some fire and get some music playing and there you go," Richardson says. Or, "Let's say you've got tons of Christmas ornaments and you're just really not into decorating the tree. Open up that box, pull out your favourite ones, put them in a beautiful glass bowl on your front table."

Share the tree: "Christmas is for children, and I don't think you should dismiss the efforts of the young simply because it doesn't suit your decor scheme," Richardson says. "If you start with a good selection, how wrong can you go? They just love to be decorating a tree with glittery things … let them have the bottom of the tree."

Go for the gold: "This year there's tons of gold and silver out there," Richardson says. "You guarantee success by keeping it as simple as possible."

What you need to remember: "Christmas should be about what it feels like. And if it feels good, you should do it," Richardson says.

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