TL;DR
Designers David Lawson and Landon McAfee describe using paper chains as an inexpensive, adaptable Christmas decoration, including on mantels, trees and ceilings. Their examples are personal design choices, not evidence of a measured or widespread decorating trend.
Paper chains are being used by designers David Lawson and Landon McAfee as an inexpensive Christmas decoration for mantels, trees and ceilings. Their examples show how a familiar paper craft can add color and texture without requiring a collection of purchased ornaments, though the source presents individual decorating ideas rather than a survey of this year’s wider trends.
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Lawson says he turned to colored paper chains while trying to recreate the look of Christmas photographs from the 1960s and 1970s. He had wanted to use vintage colored glass ornaments and kitschy baubles, but said he had difficulty finding enough pieces to create the effect he wanted. Paper chains offered a way to bring in bright color and a nostalgic feel with materials that were easier to obtain.
McAfee says he began making chains after moving into a cottage in 2023. Having spent heavily on renovations, he used paper scraps given to him by a friend at a local print shop. He said the decoration made a noticeable impact in the small space while costing very little. That account illustrates one low-cost approach; the source does not provide prices or a comparison with store-bought decorations.
The designers describe several possible placements: draping chains over a mantel, stringing them from a ceiling, extending them between rooms or hanging them on a Christmas tree. For a mantel, Lawson says he attached chains to a garland by threading branches through the links, then left the chains hanging in a loose swag. McAfee says he used glue rather than tape or staples to conceal the attachment points. The methods are suggestions, not instructions tested for every surface or home.
A low-cost holiday craft with room to play
Designers David Lawson and Landon McAfee use paper chains for colorful Christmas displays. Their examples are personal ideas, not evidence of a widespread trend.
Why choose paper chains?
They offer an adaptable way to add color and texture using accessible materials.
A vintage-inspired look
Lawson used colored chains to evoke Christmas photos from the 1960s and 1970s.
Use what’s on hand
McAfee made chains from print-shop paper scraps after spending heavily on renovations.
Where they can go
Choose a placement that suits your room and the surface.
Two routes to the same idea
- Wanted a colorful, nostalgic effect.
- Turned to paper chains when vintage ornaments were hard to find.
- Decorated a cottage after renovation costs.
- Made chains from donated paper scraps.
A Handmade Alternative to Ornaments
The appeal is practical as well as decorative: paper chains can be made from accessible materials, adapted to a room’s colors and lengthened to suit a particular display. For people watching holiday spending, using paper may reduce the need to buy additional ornaments, especially if they already have suitable paper at home. The source, however, does not establish that chains are cheaper in every case or quantify any savings.
The idea also offers flexibility for renters, smaller homes or households that want a temporary seasonal display. Lawson describes the chains as lightweight, making them useful in places where heavier decor could be awkward. That does not mean every attachment method is appropriate for every wall, ceiling or finish: homeowners and renters may want to check surfaces and use removable, suitable fixings where needed.
There is a style choice, too. Traditional red and green can keep the look familiar, while rainbow colors paired with silver or tinsel create a brighter, more playful arrangement. The designers’ examples suggest that a simple craft can be styled deliberately, but whether it feels polished or nostalgic will depend on the paper, color scheme and placement.
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From Vintage Photos to Paper Links
The source frames paper chains as a return to a familiar holiday craft, rather than a new product or formally documented design movement. Lawson’s account connects his approach to vintage Christmas imagery and the colored lights and glass baubles he associates with the period. When he could not source enough vintage pieces, he used paper to evoke a similar colorful mood.
McAfee’s story has a different starting point: practical decorating on a limited budget after renovation costs. He used leftover print-shop paper in his cottage, then carried the idea into more ambitious displays. Together, the examples show two routes to the same decoration—one driven by nostalgia, the other by inexpensive available materials.
The source does not identify a retailer, launch, sales figure or industry-wide forecast behind the idea. It is best understood as design advice shared by two decorators, not as confirmation that paper chains are the dominant Christmas decoration this year.
“I really wanted to embody a similar nostalgic look and feeling with my holiday decorations this year, but after a few failed attempts to source enough of the vintage colored glass or kitschy baubles I would need to create that real ‘wow’ effect, I thought I would try using colored paper chains to create something similar.”
— David Lawson, Christmas designer specialist
How Widespread Is the Look?
The source gives two designers’ experiences but no consumer survey, retailer data or broader trend analysis. It is not clear how many households are using paper chains this season, whether interest has increased from previous years or what materials people are choosing. The article also does not specify the paper types, project costs or how long the decorations take to make.
Some display details are incomplete. The supplied material begins describing McAfee’s ceiling installation but cuts off before explaining how he attached the chains or completed the design. It also offers no guidance about the suitability of glue, tape or other fixings on particular finishes. Readers should treat the examples as inspiration and check that a chosen attachment will not damage a surface.
Ideas for Holiday Displays
The immediate next step for anyone trying the idea is choosing a display and paper palette: chains can be draped over garland, hung from a ceiling, carried between rooms or placed on a tree. Lawson’s account suggests making a basic garland first and attaching chains at intervals to create a loose swag; McAfee’s comments point to scraps as one possible material source.
No further announcement, product release or follow-up from either designer is included in the source. Whether paper chains become a more prominent decorating choice this Christmas remains unreported. For now, the confirmed development is narrower: two designers have shared personal examples of turning a simple craft into colorful seasonal decor.
Key Questions
What inexpensive Christmas decoration are the designers recommending?
Paper chains, made by cutting strips of paper and linking them together, are the low-cost decoration discussed by David Lawson and Landon McAfee.
Where can paper chains be used?
The designers describe using them on mantels, trees and ceilings, as well as extending them between rooms. Placement and attachment should suit the surface and the display.
Can paper chains replace Christmas ornaments?
They can decorate a tree without additional purchased ornaments, but the source does not say that every household can or should replace its ornaments. That depends on the look and coverage a person wants.
Are paper chains proven to cost less than other decorations?
No cost comparison is provided. McAfee said his chains used donated paper scraps and were practically free, but that is his experience, not a general price finding.
Is this a confirmed major Christmas trend?
The source does not establish a broad trend. It reports two designers’ examples and provides no survey, sales figures or market data.
Source: livingetc.com
