Somewhere just out of view, Santa is getting ready for the big night. You can see his silhouette on the wall, but you can’t quite see him. Same goes for Mrs. Claus, the hardworking elves, and a gentle reindeer. They all appear as shadows, clearly hard at work somewhere nearby. It’s that little bit of mystery that makes Christmas Shadows Decoration so much fun. Within minutes, the North Pole looks like it’s right next door.
What are the best ways to use it? We have some great ideas for you!
Choose Your Light
First, let’s focus on one thing that makes this decoration different from the many other Christmas-themed AtmosFX Decorations. The key word is “shadows.” Each scene in Christmas Shadows is designed to look as though the action is taking place just out of view.
There’s another benefit to the shadows. Scenes appear to be lit by a different source, and each one sets its own mood. Candlelight gives a warm, flickering glow that feels cozy and old-fashioned. A spotlight throws a crisp, bright light that hints, maybe this year, we’ll finally catch Santa nibbling on a Christmas Eve cookie. The third option, a soft lamplight, is a gentle, everyday wash of light. Choose the light that suits your space and the mood you want to set.
Walls: Where Is Santa?
Walls are the best place to show off Christmas Shadows Decoration. When neighbors see a shadow on your home, they’ll wonder whose shadow it is, and where the person casting it is. That adds a little bit of mystery to your display, and will get passersbys asking: “I see the shadow of Santa, but where is he?”
Project Santa and his reindeer arriving on the rooftop across your garage door, so it looks like they’ve just touched down on your home. Or let the elves’ boogie on your front wall, where the dance can spill across the siding. Use a tall stretch of wall, such as the side of the house or a fence, for Figgy, the lanky elf from Santa’s Workshop, building his snowman.
Interior walls work just as well. Project Santa and Mrs. Claus rocking in their chairs. Or place the kids tracking Santa in a hallway, so guests walk toward the question: will the kids catch him?
Go big. Shadows don’t have to follow the rules of proportion. A person standing close to a light casts a huge shadow, and the same idea works here. Move the projector farther from your wall and let the reindeer stretch across the entire surface. A shadow that fills a whole wall is far more exciting than a modest one.
Windows: A Neighborhood Peek
Windows and doorways create a different kind of charm. Display Christmas Shadows on Window Projection Material, and neighbors will see silhouettes moving behind your glass, as if Santa’s elves have settled into your living room and are preparing for a Christmas party. Or display Santa and Mrs. Claus sitting in rocking chairs and sipping cocoa, as they review the Naughty or Nice list. It’s a natural fit for a front window, creating a cozy mood visible from the sidewalk.
Decorating Disc XL: A Dynamic Ornament
Like most AtmosFX Decorations, Christmas Shadows is also optimized for the Decorating Disc XL. We like to think of the 43-inch-in-diameter circular projection screen as a dynamic ornament that you can hang nearly anywhere. For example, it’s great for people who don’t want to cover their entire front window with projection material, but still want to show some holiday spirit. Others will hang the Decorating Disc XL from tree branches – just like an ornament.
One thing we’ve noticed: the spotlight scenes in Christmas Shadows were made for each other. A spotlit circle looks like a full moon, so hang the disc in a tree or near your front door and let the reindeer stand in its glow. Because the disc is portable, you can move it around the yard until the moon looks just right.
Christmas Shadows Decoration brings a little North Pole mystery to every corner of your yard. Put Santa on the wall, let the elves dance, and watch the neighborhood wonder where he’s hiding. Show us your North Pole next door by submitting your photos and videos through our online form, and share the fun with fellow AtmosFX decorators!
