On Air Now School Daze with Jenni Costello 6:00pm - Midnight Robbie Williams - No Regrets Schedule

Ethnically-Diverse Christmas Decorations Help 'Conversations About Race And Colour'

Sunday, 25 December 2022 06:00

By (C) Sky News: Ashna Hurynag, news correspondent

When Natalie Duvall's daughter looked at her Christmas decorations and their white skin tones, she couldn't see herself represented in the festive faces.

"Can Christmas angels have brown skin?"

That was the question posed by then seven-year-old Sophia to her mother Natalie Duvall as they decorated their Christmas tree in 2018.

She looked around at her fairies, angels and Santa Claus with their white skin tones and realised the answer - yes - wasn't an obvious answer to her daughter, who could not see herself represented in the faces she was putting on the tree and around her home.

It prompted Ms Duvall and Alison Burton to create Britain's first collection of ethnically-diverse Christmas decorations -angels, choristers and wise men with textured hair and black and brown skin.

Ms Duvall told Sky News:

"An angel could have any kind of skin, whether it was brown, pink or red.

"It's your interpretation of what an angel is.

"And it was really sad to me that my daughter thought that they were only one colour.

"They were only white.

"And that's not the world that I want my daughter to grow up in - that there's only one version or something."

The decorations are not just an accompaniment to Christmas festivities - they can prompt difficult conversations too.

Ms Burton said the decorations can be for everyone, not just those with black and brown skin for whom the representation is important.

She added:

"I think that some people find it daunting to have conversations about race and colour.

"But what you introduce into your household, whether it be the books that you read, the films you watch with your children, or even having diverse decorations on your tree, helps to facilitate that conversation about race and to normalise these in the household and for them not to feel like a novelty."

Decorations featuring people of colour do exist abroad, but they are a new concept for UK audiences.

They are designed by the founders, then packed and shipped from a warehouse in Kent.

The company, March Muses, is in its fourth year and the creations are the norm in the Duvall and Burton households.

"It was special to see my daughter's face light up when she saw this angel that looked like her," Ms Duvall said.

"She was like, 'Oh, it's brown. It looks like me'.

"It's a small way of showing her she is represented in this world, and that she belongs in this world.

"Now when we show her new designs of our angels she says 'I've seen them 100 times Mum, what's new?'.

"That's the reaction we want, we want it to be normal and not a novelty."

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2022: Ethnically-diverse Christmas decorations help 'conversations about race and colour'

More from Lifestyle

  • Five Most Delicious Pastries Worldwide

    Pastries are a universal language of indulgence, with cultures around the world contributing their own unique takes on this delicious art form. From flaky, buttery layers to creamy, custard-filled delights, here’s a list of the five most delicious pastries that should be on every food lover's must-try list:

  • Five Of The Most Stunning Sunsets In The World

    Sunsets captivate us with their breath-taking blend of colours, each unique to the place it graces. From vast deserts to bustling cities, sunset moments connect us with nature, offering both tranquillity and awe. Here’s five of the world’s most stunning locations to experience these natural wonders:

  • Five Amazing Disco Films to Brighten Your Day

    Whether you love a good dance floor, fabulous fashion, or simply need a feel-good escape, these disco films are sure to brighten your day. Here are five amazing disco-inspired movies that will transport you to an era of shimmering lights, soulful grooves, and the ultimate celebration of fun:

  • Five Incredible Bonfire Displays Worldwide

    The bonfire, an ancient tradition of fire and festivity, has become a canvas for celebration across cultures worldwide. Some of these fiery gatherings have evolved into massive public spectacles, where communities come together in awe of blazing art forms that range from awe-inspiring sculptures to burning effigies. Here’s a look at five of the wildest, most impressive bonfire displays that captivate audiences around the globe:

  • Five Unique Sauces From Around The World

    Sauces have a way of capturing the heart of a culture’s cuisine. The right combination of spices, herbs, and textures can bring out the richness of any dish. Here are five lesser-known but incredible sauces from around the world, each with its unique history and flavour profile.