| It's that time of year again: Christmas carols, | | | | went on the tree) and display them on your |
| hustle and bustle, shop till you drop, house | | | | mantel over a mixed pine garland, or you can put |
| decorating. It's the Holidays!! How are we going to | | | | them in a bowl to create a beautiful coffee table |
| get it all done? | | | | centerpiece. How about that silk poinsettia plant? |
| First and foremost is to make sure your home is | | | | You can cut the stems at the bottom and place |
| "Holiday Ready!" What do I mean by that? That | | | | the flowers on your tree in place of the balls. You |
| your house is ready for you, your family and | | | | can take the garland that used to go on the |
| your guests (including Santa) to enjoy and in | | | | banisters to wrap around your dining room |
| plenty of time to get the rest of the things on | | | | chandelier instead, or you can gather all the |
| the list done! A nicely decorated home sets the | | | | Santa-themed ornaments and nick-knacks and |
| tone. | | | | display your beautiful collection on a shelf. Once |
| This year, however, it may be a little more | | | | everything is in place, it'll be clear to see the |
| difficult for some of us to splurge as in years | | | | "holes." Make a list and plan your purchase ahead |
| past. But that doesn't mean that festive decor | | | | of time. Try to be as specific as possible, and |
| should suffer. | | | | consider the value of ready-made garlands, |
| Enter creativity! | | | | swags, wreaths and mini trees to fill empty spots |
| First on the agenda should be to bring out all the | | | | to showcase special mementos or complete a |
| decorations from storage. How many times have | | | | vignette. |
| I heard the famous phrase: "I can't remember | | | | And what that pile of odds and ends? How can |
| what I have!" But it happens all time--especially if | | | | you work them into your decor? Showcase them |
| we buy something on sale at the end of the year | | | | within larger pieces, like on a wreath, or group |
| and totally forget that we have it! Next, organize | | | | them inside of a toy box with a big bow. |
| all items by color or theme. All one-of-a-kinds, | | | | Decorating on a pinch doesn't have to be a drab...it |
| including that special gift from Aunt Sally, should | | | | can actually spark up your creativity culminating in |
| go on a different pile. | | | | a fabulously decorated house your friends, family |
| This is the time to think outside of the box and | | | | and yourself are sure to talk about for months to |
| repurpose your existing decorations. Maybe you | | | | come! |
| can you use the round ornaments (which typically | | | | |