Quick And Dirty Holiday Decorating

Quick And Dirty Holiday Decorating
By Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Fri Dec 9th

You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kidsshout gleefully... "let's decorate!" ... in anticipation of thecoming holiday. The "let's not" is miraculously not permitted toescape your lips. Instead you take a deep breath while youwonder about how this decorating could become an easier and morefun-filled activity.

Well, it can be!

- First, insist on family members pitching in to help and treatthis like a family project. This should not just rest on yourshoulders to accomplish and it will be much more fun if you allare making changes and creating memories together.

- Next, pick a day and time you'll all devote no more than oneto two hours for a quick holiday makeover at your home (for amajor decorating holiday schedule two or three longer blocks oftime). It helps if you can set the decorating date about one totwo weeks from now, if time still allows for that. This givesyou time to gather items together for the project. - Ask thekids to create one or two new arts and crafts decorations thatare suitable to the holiday to have ready for the decoratingday. Or, ask them to select ones from among any they may alreadyhave on hand, for instance, from school projects. - Decide on 3to 4 areas you will focus on decorating this year. Here are somechoices: the front door, the front yard, the entry hallway, thekitchen table, the dining room table, the living room, thepatio, the bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas youcould consider as well. But if you want quick and dirty, thenfocus in on only 3 to 4 of the areas for decorating this year.Anyway, you can select other areas next year for a change.

- Keep holiday decorations in separate bags, boxes or baskets inthe same closet or in the attic so they'll be easy for everyoneto retrieve when they are needed next.

- Buy items you really love when you see them advertised or theymay not be available when you later. It's common for seasonalmerchandise to change from year to year and also they are notstocked year-round typically. So, your item may no longer beavailable if you wait too long to decide you want it. Then stashyour figurines, statues, wall hangings, and other holidaydecorations in your bags or boxes, sorted by holiday.

- Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy together at thecompletion of your decorating time.

Here are some favorite quick and dirty decorating areas and tips:

1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that is theme orientedand you can easily change by season or by holiday. You caneither hang up a completely new themed sign, or there are somethat come with interchangeable pieces you swap in and outrepresenting different holidays or themes.

2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally locatedbut not used that often- Change the table runner or thetablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then showcase your holidaydecorations by arranging a combination of your kid's

holidaycreations and your own figurines or other holiday decor on thetable.

3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of lightsand if you wish, you can also vary the string of lights by colorbest suited for the coming holiday theme. Wall hangings can bechanged around this area temporarily as well. Holidayaccessories, flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in and toview on or around this area of your home.

4. Special areas by kid's choice- Smaller children can help byadding little decorations to windows and glass doors. They enjoytaping up their creations or they can easily put up static clingdecorations. Other areas small children enjoy decorating includeoutdoors, the dog house and their own rooms. Allow them tohandle this aspect of decorating while you take pleasure intheir big smiles and hugs!

Finally, make your decorating time even more enjoyable by havingholiday background music or other favorite tunes playing in thebackground. Then, when you're done decorating, finish up with abig family hug and munching on tasty snack treats together!

© 2003 Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings

About the author:Liz Hekimian-Williams is owner of Giftsprings.com, a gifts andhome decor online shopping site. Sign up for your complimentarysubscription to the Giftsprings ezine and browse the store athttp://www.giftsprings.com