Four Easy Ways to Avoid Holiday Decorating Overwhelm
Planning, reusing and refreshing your holiday decorations will help you create different and distinctive looks
by Chris H. Olsen, Home/Garden/Lifestyle Expert and Author of Five Seasons
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays should be about enjoying the beauty of the season while spending time with family and friends. But, with busy schedules and an abundance of decorating choices, it's easy to be overwhelmed during what is supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year." By taking to heart these four simple tips, you just may find yourself decorating with what you already have AND enjoying the holidays.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121128/DA20246)
1. Inventory all your decorations, laying them out by color and design when getting started. This gives you a visual overview of what you have available to bring the holiday spirit into each area of your home while making it so much easier to pick out and find what you need.
Look at your own inventory of holiday decorations. You may even come across some items you bought on clearance last year. Also, take a good look around your home and yard keeping an eye out for things that could find a place on a holiday mantle, wreath or tree. Re-purposing these items can make your home merry and bright, without making your wallet light!
2. Change is good! So, outdo yourself each year by re-using your existing decorations in different ways and perhaps in different rooms from year to year.
Plan ahead. Perhaps your mantle had a little extra flair this time last year. Using those same decorations, mix them up to create a centerpiece or wreath focal point instead. This will satisfy your desire for something new and give lift to show-worthy pieces. For example, planters from your front porch that held summer palms now can be brought indoors and decorated with faux flocked holiday trees to flank a fireplace or doorway.
3. Go room to room leaving the least important spaces in your house for last. Such areas are perfect for your decorating leftovers.
Use your best, most cherished holiday pieces in the highest traffic areas of your home. The remaining pieces can still be used to enhance the rooms of your home where you do the least entertaining. Decorative touches in these spaces, even using leftover pieces, adds a festive touch without the stress of a creating a major showpiece for guests.
4. Each year get rid of tired decorations and refresh some of your existing pieces or add new ones.
Refreshing tired decorations can be as easy as rinsing, dusting and untangling! But, it's worth the time and effort. If necessary, you can glue inexpensive new ornaments into a wreath to replace broken pieces or add a color. Add new ribbon to garland to freshen its look. Set yourself a budget for new Christmas accessories each year, and stay within those budget restraints.
Taking a little extra time early in the season to plan, reuse and refresh your holiday decorations will help you create different and distinctive looks. By using things you already have, and making a few quick enhancements, you can save yourself the "overwhelm" of additional time, energy and money leaving you more reason to celebrate the season.
SOURCE Chris H. Olsen
Share this article