Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating

Home
>
Holiday
>
Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating

Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating

You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully... "let's decorate!" ... in anticipation of the coming holiday. The "let's not" is miraculously not permitted to escape your lips. Instead you take a deep breath while you wonder about how this decorating could become an easier and more fun-filled activity.

Well, it can be!

- First, insist on family members pitching in to help and treat this like a family project. This should not just rest on your shoulders to accomplish and it will be much more fun if you all are making changes and creating memories together.

- Next, pick a day and time you'll all devote no more than one to two hours for a quick holiday makeover at your home (for a major decorating holiday schedule two or three longer blocks of time). It helps if you can set the decorating date about one to two weeks from now, if time still allows for that. This gives you time to gather items together for the project.

- Ask the kids to create one or two new arts and crafts decorations that are suitable to the holiday to have ready for the decorating day. Or, ask them to select ones from among any they may already have on hand, for instance, from school projects.

- Decide on 3 to 4 areas you will focus on decorating this year. Here are some choices: the front door, the front yard, the entry hallway, the kitchen table, the dining room table, the living room, the patio, the bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas you could consider as well. But if you want quick and dirty, then focus 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 in the same closet or in the attic so they'll be easy for everyone to retrieve when they are needed next.

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

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

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

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

2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally located but not used that often- Change the table runner or the tablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then showcase your holiday decorations by arranging a combination of your kid's holiday creations and your own figurines or other holiday decor on the table.

3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of lights and if you wish, you can also vary the string of lights by color best suited for the coming holiday theme. Wall hangings can be changed around this area temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in and to view on or around this area of your home.

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

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

Author Resource Box:

Liz Hekimian-Williams is founder of Giftsprings.com, a gifts and home decor online shop that features personalized gifts, custom engraved stones, holiday decor and special occasion gifts. Visit the gift shop at http://www.giftsprings.com

This article can be freely reprinted as long as the copyright notice and author resource byline with active link are included with the article.

In The News:

KATU
Holiday travel in Virginia predicted to increase
Progress Index
About 12000 more people are expected to hit the roads in Virginia this year compared to last year's Memorial Day holiday weekend, according to AAA - an increase of about 1.2 percent over 2011. The numbers are the result of a survey of travel intentions ...
Businesses looking up, as shore visits nearCherry Hill Courier Post
'Tipsy Tow' will get you home safely this Memorial Day weekendAZFamily
Brevard County Residents Have a Designated Driver with AAA's Tow to Go Program ...Brevard Times
Rockford Register Star -Newport Independent
all 1,011 news articles »

Holiday weekend first big test of Volusia's new beach-driving rules
Daytona Beach News-Journal
(NJ | Jim Tiller) Floridians are being warned by state and federal officials to keep an eye on a developing tropical system east of the state during holiday weekend activities. The system, which has caused flooding rains in South Florida this week, ...

and more »

Hometown Holidays
Washington Post
Change that the city's annual Hometown Holidays celebration Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 10 pm While dozens of concerts and shows play on eight stages across the Rockville Town Center, nearly 20 of the city's restaurants, from barbecue to baguettes, ...

and more »

USA TODAY
Memorial Day Preview: What to expect
GlobalPost
We trace the origins of the holiday. Members of the Armed Forces unveil the flag to celebrate Memorial Day prior to the game between the Chicago Fire and the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands on May 24, 2009 in East Rutherford, ...
Memorial Celebrations: Being Thankful For a Job Well DoneNJ TODAY
A time to rememberDaily Freeman Journal
Don't forget why we have Memorial DayMuscatine Journal
CollegeNews -The Coloradoan -Weatherford Democrat
all 135 news articles »

DWI Enforcement Common Over Holidays in Cortlandt
The Daily Cortlandt
by Jessica Glenza (email) New York State Police say enhanced enforcement of DWIs and safety restraints are now a common feature of holiday patrols. CORTLANDT, NY – Many consider Memorial Day the unofficial beginning of summer, and barbecues and beer ...

and more »

This is Money
Holiday money postcode lottery: Currency providers' exchange rates for euro ...
This is Money
Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said: 'Holidays don't come cheap and these anomalies don't help hard-pressed consumers.' A Thomas Cook spokesman said: 'Our foreign exchange bureaux in our stores are able to offer local rates that compete with ...
Some holiday money rates unfair, says Which?BBC News
Holidaymakers in exchange rate 'postcode lottery'Telegraph.co.uk

all 8 news articles »

Columbus Dispatch
Dear Abby: Time to decline niece's holiday invitations
Philadelphia Inquirer
DEAR ABBY:My sister “Ruth” and I spent most holidays dining out together after our families grew up and left home. Ruth died last year and her daughter “Lara” began inviting me for holidays “so I wouldn't be alone.” I have tried to decline, ...
Dear Abby: Poor plan leaves aunt home aloneGoErie.com

all 29 news articles »

Holiday display controversy resurfaces as committee drafts policy recommendation
Washington Post
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Loudoun County officials are already thinking ahead to the winter holidays — specifically, the matter of holiday displays outside the historic courthouse in Leesburg. Over the past several weeks, ...

and more »

Most couples end up arguing on holiday
Times of India
Going on a holiday is supposed to be a chance to escape routine and relax with your partners, but unfortunately it also seems to provide couples with the perfect opportunity to argue. And most of the bickering starts before the trip has even begun, ...

and more »

Schafer: Holiday is a very special day of remembrance
Coldwater Daily Reporter
Unfortunately for too many people the reason for this holiday has lost its purpose. This is true of many American holidays, which have become just a time to eat, drink and have a good time. To other Americans though, this holiday is a very special day ...

Google News