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

© 2003, 2004 Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings

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

---

The Only New Year?s Resolution You Need

I am going to make a bold statement. I think... Read More

Choosing A Great Gift For A Polar Bear Lover

Do you know someone who is absolutely crazy about polar... Read More

It?s Time to Start Thinking about Mothers Day

Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More

Celebrate the 4th and Help a Soldier

My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a... Read More

Online Shopping: Tips For Holidays Gift Shopping

It is holidays time, and you've the money and you... Read More

Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother's... Read More

The Magic Of Gift Giving At Christmas

Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a... Read More

The Truth about Mistletoe

You can call it the emasculator of the old king,... Read More

Great Gifts Under $5

Gift giving is at its absolute finest during the Christmas... Read More

Importance of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.Oh, sure,... Read More

10 Stress Free Tips to Pamper Mom This Mothers Day

Mothers Day is the day we set aside each year... Read More

Survival Kit for the Holidays: Grace, Gratitude and Random Acts Of Kindness

If you*re like me, the holidays always have a way... Read More

How to Make a Gift Basket

Gift Baskets are an ideal gift for nearly any occasion.... Read More

Birthday Journals

Last year, as I turned 50, (FIVE-OOOH!!!), I decided to... Read More

9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More

A Resolution Worth Keeping

New Years Resolutions: Making them is a tradition -keeping of... Read More

Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?

Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More

10 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have... Read More

Youre How Old?!?

"Well, Happy Birthday! How old are you anyway?""Oh, I'm just... Read More

Top 50 Christmas Quotations

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving... Read More

Jewelry As A Father?s Day Gift

It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry.... Read More

Mothers Day Flowers & Gifts!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th! Whether she lives next... Read More

The Art of Giving a Toast

Today one of my clients is throwing one of her... Read More

Easter Flowers

Easter is Sunday, March 27th! Don't forget the flowers! Your... Read More

Reduce Waste This Christmas

- Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than... Read More