Our bellies are full from Thanksgiving and Christmas is not far behind!
This week I filmed a holiday design segment with Jennie Montgomery for WJBF’s The Jennie Show.
At this time of year I like to suggest holiday decor that the while family can enjoy. Creating Christmas traditions is important. It is something your children can pass down to their children, creating fond memories at such a special time of year.
I also like to consider using objects that you more than likely already have at home, helping to keep the costs down.
Scents, especially at Christmas, are abundant this time of year.
Creating an experience can begin with the aroma in a room. Candles are very popular the days. And retailers know that people love to purchase pine and cinnamon scented candles during the Holidays!
Have you seen the price of candles these days? Search your pantry and find some cinnamon sticks, cloves and vanilla extract. Heat some water on the stove, add those ingredients, and your home will be festive without the expense of a candle! Add a slice of orange and some cranberries for color!
Maybe you have a new wreath you are placing on the door this year. What to do with last years wreath? Fluff it up, refresh it. Cut off old weather-worn ribbons. Maybe give it a little spray flocking and add some pine cones or colorful ornaments.
Instead of hanging the wreath this year, lay it flat on your dining table and place a group of candles inside the ring! If you have a long table, you can add a series of these running down the table to create even more drama!
Maybe you would like to add a little height to your table scape. Take a cake or cupcake stand, add a smaller wreath that fits perfectly on the stand, place a candle in the center and you have a simple statement piece.
You can also add some lower wreaths on either side, and you have an impactful statement.
If real candles are a hazard with children or pets, consider using a battery operated candle. They look very real these days!
If you like a real candle with a flame, consider using a type of large hurricane glass. This will keep the flame from creating issues. Place your candle in the hurricane and fill with colorful ornaments. Or keep it simple by adding some greens and pine cones.
Charcuterie boards are all the buzz at parties these days.
Everyone is arranging meats, cheeses and nuts creatively on a wooden slab and offering to their guests. Add some holiday theme by taking some holiday cookie cutters, such as a Santa or Christmas tree and lay them flat on the board. Arrange your cheeses and meats around the cutters and fill them with nuts and craisins!
If your cookie cutters aren’t colorful, spray paint them. But be sure to seal them with a food safe sealer!
The craft stores have a variety of “picks.” These are smaller stemmed floral decorations that have a variety of pieces grouped together. I found some that have some fake evergreen, some fake holly and a Christmas ornament.
These picks are very fun to play with. Place them on your guest’s dinner napkins, wrapping the stems inside the napkin ring. Place some picks on your bookshelf, concealing the stem. Place some picks among your buffet table. These little touches go a long way to add some holiday personality to your decor.
No matter how you choose to decorate. Try to use what you have. And have fun with it. Don’t overthink it. Your guests will appreciate the effort you took to create your holiday atmosphere!
