Savvy Redesigns Top Ten Tips for Holiday Decorating

From Decatur Living Magazine, December 2006 Edition

By: Denise M. Dolan

Savvy Redesigns' Lillian Huber knows home décor, so who better to help with the overwhelming task of holiday decorating? Lillian explains that holiday decorating breaks many of the "rules" of décor design that are used during most of the year, however some key design principles can be applied during this festive season to bring warmth, welcome, and holiday cheer to your home.

One of the most important things to remember when you are watching holiday decorating shows and flipping through the latest decorating magazine is this - they are professionals that have a staff! Keep your expectations reasonable based on where you are in life this year.

1. Use what you have
Take inventory and utilize what you already have rather than spending time and money on new decorations.

Make sure you think outside the box when you take inventory! Most everyday items can easily be transformed to have a festive holiday look. A crystal punch bowl looks great filled with ornaments or greenery. A mirror works perfectly as part of a centerpiece. A vase or wooden salad bowl filled with peppermints or cranberries adds a bit of seasonal color to any room. Tie a ribbon to an ornament and use it as the pull for the overhead light or fan!

2. Use your favorite things
Pull out your most cherished ornaments and decorations and put those in the holiday spotlight. Use your most loved items, not every decoration you own-you don't have to use them just because they were a gift, or because you've always used them!

In other words - edit your belongings and have your home reflect your family's personality. While you may have always displayed your antique holiday village or train set, this may not be the year to do so now that you have a two year old. You can always put out part of a collection. The great thing about the holidays is that they come every year! So what ever you do not use this year, you can us another time.

3. Use the colors of the season
Don't be afraid to mix your favorite holiday colors with your existing décor.

Everything does not need to match when you are decorating your home for the holidays. Plus, you do not have to use the "standard" holiday colors. If you are more trendy than traditional, add black and pink polka dots to frosted ornaments using paint pens. A Winter Wonderland is easily created by using blue, silver and white decorations (and don't forget to add some tinsel).

4. Think simplicity
Use simple items, like holiday ball ornaments, to add sparkle and cheer in unexpected places-vases, urns with candles, and plant pots.

For your gift list, use the same philosophy. Give everyone on your list an ornament or book and than make it a tradition. Pick up a few extra for hostess and last minute gift needs.

5. Bring the outdoors in
Use Magnolia leaves and other greenery to add warmth to holiday décor. Just remember some berries are poisonous; so be careful with children and pets.

It does not get much more Southern than to have magnolia leaves and holly adorn your mantel or centerpiece! Plus, with the days growing shorter and colder, everyone will welcome a bit of nature indoors. This does not mean extravagant arrangements. Look in your yard or a welcoming neighbor's for branches to place in a galvanized bucket with holly or nandina.

6. Candlesticks
Utilize those often-overlooked candlesticks to add elegance to every room in the house!

Use candles on your mantel, as part of your centerpiece, in the kitchen windows, around the tub and on bedside tables. The more the better. Light them all, dim the lights and enjoy how relaxed you will quickly become.

7. Parties
Go simple, don't try to overdo it and spend all of your time planning! If attending a party, take a hostess gift-nothing extravagant, a simple bottle of wine will do!

If you want to have a party but the thought of it makes you break out in a cold sweat, try having a last minute gathering. No one expects your home to be perfect when you have a last minute get together. How about an old fashion cookie swap. Or combine your energy with a few friends or neighbors and split the responsibilities.

8. Guests
Prepare ahead of time with a set of towels for each guest, wrapped up in ribbon for a spa-like look. Be sure to keep extra blankets and linens handy. Add candles and holiday décor to your guest rooms too!

If your guest room also serves as a storage room, the wrapping room and don't know where to put it room, start now and clear all but the necessities for your guests. If storage is an issue (as in most of our older homes!), use storage bins that will slide under the bed or that can neatly stack in a corner. If your kids want to help decorate and you are not ready to let go of how you want things, a guest room is the perfect room to hand over. A wreath made from paper snowflakes looks great over the headboard!

9. Furniture and decoration placement
Whether it means moving furniture to accommodate your Christmas tree, or removing décor to accommodate your Menorah, show your spirit! It may not be the best placement by decorating standards, but perhaps the best for everyday enjoyment during the holidays.

10. Additional quick tips for holiday decorating:

Use your holiday china daily, even for morning coffee!

Use mirrors to reflect light and add space to rooms.

If you need height for your mantel or centerpiece, use a cake plate.

It's okay to mix silver and gold in decorations!

Need artwork? Frame a piece of elegant wrapping paper.

Get the kids involved with simple holiday art projects.

With all of the hustle and bustle at this busy time of year, Lillian says, "Remember, it's about the reason we celebrate, not the decorations." Inspiration comes in many forms, so go ahead, use your imagination, and by all means, have fun!