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Deck the Halls!
3 Steps to Family-friendly Holiday Decorating
By Melissa Granberry
We may dream of a dazzling, festive home this holiday season, but is it really in our reach? Sure it is! With advice from expert decorators and experienced moms, you can have a beautifully decorated home for the holidays, without losing your savings – or your sanity!
According to Mark Montano, a designer from TLC's While You Were Out, a great way to start your holiday decorating is by choosing a theme. "I like to go with a color," he says. For example, when his niece was born, Montano used pinks and silvers for Christmas decorating. "It gave us a great starting point, and it meant something wonderful," he says.
Once you choose your theme, Montano suggests sorting through your decorations to determine what you want to use. "Then hit the '99 Cents' store," he says. "They have amazing ornaments, and it is easy to find an assortment of unique things."
Begin decorating at the focal point of the room, such as the fireplace. Montano recommends garlands to create a festive mantle. "They are traditional and always look great with candles and ornaments," he says.
Cheryl Katz, a designer for Burnes of Boston, adds a personal touch to the decor by framing vintage holiday photos or the lyrics from a favorite holiday song. Small gifts can also be displayed on the mantle, or if you haven't had time to finish your shopping, wrap Jell-O boxes in bright holiday paper.
For a funkier look, Montano ties ornaments together so they look like clusters of grapes. He then fills in any openings with fake poinsettia flowers. "Add some votives, and the reflection is amazing," he says.
For mirrors over the mantle or throughout the room, Katz recommends attaching a wreath right on the glass or dangling a sprig of mistletoe from the top of the frame. No mantle? No problem! Wall ledges are easy to hang and provide a great place to display decorations.
