| You're tired. You've worked hard all week. | | | | |
| Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully... "let's | | | | |
| decorate!" ... in anticipation of the coming | | | | - Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy |
| holiday. The "let's not" is miraculously not | | | | together at the completion of your decorating |
| permitted to escape your lips. Instead you | | | | time. |
| take a deep breath while you wonder about how | | | | |
| this decorating could become an easier and | | | | |
| more fun-filled activity. | | | | |
| | | | Here are some favorite quick and easy |
| | | | decorating areas and tips: |
| | | | |
| Well, it can be! | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | 1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that |
| | | | is theme oriented and you can easily change |
| - First, insist on family members pitching in | | | | by season or by holiday. You can either hang |
| to help and treat this like a family project. | | | | up a completely new themed sign, or there are |
| This should not just rest on your shoulders | | | | some that come with interchangeable pieces |
| to accomplish and it will be much more fun if | | | | you swap in and out representing different |
| you all are making changes and creating | | | | holidays or themes. |
| memories together. | | | | |
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| | | | |
| | | | 2. The dining room table or a table that is |
| - Next, pick a day and time you'll all devote | | | | centrally located but not used that often- |
| no more than one to two hours for a quick | | | | Change the table runner or the tablecloth to |
| holiday makeover at your home (for a major | | | | a holiday themed one. Then showcase your |
| decorating holiday schedule two or three | | | | holiday decorations by arranging a |
| longer blocks of time). It helps if you can | | | | combination of your kid's holiday creations |
| set the decorating date about one to two | | | | and your own figurines or other holiday decor |
| weeks from now, if time still allows for | | | | on the table. |
| that. This gives you time to gather items | | | | |
| together for the project. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | 3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a |
| | | | string of lights and if you wish, you can |
| - Ask the kids to create one or two new arts | | | | also vary the string of lights by color best |
| and crafts decorations that are suitable to | | | | suited for the coming holiday theme. Wall |
| the holiday to have ready for the decorating | | | | hangings can be changed around this area |
| day. Or, ask them to select ones from among | | | | temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, |
| any they may already have on hand, for | | | | flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in |
| instance, from school projects. | | | | and to view on or around this area of your |
| | | | home. |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| - Decide on 3 to 4 areas you will focus on | | | | |
| decorating this year. Here are some choices: | | | | 4. Special areas by kid's choice- Smaller |
| the front door, the front yard, the entry | | | | children can help by adding little |
| hallway, the kitchen table, the dining room | | | | decorations to windows and glass doors. They |
| table, the living room, the patio, the | | | | enjoy taping up their creations or they can |
| bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas | | | | easily put up static cling decorations. Other |
| you could consider as well. But if you want | | | | areas small children enjoy decorating include |
| quick and dirty, then focus in on only 3 to 4 | | | | outdoors, the dog house and their own rooms. |
| of the areas for decorating this year. | | | | Allow them to handle this aspect of |
| Anyway, you can select other areas next year | | | | decorating while you take pleasure in their |
| for a change. | | | | big smiles and hugs! |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| - Keep holiday decorations in separate bags, | | | | Finally, make your decorating time even more |
| boxes or baskets in the same closet or in the | | | | enjoyable by having holiday background music |
| attic so they'll be easy for everyone to | | | | or other favorite tunes playing in the |
| retrieve when they are needed next. | | | | background. Then, when you're done |
| | | | decorating, finish up with a big family hug |
| | | | and munching on tasty snack treats together! |
| | | | |
| - Buy items you really love when you see them | | | | |
| advertised or they may not be available when | | | | |
| you later. It's common for seasonal | | | | Author Resource Box: |
| 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 | | | | Liz Hekimian-Williams is founder of |
| want it. Then stash your figurines, statues, | | | | Giftsprings.com, a gifts and home decor |
| wall hangings, and other holiday decorations | | | | online shop that features personalized gifts, |
| in your bags or boxes, sorted by holiday. | | | | custom engraved stones, holiday decor and |
| | | | special occasion gifts. |